San Antonio, TX 2011

[Westside_35]

so only 20 to 25 off of this years test...

[emode]

Just found out about the Jan 2012 class and my ranking from Sept 10 puts me in the process.
Nervous, anxious and ready for the rest of the process post CPAT/ERGO. i.e. massive butterflies.

After going through the process with SAFD and AFD and all the mishaps with Austin 2011 (oral boards, arbitrator, 3 trips from out of state) and finding out the same day about Jan 12 with SAFD as this news that I didn't make the top 150 cut for AFD, it was a roller coaster of a day to say the least.

Good luck to all in process for Jan 12. If the universe has it in it's plans..... we'll make it.

[SVTxDUDE]

So to follow the pattern the Aug. 2012 and Jan. 2013 academy will be filled using the group who will test this coming October?

[Durank]

they havnt come out with the 2013 budget yet.. so who knows.. but they have a balanced budget for 2011-2012.. i dont know if they will have enough in 2013's budget.. i guess it depends on retirees and injuries

[BowHunter4Life]

Does anyone know if SAFD allows you to travel back and forth if I wanted to stay in Houston? I realize that it'd be tough due to them only working 24/48's but it's possible.

[Brockrocks]

it's not a problem bowhunter.

[Westside_35]

Any word on how many have applied?

[emode]

I tested in 09 and 10 for SAFD and both times I remember hearing over 4,000 test takers. They typically put the top 500 through the CPAT and from what I heard on the 09 list and 10 list (currently in process) fill their needs within the first 200-210 or so give or take.

I tested with Austin this year as well and I remember hearing over 5000 applied/tested.

I would expect the numbers to be around the same. It is daunting walking into a convention center seeing rows and rows of people, it's only human nature to have doubt thinking how am I going to make it out of this high enough to even have a shot at having your number/name considered. Keep hope alive.. keep testing.

[Brockrocks]

I tested in 09 and 10 for SAFD and both times I remember hearing over 4,000 test takers. They typically put the top 500 through the CPAT and from what I heard on the 09 list and 10 list (currently in process) fill their needs within the first 200-210 or so give or take.

I tested with Austin this year as well and I remember hearing over 5000 applied/tested.

I would expect the numbers to be around the same. It is daunting walking into a convention center seeing rows and rows of people, it's only human nature to have doubt thinking how am I going to make it out of this high enough to even have a shot at having your number/name considered. Keep hope alive.. keep testing.

Yes, it is very intimidating to see so many people testing. For me SA was my first fire exam I ever took. I had the 14th highest overall score (with military points added in, it dropped me about 20 spots). I was very surprised to see that I did so well, but it just showed how bad i wanted the job, because I studied a lot for that test. Doing so well though was a real confidence booster.

Then I failed the Austin test...but that's a whole 'nother story!

[Durank]

Study hard for the written test score at least a 95 or higher..

my goal is at least a 97... im gonna have to hit the books hard

does anyone know if the SA test has math?

just finding the time to study is gonna be hard as im taking a few hard classes this semester at school...

[emode]

Yes, it is very intimidating to see so many people testing. For me SA was my first fire exam I ever took. I had the 14th highest overall score (with military points added in, it dropped me about 20 spots). I was very surprised to see that I did so well, but it just showed how bad i wanted the job, because I studied a lot for that test. Doing so well though was a real confidence booster.

Then I failed the Austin test...but that's a whole 'nother story!

I hear ya! 2009 scored 1 point shy of 90.. and did not make the first round cut.

2010, scored and made it to mid 100's on the list. Completed CPAT, ergo and sent off background novel (that was HUGE and mentally draining trying to find every address I lived at during my many moves in college and ever paying job I've had.. completed it but wheww had a massive headache after) I too was surprised on my results for 2010 test which was more intense then the 2009 test. I did study my tail off though.

Then.. Austin.. wow... where to even begin. I too went through the Austin meat grinder. I believe I passed everything but ended up in the mid 400's for final ranking. What a mess Austin has been for 2011.

Hoping the stars are lined up right for me for January 2012 SAFD academy. Signed up for 2011 test though, just in case.

[emode]

Study hard for the written test score at least a 95 or higher..

my goal is at least a 97... im gonna have to hit the books hard

does anyone know if the SA test has math?

just finding the time to study is gonna be hard as im taking a few hard classes this semester at school...

2010 and 2009 both had math, I'd say 2010 was a bit more on the intense side. Study the guide SAFD posted on the site. It covers the topics which will be covered on the exam to the T granted there will be countless more questions and you'll be in a room with 4,000 others vying for the same 50-60 spots in the academy. (intimidation/stress factor)

[Brockrocks]

2010 and 2009 both had math, I'd say 2010 was a bit more on the intense side. Study the guide SAFD posted on the site. It covers the topics which will be covered on the exam to the T granted there will be countless more questions and you'll be in a room with 4,000 others vying for the same 50-60 spots in the academy. (intimidation/stress factor)

I believe you are mistaken about the math on the 2010 test. There was no math or physics at all. There were maps, photo memorization questions, reading comp, spelling, grammar, etc. But no math or physics......HOWEVER, I looked at the testing notice, and they seemed to have changed the test again.

Last years test was new, so that threw a lot of people off. Now it looks to be different again. I think the test is 4.5 hours now??

[Durank]

on the study guide they posted it dosnt have a math section so im confused?

http://www.sanantonio.gov/safd/PDFs/...DY%20GUIDE.pdf

[ATX888]

I went in and applied yesterday and spoke to one of the engineers, he explained to me that the test is 4 hours long because of the addition of the integrity test. If you tested for Austin, you have seen this integrity test before.

[Brockrocks]

on the study guide they posted it dosnt have a math section so im confused?

Like I said earlier, there is no math.

I went in and applied yesterday and spoke to one of the engineers, he explained to me that the test is 4 hours long because of the addition of the integrity test. If you tested for Austin, you have seen this integrity test before.

I was curious if that is what was being added.

[Westside_35]

tested in austin and passed... the crowd was huge... didn't go to the interviews though.. bad timing for both interview dates, they were both during important dates for my seperation with the army. when you say intense math... are you talking about trig and stuff that hard?

also i used the study guide already, i am wondering if the memory portion was as simple on the real test as the study guide? And by simple I mean very little to memorize in the pic.

[emode]

tested in austin and passed... the crowd was huge... didn't go to the interviews though.. bad timing for both interview dates, they were both during important dates for my seperation with the army. when you say intense math... are you talking about trig and stuff that hard?

also i used the study guide already, i am wondering if the memory portion was as simple on the real test as the study guide? And by simple I mean very little to memorize in the pic.

I was mistaken on my post regarding Math on 2010's test. I thought there was, Brock (other poster) corrected me. It has been close to a year since I took that test, it just seemed to me the test had math on it .... but I stand corrected. All I do know/remember is there was no subject area on the test that the study guide didn't present. I did not look at a question in 2010 and think "geeze, i didn't see anything generally related to this on the study guide"

As for the memory part - I do remember that. The photo/questions were a bit more detailed then the sample but just pay attention to big things and the smallest details. (the smallest details with emphasis.)

[Westside_35]

thanks bro

[Durank]

I just got my Testing Notification in the mail today!!

what does the integrity portion of the test consist of?