CritiCall Practice Test with Free Questions - Answers, and Explanations
Daniel Yaron
Updated: May 2026
The CritiCall Practice Test on this page was built using information gathered over years of working with 911 dispatch candidates and recruits. It has been written and approved by our psychometric experts.
The practice test is free, includes timed sections, focuses on the most commonly used CritiCall modules according to our surveys, and provides explanations and solving tips.
Good Luck!
Free CritiCall Practice Test - Questions, Answers, and Explanations
Take the most challenging CritiCall modules as an interactive simulation:
Alternatively, scroll down for on-page questions, with explanations and tips.
To help you prioritize, we will start with the four most common modules. These show up on most agencies' custom CritiCall:
Then, we'll move on to the rest of the modules: Map Reading, Cross-Referencing, Character Comparison, Probability, Prioritization, Mathematics, Memory Recall, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Clarity, and Spelling.
Call Summarization Practice
This part of the CritiCall test involves listening to brief stories or details about specific individuals. Your task is to summarize the key information from the calls and accurately enter it into the designated fields.
This section is available in three different formats, and each agency may select one or more of them:
- Short stories, each followed by a single multiple-choice question about the information presented.
- A caller's personal information and a brief story, followed by multiple-choice questions.
- A format similar to the second, but with the added challenge of responding to pop-up emergency alerts, as in the Decision-Making section.
You’ll be able to write notes on your computer while you listen to the recording. These notes will be helpful later when you answer the questions.
Tip: Focus on the Who, What, Where, and When
When listening to a simulated emergency call, train yourself to filter out small talk or irrelevant details and focus on the core information:
- Who is involved? (Name, gender, role victim, suspect, caller)
- What happened? (The incident type: assault, theft, accident, etc.)
- Where did it happen? (Address, location type store, home, street corner)
- When did it happen? (Is it happening now? Was it earlier today?)
Bonus Tips:
- Don’t try to remember everything. Focus on facts that would matter to emergency responders.
- Take quick notes if your practice system allows it. Jot down key names, numbers, or locations.
- Practice active listening with real or simulated 911 calls (YouTube has some anonymized examples), and try summarizing them in 1–2 sentences.
Decision Making Practice
This section of the assessment will require:
- Determining which appropriate emergency agency to send to a scene - Fire Department, Police, EMS, or Utility.
- There will be specific instructions to help you decide which appropriate agency you should send (each department might have its own policies).
- This section usually has a 30-minute time limit.
For both this section and the prioritization modules, there are objective right-and-wrong answers.
Sometimes you can arrive at these answers through common sense, but it's recommended you learn the rules in advance.
- Medical Emergencies Require EMS
- Any scenario involving injury, chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, etc., needs an EMS response—even if police or fire are also dispatched.
- Fire-Related Incidents Require Fire Department
- Structure fires, smoke, gas leaks, or fire alarms need fire services—even if no injuries are reported.
- Multi-Agency Response When Appropriate
- Some situations require more than one service:
- Car accident with injury → Police + EMS
- Car accident blocking traffic → Police + Tow
- House fire with injury → Fire + EMS + Police
- Follow Jurisdiction and Protocol
- Police handle law enforcement and public safety.
- Fire responds to fires, rescue, and hazardous materials.
- EMS handles medical issues, even minor injuries.
Typing Test Practice
The CritiCall Typing Test (or keyboarding test) is designed to assess the speed and accuracy of your data entry. This is a crucial skill for 911 dispatchers.
The minimum typing speed required from a 911 dispatcher and 911 operator candidate is set by the agency you’re applying to. That said, it’s recommended to reach a typing speed in the CritiCall typing test of 35 WPM and above, and to be able to type at this speed for at least 5 minutes.
The best way to do this well is to practice blind typing, or the ability to type without looking at your keyboard. The technique for doing this isn't particularly difficult in theory, but it can take a lot of work to master.
Try It!
- Our course includes an accurate simulator and a library of texts for practice.
- Try practicing with this free type-speed test simulator, set to an easy-medium short text about giraffes. (desktop recommended).
Tip:
One way to practice your typing speed and accuracy is to type along with an audiobook or podcast. This option lets you stay entertained while you hone your skills, which in turn helps you maintain your motivation for longer. Simply let the narrator stay a few words ahead of you and see if you can keep up with good accuracy.
Most audio platforms let you adjust the narration speed, so you can start slow and build up as you improve. Some free-to-use AI tools can even generate a podcast for you on a topic you find interesting.
Data Entry
The CritiCall Data Entry test evaluates your ability to correctly enter data, such as names, license plate numbers/VINs, addresses, telephone numbers, and other alphanumeric characters, into their appropriate fields.
There are two Data Entry versions:
- Split screen with the data on one side and empty fields on the other.
- An audio recording of an emergency call with a person who says all the details. You’ll need to fill out the boxes based on what you hear.
The Data Entry module actually contains a sneaky mini-test: multitasking. During the test, you will need to respond quickly to any emergency messages that appear at the bottom of the screen - similar to those in the Decision-Making section.
These questions are meant to distract you and assess your ability to shift your attention between different types of tasks.
Failing to respond to a decision-making message within 15 seconds will lower your score for this module.
Try It!
Take a sample Data Entry simulation with multitasking.
Tip:
You can practice your multi-tasking by typing a conversation you hear on the news or radio while holding a conversation with someone in the room.
Other CritiCall Modules
Map Reading Practice
The Map-Reading test requires orientation skills and the ability to follow instructions and directions.
Map-reading, the ability to orient yourself and to direct navigation to the scene of an emergency, is a crucial skill for a 911 dispatcher. It requires good spatial reasoning skills and a natural intuition for using both cardinal (North, South, etc.) and relative (left and right) direction without confusing them.
The CritiCall map reading questions will usually consist of two types:
- Best route: You will be asked 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.
Map Reading - Question 1
Answer the following question based on this map:
You exit the mall and turn east to Rosewell Ave. Take the first right turn and after three blocks turn right. You then take the next two turns on your way to the right. What do you see to your right?
The correct answer is (B).
Map Reading - Question 2
Based on the same map, answer the following question:
You are at the Fire station. You are getting a report that a kid is stuck on the roof of the Elementary school building and needs to be rescued. What is the most direct route from the fire station to the Webster Ave entrance of the school if you exit the fire station turning north to N81 St?
The correct answer is (A).
Map Reading - Question 3
Answer the following question based on this map:
You are at your house and you want to get to the barber shop at Shady St. You drive east on Markel St, then turn south and take the first possible turn left. What do you see to your right?
The correct answer is (D).
Map Reading - Question 4
Based on the same map, answer the following question:
You are at the police station and you are asked to get to the Rose Garden and bring with you an extra police officer uniform. To get the uniform you have to get to your house first and then drive to the Rose Garden. What is the most direct route that goes through your house on Markel St and ends in the Poplar St entrance to the park?
The correct answer is (D).
Map Reading - Question 5
Answer the following question based on this map:
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?
Answer:
The correct answer is (C).
Tip: Use “reference locking” to prevent errors under time pressure.
Instead of scanning the entire map repeatedly for every step, lock your eyes on one fixed reference point, like a major landmark or the north arrow, and use it as your mental anchor for all directions. This prevents accidental flips (e.g., mistaking left for west) and reduces cognitive load when switching between the question and the map.
Cross Referencing Practice
The CritiCall Cross-Referencing practice test is a module designed to assess your ability to locate and verify information quickly and accurately using multiple sources.
This is a critical skill for 911 dispatchers who must match caller details with databases and maps under time pressure.
- You’ll be given two or more data tables or lists (e.g., license plates, names, addresses, or case numbers).
- Each question will ask you to match or verify a specific detail by cross-referencing the data between these tables.
- The goal is to determine if the information provided is correct, mismatched, or missing.
What It Measures
- Attention to detail: Spotting discrepancies in similar-looking data.
- Speed and accuracy: Working quickly without sacrificing precision.
- Multi-tasking: Handling multiple sources of information simultaneously.
Tip: Chunk the Search – Don’t Scan Randomly
When you cross‑reference two tables, your brain naturally wants to jump back and forth between them, which wastes time and causes mistakes. Instead:
- Lock on the key identifier first (case number, name, or license plate).
- Isolate it in chunks – scan down one table vertically until you find it, then immediately cross over to the other table.
- Use your finger or cursor as an anchor to avoid losing your place as you switch tables.
By treating the task like two mini one‑direction searches rather than frantic back‑and‑forth scanning, you’ll maintain speed and accuracy under the timer.
Character Comparison Practice
The next module aims to test your attention to detail and focus. You will need to be methodical to ensure that no mistakes are made.
Tip: Use a fixed scanning order to avoid mistakes.
Compare characters left to right (or top to bottom) every time. Having a consistent method shortens your reaction times because your brain immediately knows what to do. It often helps to scan letters and numbers separately.
Common traps include transposed digits (e.g., 66182 → 66812), swapped letters (ZZT → ZZT vs. ZZR), and subtle name misspellings (Rowan → Rowen).
If something doesn’t match, mark it immediately—don’t rely on memory to revisit it later.
Probability Practice
The next module we will cover is the Probability Module, which requires both numerical and reasoning skills.
Tip: Convert words to fractions quickly.
Probability questions often describe chances using words (“2 out of 5,” “half the calls,” “1 in 4”). Rewriting these as either fractions or percentages as soon as you run into them can often help make the math clearer and find the ideal course of action faster.
For example, “1 in 4” = 25%, “2 in 5” = 40%. This speeds up decision‑making and prevents mistakes under time pressure.
Prioritization Practice
The Prioritization module will present you with different scenarios of varying urgency levels.
Prioritizing scenarios correctly is crucial and may be the difference between a successful response and a disaster.
Like the Decision-Making module, this section has objectively correct answers, based on a set of rules.
To follow them, you need to consider two separate dimensions: the time element (the first row in the diagram below) and the response urgency (the second row).
- Life Safety Comes First
- If a situation poses an immediate threat to life or serious injury, it takes top priority.
- Examples: A shooting in progress, a heart attack, a house fire with people inside.
- Crimes in Progress Are a Higher Priority
- Active crimes (e.g., robbery in progress, assault happening now) are more urgent than those reported after the fact.
- Ongoing situations often require multiple services (e.g., police + EMS).
- Property Damage Is Secondary
- Incidents involving only property damage (e.g., a car break-in from last night) are lower priority than threats to people.
- These might still require dispatch, but not urgently.
Prioritization - Question 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.
- 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.
Which situation is more urgent?
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.
Tip: Use “Tier Grouping” Instead of Ranking One-by-One.
First, group all items into three urgency tiers—high, medium, low—based on the given criteria. Once grouped, rank only within each tier.
This method prevents constant back‑and‑forth comparisons and helps you stay fast and consistent, especially when there are many similar‑looking tasks.
Mathematics Practice
Next, you will face the Math Module, comprised mostly of word problems in a variety of difficulty levels. The Mathematics Module requires numerical ability, an understanding of basic arithmetic operations, and proficiency with fractions, decimals, and more.
It also requires the ability to turn written problems into equations using relevant formulas.
Tip: Master Basic perations
Since test-takers are not allowed to use a calculator on the CritiCall, basic division, multiplication, carrying numbers, and working with decimals can all become real bottlenecks. This can be detrimental, because you should ideally be focusing on the problem-solving aspect, not struggling with the actual arithmetic.
A good way to prevent this is to memorize simple shortcuts and techniques to streamline mental math as much as you can. But the best solution is simply practice. When you've done enough questions, these processes will become automatic.
Memory Recall Practice
CritiCall memory recall questions require listening to voice recordings of letters and numbers, and then repeating the recorded sequence.
Tip: Focus on relationships, not just raw data.
Instead of memorizing isolated facts (e.g., “car is blue, plate 584”), remember how the details connect (e.g., “blue car has plate 584”).
Creating a mental link between attributes makes recall easier and reduces confusion when multiple similar items appear in the test.
Reading Comprehension Practice
911 Dispatchers require more than just prioritization, typing, and summarizing skills.
The next module - Reading Comprehension - assesses the verbal skills necessary to understand and respond to texts. As the examples demonstrate, reading comprehension requires careful attention to minutiae, verbal proficiency, an understanding of context, and summarization techniques.
Some of the passages may be lengthier, contain more details, or be at a higher register of English
Tip: Scan the Questions First, Then Read with Purpose.
Before reading the passage, glance at the questions so you know what information to look for—this prevents wasting time on irrelevant details and helps you read actively, not passively. As you read, mentally tag sentences that answer those questions instead of trying to memorize everything.
Sentence Clarity Practice
Next is another verbal module – Sentence Clarity, which focuses on using proper English and the ability to rephrase or clarify sentences.
The Sentence Clarity module requires excellent verbal skills, proficiency in English, and a sharp eye for errors. It involves deciding how a sentence should be phrased and rephrasing it in the most effective way.
Tip:
The clearest sentence is the one that communicates the idea most directly and unambiguously, even if it’s longer or uses simpler words.
Eliminate options that introduce extra details, vague pronouns, or complicated phrasing—clarity is about precision and ease of understanding, not brevity.
Spelling Practice
The following module is another verbal module – Spelling.
The Spelling module requires proper English, verbal proficiency, and listening abilities. The questions, which involve sentence completion or correction, could include either recorded or written words.
Tip: Visualize the word in context
If you’re unsure of a spelling, picture how the word would appear in a sentence or on a sign (e.g., “Police Department” or “Emergency Call”). Seeing it in a familiar context often triggers recognition and helps eliminate options that look wrong even if you can’t explain why.
More About the CritiCall Dispatcher Exam
The CritiCall is the most popular pre-employment test used to screen applicants for 911 dispatcher and call-taker roles across the U.S and Canada.
What Is the CritiCall Assessment Test?
The CritiCall Test is the premier recruitment exam for 911 dispatchers in the United States and Canada. It is designed to simulate the fast-paced environment of emergency call centers.
The CritiCall's purpose is to measure candidates' ability to think quickly, maintain their calm under pressure, and make tough calls.
Test Structure:
The test is customizable, with every agency choosing a unique combination of test modules.
Test Time:
The CritiCall's duration varies by agency, but it usually takes 1-3 hours.
Difficulty:
CritiCall is considered a challenging test by most aspiring dispatchers who have taken it.
The Test’s modules
The CritiCall has a unique feature:
Agencies that use the assessment gain access to a library of "test modules". They can choose which modules to include, and in what order.
Each module is focused on a specific skill required for emergency dispatch and telecommunication roles. This ensures that you are thoroughly tested on the core competencies that will help you succeed in the field.
We recommend practicing all modules, even though some may not be part of your test.
This extra practice will not only help you prepare for any surprises but also boost your overall abilities and confidence, setting you up for success in your career.
How the CritiCall is Scored and Why It Matters
Most agencies divide the CritiCall score into two metrics:
For most categories, a simple percentage score is used. Each module is scored separately, based on the number of questions you answer correctly out of all the questions in the module.
For these percentage scores, it’s important to know that skipping and guessing wrong both affect your score, so think well before you choose to guess or ignore a question.
In addition to the percentage-scored modules, two modules are scored using throughput metrics. This is a way of saying they gauge how much work you churn out in a given time. The modules are:
- Data Entry – uses Keystrokes Per Hour (KPH)
- Typing- used Words Per Minute.
Note – this doesn’t mean that speed alone affects your score for these modules – most agencies use a modified version (net KPH and net WPM) to account for errors.
What Score Is Needed to Pass the Test
This can change between agencies. Most will select candidates who have passed every module independently, based on a cutoff they choose (usually around 80% for percentage modules, 3000 KPH or 35 WPM for throughput modules).
This means failing a single module can result in a failed test.
Some agencies only grade some modules, leaving others ungraded. In such cases, they still want you to take those sections in order to assess your answers at later stages of the process, like the professional interview.
If this is the case with your agency, you will be informed of it.
What Does the CritiCall Test Measure?
The CritiCall test isn't an intelligence test, nor is it an assessment of your existing dispatcher knowledge. Instead, it measures the core skills needed for 911 dispatcher and call-taker roles: accurate typing, data entry, listening, memory, multitasking, decision-making, map reading, and clear communication under time pressure.
Because each agency chooses its own combination of CritiCall modules, your test may not include every section. Still, most versions assess how quickly and accurately you can process information in job-like emergency scenarios.
For a full breakdown of each skill and module, see our guide to what the CritiCall test measures.
Our CritiCall Preparation Course
Our pack provides over 150 test simulations, tutorials and test guides.
• All modules are covered
• Varying difficulty levels
• Full solutions to sample questions, full feedback reports after each simulation
• The real CritiCall alternates between the Data Entry Module and a multitasking task to test your ability to shift your focus. On our pack, you can practice Data Entry with multitasking, to simulate the real test, or without it.
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FAQS
Retake policies vary—some agencies allow retries after 30–90 days, others limit attempts. Check with your hiring agency for specifics
Agencies select 11–20+ modules. Review your test invitation or call the agency’s non-emergency line to confirm.
Arrive early with ID; expect a computer-based test with headphones for audio sections. No personal items (e.g., pens, paper) are allowed.
CritiCall does not publicize its pass-fail ratio. Many claims about the exact failure rate are unreliable. While we don't have an exact figure, there seems to be a consensus that most do not pass on their first try. This is a big part of the reason why practice can be a worthwhile investment.
The CritiCall is not a unified test format; it differs between agencies and call centers. With that said, all forms of the assessment require high levels of concentration, attention to detail, and multitasking skills. Test-takers often feeling surprised and frustrated by the test's difficulty.
Requirements vary by agency. Most will only move forward with candidates who pass every section individually, using their own minimum score thresholds — typically around 80% for percentage-based sections, and 3,000 KPH or 35 WPM for typing-speed sections. This means failing even one section can result in an overall failed test.
Use our free sample questions above to mimic the test’s format.
If you are looking for a different test, or are not sure which test is relevant for your position, contact us, and we'll do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming exam.
Useful Links
If you are interested in a career with the force, check out some of our police-related pages:
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