- Exam No. 4044 is run by DCAS's Bureau of Examinations, not by FDNY directly.
- The CBT covers 7 domains in a maximum 4-hour window; you cannot go back once a section closes.
- Application fee is $30; a further $25 applies only once you're called to the CPAT.
- The CPAT is pass/fail with 8 events and a 10:20 maximum time - there's no score to chase, only completion.
FDNY Exam 4044 At a Glance
If you only have five minutes before test day, this is the section to read. The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Bureau of Examinations administers the FDNY Firefighter Exam under Exam No. 4044, delivered through the DCAS computer-based testing system. The governing document is the Fourth Amended Notice of Examination, dated June 4, 2025. Everything below should match what's printed there - if it doesn't, trust the official notice over any third-party summary, including this one.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam number | 4044 |
| Administering agency | DCAS Bureau of Examinations |
| Notice version | Fourth Amended, June 4, 2025 |
| Application fee | $30 |
| CPAT fee (if called) | $25 |
| CBT max duration | 4 hours |
| CPAT max time | 10 minutes, 20 seconds |
| CPAT format | Pass/fail, 8 events |
| Starting salary | $54,122 |
| Salary after 5.5 years | $105,146 (before overtime/differentials) |
For a slower walkthrough of any line in that table, the FDNY Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt expands each requirement into a step-by-step plan, and the FDNY Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify guide breaks down every qualification path in detail.
Application Windows and Fees
The application fee for Exam No. 4044 is $30. That covers your registration and processing through DCAS. It does not cover the physical component - candidates who are called forward to sit the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) pay an additional $25 at that stage. Budget for both fees separately rather than assuming one payment covers the whole process.
For a complete rundown of every dollar amount tied to this credential, including how the two fees stack against each other over the full hiring process, see FDNY Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
CBT Format Rules You Cannot Forget
The competitive written exam is delivered as a computer-based test with a maximum examination period of 4 hours. It is not one continuous, freely-navigable test - it is broken into timed portions, and once a portion closes, you cannot return to it. That single fact changes how you should pace yourself: burning extra time double-checking an earlier section is not an option, so time management inside each portion matters more than total time management.
- Each portion of the CBT is individually timed.
- You cannot go back to a completed portion once time expires or you move on.
- Some wrong answers lose points - guessing carelessly is not free.
- The exam measures seven distinct domains within that single 4-hour window.
Key Takeaway
Because you cannot revisit a closed portion, practice answering under a hard per-section clock rather than a single relaxed countdown - the real test won't let you go back to fix a rushed answer.
If you want a full breakdown of how difficult this format actually is compared to other public-safety exams, read How Is the FDNY Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026. And for the specifics of what score you actually need across those timed portions, see FDNY Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
The 7 Domains, One Line Each
The CBT assesses seven areas. Memorize these names and what each one is actually testing - vague familiarity with "the domains" isn't enough when each one shows up as its own timed portion.
Domain 1: Reading
Tests comprehension of written passages - procedures, incident narratives, and instructions you must interpret accurately under time pressure.
- Practice reading dense procedural text quickly without losing detail.
Domain 2: Listening
Measures your ability to retain and apply spoken information, mirroring radio communications and verbal instructions on scene.
- Train with audio-based practice, not just text - this domain rewards active listening habits.
Domain 3: Problem Solving
Presents scenario-based questions requiring you to work through logical steps to reach the correct response.
- Practice multi-step reasoning problems, not single-fact recall questions.
Domain 4: Basic Arithmetic and Related Areas
Covers foundational math you'd apply in fireground calculations, measurements, and quantities.
- Refresh basic arithmetic fluency - speed matters as much as accuracy here.
Domain 5: Approach to Work
Assesses your general work habits, reliability, and attitude toward tasks and responsibilities.
- Answer based on consistent, professional conduct rather than what "sounds impressive."
Domain 6: Interaction with Others
Evaluates how you work with teammates, the public, and supervisors in cooperative and high-stress situations.
- Look for the option that reflects teamwork and clear communication over individual heroics.
Domain 7: Concentration on Details
Tests sustained attention and accuracy when comparing, matching, or verifying detailed information.
- Practice detail-checking tasks under a countdown to build resistance to fatigue-driven errors.
For a much deeper treatment of each domain - including how question style differs between them - read the FDNY Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 7 Content Areas. You can also run timed domain drills on our practice test platform to get a feel for each section's pacing before exam day.
CPAT Snapshot
The Candidate Physical Ability Test is qualifying, not scored - you either pass or you don't. It consists of 8 events, and candidates have a maximum time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds to complete the full sequence. There's no partial credit for speed beyond that cutoff; the goal is simply finishing within the window while executing each event correctly.
Eligibility Checklist
Appointment eligibility runs on more than just passing the CBT and CPAT. You'll need one of these educational or experience paths, plus a set of additional standards:
- A high school diploma or equivalent plus 15 college credits, or
- Qualifying U.S. military service, or
- 6 months of full-time paid work experience
On top of that path, candidates must satisfy applicable age, driver's license, citizenship, residency, medical, psychological, drug-screening, character, and background requirements. Additionally, CFR-D certification must be earned by the end of your probationary period and maintained throughout your employment - this isn't a one-time hurdle, it's an ongoing condition of the job.
Key Takeaway
Don't wait until after you pass the CBT to check your eligibility path - verify your education/experience qualification and CFR-D timeline now, since fixing a gap late in the process can cost you a hiring cycle.
The full detail on every one of these standards, including how they interact with each other, is covered in FDNY Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Salary Numbers to Memorize
The official Exam No. 4044 notice lists a starting salary of $54,122, rising to $105,146 after 5.5 years, before overtime and differentials are factored in. These figures are worth memorizing precisely - recruiters and background interviewers may ask candidates to demonstrate they've done basic research on the role they're applying for.
| Milestone | Salary |
|---|---|
| Starting pay | $54,122 |
| After 5.5 years | $105,146 (before overtime/differentials) |
For context on how this progression compares across a full career, and whether the credential is worth pursuing given the CBT, CPAT, and eligibility hurdles, see FDNY Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis and Is the FDNY Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026.
Seven-Day Cram Timeline
If your test date is close and you need a tight review structure, allocate each of the last seven days to a specific domain cluster instead of studying everything at once. This works because the CBT tests each domain as its own timed portion - reviewing them in isolation mirrors how you'll actually be tested.
Reading & Listening
- Practice comprehension passages and audio-based recall exercises back to back, since both domains hinge on retaining information under time pressure.
Problem Solving & Arithmetic
- Drill multi-step scenario questions and refresh basic arithmetic speed - these two domains reward calm, methodical reasoning over guessing.
Approach to Work & Interaction with Others
- Review situational-judgment style questions, focusing on professional, team-first responses rather than dramatic ones.
Concentration on Details
- Run timed detail-matching drills to build resistance to fatigue near the end of the 4-hour testing window.
Full Simulation & Rest
- Take one full-length practice run across all seven domains on our free practice tests, then rest instead of cramming the night before.
For a longer-horizon version of this plan built around multiple weeks rather than a single cram week, see the FDNY Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt.
Pitfalls That Sink Candidates
- Treating the CBT like one long test. It's a series of separately timed portions with no going back - pacing mistakes early can't be corrected later.
- Guessing wildly on every question. Since some wrong answers lose points, random guessing across an entire section can cost more than it gains.
- Ignoring the CPAT fee until the last minute. The $25 charge only applies when you're called forward - plan for it rather than being caught off guard.
- Skipping the CFR-D timeline. This certification must be earned by the end of probation and kept current - it's easy to overlook while focused on the CBT and CPAT.
- Underestimating "soft" domains. Approach to Work and Interaction with Others feel less technical than arithmetic or problem solving, but they're scored just as seriously.
To understand exactly how these mistakes affect outcomes at scale, review FDNY Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows. And if you're still deciding whether the whole process - CBT, CPAT, and eligibility requirements combined - fits your timeline, the FDNY Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling guide lays out when to actually apply.
FAQ
The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Bureau of Examinations administers Exam No. 4044 through its computer-based testing system, not FDNY itself.
The application fee is $30. If you're called to the Candidate Physical Ability Test, there's an additional $25 fee at that stage - the two amounts are separate and paid at different points.
No. Each portion of the CBT is timed individually, and once a portion is complete, you cannot return to it, so review your answers before moving on within each section.
The CPAT is qualifying only. It has 8 events and a maximum time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds - you either finish within that window and pass, or you don't.
CFR-D must be earned by the end of the probationary period and maintained throughout employment, so failing to obtain or maintain it is a condition issue, not just a testing one.
Keep this page bookmarked as your one-stop reference, but pair it with hands-on practice - running through timed domain drills on our practice test platform is the fastest way to turn these facts into exam-day performance.