SAFD hiring in June (Cool: jobs, drivers, exam)

[ATXSA]

Reading comprehension is by far the majority of the exam. However, the memorization questions are where most applicants make their errors. You need to do a search for practice memory scenes...they're out there. Also, first-time applicants sometimes slack off on their preparation because they hear that the test is easy. Well, that's correct...it is easy. It's also easy for a couple thousand other people in the room with you. This means missing one question could end your bid for this year. For example, you may make a 95 only to find out there's a hundred slots between your score and a 96 (not to mention those scoring higher).

[davi78239]

i took it about 3 years ago and didn't move on because I didn't score a 92 or higher. don't know whether the standards have changed or not since then. It was about almost 200 hundred questions and the first 15 are nothing but the memory scene. there was about close to 2000 people when I took it and I think by the end of everything, they were only gonna end up hiring about 150.

[ATXSA]

The test is one hundred questions. I believe the number of test takers has been between 3 to 4 thousand. Approximately 60-100 people have been hired off recent test lists (of course this includes passing the rest of the steps in the hiring process).

[jdcloud]

I did read and study the pdf info on the safd site so i was just inquiring if there was any other safd specific study guides, thanks for the info.....the ones at the book stores are worth checking into i suppose, these fire dept test,s are a pain in the !!!!!!!. i scored very well for el paso fire dept years ago and waited 2 years to get called.

[jdcloud]

so it sounds like the memorization part is the hardest part of these test.

[SAFD_Wife]

Originally Posted by jdcloud

so it sounds like the memorization part is the hardest part of these test.

That is always what my husband says. As someone mentioned before, missing one question could mean the difference between getting in or not. You and 200 others might get a 94, and if you are at the bottom of that group then you would really be wishing you got just one more question right. Do memorization practice tests!

[deek102]

Doesn't San Antonio College have a good FF education program? I know the OP lives in Corpus but maybe he can find a program there or if he's committed to being SAFD he might consider a move up I-37

[SAFD_Wife]

Originally Posted by deek102

Doesn't San Antonio College have a good FF education program? I know the OP lives in Corpus but maybe he can find a program there or if he's committed to being SAFD he might consider a move up I-37

SAC does have a great program. That is where my hubby went before he got in with SAFD. He worked for a smaller department for six years. The smaller departments require you to get certified in EMS and fire on your own, they don't offer certification. Unfortunately, getting certified on your own doesn't help you get into San Antonio Fire Department. (Military vets get 5 extra points on the SAFD exam, but existing firefighters get nada!). I strongly believe that if someone wants to be a firefighter so bad then they would be willing to get certified on their own and work for a smaller department while still trying to get into a place like SAFD or HFD. To me, it signifies who is passionate about the profession and who just wants a job. (I could go on and on about how these two groups of people function differently in the field).

[fireman0589]

has anyone taken SAFD polygraph test. How long is it, how many questions do they ask you, and what questions do they ask?

[SAFD_Wife]

I'm always here to answer a fire department question Ususally bc my huusband is right next to me.
My husband took the polygraph of course when he got hired. He was asked the same set of questions three times, and each time the question was worded differently. He said there were about 30 questions each round. From listening to the other guys talk about their experiences with the polygraph the test is different for each candidate. I know the most important thing is to NEVER change your answer. I suppose that if you lie the first time you should just lie each subsequent time. That sounds horrible doesn't it? They are not going to hire a liar so if they catch you in a lie you are automatically dunzo. Just don't lie from the beginning and you'll be okay! True story: We have a friend we was on track to get in the next cadet class. He got all the way to the polygraph and he didn't get in because they "didn't like his breathing pattern". Honestly, I think he researched polygraph tests and thought too much about it. Rather than just telling the truth he tried to beat the test.