Fire Rescue Victoria
WST Numeracy Preparation
The FRV Written Selection Test (WST) is administered by ACER and includes a 30-question numeracy component covering practical mathematics in emergency and workplace contexts. ACSF Level 2–4 · 35 minutes · Calculator provided.
Questions
Time allowed
ACSF level
Calculator
Numeracy topics in the FRV WST
Four full practice papers targeting the specific numeracy skills assessed in the FRV Written Selection Test, mapped to ACSF Level 2–4 descriptors with detailed strand and process domain analysis.
Measurement & Unit Conversion
Metric conversions, area, perimeter, volume: all in practical emergency and workplace contexts.
Reading Technical Data
Interpreting tables, charts, and technical diagrams used in emergency services operations.
Ratio & Proportion
Mixing ratios, scaling quantities, and proportional reasoning in operational scenarios.
Number Operations
Whole numbers, decimals, percentages, and fractions in workplace and equipment contexts.
Basic Statistics
Mean, median, mode, and interpreting data sets in operational reporting contexts.
Spatial Reasoning
Maps, scale, bearings, and spatial problem-solving relevant to emergency response.
Deep dive
Each strand, in detail
Three strand deep-dives sourced from the FRV WST numeracy guide. Worked examples, common mistakes and firefighter-operational contexts for each topic.
Strand 1
Number & Algebra
~46% of the WST · ~14 questions
- Subtopics
- fractions, percentages, rates, ratios, BODMAS and algebra
- ACSF range
- Levels 2–4
- Why it matters
- Fractions and percentages alone account for roughly a third of all questions.
Strand 2
Statistics & Probability
~30% of the WST · ~9 questions
- Subtopics
- graphs, mean/median/mode, probability, scatter plots and interpreting data
- ACSF range
- Levels 2–4
- Why it matters
- Roughly a third of the WST. The same skills you'll use reading incident data, response time logs, and operational reports.
Strand 3
Measurement & Geometry
~24% of the WST · ~7 questions
- Subtopics
- area, perimeter, volume, time, scale, angles and Pythagoras
- ACSF range
- Levels 2–4
- Why it matters
- Strong overlap with firefighter operational tasks: reading building plans, calculating water and foam volumes, interpreting equipment specifications, working in 24-hour time.
On-screen calculator
Practise the WST calculator
Same as the real test · Browser-based
- Order of operations
- BODMAS — not left-to-right like a pocket calculator
- Buttons available
- + − × ÷ · ( ) · % · x² · √ · Ans · Memory
- ACER recommendation
- Practise with it before the test
Built for the specific test: not generic maths
Every question mapped to the actual assessment framework
Questions written in emergency and workplace contexts
Timed practice sessions that mirror real test conditions
Detailed feedback on every question: not just right/wrong
Start practising today
Every paper is free to attempt, no sign-up needed. Sit the diagnostic test for your personalised score report.
Other preparation pathways
About
Why this exists
I'm a mathematician and educator with over a decade of experience: from primary numeracy through to VCE and SACE Specialist Mathematics and Physics. Before teaching, I worked as an engineer.
Some of the most rewarding work has been with students who were significantly behind through no fault of their own: gaps caused by circumstance, not ability. Getting the fundamentals right, and rebuilding confidence alongside them, makes a real difference.
That's why this exists.
Sitting the WST literacy component too?
The Written Selection Test assesses literacy alongside numeracy. Our sibling site has two full 30-question FRV literacy practice papers, free in early access.
Free FRV literacy practice at passLiteracy →