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110+ Free CritiCall Dispatcher Practice Questions

Prepare for the CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher Pre-Employment Test exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CritiCall Dispatcher Exam

1,800+

Agencies using CritiCall

CritiCall (criticall911.com)

20+

Available Tests

CritiCall

Agency-set

Typing Requirement

Hiring agency

Agency-set

Passing Standard

Hiring agency

1-3 hours

Typical Test Length

CritiCall (criticall911.com)

911

Public Safety Dispatch Role

APCO International

There is no single CritiCall form or national passing score. The current vendor offers more than 20 tests, while each public-safety agency chooses its own battery, delivery method, cutoffs, typing rule, result format, validity period, and retake policy. Use the current invitation as the controlling source.

Sample CritiCall Dispatcher Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CritiCall Dispatcher exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 110+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A caller reports an active shooter at a high school while another caller reports a stolen bicycle. Which call should the dispatcher prioritize?
A.Stolen bicycle — it was reported first
B.Active shooter — life-safety emergency
C.Both equally
D.Whichever caller is closer to the station
Explanation: Life-safety emergencies (active shooter, ongoing violence) always take priority over property crimes. The active shooter is an in-progress threat to multiple lives.
2Three calls arrive simultaneously: (1) cardiac arrest, (2) minor traffic crash with no injuries, (3) loud party complaint. What is the correct dispatch order?
A.1, 2, 3
B.2, 1, 3
C.3, 2, 1
D.1, 3, 2
Explanation: Cardiac arrest is highest priority (life threat). Traffic crash without injuries is medium. Loud party is lowest. Always: life > injury > property > nuisance.
3A caller reports a domestic violence in progress with the suspect armed with a knife. The nearest unit is 12 minutes away; a state trooper is 4 minutes away. What should the dispatcher do?
A.Wait for the city unit because state troopers handle highways
B.Request the state trooper as cover; dispatch city units to follow
C.Refuse the call until a city unit is closer
D.Tell the caller to leave the house alone
Explanation: In life-threatening in-progress calls, dispatch the nearest available unit regardless of agency, then update with primary jurisdiction units en route.
4A 911 caller is hysterical and unable to provide an address. What is the dispatcher's FIRST priority?
A.Hang up and wait for them to call back
B.Calm the caller to obtain a location, while using ANI/ALI to confirm the address
C.Dispatch an officer to the call center
D.Transfer the call to fire
Explanation: Location is the most critical piece of information. Use voice de-escalation while ANI/ALI (Automatic Number/Location Identification) provides backup location data.
5A caller reports smoke coming from a neighbor's house but no flames visible. Which agencies should be dispatched?
A.Police only
B.Fire only
C.Fire and EMS as primary; police for traffic control
D.Animal control
Explanation: Possible structure fire requires fire suppression as primary, EMS staged for potential rescue, and police for scene/traffic control. Multi-agency response is standard.
6A caller reports a suspicious vehicle parked outside their home for two hours. Three other priority calls are holding. What is the appropriate action?
A.Dispatch immediately with code 3
B.Log as a lower-priority hold; advise caller of likely delay
C.Refuse to take the call
D.Send a fire truck
Explanation: Suspicious vehicles with no in-progress threat are low priority. Log the call, set caller expectations, and clear higher-priority emergencies first.
7A caller in jurisdiction A reports a crime that occurred in jurisdiction B. What should the dispatcher do?
A.Hang up — wrong jurisdiction
B.Take the report and transfer/relay to jurisdiction B with caller's information
C.Tell caller to call B directly without transferring
D.Dispatch units from A regardless
Explanation: Take core information first (life-safety check), then transfer or relay to the proper jurisdiction. Never simply tell a caller to redial during an in-progress event.
8During a multi-vehicle highway crash with injuries, which units are dispatched FIRST?
A.Tow truck
B.Fire/EMS for injuries; police for scene control
C.Public works
D.Coroner
Explanation: Life-safety first: EMS for injured patients and fire for any entrapment/fluid. Police secure the scene. Tow trucks come after stabilization.
9A caller reports a suicidal subject with a firearm threatening themselves. What is the highest-priority dispatch consideration?
A.Send a single officer immediately to confront
B.Dispatch officers with crisis-negotiation training and request backup; consider CIT response
C.Dispatch fire only
D.Wait until subject leaves the home
Explanation: Armed suicidal subjects require trained negotiators (CIT/crisis-intervention) plus backup. Solo confrontation increases risk to officer and subject.
10A caller refuses to give their name but reports a felony in progress. What should the dispatcher do?
A.Disconnect — refuse anonymous reports
B.Take the report; anonymous tips on in-progress felonies are dispatched
C.Lecture the caller about identifying themselves
D.Hold the call until they identify
Explanation: Anonymous reports of in-progress felonies are accepted and dispatched. Caller identification is preferred but never a precondition for life-safety response.

About the CritiCall Dispatcher Exam

CritiCall is a configurable pre-employment assessment for 911 telecommunicator and public-safety dispatcher candidates. The current vendor catalog contains more than 20 tests, and each agency selects the battery, delivery method, scoring rules, and typing requirements for its own recruitment.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

Agency-specific

Passing Score

Agency-specific; no universal cutoff

Exam Fee

Set by the hiring agency (typically free to the candidate) (CritiCall software, configured and administered under each hiring agency's process)

CritiCall Dispatcher Exam Content Outline

Agency-specific

Multitasking & Call Handling

Simultaneous attention to audio calls, data entry, and on-screen prompts under time pressure

Agency-specific

Decision Making & Prioritization

Triaging multiple incidents by severity using agency call-prioritization logic

Agency-specific

Map Reading

Locating streets, intersections, and shortest routes on a grid

Agency-specific

Data Entry & Typing Speed

Accurate keying of caller information while listening to audio; any speed floor is employer-specific

Agency-specific

Cross-Referencing

Matching license plates, names, and codes across tables and lookup lists

Agency-specific

Memory & Recall

Short-term recall of caller details, addresses, and incident facts after audio playback

Agency-specific

Reading & Spelling

Comprehension of policy passages, spelling, and grammar accuracy for CAD entries

How to Pass the CritiCall Dispatcher Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Agency-specific; no universal cutoff
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: Agency-specific
  • Exam fee: Set by the hiring agency (typically free to the candidate)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 110 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CritiCall Dispatcher Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build accurate typing while listening to audio, then compare your measured speed with the requirement in your own agency's notice.
2Practice splitting attention between an audio call and an on-screen data-entry form so multitasking modules feel familiar.
3Use a structured note shorthand (who/what/where/when/weapon/vehicle) so call summaries stay accurate under time pressure.
4Drill map-reading on grid layouts — focus on shortest-route selection and standard street-direction conventions.
5Train short-term memory with caller-detail playback exercises: listen once, write five facts from recall, then verify.
6When prioritizing incidents, anchor decisions on threat-to-life, in-progress crimes, and officer safety before property-only calls.
7Confirm your hiring agency's exact module selection, passing scores, and typing minimum before exam day so practice matches the cut.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher test?

CritiCall is a configurable computer-based pre-employment assessment for public-safety dispatcher and call-taker candidates. Its current catalog includes more than 20 tests, and each hiring agency selects the components used for its role.

Who administers the CritiCall test?

CritiCall supplies the assessment software, while the hiring agency configures and administers its recruitment. Delivery may be local or remote depending on that agency's process.

How much does the CritiCall test cost?

There is typically no candidate fee — the hiring agency pays for the CritiCall license. Candidates are responsible for their own travel to the agency testing site.

What score do I need to pass?

There is no universal CritiCall cutoff or typing floor. The hiring agency sets the section or overall standards for its selected battery and decides what result candidates receive.

What modules are on the test?

The current vendor catalog includes more than 20 available tests. Your agency selects only the operational, situational, or behavioral components appropriate to its recruitment.

How long does the CritiCall test take?

Session length depends on the agency's selected battery and instructions; CritiCall does not publish one universal candidate duration.

Can I retake the CritiCall test?

Retake timing and attempt limits belong to the hiring agency. Confirm the current wait, reapplication rule, and whether a prior result remains usable with your recruiter.

Is CritiCall available remotely?

CritiCall can support remote or local delivery, but your hiring agency decides the setting, equipment, identity checks, and proctoring for your session.