CPS Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CPS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CPS Exam Format at a Glance

100

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

Passing Score

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📚 CPS Topics to Study (83)

Basic Math · 7 cards Basic Math · 7 cards Basic Math · 7 cards Basic Math · 7 cards Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 cards Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 cards Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 cards Basic Math · 7 cards Verbal Reasoning · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude Principles · 7 cards Mechanical Aptitude Principles · 7 cards Oral Information Comprehension · 7 cards Oral Information Comprehension · 7 cards Oral Information Comprehension · 7 cards Oral Information Comprehension · 7 cards Oral Information Recall · 7 cards Oral Information Recall · 7 cards Oral Information Recall · 7 cards Oral Information Recall · 7 cards Situational Judgment and Teamwork · 7 cards Situational Judgment and Teamwork · 7 cards Situational Judgment and Teamwork · 7 cards Situational Judgment and Teamwork · 7 cards Situational Judgment Scenarios · 7 cards

See all 83 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample CPS Questions & Answers

1. What is the average of 12, 18, 24, and 30?

✓ 21

The sum is 84, divided by 4 equals 21.

2. A radio call states: 'Three firefighters are on the roof, two are in the basement, and one is at the command post.' How many firefighters are on the roof?

✓ Three

Three firefighters are on the roof.

3. A fire truck tank holds 500 gallons. After fighting a fire, 340 gallons remain. What percentage of the tank was used?

✓ 32%

(500 − 340) ÷ 500 × 100 = 160 ÷ 500 × 100 = 32%.

4. During the incipient (early) stage of a fire, what is the primary characteristic?

✓ Heat, smoke, and flame production are minimal and the fire is still small

The incipient stage is the earliest phase where the fire is small, heat output is low, and there is limited smoke production — the best stage for suppression.

5. A bill of $80 includes a 10% tip. What is the total amount paid?

✓ $88

10% of 80 is 8, and 80 plus 8 equals 88.

6. A fire crew lays out 450 feet of a 2.5-inch hose. If the friction loss for this type of hose is 10 PSI per 100 feet, what is the total friction loss for the entire length of the hose?

✓ 45.0 PSI

First, determine how many 100-foot sections are in the total length: 450 feet / 100 feet = 4.5 sections. Then, multiply the number of sections by the friction loss per section: 4.5 * 10 PSI = 45.0 PSI total friction loss.

🎯 Free CPS Practice Tests

Basic Math · 7 questions Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 questions Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 questions Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 questions Fire Behavior and Combustion · 7 questions Oral Information Comprehension · 7 questions Oral Information Comprehension · 7 questions Oral Information Comprehension · 7 questions Oral Information Comprehension · 7 questions Mechanical Aptitude and Principles · 7 questions

📖 CPS Guides & Articles

Your CPS Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (535)🏆 Exam Simulation