Free CritiCall Practice Test

What Does the CritiCall Test Consist Of?

The test is comprised of 23 modules in total but job candidates are only tested on those which are relevant to the job matching their application. The most common skills that will be tested are:

• Reading
• Hearing
• Writing
• Map Reading
• Troubleshooting Simulated Emergency Situations

Each version of the CritiCall dispatcher test is designed with a specific job in mind. Call centers would be tested on memory, prioritization, and the ability to clearly communicate instructions.

Dispatcher testing would be more focused on math, map reading, and the ability to provide directions.

It’s important that you consider which job you’re applying to before deciding on a study regimen. Let’s take a closer look at some of the layouts that you can expect to encounter.

Common Questions Found on All Versions

These types of questions will be found on all versions of the CritiCall test.

Decision-Making Skills

These questions will display a detailed scenario on the screen and your job is to provide a response. You only have 15 seconds to make this decision so you have to be prepared. To add even more pressure, these scenarios will pop up randomly while you’re working on other sections of the test. The idea is to assess your ability to quickly switch gears and handle an emergency.

You’ll have to choose the correct agency to handle the scenario. The options are as follows:

• Police Department: If there is a crime happening or another individual is threatening to harm another person.
• Fire Department: If there is a fire in progress or someone is trapped and needs to be rescued.
• EMS: If there is an emergency medical situation that requires intervention from a medical professional.
• Utility: If a scenario involves broken or malfunctioning public infrastructure. For instance, a major water leak being reported would fall under this category.

These questions can also come in verbal forms, thus requiring you to provide the instructions vocally.

Data Entry Skills

You’ll be presented with information on-screen and given the task of typing it accurately into another field on the screen. Most data is straight-forward but there are scenarios where the data requires you to extract specific information.

Alone, this section isn’t too bad but you will be interrupted with “emergency” calls that test your decision-making skills. When those are done, you’ll be expected to keep working on data entry – this is designed to test your ability to enter data accurately while also juggling emergencies.

There are some cases where you’ll have to listen to data recorded on an emergency call and type in relevant information while listening. More notably, you’ll only be able to listen to the recording one time.

Memorization Assessment

It’s important for 911 workers to have good short-term memory so this section of the CritiCall test checks a candidate’s memory under pressure. You’ll be shown a series of numbers or text and then expected to type it accurately into another field a few seconds after it disappears.

An audio section will also be administered in certain locations. The only difference is that instead of seeing the text or words appear on the screen, you’ll be given an audio cue that you’re required to memorize.

Other Test Sections

• Map Reading: You’ll be shown a map with indicators that show the position of specific emergency units. You then have to provide directions based on this information.
• Prioritization: Applicants are given different scenarios and have to decide on what items are the most critical.
• Summarization: You’ll listen to a recorded call and then answer questions based on the conversation heard.
• Cross Referencing: Test-takers have to find information in an address book based on information provided.

There are more sections but these are the ones that trip most people up. Take a CritiCall practice test above to make sure you’re prepared to tackle this important test!