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100+ Free CritiCall Dispatcher Practice Questions

Pass your CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher Pre-Employment Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Question 1
Score: 0/0

Which is a properly formatted CAD address?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CritiCall Dispatcher Exam

1,800+

Agencies using CritiCall

CritiCall (criticall911.com)

15

Max Modules in Battery

CritiCall test catalog

35 WPM

Common Typing-Speed Minimum

Agency CritiCall postings

70-80%

Typical Passing Range

Agency CritiCall postings

1-3 hours

Typical Test Length

CritiCall (criticall911.com)

911

Public Safety Dispatch Role

APCO International

The CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher test is a pre-employment battery used by 1,800+ agencies to screen 911 telecommunicator and dispatcher candidates. Agencies select from up to 15 simulation modules — multitasking, call summarization, prioritization, map reading, data entry, cross-referencing, memory recall, decision making, and typing speed — and the test typically runs 1-3 hours. Most agencies require module scores of 70-80% and a typing minimum of 35 WPM. The test fee is typically covered by the hiring agency.

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 100+ 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 the most widely used pre-employment test for 911 telecommunicators and public safety dispatchers, deployed by more than 1,800 agencies. The battery includes up to 15 simulation-based modules covering multitasking, call summarization, prioritization, map reading, data entry, cross-referencing, memory recall, decision making, and typing speed. Hiring agencies pick the modules and set the minimum scores — most require at least 70-80% and a typing minimum of 35 WPM.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

1-3 hours

Passing Score

70-80% (agency-set) + 35 WPM typing

Exam Fee

Set by the hiring agency (typically free to the candidate) (CritiCall (criticall911.com), proctored on-site by the hiring agency)

CritiCall Dispatcher Exam Content Outline

≈22%

Multitasking & Call Handling

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

≈18%

Decision Making & Prioritization

Triaging multiple incidents by severity using agency call-prioritization logic

≈14%

Map Reading

Locating streets, intersections, and shortest routes on a grid

≈14%

Data Entry & Typing Speed

Accurate keying of caller information at 35+ WPM with low error rate

≈12%

Cross-Referencing

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

≈10%

Memory & Recall

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

≈10%

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: 70-80% (agency-set) + 35 WPM typing
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 1-3 hours
  • Exam fee: Set by the hiring agency (typically free to the candidate)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CritiCall Dispatcher Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build sustained 35+ WPM typing accuracy while listening to audio — speed alone is not enough if errors are high.
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 computer-based pre-employment test used by more than 1,800 public safety agencies to screen 911 telecommunicator and dispatcher candidates. The battery includes up to 15 simulation-based modules covering multitasking, call summarization, prioritization, map reading, data entry, cross-referencing, memory recall, decision making, and typing speed.

Who administers the CritiCall test?

CritiCall (criticall911.com) develops the test, and the hiring agency proctors it on-site. The agency selects which modules to administer based on the dispatcher role.

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?

Passing scores are set by each hiring agency. Most require module scores of 70% to 80% and a typing-speed minimum of 35 WPM. Some modules — for example data entry — have separate accuracy and speed thresholds.

What modules are on the test?

Up to 15 modules can be administered. Common modules include audio call handling, call summarization, decision making and prioritization, map reading, data entry, cross-referencing, memory recall, sentence clarity, reading comprehension, spelling, and typing speed.

How long does the CritiCall test take?

Total session length is typically 1 to 3 hours, depending on how many modules the hiring agency selects.

Can I retake the CritiCall test?

Retake policy is set by the hiring agency. Many agencies require a 6-12 month wait between attempts and cap the number of retakes within a hiring cycle.

Is CritiCall available remotely?

No. CritiCall is administered on-site at the hiring agency under proctored conditions to protect the integrity of the audio and simulation modules.