The FACT (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test)
FACT (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test) is published by Fire and Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI).
Source: fpsi.com.
What it asks of you
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Reading comprehension
reading and understanding written material.
Northline practice: reading and written comprehension.
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Writing ability
writing clearly and accurately.
This section sits outside the lab. Prepare for it separately.
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Map reading
finding a route and reading a diagram.
Northline practice: spatial reasoning.
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Mathematical reasoning
arithmetic and applied calculation.
Northline practice: numerical reasoning.
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Character and interpersonal
teamwork, communication and interpersonal judgement.
This section sits outside the lab. Prepare for it separately.
Who sits it
- Airdrie Fire Department , 7 stages, the aptitude test at stage 2
The online aptitude stage is the Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test (FACT) together with a Comprehensive Examination Battery, at a fee of $35 USD stated on the department's page. Interviews and assessments are by invitation only after the online results, and out of province applicants may request a virtual interview. All front line firefighters are also registered paramedics. The stated VO2 max standard is 12 minutes 30 seconds.
Source: airdrie.ca.
How the lab prepares you
The lab holds 629 questions with a worked explanation on every one. It starts with a 24 question diagnostic that shows which reasoning areas cost you points, builds a daily plan from the result, and brings each mistake back on a later day as a fresh question on the same skill.
In the shape of a FACT (Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test) sitting, with Northline's own questions.
It leaves writing ability and character and interpersonal for you to prepare separately. It covers the other 3 sections.