Cognitive test

The Fire Service uses three cognitive tests to assess an applicant’s basic literacy, mathematical skills and to assess an applicant’s ability to solve problems relative to the demands of the role.

The tests are administered by NZ Fire Service personnel according to strict control procedures. Each test will be clearly explained by the test administrator and candidates will have the opportunity to work through sample questions immediately prior to the test to ensure they fully understand the tasks required of them.

The total time required to sit all three tests is approximately 2 hours.

• The first two tests are designed to measure the ability to see relationships and solve problems. The first test constitutes the linguistic section, which includes verbal analogies, vocabulary, similarities, and verbal reasoning.
• The second test constitutes the mathematic section, which includes number series, arithmetic reasoning, and number matrices.
• The third test measures the ability to reason symbolically, think abstractly, and the capacity to solve new or non-routine problems. All of the items present visual patterns that require matching and completion.

The cognitive testing is pass/fail.

Candidates are required to achieve a minimum score in each of the three tests, as well as achieve a minimum total score.

Those candidates who pass the cognitive testing will proceed on to attempt the Physical Pre-Entry Testing (PPT) on the same day.

Click here to test yourself in a sample cognitive test online.

How many people do the cognitive tests, and how many pass?

At the Cognitive Test stage the Fire Service will test approximately 400 applicants, and on average around 90% of them will pass.

Click here to read about the next stage in the recruitment process.