Preparing for the written tests
As part of the On‑Call Firefighter recruitment process, candidates are required to demonstrate competency in Maths and English. This is usually evidenced by providing scans of your GCSE Maths and English certificates at grade C/4 or above as part of your application. Equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2, may also be accepted however these will be reviewed by HR on a case‑by‑case basis when your application is received.
If you did not obtain these in school or have since lost evidence of your grades, you will be required to complete a numeracy and / or a literacy test:
Numeracy test
Time limit: 15 minutes
This test looks at your ability to interpret and analyse numerical information. This will be presented to you in a graph, table or short passage. You’ll need to be able to calculate basic equations that are similar to GCSE level. You’ll need to consider how the problem can be solved and identify the information to do so before you do the calculations. You can use a calculator.
Firefighters need to be able to make basic mathematical calculations, for things like interpreting gauges or calculating how much hose is needed at a fire.
Literacy test
Time limit: 18 minutes
In this test, questions will be presented as short passages of information about a specific topic. You’ll need to decide whether the statements are true, false, or not possible to say. Your decision-making process should only rely on the information in front of you. This will assess your ability to interpret and evaluate verbal information.
Practice tests
To feel extra prepared before test day, we recommend you complete some practice tests. This will also help you get familiar with how to fill them out.
Please note: the practice tests on this page are online, but the tests to become an On-Call firefighter at HWFRS are currently paper based.