These are some general guestions about FDNY and fire-service promotional tests and test lists that are of interest for our members and our many site visitors. Answers, discussions, opinions and experiences are appreciated, including promotional tests in other departments. No promotional system is perfect. How good is FDNY's?
1- How often are LT CAPT BC DC tests given?
2- What FDNY ranks are not covered by promotional tests?
3- How many usually take tests and how many pass (# or %)?
4- How do and how long do members usually prepare for tests?
5- Who makes test questions?
6- Where are tests administered? One location?
7- Are there make-up tests for hospitalizations, LOD injuries and illnesses?
8- How are members who are working covered while taking tests and do they have to make up the time?
9- Are there fees to apply for tests?
10- Is there compensation for time taken to take tests?
11- Are current test questions all multiple choice?
12- If not, how are essay or written response questions evaluated subjectively?
13- Are tests 100% paper or are computers or electronic devices used?
14- Who evaluates tests?
15- Do tests increase in difficulty and time required for preparation as rank increases?
16- Do test formats and types of questions change with different ranks?
17- Do test materials and subject matter build upon or stay consistent with previous rank tests? (e.g. - Do CAPT tests build on what is required for LT tests)?
18- Are tests created and validated 100% within the Department or is there outside involvement?
19- Are FDNY unions and FDNY-affiliated organizations (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/join/fdny-affiliated-organizations.pdf) involved or allowed to provide inputs?
20- How are tests kept secure (no leaks) before taken?
21- How long do you have to be at current rank to take tests?
22- How does seniority, disabilities, veteran status and awards received affect the list?
23- How often are tests given?
24- What is the passing grade, do people usually pass or fail the 1st time, and how many times do people usually take the test to get promoted in each rank?
25- Do old lists die as soon as new lists are on orders?
26- Can position on lists change due to legal challenges, questions removed, etc?
27- How frequently do lists stop due to legal challenges?
28- How often does a list get tossed because of a legal challenge?
29- Who is responsible for creating, managing and administrating lists?
30- Is active list status or position used for anything like Acting LT duty on a shift?
31- Can you be promoted if you are on a list but in a light duty or medical leave status?
32- Can you be promoted on military leave and deployed?
33- Did the Department, and does the Department always promote LODDs from lists?
34- How soon after tests are taken do lists get published?
35- How has the FDNY promotion system and tests changed over the years?
36- Should there be a component for leadership skills, decision-making ability, temperament and communication abilities in addition to a written test for knowledge?
37- Should there be a requirement for positive recommendations regarding attitude, performance and potential from test taker's previous chain-of-command, mentors or Department leaders who know them?
38- How does and how should the Department address promoted individuals who perform poorly at a higher rank?
39- Are promotions permanent or is there a short provisional time period for evaluation before the promotion becomes permanent?
40- Do you have to have a new promoted rank for a minimal period of time before retirement?
41- What leadership training programs are provided for each new rank (LT/CAPT/Chief) after promotion?
42- Are there any additional benefits for promotion in addition to pay, paperwork and headaches?
43- Do you think the FDNY promotion system is fair?
44- Do you think the current FDNY promotion system advances the best leaders for the Department?
I am not criticizing the current system or advocating change. Above questions have surfaced in questions and discussions from members. Answers and opinions are appreciated. Thanks for responses.
1- How often are LT CAPT BC DC tests given?
2- What FDNY ranks are not covered by promotional tests?
3- How many usually take tests and how many pass (# or %)?
4- How do and how long do members usually prepare for tests?
5- Who makes test questions?
6- Where are tests administered? One location?
7- Are there make-up tests for hospitalizations, LOD injuries and illnesses?
8- How are members who are working covered while taking tests and do they have to make up the time?
9- Are there fees to apply for tests?
10- Is there compensation for time taken to take tests?
11- Are current test questions all multiple choice?
12- If not, how are essay or written response questions evaluated subjectively?
13- Are tests 100% paper or are computers or electronic devices used?
14- Who evaluates tests?
15- Do tests increase in difficulty and time required for preparation as rank increases?
16- Do test formats and types of questions change with different ranks?
17- Do test materials and subject matter build upon or stay consistent with previous rank tests? (e.g. - Do CAPT tests build on what is required for LT tests)?
18- Are tests created and validated 100% within the Department or is there outside involvement?
19- Are FDNY unions and FDNY-affiliated organizations (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/join/fdny-affiliated-organizations.pdf) involved or allowed to provide inputs?
20- How are tests kept secure (no leaks) before taken?
21- How long do you have to be at current rank to take tests?
22- How does seniority, disabilities, veteran status and awards received affect the list?
23- How often are tests given?
24- What is the passing grade, do people usually pass or fail the 1st time, and how many times do people usually take the test to get promoted in each rank?
25- Do old lists die as soon as new lists are on orders?
26- Can position on lists change due to legal challenges, questions removed, etc?
27- How frequently do lists stop due to legal challenges?
28- How often does a list get tossed because of a legal challenge?
29- Who is responsible for creating, managing and administrating lists?
30- Is active list status or position used for anything like Acting LT duty on a shift?
31- Can you be promoted if you are on a list but in a light duty or medical leave status?
32- Can you be promoted on military leave and deployed?
33- Did the Department, and does the Department always promote LODDs from lists?
34- How soon after tests are taken do lists get published?
35- How has the FDNY promotion system and tests changed over the years?
36- Should there be a component for leadership skills, decision-making ability, temperament and communication abilities in addition to a written test for knowledge?
37- Should there be a requirement for positive recommendations regarding attitude, performance and potential from test taker's previous chain-of-command, mentors or Department leaders who know them?
38- How does and how should the Department address promoted individuals who perform poorly at a higher rank?
39- Are promotions permanent or is there a short provisional time period for evaluation before the promotion becomes permanent?
40- Do you have to have a new promoted rank for a minimal period of time before retirement?
41- What leadership training programs are provided for each new rank (LT/CAPT/Chief) after promotion?
42- Are there any additional benefits for promotion in addition to pay, paperwork and headaches?
43- Do you think the FDNY promotion system is fair?
44- Do you think the current FDNY promotion system advances the best leaders for the Department?
I am not criticizing the current system or advocating change. Above questions have surfaced in questions and discussions from members. Answers and opinions are appreciated. Thanks for responses.
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