Applying to South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue?
What South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue says about its firefighter selection process, and how to prepare — with practice for reasoning tests, situational judgement, questionnaires and interviews.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) covers Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Its 2026 candidate information pack and online tests guide are among the most detailed published by any service.
SYFR says its online tests are provided by SHL and use proctoring technology. The 2026 guide lists four: Numerical Calculation (10 minutes, calculator allowed), Following Instructions (8 minutes), Process Monitoring (18 minutes) and a 16-minute Job Focussed Assessment, a behavioural test that SYFR says aligns with the NFCC Leadership Framework.
Candidates who pass then take a bleep test (minimum level 8.7 in the 2026 pack), followed by practical testing: a timed Functional Fireground Test combining equipment carry, casualty evacuation wearing breathing apparatus and hose carry, plus ladder extension, a graded ladder lift, ladder climb, enclosed space and equipment assembly.
The interview includes questions on the NFCC Leadership Framework and at least one scenario-based question, and a course experience day forms the final competitive stage. Successful candidates then complete a medical, employment checks and an enhanced DBS check, and repeat the bleep test before starting. SYFR's pack says applicants must live in South Yorkshire or within 10 miles of its border, with an Armed Forces exception.
SHL's calculation and instruction-following tests are not the same as verbal or mechanical reasoning, but the skills overlap: fast, accurate numerical work and careful reading. Practise those under time pressure, and use our interview preparation for the Leadership Framework questions.
What full access includes
Fire services use different tests, so one £14.99 payment covers all 9 practice tests on the site — over 700 questions with answer explanations, and unlimited attempts.
New to selection? Read our guide to the online firefighter tests or the National Firefighter Ability tests.
Reasoning tests
Verbal · numerical · mechanical
Timed practice in the style of the online reasoning tests many services use.
Judgement & questionnaires
SJT · behavioural styles · NFA-style
Situational judgement scenarios, questionnaire practice and the NFA-style tests.
Interview preparation
Leadership Framework · Code of Ethics
Model STAR answers plus guidance on written questions, role-plays and presentations.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue — common questions
Is this page official?
No. Firefighter Tests is independent and not affiliated with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. This page summarises what the service's own recruitment pages said when we checked them (September 2026); processes change between campaigns, so always follow the official information linked below.
How much does it cost to practise?
Full access to every practice test — verbal, numerical and mechanical reasoning, situational judgement, the behavioural styles questionnaire, NFA-style tests and interview preparation — is £14.99, one-time. That is 9 full-length tests and over 700 questions with explanations. No subscription, and access never expires.
What online tests does South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue use?
SYFR's 2026 online tests guide says the tests are provided by SHL: Numerical Calculation (10 minutes, calculator allowed), Following Instructions (8 minutes), Process Monitoring (18 minutes) and a 16-minute Job Focussed Assessment aligned with the NFCC Leadership Framework.
What bleep test level does SYFR require?
The 2026 candidate information pack gives a minimum of level 8.7, and says successful candidates take the bleep test again as a verification test before starting.
What is the SYFR firefighter salary?
SYFR's July 2026 salary document quotes £31,539 for a firefighter in development and £40,358 when competent.
Official sources
Checked September 2026. Recruitment processes change, so the official pages always take priority over this summary.
Preparing for South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue
Practise every test they could set you
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue sets its own selection tests and they change between campaigns, so full access covers every type — one payment, no subscription.
No subscription. Access never expires. Unlimited attempts.
What you get — 9 full-length practice tests, over 700 questions with explanations:
- Mechanical Reasoning177 diagram questions on gears, levers, pulleys and pressure — 20 per timed test
- Numerical Reasoning9 fire-service data scenarios, freshly generated each attempt — calculator allowed
- Verbal Reasoning30 passages and 120 True / False / Cannot Say statements
- Situational Judgement25 scenarios and 100 rated actions, each explained
- Behavioural Styles Questionnaire66 statements with a full reflective profile — no pass or fail
- Working with NumbersNFA-style — 12 scenarios and 96 questions; each sitting draws 32, 45 minutes, no calculator
- Understanding InformationNFA-style — 25 passage questions, 35 minutes
- Situational AwarenessNFA-style — 30 questions, 35 minutes
- National Firefighter QuestionnaireNFQ-style — 77 statements across the 7 PQA areas, with feedback
- Interview Preparation28 NFCC-style questions with model STAR answers, plus 6 preparation guides
14-day money-back guarantee · secure payment via Stripe · instant access
Already bought it? Log in →