CritiCall Practice Test with Free Questions, Answers, and Explanations

 911 Dispatcher Jobs

If you're interested in becoming a 911 dispatcher, the first step is to research requirements in your area. Although each place has their own process, many departments use the CritiCall Test. Other popular tests are the Post Dispatcher Test and NYPD Police Communications Technician Exam.

For more information on 911 dispatcher jobs, contact your local law enforcement, fire department, EMS, or Department of Public Safety to know more about their application process. 

Listen to the following recording and then answer the question below. Try to listen to it only once, as on the actual test, you’ll have only one shot as well. It is recommended to write down information while listening, as you'll have an on-screen notepad you could use on the actual test. Open the text version if you don't have access to audio.

▶ Play Audio 

Which of the following best describes this call?

A. Tracy’s thorough preparation helped her feel less nervous.

B. Hard work always seems to pay off.

C. Other people’s words of encouragement lessened Tracy’s nervousness.

D. Tracy was nervous about giving a speech, but it went fine.

Answer:

The correct answer is (D).

Tracy was nervous about giving a speech, but it went fine.
It expresses both facets of the main occurrence with no additional information

Here is another recording. Listen to it and then answer the two questions below (Open the text version if you don't have access to audio).

▶ Play Audio 

How many kids are inside the vehicle?

A. Was not mentioned

B. None

C. Just one, Larry Brickman

D. Just One, Steven da Backer

Answer:

The correct answer is B.

The caller's answer to the question "do you have kids inside the vehicle?" is "no, just me and my friend Larry Brickman here." Therefore the answer is B.

How many cars does the caller believe are currently at the junction?

A. 9

B. 9, maybe more

C. 2

D. 2, maybe more 

Answer:

"I can’t see clearly… I can recognize 9 right now, but maybe there are more."

Access the Best CritiCall Practice Test

The CritiCall test prep accurately represent the challenging Call Summarization module of the real criticall exam. In both versions of the test, you will be presented with virtual text boxes where you must enter different pieces of information related to the call.

These text boxes will become locked once the call has ended, which adds to the difficulty of the test. The module requires not only absolute focus and strong memory skills, but also the ability to summarize information effectively, type quickly, and make inferences.

To succeed on this test, we recommend that you learn different techniques for quickly summarizing audio recordings, as well as strategies for answering within a tight time limit. A comprehensive guide to both types of questions, including unique summarizing techniques, as well as 13 Call Summarization practice tests and additional practice materials, can be found in our CritiCall Preparation Pack.

Which unit would you assign?

A man reported dirty water coming out from the window of the neighbor's apartment.

A. Police

B. Fire

C. EMS

D. Utility

Answer:

The appropriate agency, in this case, is (D) - Utility.

The public utility should be dispatched in case of a problem related to the water system.

Public utilities are those business undertakings that provide necessary services to society. The undertakings dealing with the supply of electricity, gas, power, water, transport, etc., are all covered under public utility services. All these things are needed in the day-to-day life of the people.

Which unit would you assign?

A girl's hand got stuck in a vending machine.

A. Police

B. Fire

C. EMS

D. Utility

Answer:

The correct answer is (B) - The fire department.

The Fire Department should be dispatched in case of a trapped person.

The fire department forces are extinguishing fires in their area, protecting life and property in the event of fires in their area, rescuing and protecting people in the event of a road traffic collision, and rescuing and protecting people in other emergencies.

Which unit would you assign?

A teacher reported that a boy collapsed in gym class.

A. Police

B. Fire

C. EMS

D. Utility

Answer:

The correct answer is (C) - The emergency medical service.

EMS should be dispatched in case medical treatment is needed.

The emergency medical service will be dispatched in case of a medical event that requires treatment by a qualified paramedic or when an evacuation to a hospital is required.

CritiCall Test Prep

💡 Note that Decision-Making questions are typically integrated as emergency pop-up questions in other Criticall test sections, rather than presented as a standalone exam. As a result, you'll need to prioritize and respond to multiple tasks simultaneously while answering these questions. 

To prepare for these challenges, our CritiCall practice test pack includes a full Decision-Making practice test, with hundreds of additional scenarios included in other test modules as a multi-tasking option. For a price of 69$, you can start practicing and substantially improve your abilities prior to the test.

A split-screen format where the data is displayed on one side and the empty fields on the other. This example is designed to simulate such questions:

Full-Size View

You will have to fill in the displayed fields according to the information on the left side of the screen. In addition, you must respond to emergency situations and redirect the caller to the most relevant government agency: Police, Fire, EMS, or Utility.

On these questions, you will listen to an audio recording of an emergency call where the caller provides all necessary information. Your task is to accurately fill out the appropriate fields based solely on the information you hear.

Listen to the following recording, which highly resembles the real Data Entry test questions, and write down the details below on a piece of paper. On the actual test, you'll need to enter the details into their appropriate fields.

▶ Play Audio 

• Last Name
• First Name
• Title
• Address
• City                                
• Zip/Postal
• User Name                         
• Password 

Answer:

Last Name: Brooks| First Name: Florence

Title: Photographic Spotter

Address: 3472 Parkway Drive

City: Mammoth | Zip/Postal: 85618

User Name: rymen1991rymen-1991 

Password: cush4aev

Ace Your CritiCall Test

💡 The Data entry module appears in every agency's dispatcher test since data entry skills are one of the most fundamental abilities of a 911 dispatcher. You'll have either an audio version, a non-audio version, or both.

Additionally, you'll need to respond to emergency messages simultaneously within 15 seconds of their appearance. This task is particularly challenging because you only have about five minutes to catch essential details and correctly complete as many fields as possible, while also responding to emerging messages on time. The recorded version of the Data Entry is even more difficult, as the data does not remain visible, and mistakes can't be double-checked. 

Comprehensive and timed practice for both the written and recorded versions of the Data-Entry module that simulates the challenge of simultaneously entering data and responding to emergency messages, can be found in our CritiCall practice test PrepPack.

Get CritiCall Practice Test

For the Dispatcher typing test module, we recommend practicing to improve your accuracy and typing speed, or WPM (words per minute). The typing speed expected from a 911 dispatcher or operator candidate is set by the hiring agency involved, but it is recommended to reach a typing speed of 35 WPM and above and to be able to maintain this speed for at least 5 minutes throughout the test.

To achieve improved typing speed and accuracy, you can use typing practice software that tracks your speed and analyzes mistakes. Our CritiCall Test Prep Pack includes this type of software, offered to easily improve your typing skills before your upcoming assessments. 

Check out our employment typing test and sharpen your typing skills.

Question #1

A man fainted at a grocery store on Lord Cir. A dispatcher ambulance is currently parked on the narrow road next to the medical center, between 29th St and King Cove.

What is the most direct route of the ambulance to reach the Lord Cir entrance of the store?

A. Exit to 29th St and drive east. Take the second turn south to 15th Ave and turn left to Lord Cir.

B. Exit to King Cove St and drive east. Turn north and then turn east to 29th St. Follow the road south to 15 Ave and turn right to Lord Cir.

C. Exit to 29th St and drive east. Take the second turn south to 15th Ave and turn right to Lord Cir.

D. Exit to King Cove St and drive east. Turn right and then another time right to 30th St. Turn left to 11th Ave and follow the road until you reach the grocery store.

Answer:

The correct answer is (C).

Question #2

A man fainted in the grocery store on Lord Cir. An ambulance is dispatched to take care of the event. The ambulance is currently parked on the narrow road next to the medical center, between 29th St and King Cove. What is the most direct route for the ambulance to reach the Lord Cir entrance of the grocery store?

A. Exit to 29th St and drive east. Take the second turn south to 15th Ave and turn left to Lord Cir.

B. Exit to King Cove St and drive east. Turn north and then turn east to 29th St. Follow the road south to 15th Ave and turn right to Lord Cir.

C. Exit to 29th St and drive east. Take the second turn south to 15th Ave and turn right to Lord Cir.

D. Exit to King Cove St and drive east. Turn right and then another time right to 30th St. Turn left to 11th Ave and follow the road until you reach the grocery store.

Answer: 

The correct answer is C.

CritiCall Test Prep 

The CritiCall map reading questions will usually consist of two types:

• Best route: you'll need to find the most direct route between two locations.

• Orientation: you'll need to follow directions from a given starting point and determine where you will be at the endpoint.

A Map Reading guide and 13 practice tests with hundreds of map reading questions, and a variety of maps can be found in our CritiCall Preparation Pack. 

What's the last name of the person whose License Plate number is 6XAB175?

A. George

B. Mitchell

C. Miranda

D. Cabler

Answer:

The correct answer is (D), CABLER.

Start by searching the license plate in the last column, until finding the correct license plate on the 5^th row. Next, search for the last name in row 5, which is the first column, and the last name is Cabler.

What is the phone number of the person living on Rose Street?

A. 663-601-8107

B. 713-678-5225

C. 269-743-9685

D. 741-304-7424

Answer:

The correct answer is C, 269-743-9685.

Start by searching for the address in the third column, until finding the correct address (2397 ROSE STREET) in the 8^th row. Next, search for the phone number in row 8, which is the 4^th column, and the phone number is 269-743-9685.

What is the first name of the person whose VIN starts with 5X?

A. Ryan

B. Brianna

C. Parker

D. Diamond 

Answer:

The correct answer is A, Ryan.

Start by searching for the VIN in the 5^th column until finding the correct VIN (5XXGM4A72DG215499) in the 6^th row. Next, search for the first name in row 6, which is the 2^nd column, and the name is Ryan.

911 Dispatcher Practice Test

The cross-referencing questions above require focus, data navigation techniques, and following instructions. You'll have only a few rows visible, and you'll need to scroll through the address book to find the details while responding simultaneously to emergency messages that appear at the bottom of the screen. This requires additional focus to remember exactly in which rows and columns the information should be found, which can be achieved and improved through practice.

Practice tests that include written and recorded questions with multitasking options are available in the CritiCall Preparation Pack. It can be purchased for $69 and can help you improve your skills prior to the test, feeling more confident and prepared for the assessment. 

Which situation is more urgent?

1. A man calls in reporting about his loud neighbors. He claims they are having a loud argument. Sounds of glass shattering and a scream for help were heard.

2. The municipal garbage men crew found a dead homeless man in an alley in the city's commercial area. His corpse had signs of brutal violence on his head and chest. Gang graffiti was sprayed next to him.

Answer:

The correct answer is (A).

In prioritization questions, When deciding, follow scales. These scales will help you determine which scenario is the most urgent:

Scenario A depicts a possibility of abuse and violence that could be stopped (screams for help). A plausible outcome of this scenario is serious injury and physical harm (code 1).

Scenario B is an incident, which presents a dead homeless person. This incident is also code 1, but this case already happened, and the criminals are known. According to the time scale, incident A has priority on this call.

Which situation is more urgent?

1. A young tourist calls from his hotel, trying to explain that he got mugged while hiking in the park, approx. 90 minutes ago. He claims that all of his cash and his passport were stolen, and he thinks that the criminals are still there.

2. The local deli manager calls in reporting about a fire that burst in his kitchen. All the customers and staff were evacuated from the business, and the gas faucet was disabled.

Answer:

The correct answer is (B).

Incident A presents a minor property loss regardless of the chance to catch the criminals.

Incident B presents a major property loss due to the fire, and you may prevent the fire from spreading and inflicting more damage. According to the urgency response scale, incident B has a priority on this call.

911 Dispatcher Practice tests with many unique scenarios, including full explanations, and methods for prioritizing, can be found in our CritiCall Preparation Pack. 

Answer the questions below according to the following text:

Lots of people start running in their 30s or older, and it is one of the few sports in which you can improve with age. One example is the great Jack Foster, a self-styled "ancient marathoner”, who ran for the first time at the age of 32, and by the age of 40 found himself picking up a silver medal at the Christchurch Commonwealth marathon in 1974.

Of course, while we all may hold secret hopes of uncovering a latent talent, most of us are unlikely to progress to an elite level. But, whether we like to compete on a weekend or prefer to go on solitary excursions through the countryside, the message is that age is far less of a barrier in running than it is in other sports. With running, even if taken up later in life without any previous experience, it really is realistic to expect improvement with age.

1. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the second paragraph?

A. It describes people's hopes to uncover their talents.

B. It compares solitary runners to competitive runners.

C. It highlights the message that running has no age.

D. It emphasizes the importance of running when one is older.

Answer:

The correct answer is C. 

To answer this question, we must read paragraph 2 carefully. Once we do, we can see that the answer is evident in the paragraph, starting with the words: ” The message is…” The message of this paragraph is that running has no age, and therefore answer choice (c) is the correct answer.

2. Based on the text, which of the following is definitely correct?

A. Many people start running at an older age.

B. Older runners generally receive more medals.

C. More people prefer to compete than to run alone.

D. Older runners are faster than younger runners.

Answer:

The correct answer is A. 

In order to conclude which of the statements is definitely correct, we must locate them in the text and find which of them is explicitly mentioned there:

• Answer choice (a) - The passage begins with the words: ”Lots of people start running in their 30s or older…”, corresponding with this answer choice and confirming it as correct.
• Answer choice (b) - While it is true that Jack Foster received a medal for his running achievements, we don't actually know whether older runners receive more medals than younger runners. This is not necessarily a correct statement.
• Answer choice (c) - The second paragraph describes two types of runners: people who like to participate in races and those who like to run without competing. It does not, however, compare the number of runners per category. Thus, this answer choice is not necessarily correct.
• Answer choice (d) - Again, like answer choice (b), we do not have information regarding the qualifications of younger versus older runners. Therefore, this answer choice is also not necessarily correct.

Therefore answer choice (a) is the correct answer.

3. Which one of the following is definitely true regarding Jack Foster, based on the text?

A. He ran in his 20s.

B. He ran a marathon.

C. He is from Christchurch.

D. He is stylish.

Answer:

To conclude which of the statements is definitely true, we must locate them in the text and find which one of them is explicitly mentioned there. In this case, it is easy to locate the section in the text corresponding to the answer choices, as the question provides us with a clue (”Jack Foster”) leading us to our answer. This is the section that refers to Foster:” One example is the great Jack Foster, a self-styled "ancient marathoner”, who ran for the first time at the age of 32, and by the age of 40 found himself picking up a silver medal at the Christchurch Commonwealth marathon in 1974”. It is said that Foster: (1) ran for the first time at the age of 32 – this eliminates answer choice (a). (2) ran a marathon in Christchurch – however, we do not know if he actually lived there, thus eliminating answer choice (c). (3) he is a self-styled ”ancient marathonist,”- which does not mean he is stylish, eliminating answer choice (d). Since the text states explicitly that Foster ran a marathon, answer choice (b) is thus the correct answer.

How to Pass the CritiCall Test?

The content of the CritiCall reading comprehension passages will mostly be related to law enforcement, emergency communication, and other texts that are used on the job. That being said, you don't need to use any prior knowledge or experience, but rather base your answer only on the given text and your reasoning skills.

For a comprehensive practice that includes guides and different types of questions, you can purchase our CritiCall Preparation Pack.

Choose the passage below that is most clear:

A. For years, police have cited bad driving as the main cause of accidents.
B. Police have cited bad driving for years as the main cause of accidents.

Answer:

The correct answer is (A).

Find the answer which best matches the meaning of the original sentence:
An alarming statistic shows that suicide attempts among men are more likely to succeed, even though more women attempt suicide.

A. Despite the fact that suicide attempts are almost never successful, more and more women try to commit suicide, according to the frightening statistics.

B. While women are more likely to attempt suicide, according to statistics, men have a higher likelihood of succeeding in such an attempt.

C. Because statistics show that men are more likely to try and commit suicide, they are also more likely to carry out such an attempt.

D. A successful suicide attempt is more likely from a woman than it is from a man, according to an alarming statistic.

Answer:
The correct answer is (B).

Answer A says suicide attempts are almost never successful, which wasn't mentioned originally. Also, more and more implies that the number of women attempting suicide is growing rather than just more than men. 
Answer C says more men attempt suicide instead of women.
Answer D says women are more likely to succeed in a suicide attempt, instead of men.

Other than reading and improving verbal skills, it is recommended to focus on practicing these types of questions. Practice tests full of different formats and types of questions can be found in our CritiCall PrepPack.   

Emilio drives to a town 25 miles away from his location. He calls you, saying he has driven 3/5 of the way. How many miles did Emilio drive?

A. 10

B. 15

C. 20

D. 5

Answer:

First, calculate how much is 1/5 of 25 miles: 25*1/5=5miles.

Now multiply the number by 3 to calculate the sum of miles Emilio drove: 5*3=15 miles.

A mountain trail is 12.1 miles long. If a hiker walks along the trail at a rate of 1.96 miles per hour, in approximately how many hours will the hiker walk the entire trail?

A. 6

B. 12

C. 14

D. 24

Answer:

The correct answer is (a).

12.1 miles are approximately 12 miles. 1.96 miles per hour are approximately 2 miles per hour.

Since time (in hours) equals distance (miles) divided by velocity (miles per hour), the hiker will walk the entire trail in approximately 12/2=6 hours.

You can find math study guides and practice tests of increasing difficulty in our CritiCall PrepPack.    

Determine which of the options is an exact copy of:

7227277277277222 James Baxter

A. 7227277277277722

B. 7227227277277222

C. 7227277722727222

D. 7227277277277222

Answer:

The correct answer is (D).

From the alternatives below, choose the one which is exactly the same as:

2C4GM68475R65969

A. 2C4GN68475R65969

B. 2C4GM68475R65696

C. 2C4GM68475R65969

D. 2C4GM68475R95969

Answer:

The correct answer is (C).

Since multi-tasking emergency questions could also appear within this module – practice is greatly helpful in improving your ability to divide your attention between tasks while not missing any important details. You can find multiple practice tests with and without the multi-tasking feature in our CritiCall PrepPack.

Click the play button in order to listen to the sequence of letters and numbers:

▶ Play Audio 

Write down the sequence you heard after the recording ends. 

Answer: JS97QR

Question #2:

Click the play button in order to listen to the sequence of letters and numbers:

▶ Play Audio 

Write down the sequence you heard after the recording ends. 

Answer: NUKW5C

▶ Play Audio  

Workers should wear gloves while working with __________ chemicals.

A. hazzardous

B. hazardous

C. hazzardos

D. hazardouse

Answer:

The correct answer is (B). 

Question #2:

Any recent ____ in jobs is likely to have been ____ in the south.

A. increase, concentrated

B. increese, concentration

C. increases, concentrated

D. increasing, concentrated

E. None of these

Answer:

The correct answer is (A).

Any recent increase in jobs is likely to have been concentrated in the south.

The Spelling module requires proper English, verbal proficiency, as well as listening abilities. The questions, which may involve sentence completion or correction, could include recorded words or not. Practice tests for the Spelling module covering all possible formats can be found in our CritiCall Preparation Pack.

Read the following description and answer the question below: 

Four people reported the address of a burning building. The addresses reported were:

#1: 6742 Clerk Blvd.

#2: 4742 Clerk Blvd.

#3: 6782 Clerk Blvd.

#4: 3142 Clerk Blvd.

Which address is most likely the correct one?

A. 6742 Clerk Blvd

B. 4742 Clerk Blvd.

C. 6782 Clerk Blvd.

D. 3142 Clerk Blvd.

Answer:

A1: The correct answer is (A).

As can be seen, in all addresses, the boulevard’s name is the same one – and only the numbers differ. To measure the best probability for the address – each number in order should be compared between all four addresses, and the most recurring number has the highest probability of being the correct one.

The report with all the most reoccurring numbers is report #1 – and therefore is the most likely correct address.

Read the following description and answer the question below: 

A cyclist hit a pedestrian on a boulevard. The accident was described by a few eyewitnesses:

#1: The cyclist left the bicycle lane. The pedestrian was wearing earphones and was looking at his phone.

#2: The cyclist rode fast and hit a pedestrian looking at his phone.

#3: The cyclist left the bicycle lane when suddenly a Caucasian male appeared out of nowhere.

#4: The pedestrian was wearing his earphones, looking at his phone, and did not pay attention to his surroundings.

Which scenario is most likely the correct one?

A. The cyclist left the bicycle lane. The pedestrian was wearing earphones and was looking at his phone.

B. The cyclist rode fast and hit a pedestrian looking at his phone.

C. The cyclist left the bicycle lane when suddenly a Caucasian male appeared out of nowhere.

D. The pedestrian was wearing his earphones, looking at his phone, and did not pay attention to his surroundings.

Answer:

To best answer the question, you are required to take the details described in each of the answers and compare them to others to see how many times each detail is reported. The answer with the most reoccurring details is the correct one:

1. Cyclist leaving bicycle lane, pedestrian wearing earphones, pedestrian looking at his phone.

2. Cyclist driving fast, pedestrian looking at his phone.

3. Cyclist leaving bicycle lane, Caucasian male appearing

4. Pedestrian wearing earphones, pedestrian looking at his phone, the pedestrian doesn't pay attention to his surroundings.

The recurring details are pedestrian looking at his phone (3), pedestrian wearing earphones (2), and cyclist leaving bicycle lane (2) – therefore the correct answer would be answer #1.

💡 In the CritiCall probability test section, you'll be allowed to use a pen and scratch paper (one of the only CritiCall modules where it's allowed), which may come in handy in the more complex questions.

These questions require quick yet keen observation of recurring details, to determine which of a few options is the most probable one. This skill is vital for a 911 Dispatcher who often receives reports with partially accurate information. Our CritiCall PrepPack includes practice tests and tips for succeeding in this module.

Get Access to 125 CritiCall Practice Tests Tailored to Common & Additional Modules, including: 

1. Guides, Explanations, Tips, and Techniques for Studying.

2. Multi-tasking features to experience the same format and challenges as the CritiCall Dispatcher Test. 

3. Additional practice and an interactive interface to help you identify and address your strengths and weaknesses, maximizing your potential for improvement and success.