Most fire departments give a written examination as the first part of the testing process. Since there are usually an enormous number of candidates who apply for the position, difficult written examinations are an effective way to narrow the field. There is no excuse for a firefighter candidate to fail a written exam. Those who are committed to their goal will plan and prepare for the written exam to improve their chances of success. While there are other self-help books devoted to helping aspiring firefighters, they only provide questions and answers. These books are useless if you do not understand how to work out the problems. Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam goes beyond providing sample questions and answers. It teaches the reader the basic rules and principles behind the questions; in other words, how to solve each complex problem. Each section begins with an overview of how to solve the problem. The reasoning behind the correct answer is presented in clear, easy-to-understand language. The reader will become proficient in: mathematics (word problems, geometry, addition, subtraction, multiplication); mechanical aptitude (gears, levers, pulleys, incline planes, screws); language (reading, spelling, grammar, vocabulary); perceptual ability; spatial relations; matching parts and figures; map reading. Illustrations are used throughout the book to teach basic principles and present problems to solve.