1.       PREPARING WRITTEN MATERIAL - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
 

2.       FIRE INVESTIGATION - These questions test for a knowledge of fire investigation methods, principles, practices, and equipment. The questions cover such areas as the following: fire chemistry and behavior including accelerants and special materials; investigative equipment and procedures; burn patterns and other means of differentiating between arson and accidental fires; properties and characteristics of fires due to various causes, such as electrical, mechanical, chemical, and weather-related; and evidence gathering, court proceedings, applicable laws, and the characteristics and motives of an arsonist.

3.       FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE INSPECTIONS, AND FIRE HAZARDS - These questions test for a knowledge of the methods, principles, practices, and equipment of fire prevention, conducting fire inspections, and dealing with fire hazards. The questions cover such areas as the following: fire prevention campaigns; automatic and other extinguishment systems; alarms; dealing with building owners and managers; characteristics of combustible materials; recognizing proper and improper practices related to fire prevention; and codes and regulations related to fire prevention.

4.       ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.

5.       ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES - These questions test for a knowledge of management techniques and practices used in directing or assisting in directing a program component or an organizational segment. Questions cover such areas as interpreting policies, making decisions based on the context of the position in the organization, coordinating programs or projects, communicating with employees or the public, planning employee training, and researching and evaluating areas of concern.

6.       EDUCATING AND INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting  with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.

7.       EVALUATING CONCLUSIONS IN LIGHT OF KNOWN FACTS - These questions will consist of a set of facts and a conclusion. You must decide if the conclusion is proved by the facts, disproved by the facts or if the facts are not sufficient to prove or disprove the conclusion. The questions will not be specific to a particular field.

8.       SUPERVISION - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

9.       UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING FIRE CODES - These questions test for the ability to comprehend written material related to fire prevention and inspection. You will be provided with a brief reading passage. You must then select the most appropriate statement relating  to the passage on the basis of whether it: a. accurately paraphrases portions of the passage; or b. adequately summarizes the passage; or c. presents an inference that can reasonably be drawn from the passage. The reading passages are drawn from existing New York State and national codes, regulations, and standards. Knowledge of the subject matter contained in the reading passages is generally not related to answering the questions successfully because all of the information needed can be found in the passages.