NFST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NFST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which class of fire involves energized electrical equipment? → Class C
2. During a structure fire, your incident commander gives an evacuation order. You believe there is still a victim inside. What should you do? → Evacuate immediately and report your concern to the IC at the exit
3. Identify the sentence that avoids redundancy. → The summit resulted in a peace agreement.
4. A passage reads: 'The company's profits have increased exponentially over the past decade.' What does 'exponentially' suggest about the growth? → Growth was rapid and accelerating
5. Read the sentence: 'The economy of the United States is one of the largest in the world.' What is described as one of the largest in the world? → The economy of the United States
6. A fire burns at a rate consuming 200 square feet every 5 minutes. How many square feet will burn in 30 minutes? → 1,200 sq ft
7. The sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, … follows a pattern. What is the next term? → 162
8. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon? → The diplomat arrived early; however, the meeting was delayed.
9. What happens to water pressure at the base of a standpipe as the height of water in the pipe increases? → Pressure increases
10. A fire that is described as 'ventilation-controlled' means what about its burn characteristics? → It is limited by insufficient oxygen supply
11. When a map shows a road ending with a small circle or dot at its terminus, this typically indicates what? → A dead end or cul-de-sac
12. A centrifugal pump is running but delivering no water. Which of the following is the most likely cause? → The pump is air-locked (not primed)
13. Which sentence best uses concrete language over abstract language? → The literacy program raised graduation rates by 15% in three counties.
14. Which revision makes this sentence most concise? 'Due to the fact that the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend.' → Because the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend.
15. Which gas produced by incomplete combustion is colorless, odorless, and highly toxic to firefighters? → Carbon monoxide (CO)
16. Which U.S. Interstate highway designation convention indicates an even-numbered route? → An east-west route
17. Read the sentence: 'The American government is for the people.' Who is the American government for? → For the people
18. A passage reads: 'Rising sea levels pose a tangible threat to coastal communities.' What does 'tangible' mean here? → Real and concrete
19. A rectangle has a perimeter of 54 cm and a length of 18 cm. What is its width? → 9 cm
20. You read: 'The policy applies to all employees, regardless of seniority.' Who does the policy cover? → Every employee at every level
21. On a fire apparatus, what is the purpose of a pressure governor? → To maintain a preset discharge pressure automatically
22. Which of the following best describes the 'relief' shown on a topographic map? → The three-dimensional shape and elevation of the land surface
23. A sentence reads: 'The council members were unanimous in their decision.' How many members agreed? → All of them
24. Read the sentence: 'Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.' What is Washington, D.C.? → The capital of the United States
25. Which of the following is NOT an example of parallel structure? → His goals were to negotiate, to mediate, and reaching consensus.
26. Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe? → Both A and B are correct.
27. On a topographic map, contour lines that are spaced very close together indicate: → A steep, rapid change in elevation
28. Read the sentence: 'Congress makes the laws in the United States.' What does Congress do? → Makes the laws
29. A firefighter's air tank lasts 30 minutes at normal activity. At heavy exertion, it lasts 40% less time. How long does it last at heavy exertion? → 18 minutes
30. What is the minimum oxygen concentration required to sustain flaming combustion? → 16%