What is the CritiCall Test? A Complete Guide for 911 Dispatcher Applicants
What is the CritiCall Test? A Complete Guide for 911 Dispatcher Applicants
Published: June 2025 | Category: Public Safety Test Prep | 10 min read
If you have applied for a 911 dispatcher or emergency communications operator role there is a very good chance you will be asked to take the CritiCall test. It is one of the most challenging pre-employment assessments in any field — and one of the least understood. This guide explains exactly what it is, what it tests, how it is scored and what you can do to prepare effectively before your test date.
Becoming a 911 dispatcher means being someone's lifeline during the worst moment of their life. Emergency communications centres take the hiring process extremely seriously — and the CritiCall test is the tool they use to make sure only the most capable candidates make it through.
The good news is that the CritiCall test is not designed to trick you. It is designed to measure specific skills that can genuinely be improved with the right preparation. Understanding the format, the subtests and what is expected from you before you walk in makes a significant difference to your performance on the day.
What Is the CritiCall Test?
The CritiCall test is a computer-based pre-employment assessment used by emergency communications centres, police departments and public safety agencies across the United States and Canada to screen applicants for dispatcher and call-taker roles.
It was developed specifically to simulate the real demands of working in an emergency communications centre. Unlike a standard cognitive aptitude test the CritiCall is designed to replicate actual dispatcher tasks — entering data while listening to information, reading maps under pressure, handling multiple calls simultaneously and making quick accurate decisions with incomplete information.
The test is administered on a computer at a testing facility or sometimes remotely depending on the hiring agency. The specific subtests you face and the minimum score thresholds required will vary by employer — but the core skills measured remain largely consistent across agencies.
Who Uses the CritiCall Test?
The CritiCall test is used by hundreds of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services and consolidated dispatch centres across North America. If you are applying for any of the following roles you are likely to encounter it:
- 911 Emergency Dispatcher
- Emergency Communications Operator
- Police Dispatcher
- Fire Dispatcher
- EMS Dispatcher
- Public Safety Telecommunicator
- Call Taker or Communications Officer
Even if your hiring agency does not specifically use the CritiCall brand name they may use a very similar computer-based skills assessment that tests the same core competencies. The preparation strategies in this guide apply broadly to all dispatcher pre-employment tests.
What Does the CritiCall Test Measure?
The CritiCall test is made up of multiple subtests each targeting a different skill set. Here is what each subtest involves:
How Is the CritiCall Test Scored?
This is one of the most important things to understand about the CritiCall test — each subtest is scored separately and each one has its own minimum passing threshold set by the hiring agency.
This means that even if you perform exceptionally well on seven out of eight subtests, failing to meet the minimum threshold on just one subtest can disqualify your entire application. There is no averaging out of scores across subtests.
Key scoring facts:
- Each subtest has its own separate minimum score requirement
- Minimum thresholds vary by agency — check with your specific employer
- Failing one subtest disqualifies the entire application in most agencies
- Some agencies rank candidates by overall score for competitive hiring lists
- Many agencies allow a re-test after a waiting period if you do not meet thresholds
Because of the subtest-by-subtest scoring structure the most effective preparation targets each skill area individually. Spending all your preparation time on the areas you are already strong in will not help you pass a subtest where you are genuinely weak.
How Hard Is the CritiCall Test?
Candidates consistently report that the CritiCall test is more challenging than they expected — not because the individual skills are difficult but because of the combination of demands placed on you simultaneously. The multi-tasking subtest in particular surprises many candidates who have never experienced that level of cognitive load before.
Think about it this way: in a real emergency communications centre a dispatcher might be updating a computer record, monitoring radio traffic, speaking to a caller and tracking a unit response all at the same time. The CritiCall test is designed to see whether you can handle that kind of demand before you ever sit in that chair.
First-time test takers who go in without preparation often struggle not because they lack the ability but because the format is completely unfamiliar. Candidates who have practised the format beforehand — especially the multi-tasking component — perform significantly more confidently.
How to Prepare for the CritiCall Test
Here are the most effective preparation strategies for each area of the CritiCall test:
Data Entry and Typing
Practice typing speed and accuracy daily using free online typing tools. Aim for at least 35 words per minute with high accuracy before your test. The data entry subtest rewards both speed and precision — a fast but inaccurate typist will not score well.
Multi-Tasking
This is the subtest that most candidates find most difficult on their first attempt. The only effective way to prepare for it is to practice it in a simulated environment. Familiarising yourself with the format in advance dramatically reduces the shock factor on test day and allows you to focus on actually performing rather than figuring out what you are supposed to do.
Map Reading
Practice reading and interpreting street maps. Use online mapping tools to find routes between two points on paper maps without relying on GPS. Practice giving directions clearly and confidently using compass directions — north, south, east, west.
Memory and Recall
Practice reading short passages and then recalling specific details without looking back at the text. Focus on names, numbers, addresses and descriptions — the exact categories of information you will need to recall in a real dispatcher role.
Spelling
Review commonly misspelled words especially those that appear frequently in emergency communications — street types, building descriptions, medical terms and common names. A strong vocabulary and attention to written accuracy will serve you well across multiple subtests.
"I tried a few sites to prepare for my CritiCall test and none compared to JobTestPrep. I absolutely loved it. It prepared me and I aced the test and I did it with ease. The multi-tasking practice was exactly what I needed — nothing else came close." — Cheryl B., verified customer
What to Expect on CritiCall Test Day
Here is what the experience typically looks like when you arrive for your CritiCall assessment:
- Location: Most agencies administer the test at their facility on their computers. Some now offer remote versions — your agency will confirm which applies to you
- Duration: The full test typically takes between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on which subtests your agency requires
- Equipment: You will use the facility's computer and keyboard. You will not need to bring anything except valid identification
- Subtests: Not all agencies use every subtest — your hiring contact should be able to tell you which modules you will face
- Results: Some agencies provide immediate results. Others notify you by email or letter within a few days
Where to Find CritiCall Practice Tests
The most important thing to understand about CritiCall preparation is that generic aptitude test practice will not adequately prepare you for this assessment. You need practice materials that specifically replicate the CritiCall format — especially the multi-tasking component which has no equivalent in standard test prep resources.
JobTestPrep is one of the most well reviewed platforms for CritiCall preparation. Their CritiCall pack is a paid resource that includes practice across all the major subtests — data entry, multi-tasking, map reading, memory recall and more — designed to mirror the real test format as closely as possible.
To find the CritiCall preparation pack visit JobTestPrep, click Browse Tests at the top of the page and select CritiCall from either the Best Sellers section or the Police and FBI menu. The product page shows current pricing, what is included in each tier and free sample questions you can try before you decide to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare for the CritiCall test?
Most candidates benefit from two to four weeks of consistent daily practice. The multi-tasking subtest in particular requires repetition to build the cognitive muscle needed to handle multiple simultaneous demands. Starting preparation as soon as you receive your test date gives you the best chance of performing well across all subtests.
Can I retake the CritiCall test if I fail?
Most agencies allow candidates to retake the CritiCall test after a waiting period — typically between 3 and 12 months depending on the agency. Check directly with your hiring contact for their specific retake policy. If you have already taken the test and did not meet the threshold, targeted preparation for your next attempt is strongly recommended.
Is the CritiCall test the same at every agency?
No. The subtests included and the minimum score thresholds are set individually by each hiring agency. Some agencies use all eight subtests while others use a smaller selection. Always ask your hiring contact which specific modules are included in your test so you can focus your preparation accordingly.
What typing speed do I need for the CritiCall data entry subtest?
Most agencies set a minimum of around 30 to 35 words per minute for the data entry subtest — but aiming for 40 or above gives you a comfortable margin. Accuracy matters as much as speed. Practice typing real addresses and names rather than random text to simulate what you will actually be entering on the day.
What is the hardest part of the CritiCall test?
Most candidates report that the multi-tasking subtest is the most challenging — not because it requires exceptional intelligence but because the simultaneous demands feel completely unfamiliar the first time you encounter them. Candidates who have practised the multi-tasking format beforehand consistently describe feeling far more in control during the real test.
Final Thoughts
The CritiCall test is challenging but it is absolutely not impossible to prepare for. Unlike some employment assessments where preparation offers marginal gains the CritiCall is a test where targeted practice makes a genuinely significant difference — particularly for the multi-tasking and data entry components where repetition directly builds the skills being measured.
The candidates who struggle most are those who underestimate the format and go in without practice. The candidates who perform best are those who have spent time familiarising themselves with each subtest so that on the day their focus is entirely on performing rather than figuring out what they are supposed to do.
If you are serious about a career in emergency communications take your preparation seriously. The job is one of the most important in any community — and the hiring process reflects that.
Looking for preparation resources across other employment assessments too? Read our full guide: JobTestPrep Review 2025 — Every Major Employment Assessment Covered
Ready to Prepare for the CritiCall Test?
Do not walk into one of the most demanding dispatcher assessments without practice. JobTestPrep offers a dedicated CritiCall preparation pack that covers every subtest in the format that mirrors the real thing.
Visit JobTestPrep, click Browse Tests, select CritiCall from the Best Sellers or Police and FBI menu and review what is included and the current pricing before you decide.
Find CritiCall Prep at JobTestPrep →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you purchase. Your price is never affected.
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