CritiCall Practice Test Guide: Skills, Format and Preparation

This page is a preparation guide for transferable dispatcher skills. It intentionally does not present a home-made CritiCall mini-test as if it reproduced an agency configuration.

For how CritiCall and CritiCall 3D are configured by agencies, cut scores, and module variation, use the CritiCall Dispatcher Test overview. For the broader 911 hiring map, use 911 Dispatcher Test.

CritiCall-style practice measures whether you can process emergency information quickly, type accurately, remember details and multitask under pressure. Modules and passing rules remain agency-controlled.

What Is the CritiCall Test?

The CritiCall test is a dispatcher assessment used by public safety agencies to evaluate candidates for 911 dispatcher and emergency communications roles.

CritiCall is designed to measure job-related dispatcher skills such as:

• entering caller information accurately;
• listening while typing;
• remembering caller details;
• deciding whether Police, Fire, EMS or Public Utility should be dispatched;
• prioritizing emergency and non-emergency calls;
• reading maps and directions;
• switching between tasks;
• following written instructions;
• working under time pressure.

The exact CritiCall modules can vary because agencies choose which parts of the test to administer.

Related guide:

• CritiCall Test

What Skills Does CritiCall Test?

CritiCall may test several job-related dispatcher skills.

Data Entry

You may need to enter:

• names;
• addresses;
• phone numbers;
• license plates;
• case numbers;
• incident details;
• vehicle descriptions;
• caller information.

Accuracy is essential.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Typing Test

Decision-Making

Decision-making modules may ask you to choose the correct dispatch response.

Common response categories include:

• Police;
• Fire;
• EMS;
• Public Utility;
• more than one agency.

Use only the rules provided in the test.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Decision-Making Test

Memory

Memory questions test whether you can recall key details after a short delay.

Common details include:

• caller name;
• location;
• suspect description;
• vehicle description;
• direction of travel;
• injury status.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Memory Test

Listening

Listening modules may require you to understand spoken information and record details accurately.

You may need to listen for:

• addresses;
• caller names;
• incident type;
• callback number;
• suspect description;
• vehicle information;
• officer or unit updates.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Listening Test

Multitasking

Multitasking modules measure whether you can handle several streams of information at once.

You may need to:

• type while listening;
• sort calls by priority;
• respond to changing information;
• monitor instructions;
• enter data while reading updates.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Multitasking Test

Map Reading

Map reading modules test whether you can understand location, direction and route information.

Practice:

• north, south, east and west;
• grid movement;
• shortest routes;
• cross streets;
• direction of travel.

Related guide:

• Dispatcher Map Reading Test

Call Prioritization

Call prioritization tests whether you understand urgency.

High-priority calls usually include:

• immediate threat to life;
• active violence;
• major injury;
• person not breathing;
• fire or smoke in a building;
• major hazard;
• weapon involved.

Lower-priority calls usually include:

• delayed theft;
• noise complaint from the previous day;
• administrative request;
• non-urgent report.

Common CritiCall Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes:

• typing fast but inaccurately;
• failing to read module instructions;
• dispatching only one agency when multiple are required;
• forgetting EMS when injuries are present;
• forgetting Fire when smoke, fire or trapped occupants are present;
• missing caller location;
• confusing East and West;
• reversing phone digits;
• panicking during multitasking;
• trying to remember every word instead of key details;
• adding assumptions not stated in the call.

Related guide:

• Common Public Safety Test Mistakes

How to Prepare for the CritiCall Test

Use this process:

1. Confirm your agency uses CritiCall.
2. Read your official test invitation.
3. Practice typing and data entry.
4. Practice addresses, phone numbers and license plates.
5. Practice dispatcher decision rules.
6. Practice call prioritization.
7. Practice listening and memory.
8. Practice map reading.
9. Use timed multitasking drills.
10. Review every error.

CritiCall Timing Strategy

CritiCall modules may be timed separately.

Use these strategies:

• read each module’s instructions carefully;
• do not assume every section works the same way;
• prioritize accuracy in data entry;
• move quickly in decision-making modules;
• stay calm during multitasking sections;
• recover quickly after mistakes;
• do not let one error affect the next task.

Choosing CritiCall Practice Resources

JobTestPrep is useful for CritiCall preparation because it offers dispatcher-style practice for the skills commonly tested in emergency communications hiring.

Use JobTestPrep for:

• CritiCall-style simulations;
• data entry;
• typing accuracy;
• multitasking;
• map reading;
• call summarization;
• decision-making;
• memory;
• listening;
• call prioritization.

Free vs Paid CritiCall Practice

Prep Type	Best Use
Free CritiCall-style questions	Learn common formats
Official candidate guide	Confirm test purpose and modules
Typing drills	Improve speed and accuracy
Map reading drills	Improve direction skills
Listening drills	Improve audio processing
Paid JobTestPrep	More realistic dispatcher-style simulations
Timed mixed drills	Build pressure tolerance

Free practice is useful for orientation. Paid prep is more useful when CritiCall is a serious hiring filter.

7-Day CritiCall Study Plan

Day	Study Focus
Day 1	Learn test format and take a diagnostic
Day 2	Typing and data entry
Day 3	Dispatch decision-making
Day 4	Listening and memory
Day 5	Map reading and call prioritization
Day 6	Multitasking and timed practice
Day 7	Review mistakes and test-day strategy

24-Hour CritiCall Study Plan

If your test is tomorrow:

1. Review the official instructions.
2. Practice typing for 20 minutes.
3. Practice phone numbers, addresses and license plates.
4. Review Police / Fire / EMS / Utility rules.
5. Practice memory recall.
6. Practice map directions.
7. Complete one timed mixed drill.
8. Review common mistakes.
9. Prepare headphones, keyboard and testing space if testing online.

CritiCall Test-Day Checklist

Before the test, confirm:

[ ] I know the testing platform.
[ ] I know whether headphones are needed.
[ ] I know whether typing is tested.
[ ] I have practiced data entry accuracy.
[ ] I have practiced dispatch decision rules.
[ ] I have practiced listening and memory.
[ ] I have practiced map reading.
[ ] I understand that each module may have different instructions.
[ ] My keyboard works properly.
[ ] My testing environment is quiet.
[ ] I have read the official instructions.

For additional public-safety written practice, Criticall prep test can help candidates rehearse reading, memory and judgment-style items. Third-party packs are not official employer or publisher materials; confirm the product matches your invitation before buying.

Related Police Dispatcher Test Guides

Use these related pages to continue preparing:

Guide	Best For
CritiCall Test	Full CritiCall format guide
California Dispatcher Test	POST battery, alternative testing, and California dispatcher context
911 Dispatcher Practice Test	Full dispatcher practice test
911 Dispatcher Test	Dispatcher exam overview
Dispatcher Typing Test	Typing speed and accuracy
Dispatcher Listening Test	Audio comprehension
Dispatcher Memory Test	Recall practice
Dispatcher Multitasking Test	Multitasking practice
Dispatcher Decision-Making Test	Dispatch rules and judgment
Dispatcher Map Reading Test	Direction and map skills
How to Pass Dispatcher Test	Dispatcher strategy

FAQ