Get Accurate CritiCall Test Practice Simulations & Pass With a High Score

The research and writing of this page were contributed by HL Contreras, a former Public Safety Dispatcher who worked for six years at NCSO and MCCCD, four of them as a trainer of new 911 dispatchers and operators.

Arbel, CritiCall test expert at JobTestPrep.

Have a question? Contact me at: ask_arbel@jobtestprep.com

What to Expect on the CritiCall Test?

The CritiCall test consists of multiple "modules." Each module is designed to assess specific skills, and every agency can choose the modules that are most important to them.

Additionally, every agency and department can choose its own passing scores for each module.

(More on the CritiCall passing scores later on this page)

The company that made the CritiCall exam, Biddle Consulting (administered by Test Genius), created 25 different modules. However, most agencies choose to use up to 10 modules only, and they are usually similar across departments.

Is the CritiCall Test Hard?

The CritiCall test is a difficult exam, especially if you've never done anything similar before. It simulates the challenging day-to-day tasks that any dispatcher is required to do, and it does so under immense time pressure.

Despite these difficulties, it's definitely possible to train yourself, improve your skills, and increase your chance of passing this 911 dispatcher test. And the CritiCall preparation pack that’s on this page will be your best companion in this process.

Now, let's go over the most frequently used CritiCall modules so you'll start to get the hang of them.

Quick Navigation Table:

CritiCall Typing Test (Keyboarding)

• Measures your typing speed (Words-Per-Minute or WPM) and accuracy.
• Unless otherwise instructed, you'll be allowed five minutes to complete the test.
• You may use the Backspace key but you won't receive credit for the Backspace keystrokes.

The minimum typing speed required from a 911 dispatcher and 911 operator candidate is set by the agency you’re applying to. That said, it’s recommended to reach a typing speed of 35 WPM and above on the CritiCall test, and to be able to type at this speed for at least 5 minutes.

The CritiCall practice pack includes a unique typing software that follows you as you type and shows your accuracy, WPM, and more. This will help you track how your typing speed and accuracy improve the more you practice.

Here's how it looks:

CritiCall Decision-Making Test

• Determine which appropriate emergency agency to send to a scene - Fire Department, Police, EMS, or Utility.
• There will be specific instructions to help you decide which appropriate agency you should send (each department might have its own policies).
• This section usually has a 30-minute time limit.

Example from the CritiCall Test:

Example from JobTestPrep's Practice:

CritiCall Data-Entry Test

• The CritiCall Data Entry test evaluates your ability to correctly enter data, such as names, license plate numbers / VIN numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, and other alphanumeric characters into their appropriate fields.
• There are two Data Entry versions: (1) Split screen with the data on one side and empty fields on the other one. (2) An audio recording of an emergency call with a person who says all the details. You’ll need to fill out the boxes only with what you hear.
• You'll be graded on the speed and accuracy of the data you enter into the correct boxes.
• You'll also need to respond quickly to any emergency messages that appear at the bottom of the screen (similar to the Decision-Making section).
• Failing to respond to a decision-making message within 15 seconds after the message appears will result in a lower score.

Here's how the first Data Entry version (non-audio) looks in JobTestPrep's practice pack:

 

JobTestPrep’s CritiCall preparation pack includes thorough practice for the Data Entry part, which is one of the most important modules of the exam. This practice will help improve your data entry skills and multitasking abilities (multitasking between data entering and responding to emergency messages).

CritiCall Call Summarization Test

• This CritiCall test section includes listening to short stories and/or details about certain people, summarizing the calls, and entering the relevant information into the appropriate fields boxes.
• This section comes in three types and every agency might choose one or more of them:

1. Short stories followed by a single multiple-choice question per story about the information heard.
2. Personal info of the caller and a short story, followed by several multiple-choice questions.
3. Same as the second type, plus you’ll need to respond to emergency messages that appear at the bottom of the screen (similar to the Decision-Making section).

• Failing to respond to a decision-making message within 15 seconds after the message appears will result in a lower score.
• You’ll be able to write notes on your computer while you listen to the recording. These notes will be helpful afterward when you answer the questions.
  
  

The Call Summarization is a vital section on the CritiCall test and appears almost on any agency’s test. That’s why JobTestPrep gave extra focus to this module and created 5 dedicated practice simulations and a thorough study guide.

CritiCall Cross-Referencing Test

• This CritiCall test section measures your ability to use information from an address book list (names, addresses, phone numbers) or VIN numbers.
• You’ll need to enter the correct information about a person into the appropriate boxes.
• Data entered will be scored for accuracy.
• You’ll need to respond to emergency messages that appear at the bottom of the screen. Failing to respond to a decision-making message within 15 seconds after the message appears will result in a lower score.
• There are two versions for this module on the CritiCall test - non-audio and audio. In the audio version, you’ll hear the person’s information instead of reading it.

Here’s how the practice questions look on JobTestPrep’s prep kit:

You’ll find six Cross-Ref. practice simulations (three written and three audible) in JobTestPrep’s prep package.

CritiCall Memory Recall Test

This module assesses your short term memory and is considered one of the hardest modules on the CritiCall test. It can appear in three types:

First Type:

In the first type, you’ll need to memorize a list with three pairs of words for 15 seconds. Then, you’ll be asked to match one word from the list with the word it was previously paired together.

For example, you may see the following list:

PENNY
GUM

NICKEL
CANDY

DIME
SUCKER

And then might be asked, “The word paired with NICKEL is…”

Second Type:

The second type is audio recall. For example, you may hear “5-B-3-6-G-1”. Then, there will be a 2-second pause and you’ll need to type what you’ve just heard.

Third Type:

In the third type, you’ll hear a series of 7-digit phone numbers (e.g “476-9472”) and you’ll need to type what you’ve heard in the exact same order.

* JobTestPrep’s CritiCall prep course includes practice simulations for all three versions.

CritiCall Prioritization Test

• This CritiCall test module assesses your ability to place information in order of priority based on rules provided in the alternatives.
• You’ll see a factual statement and you should choose the BEST priority category for that statement.

Prioritization Sample Question:

Report of teenagers throwing rocks at parking cars.

In the CritiCall practice kit, you’ll find 5 Prioritization practice simulations that simulate the question types seen on the actual test.

CritiCall Map Reading Test

• The CritiCall test map section is designed to evaluate your ability to use a map to determine the direction of travel as well as the fastest route to reach a destination.
• Each map contains a compass that shows the map's directions (north, south, east, and west.

Map Reading Sample Question:

What is the most direct route from the west entrance of the cafe to the intersection of Third Downhill street - while obeying traffic signs?

Turn north on Low street, and then turn east on Third street.

Turn south on Low street, then turn east on First street, and then turn north on Downhill street.

Turn south on Low street, then turn east on Second street, and then turn north on Downhill street.

Turn south on Low street, then turn west on First street, and then turn north on Downhill street.

Correct Answer

Incorrect Answer

From the west entrance of the cafe to the intersection of Third and Downhill street, the most direct route would be to turn left (south) on Low street (1-way street), then turn left (east) on First Street (1-way street), and then turn left (north) on Downhill street (2-way street).

JobTestPrep’s map reading questions strive to replicate the actual questions. Practicing them will improve your ability to read maps, calculate routes and follow directions.

CritiCall Sentence Clarity Test

In this CritiCall test module, you’ll see two passages, and you must choose the passage that is more clearly written.

Sentence Clarity Sample Question:

JobTestPrep’s practice includes 6 sentence clarity practice simulations to help sharpen your grammar skills and score higher on this module.

CritiCall Reading Comprehension Test

• The Reading Comprehension section assesses the candidate's ability to comprehend written information and basic reasoning skills.
• Each question includes a 100-150-word passage followed by a multiple-choice question with four answers.
• The passages may include two types of content: incoming calls recordings, manuals, training materials used by emergency communications personnel or descriptions of tasks, protocols, assignments, and memos.
  
  

Job Testprep's CritiCall Reading Comprehension prep includes 10 practice simulations, ranging from basic to advanced level to ensure you master any Reading question on the test.

CritiCall Spelling Test

In this CritiCall test section, you’ll be presented with a sentence that has a missing word. An audio recording will read the full sentence and you will have to type the missing word based on what you heard.

JobTestPrep’s CritiCall prep package includes 12 Spelling practice simulations to help you pass this section with no sweat.

CritiCall Character Comparison Test

• This CritiCall test module assesses your accuracy and attention to detail.
• In each question, you’ll be presented with a string consisting of letters and digits. You must choose from four alternative strings that is EXACTLY the same as the target string.
  
  

JobTestPrep’s CritiCall prep pack includes 10 Character Comparison practice simulations with dozens of questions similar to the above.

CritiCall Math Test

• The CritiCall Math section is designed to assess your math abilities (mainly basic skills) and your ability to solve job-related problems dealing with numbers and amounts.
• It includes three question types: (1) basic arithmetics, (2) percentage word problems, and (3) distance, time , and speed word problems.
• Calculators are not allowed.

The CritiCall prep package includes 8 Math practice simulations to help sharpen your numerical ability and basic math skills, even if you haven’t touched math for years.

Try more CritiCall test sample questions in this free CritiCall practice test.

CritiCall Test Scores Explained

How is the CritiCall test graded?

Your CritiCall test score is graded using three metrics: Keystrokes-per Hour (KPH), Words-per-Minute (WPM), and percentage scores (%) of each section. These are accumulated into an overall score shown in percentages.

What is the passing score on the CritiCall test?

The average CritiCall passing score for most portions ranges between 70% to 75%. To pass the CritiCall test at some of the most competitive agencies, you'll often need to reach a cutoff score of 80% and even 90%. The cutoff scores are usually determined by testing existing dispatchers and setting the benchmarks according to their scores.

How long does it take to get the CritiCall dispatcher test results?

The results’ processing time depends on every agency’s hiring schedule. Some send the results immediately to candidates, while others send out the results only several weeks after all testing dates have been completed.

Can I retake the CritiCall test If I fail?

Every hiring department has its own retesting policy with no one-size-fits-all policy for the number of times you can retake it. In some agencies, you can retake the CritiCall tests after six months, and in others it’s possible only when they’re re-opening a position.

How do you know if you passed the CritiCall test?

It depends on the hiring department. Many agencies will send you a failure message on the test day. Others will send you an invitation to the next hiring stage. And the minority will show your exact score at the end of each section.

CritiCall Test Preparation Tips

Use the following tips and prep strategies to increase your chances of scoring high on the CritiCall tests:

• Practice for the exam using a PC and a regular keyboard with a num pad. Avoid practicing with a laptop, Mac, or MacBook. On the real test, you’ll have regular PCs and keyboards, so you should feel comfortable using them.
• Practice using “Tab” and “Shift-Tab” on your keyboard. On the real test, these keys will help you move quickly between boxes and speed up your typing.
• To practice your typing speed and accuracy, type along to an audiobook. Let it get a few words ahead of you and see if you can keep up with good accuracy.
• Practice your multi-tasking by typing a conversation you hear on the news or radio while holding a conversation with someone in the room.
• Learn the CritiCall decision-making rules in advance. There are pre-determined rules for choosing the right emergency services to dispatch to a scene. Knowing them in advance can help you choose the right option quickly and avoid losing points on the test.

About the Author:

Arbel is JobTestPrep's CritiCall Test specialist. He has over 15 years' experience working as a psychometric test instructor and has led JobTestPrep's efforts to provide thousands of CritiCall test-takers with the most accurate online prep possible since 2017. You can contact him at

ask_arbel@jobtestprep.com

Read more about Arbel's courses.