Only 40% of firefighter job candidates pass spelling test: Brigade chief calls literacy standard seen 'pathetic'

Out of a total of 62 candidates, when it came to the dictation test part of their interview procedure – one of four tests in a 'knock-out' round including general knowledge, local knowledge and mathematical problem-solving – a total of 38 were excluded because of spelling mistakes.

Fire chief Julio Estébanez says this result is 'pathetic', especially considering the test required 'only fifth-form level spelling abilities'.

Mistakes included mixing up 's' and 'x'; 'll' and 'y', and adding or omitting the silent 'h'.

The phrase 'Saúl se hallaba en la cocina' ('Saúl was in the kitchen') was spelt at 'Saúl se hayaba'; the word hojaldres (pastries) was written commonly as ojaldres; and la receta se había echado en el olvido (literally, 'the recipe had fallen into oblivion') was spelt hechado en el olvido.

Other common confusion was seen with esclavo ('slave') spelt as exclavo; extirpar ('extract' or 'surgically remove') as estirpar; exagerado ('exaggerated') as esagerado, and asfixia ('asphyxia' or 'suffocation') as axfisia.

To apply to be a firefighter, candidates normally have to be graduates or hold a similar level of vocational qualification, and have to sit civil service exams, known as oposiciones.

Estébanez said he was appalled that anyone with this level of qualifications should make such basic spelling errors.

The dictation test carried a maximum of two points towards the total, and anyone who failed to achieve 0.8 points, or 40%, would be automatically excluded.

Each spelling mistake meant 0.1 points, or 5%, taken off the total, meaning 38 candidates made a minimum of 12 errors when writing down simple sentences.

This does, however, make the selection process easier for Burgos fire brigade: only eight jobs were up for grabs, meaning a further 30 will still go home empty-handed at some point in the near future.