The Criticall test is a computer-based assessment used to ensure applicants possess the necessary skills to perform all the required duties for 911 call handler/dispatcher role. The test itself is divided into several different sections, each assessing a specific skill. Many sections of this test mimic actual tasks you will encounter daily within this profession. To become eligible for a 911 dispatcher role, you will need to pass each section of the test with flying colors.
The Structure of the Criticall Test
The Criticall test is made up of 90 questions split up into 11 different sections, including data-entry, multi-tasking, decision-making, and more. There are various question types; some are interactive, audio-based, and multiple-choice.
The main topics on this test are:
Attention to Detail:
- Data-Entry – This section of the test evaluates your ability to take various pieces of information and place them into the correct data field. This information includes addresses, phone numbers, names, etc. During this assessment, you are also are tested on your decision-making and multi-tasking skills. Additionally, you will be required to listen to information given to you via simulated calls and enter corresponding data into the correct tables. Keep in mind that throughout the course of this assessment, you are given information in various formats (written, audio, etc.).
- Note: We do not currently offer a solution to the multi-tasking portion of the exam, rather we offer exercises related to every other aspect of it, including data-entry.
- Cross-Referencing – This section includes address books where you are required to enter the requested data into the correct table. Additionally, you may be asked to verbally enter data via audio recordings. Regardless of the method used, it is crucial that you enter the correct data.
Character Comparison – In this section, you are given two tables of similar data, that look nearly identical. You will need to comb through each to figure out where they differ.
Dispatcher Skills:
- Decision-Making – Dispatchers must know which emergency service(s) to send to a scene; therefore, you are tested on whether you can do so in this section of the test. Part of this section is done vocally, so instead of entering the answer into the computer, you will speak into a microphone.
- Memory Recall – Memory is such a vital part of being an emergency dispatcher. Thus, in this section of the test, you will be shown phrases, letters, or numbers and need to recall the information based off your memory. Additionally, you will need to do the same for information given in various audio segments.
- Prioritization – One major task of being a dispatcher is knowing which emergency is most severe. Therefore, you will be given scenarios and rank the urgency of the calls.
- Probability – There will be times when you won’t be able to hear the caller correctly or the caller is not being clear. To address this, there is a probability section which is designed to see how well you can decipher between potential answers.
- Map Reading – Dispatchers need to know how to read maps so they can send emergency units to the correct scene. You will need to select the best route(s), while still obeying basic traffic laws, so emergency services get to the scene safely and legally.
Basic Skills:
- Call Summarization – This section of the test is administered via audio. You will listen to either short stories or call simulations, summarize what happened, and then enter the correct addresses into appropriate the data field(s).
- Vocalization Summary – You will listen to a simulated call and answer questions based on your memory of the call.
- Reading Comprehension – You will encounter various reading material as a dispatcher; whether its reading training materials, data from incoming calls, or from public safety services. Brushing up on this skill prior to your exams will be of great benefit to you.
- Spelling – It is important for you to send messages with the correct spelling the various emergency services so that there won't be any confusion and so the appropriate units are sent out and informed about the situation. This section of the test can be in both written and audio formats.
- Sentence Clarity – This section is an offshoot of reading comprehension where you will be given different passages that convey the same message and then need to choose the passage that makes the most sense.
- Math – Being savvy with numbers is an important part of being a 911 handler/dispatcher. In this field you are required to keep track of responding to units, how many units are in each district, the number of people at the emergency, and the total number of emergency responders that are at a scene.
Criticall Passing Scores
Different sections of the Criticall exam have different passing requirements, so it is important to prepare for this exam while keeping the test standards in mind. Below you will find the passing scores for each of the different sections you will encounter on the Criticall Dispatcher test:
Attention to Detail
|
Test Name |
Passing Score |
|
Data Entry with Multi-Tasking |
60 KPM (keystrokes per minute) |
|
Audio Data Entry with Multi-Tasking |
28 KPM (keystrokes per minute) |
|
Keyboarding |
35 WPM (words per minute) |
|
Cross-Referencing |
70% |
|
Cross-Referencing with Audio |
70% |
|
Character Comparison |
70% |
Dispatcher Skills
|
Test Name |
Passing Score |
|
Memory Recall |
70% |
|
Numeric Memory Recall with Audio |
70% |
|
Suburban-Rural Map Reading |
70% |
|
Prioritization |
70% |
Basic Skills
|
Test Name |
Passing Score |
|
Call Summarization |
70% |
|
Call Summarization with Multi-Tasking |
70% |
|
Reading Comprehension |
60% |
|
Spelling |
70% |
|
Sentence Clarity |
70% |
Criticall Dispatcher Test Sample Questions
Below you will find various sample questions you are likely to encounter when taking the Criticall Dispatcher test. Try to answer each question prior to looking at the answers and explanations.
Sample Question 1 Spatial Orientation
Guide Lines: You will be given a situation, and you must decide which unit to send to respond to the call according to the rules. You will have to consider the status of each unit and the type of call. Additionally, each unit has a status ranging from available to unavailable. Use the map and the charts to understand which zones the question is discussing. The tables include details about the type of scenario, the current status of a unit, the zone this unit operates in, and more.
This area of New York is divided into the following four regions. These regions are a part of the entire separation of the local Emergency Medical Services.
Unit 1 – Great Bend
Unit 2 – Hallstead
Unit 3 – Lanesboro
Unit 4 – Susquehanna
Unit Status:
Unit 1 – Available
Unit 2 – Available
Unit 3 – Unavailable
Unit 4 – Available
The following protocols should assist you in determining which unit to send.
The dispatcher's protocol:
- Units will be assigned to their own region only, unless an emergency call is received.
- All calls are categorized as non-emergency unless lives are in danger.
- Emergency calls must first be assigned to all available units in the area.
- Units that are unavailable may not respond to a call.
Questions:
1. The local dispatcher received an ordinary call from Great Bend about a broken leg. Which units should be dispatched to the scene?
2. After this call, a car accident occurred in Great Bend. Two drivers suffered from head injuries, and one passenger suffered critical blood loss. Which units should be dispatched?
3. At night, Unit 1 and Unit 2 no longer cover the regions mentioned above. Instead, they cover other regions in a different area. As a result, Units 3 and 4 now have to cover the regions previously covered by Unit 1 and Unit 2. Unit 3 is now in charge of Great Bend and Unit 4 is now in charge of Hallstead. The current status of Units 3 and 4 are as follows:
Unit 3 – available
Unit 4 – available
A call was received from Hallstead about a gang shooting. One person was injured. This person suffered a punctured lung, and there is concern he will not make it to the hospital. Which units should be assigned?
Sample Question 2 Determination Of Urgency
This is a simulation for you as a 911 operator.
You will receive calls from people, and you will have to categorize the incidents to urgency or codes according to this prioritization (from the most urgent to the least):
- Incidents which involve a life loss or serious injury
- Incidents which involve a serious sexual assault
- Incidents which involve a serious property loss
- Injuries which do not involve immediate life loss
- Incidents which involve a minor property loss
- Non-emergency calls which refer to crimes
- Non-emergency calls that do not refer to crimes
- When you can’t determine which call is more urgent in the same category, always pick the incident that may be prevented or stopped
- If an incident already occurred, never prioritize the incident that involves a known suspect over an unknown suspect.
Questions:
1. Which of the following incidents is the most urgent?
(a) A man calls saying his son fell from his skateboard at the park, and he has difficulty walking.
(b) A young woman calls saying she is walking alone in the industrial area and a group of drunk men are stalking her.(c) An elderly woman calls complaining about teenagers, who vandalized her wall with graffiti.
(d) A boy calls saying the pipe of the local factory has been leaking into the local lake for a 30 days.
2. Which of the following incidents is the most urgent?
(a) A call was received with a complaint about a local business is selling cigarettes to minors.
(b) A call was received with a complaint about a huge argument in their neighbor's house.
(c) A major fire is taking place in the local pub during business hours, one of the customers says he cannot find the bartenders, and he noticed large gas containers close to the pub
(d) A call was received from a man saying his daughter got hurt in a car accident and she is not responding.
3. Which of the following is the most urgent?
(a) A man calls complaining about fishermen who fish in a no-fishing zone
(b)An elderly couple calls saying they got robbed by an armed gang a few seconds ago. As they claim, a black pearl necklace was stolen.
(c) Two students call blaming their roommate about stealing their savings with thousands of dollars and passports.
(d) A restaurant calls complaining about a rat infestation nearby
4. Which of the following incidents is the most urgent?
(a) A lost 6 years old child was found by the security guy at the mall.
(b) A high school principal calls complaining about a single round shooting sound near the school nervously.
(c) A call was received about a mid-aged man who is having a heart attack.
(d) Raged pregnant woman is called saying that her water broke.
Sample Questions 3 Memory Recall Alpha-numeric Drill
Listen to the following sequence of letters and numbers. Type in the sequence only after the recitation ends. (Note: Please enable Caps Lock. All letters in the sequence should be capitalized.)
Listen Here: 
Sample Question 4 Selective Attention Practice
Determine which of the options is an exact copy of:
%$FSDG4K@)_)*++&)\\.
Sample Question 5 Data Entry
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Criticall Test Tips
Below you will find several Criticall test tips aimed at helping you pass:
1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast on your testing day. – By eating a healthy breakfast on the day of your test, you will be able to remain focused and energized throughout. This will ultimately improve your chances of receiving a high score in each section you encounter.
2. Get a good night’s sleep before your test.
3. Practice before your testing session. – It is crucial for you to strengthen your skills in each area evaluated during the Criticall exam. Build up your speed and accuracy to be able to achieve a higher score during testing. Using our unique test prep materials will allow you to quickly work through each section of the test without a hitch.
Note: Using the practice questions before each question on the actual test can further improve your chances of success. Even if you have practiced previously, you may still wish to use these sample questions instead of bypassing the preview altogether.
4. Be sure to follow all the instructions provided during the test. – Each section that you will encounter on the Criticall Dispatcher test will come with its own set of rules to follow. Be sure to read through and understand these instructions prior to starting each new section.
Note: Learning these Decision Rules prior to your testing day will further increase your answering speed and accuracy.
5. Keep in mind that the Criticall Dispatcher test uses a negative marking scheme during scoring. – Unless you are informed otherwise in the instructions for each section, you will be penalized if you skip any questions during the test. Practicing beforehand will give you a better understanding of what to expect in each section ultimately increasing your ability to quickly and accurately answer each question.
6. Improve your typing speed and accuracy. – Have a friend or family member read out information to you while you try to keep up typing it out. You may also find the use of typing tests useful for improving this skill. We offer a comprehensive Typing Test PrepPack™ to assist you in this area.
7. Keep the “Num Lock” (number lock) key function turned on throughout the duration of the test. – Doing so has been shown to help Criticall test takers the ability to work even faster than without this function enabled.
8. Make sure that you view all the information on the page prior to answering the associated question(s). – You may need to use the scroll bars located on the right side of your screen to view any information that may be hidden. Doing so will increase your chances of answering the question quickly and accurately.
9. Be aware of the different question and answering formats. – These formats include data-entry, speaking, and multiple-choice.
10. Improve your short-term and long-term memory recall abilities. – A major part of becoming a 911 call dispatcher is to recall important notes and descriptions regarding each incident. For example, red car, blue boat, green shirt, etc. You should also be able to recall pieces of information that you hear, such as telephone numbers or license plate numbers (for a short period of time).
11. Improve your map reading skills. – It is said that you will not need formal map-reading training prior to taking this test, however, you should have a good grasp on directions (e.g. “left” and “right”). You can also practice giving instructions from a very simple map. For example, using the terms "left" and "right", as well as "North", "East", "South", and "West". Our prep materials used in conjunction with self-made maps on Google are great places to improve this skill.
12. Improve your reading and writing skills. – Dispatchers must be able to read and write clearly. Work on correctly spelling commonly used words which sound alike so as not to delay badly needed assistance if they are misspelled (e.g., “patience” instead of “patients”, etc.). It may also be helpful for you to practice your reading skills to further enhance your skill level.
13. Practice transcribing information you hear. – Have a friend or a family member read and spell out a person’s first and last name from a telephone book. You should find the address associated to that name on your own. Enter this information into your computer exactly as it appears in the book. Use this exercise consistently until you develop a high degree of proficiency at locating and correctly entering this sort of information.
14. Find videos of the Criticall assessment in use. – Finding resources showing this testing system being used will assist you in navigating the actual test on your assessment day. This can boost your ability of completing your exam as quickly and accurately as possible.
Criticall Test FAQ
The sole purpose of this assessment is to determine whether a candidate possesses the necessary skills to effectively handle the duties associated with the job. A 911 dispatcher role requires high levels of quickness, accuracy, and interpersonal skills, just to name a few.
This assessment measures a variety of skills and traits needed to become a 911 dispatcher. Many of the skills being measured on the test include data entry, multi-tasking, decision making, prioritization, map reading, reading and writing comprehension, spelling, basic math, and memory recall. Another trait that will be under scrutiny during this exam is your ability to remain calm, cool, and collected in times of stress.
Since candidates taking the Critical assessment are not trained 911 call handlers, they will be presented with a set of rules regarding which emergency service department to dispatch (police, fire, EMS and/or utility) and in which scenarios. These rules are presented to you prior to completing each section of the test where they will apply.
You will only be asked to complete the dispatcher test if you have already submitted your application for a specific role. This test is computer-based and will likely take place inside of a simulated workplace environment.
The best way to prepare for the Criticall test is to use practice materials isolating each individual skill appearing on the exam. Understanding the form and structure of the tests found on the Criticall exam can help greatly in improving your overall test scores.
