DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude exam-day guide
DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport) on the day. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy or digital copy is acceptable.
Test admission or confirmation details
Carry any admission letter, booking confirmation, or reference number the provider sends you. Confirm with the provider exactly what documentation you must present at check-in.
Arrive early
Plan to reach the venue well before your scheduled start to allow for check-in, ID verification, and settling in. Confirm with the provider the required arrival time and any late-arrival policy.
Know the venue and route
Confirm the exact address, building entrance, and parking or public transport options ahead of time. Do a route check the day before if you can.
Read the official candidate information
Review the provider's current candidate handbook or information pack for format, timing, permitted items, and scoring. Policies can change, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Confirm permitted and prohibited items
Ask the provider what you may bring into the test room (e.g., water, tissues) and what is banned (e.g., phones, smart watches, notes). Do not assume.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Prioritise sleep in the days before, eat a normal breakfast, and bring water only if the provider permits it. Avoid trying new supplements or heavy caffeine on the day.
Practice materials and mental warm-up
Use official or generic practice to familiarise yourself with question styles and pacing. Do a short, low-stress warm-up the morning of rather than cramming new content.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you need adjustments (e.g., extra time, medical needs), confirm with the provider well in advance that arrangements are approved and in place.
Backup transport plan
Have a fallback route or contact number in case of delays. Keep the provider's contact details handy in case of an emergency.
Clothing and comfort
Wear comfortable layers and follow any dress guidance the provider gives. Confirm with the provider if you are unsure whether any dress code applies.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Storage for personal items may be limited, so confirm with the provider where bags and phones should be left.
Plan the day
Re-read the official candidate information and confirm venue, arrival time, ID requirements, and permitted items with the provider. Complete any remaining practice under timed conditions, but taper the volume. Protect sleep, eat normally, and avoid last-minute changes to routine.
Lay out ID, confirmation documents, water (if permitted), and comfortable clothing. Check transport and weather, set two alarms, and avoid heavy study. Get a full night's sleep; do not stay up cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with buffer time. Do a brief, calm warm-up (e.g., a few easy practice questions) rather than new or stressful material. Arrive early, follow check-in instructions, and switch off and stow your phone as directed.
Listen carefully to instructions and read each question fully before answering. Manage your pace against the time available, flag or skip items you are unsure of if the format allows returning to them, and answer every question if there is no penalty for guessing (confirm the scoring rules with the provider). Use any breaks only as permitted, and keep to the rules on talking and materials.
Rules to check
Bring the ID and documentation the provider requires and present it at check-in; confirm accepted ID forms with the provider in advance.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and test staff. If an instruction is unclear, ask staff rather than guessing.
Do not bring prohibited items such as phones, smart watches, or notes into the test room unless the provider explicitly permits them; stow devices as directed.
Keep to the provider's rules on breaks, leaving the room, and talking. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled and what the procedure is.
Do not communicate with or disturb other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy or share answers.
Confirm the scoring rules with the provider, including whether wrong answers are penalised and whether unanswered questions count against you, before deciding how to guess.
If you feel unwell or have an issue during the test, raise it with staff immediately rather than struggling silently; confirm the provider's policy on illness or interruptions.
Report any technical or environmental problem (e.g., faulty equipment, excessive noise) to staff at the time so it can be recorded.