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Failed the FDNY exam twice — what am I missing for round three?

by David K. 6 views3 replies
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David K.OP
May 27, 2026

So I've been trying to get into the FDNY for almost two years now and I've bombed the written exam twice. First time I scored a 72, second time a 74 — you need a 70 to pass but from what I've heard you basically need to be in the high 80s or above to actually get called. I'm doing something wrong and I can't figure out what.

Between attempts I used a few random FDNY practice test PDFs I found online but honestly they felt way too easy compared to the real thing. The actual exam hit me hard on the spatial orientation and reading comprehension sections — stuff I thought I was solid on. I need a better FDNY study guide that actually matches the real test format. Has anyone used a structured program that actually worked?

I'm giving myself 4 months to prepare this time. I can study 1-2 hours a day on weekdays and more on weekends. Just want to know what actually moved the needle for people who passed with a competitive score.

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Kevin O.
May 27, 2026
Dude the spatial orientation section is no joke — that's what got me my first time too. What helped me most was doing timed drills specifically for that section, like 30 questions in 20 minutes. Once I actually committed to a real FDNY practice test that mimicked the pacing, my score jumped from a 76 to an 89 in about 10 weeks. Don't underestimate the memorization component either. They give you a map or a floor plan and then take it away. Practice that daily.
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Kevin O.
May 28, 2026
Four months is plenty of time if you stay consistent. I'd lock in a schedule and treat it like a second job. The people who retake and fail again are usually the ones who study casually. You clearly want this — just get serious with the structure and you'll get there.
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Ravi S.
May 28, 2026
The reading comprehension is harder than it looks because it's not just general comp — they test whether you can follow multi-step instructions under pressure. I'd suggest finding exam tips specifically about active reading strategies, things like underlining key action words before re-reading. I used a combo of the official candidate handbook and two practice test books. Took me about 90 days of serious prep. Passed with an 88 and got called within 8 months. Totally doable with the right material.

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