Critics Say FDNY Prep Test is ‘Dumbed Down’

FDNY candidates will take an entry exam that quizzes them on topics like African killer bees and on math questions such as comparing veggie chips to pretzels, but little on firefighting. With the city planning to give the first FDNY entry exam in five years in 2017, critics say the test has been dumbed down since a judge ruled a former exam discriminated against minorities. A recently posted preparation manual asks aspiring Bravest to practice by watching videos produced by Lowe's hardware store on how to install a toilet, replace a sin k, and lay a tile floor. "It's great to prepare firemen for their second jobs as plumbers," an insider quipped. "The FDNY might as well call this the 'Side Job Preparation Guide.' " To test reading comprehension, the tutorial asks applicants to read a 1998 Tampa Tribune article, "Natural Born Killers," on African bees migrating to the United States. On math, it first gives tips on solving word problems, then a sample exercise showing the nutritional labels for vegetable chips, rice cakes, trail mix and pretzel twists. The first of 10 multiple-choice questions says: "Firefighter Harris ate one cup of Fruit & Nut Trail Mix. What percentage of Saturated Fat did she have (% Daily Value)?" Other questions ask test-takers to compare the snacks for fat, carbohydrates and protein. In another exercise, applicants read labels on bottles of aspirin and acetaminophen, then answer questions such as: "...
Source: JEMS Administration and Leadership - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news