What's the actual passing score for FIRST? Getting conflicting info
Been searching for the FIRST passing score and I keep seeing different numbers. Some say 70%, others say 75%, and the official website isn't super clear.
I've been working through "first aid kit" searches online and the passing requirement seems to vary by state or version? Or am I overthinking this?
My practice test scores are hovering around 64%. Should I be aiming higher before I schedule my actual exam?
Also I noticed on first aid for burns — are the practice questions usually harder or easier than the real thing? Trying to calibrate how ready I actually am.
Any recent test takers who can share what the real cutoff is?
If you're looking for a starting point, the first practice test is worth trying — the questions closely match what you'll see on test day.
The honest answer is: it depends a lot on your background.
If you're already working in this field, the FIRST exam is testing knowledge you probably use daily. The "first aid kit" sections will feel familiar.
If you're coming in from outside, give yourself an extra 2 weeks and really focus on the practical application questions.
The practice tests here are worth doing repeatedly — I did the same test bank multiple times and found new questions I'd missed each time.
The honest answer is: it depends a lot on your background.
If you're already working in this field, the FIRST exam is testing knowledge you probably use daily. The "first aid kit" sections will feel familiar.
If you're coming in from outside, give yourself an extra 2 weeks and really focus on the practical application questions.
The practice tests here are worth doing repeatedly — I did the same test bank multiple times and found new questions I'd missed each time.
Quick update: just cleared 86% on my most recent first-aid practice set using first aid practice test pdf. Sitting for the real thing in 3 weeks. Feeling cautiously optimistic.
Coming back to this thread — just passed my first-aid yesterday. Everything about the first-aid practice test section is accurate. For anyone still studying, the first aid practice test pdf was the closest thing to the real exam I found.
So I actually failed my first attempt and the score confusion is real — I got 69% and thought I was close, but turns out the cutoff at the time was 70% for my state. The thing is, FIRST (the Foundation for Informed Risk and Safety Training) doesn't publish a single universal passing score because it varies depending on which version you're taking and sometimes the certifying body that requires it. 70% is the most common number I've seen, but some employers or programs require 75% or higher on top of that.
After I failed, I dug into the actual content breakdown rather than just cramming everything. The questions I kept missing were the scenario-based ones — cardiac emergencies, bleeding control, and airway management. Those aren't just memorization, they want you to apply the steps in the right order under pressure. I also noticed I was weak on the legal/consent stuff like implied consent for unconscious patients. That section trips a lot of people up.
What actually helped me pass on the second try was running through timed practice sets so I got comfortable with the format. Don't go in assuming 70% is your target — aim for 80%+ in practice so you have a real buffer. Also check directly with whoever requires the cert for you (employer, school, whatever) because that's where the "official" cutoff actually lives for your situation.
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