Strategy Memorization

S — Select key information. You probably don't have time to memorize every detail. Focus on what would be important in a real job situation: number of firefighters on scene, apparatus present, hoselines into a building, wind direction, address, floor location of the fire.

P — Picture things in your mind. Close your eyes briefly and form a mental image of the scene, people, or events being described. The brain processes pictures more efficiently than words. If memorizing a scene, imagine walking through it from one end to the other.

A — Arrange things in order. Grouped or ordered information is easier to retain. Count things: 5 firefighters, 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies. For picture material, mentally divide the image into quarters and note what's in each quadrant.

C — Compare things. For a diagram or floor plan, compare each section against the others. Comparison makes you conscious of details you would otherwise overlook.

E — Exercise your memory. Go back and repeat items to yourself. Keep checking that you still remember what you memorized earlier. Test yourself continuously: Who? What? When? Where? How many?

During the memorization phase of an exam, you typically cannot hold a pencil — but your fingers are still available. Use your index finger to trace, circle, underline, or otherwise emphasize important details on the page. Walk through a floor plan with your fingertip. This physical reinforcement of what your eyes see improves retention. It may look unusual to other candidates, but being odd in this way could help you get the job.