F IREFIGHTER T ESTING P ROCESS
1 | P a g e
VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG FIREFIGHTER
TESTING PROCESS
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of Schaumburg will initiate the testing process for Firefighter. You must apply online from Thursday, January 8, 2015 through Friday, February 6, 2015 only.
The written examination for all qualified applicants will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Harper College, Room E 106, 107 and 108, 1200 W. Algonquin Rd., Palatine, IL.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Candidates must be at least 21 and not yet 35 at the time of the written exam
• Must possess an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s Degree (any major is acceptable) from an
accredited college or university at the time of the exam (military service and/or credit hours are NOT a substitute)
• Possess a valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) (less than 1 year old) at the time of the Board interview (top group (30 or 40) of scores only at this time, date to be determined) and at the time of hire.
o To Obtain your CPAT Card you may visit either of the following websites:
http://www.sufd.org/news/index/layoutfile/home
http://www.nipsta.org/
All submittals become the property of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and will not be returned. The Village of Schaumburg is an EOE.
2 | P a g e
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for applying for a position with the Village of Schaumburg Fire Department.
This letter contains important information about the written aptitude test. You should read this letter carefully to be sure that you understand the procedures that will be used during the administration of the written test.
The department has received more applicants than there are available positions. As a result, the department has established a competitive application process. This application process is designed to ensure that the selection of new recruits will be accomplished in a fair and objective fashion.
The written aptitude test will be administered on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at Harper College in Rooms E106/107/108 (located at 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL). Instructions for the study period will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Applicants who arrive after 9:00 a.m. may be excluded from the test session.
TESTING SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1:30 PM.
The schedule for the written aptitude test is as follows:
15 minutes Instructions for Study Period 2 hours Study Period
15 minutes Break
15 minutes Check-in for Examination Period 15 minutes Instructions for Exam
1 ½ hours Examination
A description of the written aptitude test procedures is presented below. Please examine these procedures to ensure that you fully understand them, since each applicant has the responsibility of informing the department of any difficulties or problems created by these procedures. Applicants who wish to report any concerns about these procedures should contact the department no later than one week prior to the examination date.
The study session will begin immediately after the completion of the registration period. The
instructions for the study session will be read aloud by a test monitor. During the study session, each applicant will be given two (2) hours to study a variety of printed materials. These materials will include printed text, line drawings, written instructions, and pictures. These study materials are the
3 | P a g e
basis for the aptitude test which will be administered during the afternoon session.
Applicants are allowed to make written notes about the study materials. However, these notes must be written on paper which will be provided by the test monitor. Also, each applicant must turn in his/her notes to the test monitor at the conclusion of the study session.
During the study session, you may take as many breaks as you would like. Please note, however, that these breaks will shorten the amount of time that you will have for studying.
You may leave early from the study session. However, once you decide to leave from the study session, you must turn in your materials and you will not be allowed back until the registration period for the test.
Applicants will be given ½ hour break. Food will not be provided. Instead, you will be required to provide your own snack. You may want to bring food with you (i.e., granola bars).
The test session will begin with the re-registration of each applicant. Instructions for the test will be read aloud by the test monitor. The test will require that applicants read printed materials and record their answers on an optically scanned computer sheet. Applicants will be required to use a pencil to record their answers. You will have one and a half (1 ½) hours to complete the written examination.
All questions on the examination will be drawn directly from materials provided during the morning study session. You must learn the study materials presented earlier to do well on the examination.
Note this important instruction: You will not be allowed to take the exam if you did not attend and register for the morning study session.
Do not bring notebooks or other study materials with you to the testing site.
All necessary materials, including note paper, will be provided to you.
Below are some tips which might help to make your test date more comfortable and successful:
1) Answer every question on the test, even if you have to guess - there is no penalty for guessing.
2) Take your time - there should be plenty of time in both the study session and the test period.
3) Bring snacks or money to buy food - lunch will not be provided.
4) Listen carefully to the monitor's instructions.
5) Make certain that your answers are entered into the correct spaces on the answer sheet.
4 | P a g e
6) If you have trouble with a particular question, initially select the best alternative, and return to it later
7) Be certain that you really understand the material in the Study Guide.
8) Get a good night's rest before the test.
9) Try to relax as much as possible during the test.
Testing will require a total of 4 ½ hours, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing. Also, you should bring along a picture identification such as a driver's license.
Smoking will not be allowed in the study/examination room(s). However, applicants may take as many breaks as they wish during the study session.
If you need additional information or wish to report a difficulty associated with the testing procedures, contact Nanette Burns at (847) 923-4707.
Sincerely,
Village of Schaumburg
Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
(MORE)
5 | P a g e
Firefighter
Sworn Applicant Process Test Sections
Copyright © 2012, IPSP, Inc.
GENERAL PREPARATION TIPS FOR THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION
1. ON THE DAY OF TESTING
A) Wear comfortable clothing B) Arrive early
C) Get a good rest the night before D) Eat a good meal before you arrive
2. LEARNING THE STUDY GUIDE
A) You must put in a lot of study time. The study session is scheduled to last for two (2) hours. Simply reading through the study guide once is not enough to fully comprehend the materials.
B) Read and memorize all of the material in the study guide.
C) Pay particular attention to the instructions of each section.
D) Write an outline - you cannot use your notes during the exam but writing an outline will help you to memorize and organize the material.
E) Test yourself on the material - think of the types of questions which will be asked on the exam (reading it through is not enough to really learn it).
3. WHILE TAKING THE EXAM
A) Take your time - The written exam is scheduled for 1 ½ hours, which should be more than enough time to complete the exam. However, it is your responsibility to complete your test within the allotted time period.
B) Don't get stuck on any one question - if you don't know an answer, leave the question and come back to it later
C) If you don't know an answer, then guess - there is no additional penalty for guessing, and guesses are usually correct
D) Select the alternative which you feel is correct but also review the alternatives which you feel are incorrect just to make sure - don't jump to hasty conclusions
7 | P a g e
SECTIONS OF THE FIREFIGHTER APPLICANT EXAM
1. ABILITY TO SOLVE WORK-RELATED ARITHMETIC
The Study Guide will present examples of math problems and their solutions. You will need to understand how to solve these basic math problems for the test.
2. LEARN AND USE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
This section of the written examination will evaluate your ability to learn and use technical information. It will contain several articles and instructions relating to firefighting. You must read and learn these materials in order to answer relevant questions that will appear on the test.
3. LEARN AND RECALL VISUAL INFORMATION
This section of the exam will evaluate your ability to learn and recall various mechanical objects, symbols, blueprints, and room layouts. On the test, you will be asked to identify the details contained within these drawings.
4. OBSERVE AND REPORT EVENTS ACCURATELY
This section of the written exam will evaluate your ability to observe, remember, and report details about situations and events. The Study Guide will present pictures with short scenarios describing an event. For the test, you will be required to recall specific details about these events.
8 | P a g e
SECTION 1:
ABILITY TO SOLVE WORK-RELATED ARITHMETIC PROBLEMS
1. WHAT TO LEARN
A. Learn how to solve the types of job-related mathematical problems listed in the Study Guide. The actual word problems in the Study Guide do not need to be memorized—they are provided to help you learn.
B. Be sure that you understand how to solve the following types of mathematical problems:
1. Addition 2. Subtraction 3. Multiplication 4. Division 5. Percentages 6. Mileage 7. Averages 8. Military time 9. Angles
10. Measuring space and volume
C. If you are confused by any of the mathematical problems listed above, then you should consult a basic math book or request assistance.
2. WHAT WILL BE ON THE TEST
Questions on the test will assess your ability to solve word problems and basic math problems. Be sure to read each question carefully so that you understand the type of mathematical operation that should be used to solve the problem.
9 | P a g e
SECTION 2:
ABILITY TO LEARN AND USE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
READING MATERIALS
1. WHAT TO LEARN
A. During the Study Session, read the articles, essays, and instructions carefully to learn all of the facts and principles that are presented. Note that you will not have the Study Guide available when you take your test, so you must remember the details.
B. It is often helpful to take notes on important ideas and facts. (Be aware, that you may take notes during the study session to help organize your thoughts.
However, you will not receive your notes back when you complete your test.) C. Be sure to read all passages several times. You will learn more and retain it
better each time you read the passage.
D. Be an active learner—write out questions that you think may be on the exam.
2. WHAT WILL BE ON THE TEST
A. Some questions will be straightforward and ask you specific facts.
B. Some questions will ask for your understanding of the principles. These questions may ask you to apply the ideas to different situations.
C. Remember, there is only one correct answer for each question. If you feel that there is more than one correct answer, then choose the best answer.
10 | P a g e
SECTION 3:
ABILITY TO LEARN AND RECALL VISUAL INFORMATION PART 1: MECHANICAL DEVICES
1. WHAT TO LEARN
A. Learn how to recall and understand visual and mechanical material as presented in various diagrams which appear in the Study Guide.
B. Be sure to remember the label of each diagram since the labels may not appear on the test.
C. Study each diagram and take notes on what may make a particular mechanical device or object unique. Even though you may not use your notepaper for the test, writing down details will help you to learn and recall this information.
2. WHAT WILL BE ON THE TEST
Questions on the test will assess your ability to recognize and remember shapes and locate objects in space. Some questions may refer to the object by name while others may ask you how the object is used.
11 | P a g e
SECTION 3:
ABILITY TO LEARN AND RECALL VISUAL INFORMATION SECTION 2: BLUEPRINTS & MAPS
1. WHAT TO LEARN
A. This section presents various blueprints and maps. You must learn where different rooms and objects are located on each diagram.
B. Be sure to remember the title of each diagram since the actual diagram may not appear on the test.
C. Take notes and draw each diagram on your notepaper. Even though you may not use your notepaper for the test, writing down details will help you to learn and recall this information.
D. Pay particular attention to the relationships of objects/rooms (i.e., where is one room/object in relation to another). Be sure that you can navigate around the blueprint or map. In other words, an understanding of compass directions (North, South, East, and West) may be helpful.
2. WHAT WILL BE ON THE TEST
Each question is straightforward but it emphasizes the location of rooms/objects.
Some questions will refer to the diagram by name. Other questions may provide an outline of the diagram but you will need to know the details.
12 | P a g e
SECTION 4:
ABILITY TO OBSERVE AND REPORT EVENTS ACCURATELY
1. WHAT TO LEARN
A. Learn the details of the pictures and the stories which follow each of the pictures in the Study Guide.
B. Be sure to remember the title for each picture since the pictures themselves will not be on the exam.
C. Look at each picture more than once and write down what you see.
D. Pay particular attention to numbers, dates, and details.
2. WHAT WILL BE ON THE TEST
Each question is straightforward but they emphasize details. Questions will refer to the scene by its name and topic. You must be able to recall the details of the scene from memory.
