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
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.
Check out our CritiCall tutorial video, where we go over the fundamentals of the test:
JobTestPrep's CritiCall practice tests simulate the most common modules and their test format, so you can rest assured that you'll be fully prepared for anything.
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.
CritiCall Typing Test (Keyboarding)
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
The emergency messages on JobTestPrep's CritiCall practice resemble the different scenarios on the actual test and have the same time limits. This allows you to practice with realistic conditions and sharpen your decision-making skills under time pressure.
CritiCall Data-Entry Test
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
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
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.
Important: you must not write down any information or take notes on this module. You must recall the information using your memory only. Writing down anything during this portion of the test will result in immediate failure for the entire test.
CritiCall Prioritization Test
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
What is the most direct route from the west entrance of the cafe to the intersection of Third Downhill street - while obeying traffic signs?
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.
Choose the passage below that is most clear:
A. Growling and barking, the dog tore up the coat while the man watched helplessly.
B. Growling and barking, the man watched helplessly as the dog tore up the coat.
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
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
JobTestPrep’s CritiCall prep pack includes 10 Character Comparison practice simulations with dozens of questions similar to the above.
CritiCall Math Test
Maria started to read the newspaper at 4:24 p.m.
The reading took her 57 minutes.
Nine minutes before she finished reading the newspaper, the phone rang.
What time was it when the phone rang?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Use the following tips and prep strategies to increase your chances of scoring high on the CritiCall tests:
Read more about Arbel's courses.