Testing
Practical Skills Test
The Practical Skills Test (PST) is FPSI’s dedicated cognitive ability measure, developed to assess mechanical aptitude and spatial orientation among firefighter candidates. These domains are directly linked to essential job tasks, including equipment operation, tool maintenance, and applied problem-solving in fire service contexts.
The PST provides a 90-minute, paper-and-pencil assessment that measures:
- Repair and maintenance of tools and equipment
- Use and operation of fire-related equipment
- Problem-solving, analysis, and decision-making in fire technology and science contexts
Validated in 2002 through studies across three fire academies in different states, the PST has proven to be a reliable predictor of academy performance, increasing success rates by up to 10% when the recommended cutoff score is applied. Candidates who perform at or above this benchmark consistently earn higher supervisory ratings in critical skill areas.
While the PST can be used as a stand-alone assessment, agencies see the greatest success when pairing it with additional written or interpersonal assessments to create a well-rounded hiring process. Results may be applied in a pass/fail, banding, or rank-order format, and weights can be established when combining with other FPSI exams.