CritiCall Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Entering "apartment" as "Apt" in a record is acceptable when:

The field is for names
You want to type faster only
Standard abbreviations are permitted by protocol (Correct answer)
It is never acceptable

Correct answer: Standard abbreviations are permitted by protocol

Approved standard abbreviations keep records consistent and clear.

Question 2: Which keyboard technique helps dispatchers maintain data entry speed while simultaneously monitoring their screen?

Copy-pasting standard phrases
Using only one hand on the keyboard
Touch typing (home row method) (Correct answer)
Hunt-and-peck typing

Correct answer: Touch typing (home row method)

Touch typing allows dispatchers to enter data without looking at the keyboard, freeing their eyes to monitor CAD screens, maps, and incoming calls.

Question 3: Pick the right spelling.

conscientios
conscientious (Correct answer)
conscentious
consceintious

Correct answer: conscientious

This question assesses knowledge of a challenging English spelling. The correct spelling is 'conscientious,' featuring the 'sci' combination and the 'tious' suffix. Many people misspell this word by omitting or transposing letters, as seen in options B, C, and D, making it a good test of precise recall.

Question 4: A unit travels south, then turns right, then turns right, then turns right. Which direction is it now heading?

East (Correct answer)
North
South
West

Correct answer: East

South-right-west, then north, then east after three right turns.

Question 5: Dispatch receives a call about a vehicle fire 'at the third block east of City Hall on Broad Street.' City Hall sits at Broad Street and 1st Avenue. What address block should units be directed to?

Broad St and 4th Ave (Correct answer)
Broad St and 1st Ave
Broad St and 3rd Ave
Broad St and 2nd Ave

Correct answer: Broad St and 4th Ave

City Hall is at 1st Ave. The first block east is between 1st and 2nd Ave, the second is between 2nd and 3rd Ave, and the third block east puts units at the intersection of Broad St and 4th Ave.

Question 6: A caller reports a gas leak with a strong odor inside a crowded restaurant. The dispatcher should:

Dispatch fire/hazmat immediately and advise evacuation (Correct answer)
Wait to confirm an explosion
Treat it as a non-emergency
Log it for a routine inspection

Correct answer: Dispatch fire/hazmat immediately and advise evacuation

A gas leak in a crowded space is an explosion and life-safety risk requiring immediate response and evacuation.

Question 7: An officer radios: 'Dispatch, I'm en route to 88 Cedar Lane for a welfare check. Entered at 1012.' Later the officer requests backup at 1027. How long was the officer on scene before requesting backup?

15 minutes (Correct answer)
17 minutes
27 minutes
10 minutes

Correct answer: 15 minutes

From 1012 to 1027 is 15 minutes—the officer was on scene for 15 minutes before requesting backup.

Question 8: A dispatcher notices they are becoming increasingly irritable, losing sleep, and finding it hard to engage with calls. These symptoms most likely indicate:

A normal adjustment period for new dispatchers
A need for more shift hours to build routine
Physical illness unrelated to work
Burnout or secondary traumatic stress requiring intervention (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Burnout or secondary traumatic stress requiring intervention

Irritability, insomnia, and emotional disengagement are classic warning signs of dispatcher burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

Question 9: A caller reports: 'There's a man at the corner of 4th and Maple, he's yelling at cars, about 6 feet tall, wearing a yellow shirt and jeans, Hispanic male, maybe 40s, no weapons visible.' Officers ask for a repeat description. What should the dispatcher recall first?

Height: approximately 6 feet
Clothing: yellow shirt and jeans
Location: corner of 4th and Maple (Correct answer)
Age and ethnicity

Correct answer: Location: corner of 4th and Maple

Location is always the first and most critical element to repeat because officers must know where to go before any other detail matters.

Question 10: A CAD note reads: 'RP states subject is 10-96 and refusing transport. FD on scene. Requesting PD for assistance.' What does '10-96' most likely indicate?

Subject is a minor
Subject is under arrest
Subject has no identification
Subject is mentally disturbed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Subject is mentally disturbed

10-96 is a common police radio code indicating a mentally ill or disturbed person who may require special handling.

Question 11: Two units are approaching the same intersection from different directions — Unit 1 from the north heading south, and Unit 2 from the west heading east. At the intersection, Unit 1 is told to contain the north side. Which side should Unit 2 be directed to contain to prevent a suspect from escaping westbound?

The south side
The east side
The north side
The west side (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The west side

A suspect fleeing westbound would exit through the west side of the intersection. Unit 2, which arrived from the west, is already positioned to cover that egress point and should be directed to contain the west side.

Question 12: A caller is panicking and talking over the dispatcher's questions. The dispatcher should:

Stay silent until they stop talking
Use a firm but calm voice to direct the caller and regain control (Correct answer)
Shout louder to be heard
Threaten to disconnect the call

Correct answer: Use a firm but calm voice to direct the caller and regain control

A firm but calm voice helps a panicking caller refocus and answer questions.

Question 13: A key principle of effective multitasking in a dispatch environment involves:

Delegating lower priority tasks to other dispatchers whenever possible.
Completing one task fully before ever starting another, regardless of urgency.
Rapidly and accurately prioritizing tasks based on the immediate threat to life and property. (Correct answer)
Giving equal attention to all tasks at the same time to ensure nothing is missed.

Correct answer: Rapidly and accurately prioritizing tasks based on the immediate threat to life and property.

Effective multitasking for a dispatcher is not about doing multiple things simultaneously, but about rapid and efficient task-switching based on priority. The core skill is the ability to constantly assess incoming information and devote cognitive resources to the most critical incident at any given moment, such as prioritizing a medical emergency over a non-urgent report.

Question 14: Which of the following best describes 'data field prioritization' during a CritiCall dispatch data entry test?

Always entering caller name before address to maintain a consistent workflow
Entering information in the order fields appear on screen regardless of caller input
Entering the most critical incident details first, such as location and nature of emergency, before secondary data (Correct answer)
Skipping optional fields and only completing mandatory ones

Correct answer: Entering the most critical incident details first, such as location and nature of emergency, before secondary data

Dispatchers must ensure life-safety fields like location and incident type are captured immediately, since units can be dispatched on partial information if the call drops.

Question 15: During a major multi-vehicle accident, you are managing 8 simultaneous calls from the scene. What is the MOST important dispatcher skill at this moment?

Escalating all calls to a supervisor immediately
Keeping each caller on the line indefinitely
Prioritizing, delegating, and coordinating resources across all active calls simultaneously (Correct answer)
Answering every call personally

Correct answer: Prioritizing, delegating, and coordinating resources across all active calls simultaneously

Mass incident management requires rapid prioritization, resource coordination, and calm multi-task management — not individual call ownership.

Question 16: A dispatcher is told during briefing: 'The north precinct radio channel is temporarily down; all north units will use Channel 3 until 1400 hours.' At 1350, a north unit calls in. Which channel should the dispatcher use?

The regular north precinct channel—the issue may be resolved
Attempt both channels simultaneously
Channel 1, the default emergency channel
Channel 3, as directed during briefing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Channel 3, as directed during briefing

The briefing specified Channel 3 until 1400 hours, and at 1350 that window is still active, so Channel 3 is correct.

Question 17: A caller provides plate "ABC-1234" but speaks while you finish an address field. You should:

Forget the plate
Type the plate into the plate field as you complete the address (Correct answer)
Ask them to hold the plate until the address is done
Restart the entire entry

Correct answer: Type the plate into the plate field as you complete the address

Skilled dispatchers route each item to its correct field while continuing other entry.

Question 18: Which spelling is CORRECT for the document that a dispatcher fills out after a call?

insidant report
incident report (Correct answer)
incidant report
incedent report

Correct answer: incident report

'Incident report' is the correct spelling — a foundational term in emergency dispatch documentation.

Question 19: A note in a call log reads: 'RP is hearing impaired, using TTY device.' How should the dispatcher adjust their communication?

Ask the caller to have someone else call on their behalf
Transfer the call to a supervisor immediately
Use short, clear typed responses without abbreviations through the TTY relay (Correct answer)
Treat the call the same as any voice call without adjustment

Correct answer: Use short, clear typed responses without abbreviations through the TTY relay

TTY (text telephone) users communicate through typed relay; dispatchers should use clear, brief language and avoid spoken-only abbreviations.

Question 20: An alert reads: 'Hazmat situation at 800 Industrial Blvd. Unknown chemical spill. Wind from SW at 12 mph. Evacuate 500-ft radius.' Which direction should evacuation routes be directed?

Away from the southwest, toward the northeast (Correct answer)
Directly north regardless of wind direction
Toward the southwest to move with the wind
Toward the nearest highway on-ramp

Correct answer: Away from the southwest, toward the northeast

Evacuation should move people upwind (away from southwest, toward northeast) to avoid exposure to the airborne chemical.

Question 21: A caller keeps interrupting with questions instead of answering the dispatcher. The best approach is to:

Ignore their questions completely
Calmly explain you must ask a few questions first to send the right help (Correct answer)
Answer every question before continuing
Tell them they are slowing things down

Correct answer: Calmly explain you must ask a few questions first to send the right help

Explaining the reason for the questions gains cooperation and keeps the call efficient.

Question 22: Which is the correct spelling: the caller reported 'suspicious' activity?

suspicious (Correct answer)
suspecious
suspicous
suspiscious

Correct answer: suspicious

'Suspicious' is correct — derived from 'suspicion', adding '-ous'.

Question 23: During a particularly high-call-volume shift, a dispatcher makes an error due to fatigue. What is the MOST appropriate response?

Report the error immediately, correct it if possible, document it, and flag the fatigue concern to a supervisor (Correct answer)
Hide the error to avoid disciplinary action
Blame a technical system error
Wait until the end of the shift to report it

Correct answer: Report the error immediately, correct it if possible, document it, and flag the fatigue concern to a supervisor

Immediate error reporting, correction, and documentation is the professional standard. Fatigue as a contributing factor must also be flagged for systemic review.

Question 24: Which spelling of the following word is CORRECT for dispatch reports?

persewing
persuing
pursuing (Correct answer)
pursueing

Correct answer: pursuing

'Pursuing' is the correct spelling — drop the 'e' from 'pursue' when adding '-ing'.

Question 25: A caller describes an armed robbery in progress at a store. The correct action is to:

Dispatch police immediately and keep gathering details (Correct answer)
Tell the caller to call back later
Wait until the robbery ends
Transfer to a records line

Correct answer: Dispatch police immediately and keep gathering details

An in-progress armed robbery is an active danger requiring immediate police response.

Question 26: A log entry reads: 'Caller reports male subject pacing outside bank, making calls on cell phone, wearing all black, looking into windows.' What should the dispatcher consider when evaluating this call?

Dispatch a unit to investigate—the behavior is suspicious and warrants a check (Correct answer)
Contact the bank directly to verify the report before dispatching
Note the call but wait for a crime to occur before dispatching
Dismiss the call—this behavior is not illegal

Correct answer: Dispatch a unit to investigate—the behavior is suspicious and warrants a check

Suspicious behavior near a bank warrants a police check even without a confirmed crime in progress, as early intervention can prevent crimes.

Question 27: A logic question asks: if all units in District 2 are busy, where should the nearest available unit come from?

An adjacent district with available units (Correct answer)
No unit at all
District 2 anyway
The farthest district

Correct answer: An adjacent district with available units

Dispatching the nearest available unit from a neighboring district ensures fastest response.

Question 28: A dispatcher is verbally given the following information: 'The suspect is a Black male, approximately 25–30, wearing a red cap, white T-shirt, and blue shorts, last seen on the 500 block of Grant Ave heading south.' Which detail would be LEAST helpful for officers searching from the north end of Grant Ave?

The suspect's direction of travel (southbound)
The suspect's last known block (500 block of Grant Ave)
The suspect's approximate age (Correct answer)
The suspect's clothing description

Correct answer: The suspect's approximate age

Age is the least actionable detail for quick visual identification; clothing and location/direction are far more useful for officers scanning the area.

Question 29: A dispatcher receives the following radio transmission: 'Unit 14, respond to 452 Oak Street, reported structure fire, occupants may still be inside, caller disconnected.' What is the most critical piece of information missing from this transmission?

Whether the fire department has been notified
The time the call was received
The caller's name
The number of potential occupants inside (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The number of potential occupants inside

Knowing how many occupants may be inside is critical for coordinating rescue operations and ensuring all persons are accounted for.

Question 30: A CAD entry reads: 'B/M, approx 35 yoa, 6'1", 200 lbs, blue jacket, last seen NB on Main St near 3rd Ave, wanted for felony assault.' What does 'NB' indicate in this context?

No bail
Nearby building
Northbound (Correct answer)
Non-belligerent

Correct answer: Northbound

'NB' is standard law enforcement shorthand for 'northbound,' indicating the direction the subject was last seen traveling.

Question 31: A dispatcher processes a call where the caller says: 'My name is Rivera, I'm at 1122 West Adams, apartment 4B, my neighbor at 4A is screaming and I heard glass breaking, it's been going on for 10 minutes.' If the dispatcher can only remember two pieces of information, which are most critical to dispatch?

Apartment 4B and that glass was broken
Address (1122 West Adams) and specific apartment (4A where incident is occurring) (Correct answer)
Duration of the incident and caller's name
Caller's name and apartment number

Correct answer: Address (1122 West Adams) and specific apartment (4A where incident is occurring)

The exact address and the specific apartment where the incident is occurring (4A, not the caller's 4B) are the two most critical details for dispatch.

Question 32: A unit is heading north and the dispatcher says the suspect fled to the unit's left. Which direction did the suspect flee?

West (Correct answer)
South
North
East

Correct answer: West

The left side of a northbound traveler is west.

Question 33: Which piece of information should a dispatcher obtain FIRST when answering a 911 call?

The location of the emergency (Correct answer)
The caller's phone number
A description of the suspect
The caller's name

Correct answer: The location of the emergency

Location is the most critical first piece of information because it determines where to send help. Everything else is secondary.

Question 34: During a shift, a dispatcher notes that Unit 5 went 10-7 (out of service) at 1445 and Unit 11 went 10-8 (in service) at 1450. At 1455, how many of these two units are available?

0
2
Cannot be determined
1 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1

At 1455, Unit 5 is still 10-7 (out of service) while Unit 11 is 10-8 (in service), so exactly 1 unit is available.

Question 35: A dispatcher gives an address on the 400 block, even-numbered side. On many U.S. street grids, even house numbers are typically on which side?

Even numbers are never used
It varies but is consistent within a city's numbering system (Correct answer)
Always the south or west side
Always the north or east side

Correct answer: It varies but is consistent within a city's numbering system

Even/odd sides are consistent within a city's scheme but vary between cities.

Question 36: Pick the right spelling.

humouros
humorous (Correct answer)
humoros
humorus

Correct answer: humorous

This question tests common English spelling. The correct spelling of the word is 'humorous,' which retains the 'o' from 'humor' (American English) or 'humour' (British English) before adding the '-ous' suffix. Options A, B, and C present common misspellings, often omitting the 'o' or changing the vowel.

Question 37: How can physical exercise help reduce stress?

By releasing endorphins that help reduce stress and improve mood. (Correct answer)
By causing temporary exhaustion and increasing stress levels.
By distracting you from the stressful situation.
By increasing tension and anxiety in the body.

Correct answer: By releasing endorphins that help reduce stress and improve mood.

Physical exercise stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which are natural mood elevators and pain relievers. These chemicals interact with receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain and triggering a positive feeling. This physiological response effectively helps to alleviate stress and improve overall emotional well-being.

Question 38: What should you do if a caller is upset and asking for a supervisor?

Ignore the request and continue with the call.
Transfer the call immediately to the supervisor without asking any questions.
Listen to the caller, empathize, and inform them that you will escalate the issue. (Correct answer)
Tell the caller that the supervisor is unavailable.

Correct answer: Listen to the caller, empathize, and inform them that you will escalate the issue.

When a caller requests a supervisor, it's crucial to first listen to their concerns and show empathy to validate their feelings. Then, clearly communicate that you understand their request and will escalate the issue to a supervisor. This process ensures the caller feels heard and respected, while also allowing for proper internal procedure for handling escalated complaints.

Question 39: Declare 2/5 in decimal form.

0.4 (Correct answer)
0.2
0.5
0.6

Correct answer: 0.4

To convert a fraction to a decimal, you divide the numerator by the denominator. For 2/5, dividing 2 by 5 yields 0.4. This is a fundamental conversion in basic mathematics.

Question 40: A BOLO states: 'Suspect vehicle described as dark-colored, 4-door sedan, partial plate 7T.' An officer spots a black Honda Civic, 4-door, plate 7TK-449. Should this vehicle be stopped?

Only if the officer observes a traffic violation first
Yes—the vehicle matches the description and partial plate (Correct answer)
No—the plate does not match exactly
No—a black sedan does not match 'dark-colored'

Correct answer: Yes—the vehicle matches the description and partial plate

The vehicle matches the dark-colored 4-door sedan description, and the plate begins with '7T,' matching the partial plate—sufficient basis for an investigative stop.

Question 41: A caller reports a fire at 4827 Maple Drive. On the CritiCall data entry test, what is the most critical detail to record first?

The time of day
The exact street address (Correct answer)
The caller's mood
The caller's phone provider

Correct answer: The exact street address

The location is the highest priority so units can be dispatched even if the call drops.

Question 42: In a city grid system where address numbers increase as you move away from a central dividing street, you are looking for the address 850 North Main St. You are currently at 420 North Main St. Which direction do you need to travel?

East
South
North (Correct answer)
West

Correct answer: North

The address numbers are increasing (from 420 to 850) and both are on 'North' Main St. In a typical grid system, this means you need to continue traveling North, away from the central point, to find the higher number.

Question 43: A vehicle heading north turns left, then left again, then right. Which direction is it now heading?

West
East (Correct answer)
South
North

Correct answer: East

North to left is west, left again is south, then right from south is east.

Question 44: A dispatcher handled a call at 0930 hrs with the following details: caller John Smith, DOB 04/12/1985, reporting a theft at 710 River Road, case number 2026-04471. At 1100 hrs, the same caller calls back. Which detail most quickly identifies the prior call?

The caller's date of birth
The time of the original call
The case number 2026-04471 (Correct answer)
The caller's address

Correct answer: The case number 2026-04471

Case numbers are assigned specifically to link all information to one incident, making them the fastest reference for locating a prior call.

Question 45: A dispatcher must choose between two calls for the last available unit: a report of a child trapped in a hot car and a report of a stolen bicycle. Which is the correct dispatch decision?

The child in the hot car, because it is an immediate life-threatening emergency (Correct answer)
Hold both calls until another unit is available
The stolen bicycle, because it is a confirmed crime
Dispatch the unit to whichever call came in first

Correct answer: The child in the hot car, because it is an immediate life-threatening emergency

A child in a hot car is a rapidly escalating life-threatening emergency. A bicycle theft is a property crime with no immediate life risk.

Question 46: An officer advises: 'I'm 10-6 at 1300 Oak Ave, may be a while.' Twenty minutes later, an urgent call comes in for that officer's beat. What should the dispatcher do?

Wait—the officer said they may be a while, so do not disturb
Hold the call until the officer clears
Broadcast the call on the radio to see if any unit can take it (Correct answer)
Assign the call to the 10-6 officer anyway since it's their beat

Correct answer: Broadcast the call on the radio to see if any unit can take it

When a unit is busy (10-6), urgent calls for their beat should be broadcast so another available unit can respond promptly.

Question 47: A dispatcher writes: 'The vehical was abanded at the scene.' How many spelling errors are in this sentence?

0
3
2 (Correct answer)
1

Correct answer: 2

Two errors: 'vehical' should be 'vehicle' and 'abanded' should be 'abandoned'.

Question 48: On the prioritization portion, which call should be handled first?

A reported armed robbery in progress (Correct answer)
A parked car blocking a driveway
A lost pet report
A noise complaint

Correct answer: A reported armed robbery in progress

An armed robbery in progress is a life-threatening emergency and takes priority.

Question 49: A sergeant radios: 'All units be advised, the robbery suspect from this morning is now in custody. Stand down on the active BOLO for plate XYZ-789.' Thirty minutes later, an officer asks if the BOLO for XYZ-789 is still active. What should the dispatcher say?

No, the BOLO was cancelled by the sergeant when the suspect was taken into custody (Correct answer)
Transfer the officer to the sergeant for confirmation
Advise the officer to check the CAD system independently
Yes, BOLOs remain active until formally cancelled in writing

Correct answer: No, the BOLO was cancelled by the sergeant when the suspect was taken into custody

The sergeant's radio broadcast cancelling the BOLO is an official verbal cancellation; the dispatcher should confirm the BOLO is no longer active.

Question 50: A call was received at 09:45. The target response time is 8 minutes. By what time should units arrive on scene?

09:53 (Correct answer)
09:51
09:58
09:55

Correct answer: 09:53

09:45 + 8 minutes = 09:53.

Question 51: What does 'AMBER Alert' stand for?

Automatic Monitoring Broadcast for Emergency Response
Alert for Missing Broadcast Emergency Reporting
America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response (Correct answer)
Automated Mobile Broadcast Emergency Relay

Correct answer: America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response

AMBER stands for 'America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response,' named in honor of Amber Hagerman, a child abducted and murdered in 1996.

Question 52: What is the best way to maintain professionalism during a difficult call?

Put the caller on hold until they calm down.
Speak loudly and assertively.
Interrupt the caller to explain your point of view.
Remain calm, listen, and offer solutions. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Remain calm, listen, and offer solutions.

Maintaining professionalism during a difficult call involves controlling your own emotions and focusing on the caller's needs. By remaining calm, actively listening to their concerns, and then offering practical solutions, you de-escalate the situation and demonstrate a commitment to resolving the issue. This approach helps build trust and leads to a more productive outcome.

Question 53: What is the first step when trying to multi-task effectively?

Start all tasks at once without prioritizing.
Organize tasks based on priority and deadlines. (Correct answer)
Delegate all tasks to others.
Focus on the easiest task first.

Correct answer: Organize tasks based on priority and deadlines.

The first and most crucial step for effective multi-tasking is to organize your tasks by priority and deadline. This initial planning allows you to understand the scope of your work, identify what needs immediate attention, and create a logical sequence for tackling responsibilities. Without proper organization, multi-tasking can lead to inefficiency and missed deadlines.

Question 54: A dispatcher reads the following: 'Unit 7, copy complainant states B/F, 50s, red coat, poss intoxicated, down in front of 220 Broadway, no apparent injuries, breathing.' What is the appropriate resource to dispatch?

Police only—intoxicated person is a law enforcement matter
EMS—person is down but breathing and may need medical evaluation
Fire only—person is down and may need rescue
Both police and EMS given the ambiguous situation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Both police and EMS given the ambiguous situation

A person down and possibly intoxicated warrants both EMS for medical assessment and police for scene management.

Question 55: A dispatcher reads: 'Caller reports possible prowler, heard noise at rear of residence, lives alone, elderly female, very scared.' What information should the dispatcher gather next?

Exact address and whether the caller is currently safe inside (Correct answer)
The caller's landlord contact information
Whether the caller has a security system
Caller's date of birth for the report

Correct answer: Exact address and whether the caller is currently safe inside

Confirming the caller's exact location and immediate safety status is the highest priority before gathering any other details.

Question 56: Which technique best helps you type numbers accurately at speed?

Looking away from the screen
Spelling out every number
Typing numbers with one finger only
Using the number pad with proper finger placement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Using the number pad with proper finger placement

Touch-typing the number pad improves both numeric speed and accuracy.

Question 57: In the NATO phonetic alphabet, which letter does 'Alpha' represent?

Letter B
Letter A (Correct answer)
Letter E
Letter D

Correct answer: Letter A

'Alpha' represents the letter A in the NATO phonetic alphabet, used in radio communications to prevent confusion between similar-sounding letters.

Question 58: A dispatcher is given coordinates for an incident. The latitude is higher than the precinct's latitude, and the longitude is less negative than the precinct's. In which direction from the precinct is the incident?

South and West
North and East (Correct answer)
North and West
South and East

Correct answer: North and East

Higher latitude = further north. Less negative (closer to zero) longitude in the Western Hemisphere = further east. The incident is northeast of the precinct.

Question 59: Pick the right spelling.

pigon
pigoen
pigeone
pigeon (Correct answer)

Correct answer: pigeon

This question tests common English spelling. The correct spelling of the word is 'pigeon,' with the 'eo' vowel combination. Options A, C, and D present common misspellings, often transposing the vowels or using incorrect vowel combinations.

Question 60: A dispatcher enters 'trespasing' in the incident type field. What is the correct spelling?

tresspassing
tresspassin
trespasing
trespassing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: trespassing

'Trespassing' is correct — one 'e', double 's' in the middle ('tresp-ass-ing'), and '-ing' at the end.

Question 61: A time entered as "0730 hours" corresponds to:

7:30 AM (Correct answer)
3:07 AM
7:30 PM
5:30 AM

Correct answer: 7:30 AM

0730 on a 24-hour clock is 7:30 AM.

Question 62: A caller describes a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run: 'It was a red pickup truck, looked like a Ford F-150, maybe 2018 or 2019, missing the front passenger hubcap, partial plate started with 4-R-F.' Which detail is most useful for identification if only one can be broadcast?

The missing hubcap
The color red
The model year estimate
The partial plate 4-R-F (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The partial plate 4-R-F

A partial license plate is the most specific and actionable identifying detail for locating a specific vehicle among many similar ones.

Question 63: A dispatcher's decision to upgrade a call's priority should be based primarily on:

The dispatcher's mood
How long the caller has been on the line
New information indicating increased danger or injury (Correct answer)
The caller's repeated requests

Correct answer: New information indicating increased danger or injury

Priority is adjusted when new facts reveal a greater threat to life or safety.

Question 64: An address is reported as being between 400 and 500 block numbers. All block numbers on this street are even. Which of the following could be the correct address?

456 (Correct answer)
503
399
401

Correct answer: 456

456 is an even number between 400 and 500. It fits both the range and the even-only pattern.

Question 65: What is the best posture to maintain while typing?

Leaning forward with your elbows resting on the desk.
Sitting with your legs crossed.
Sitting with your back straight and wrists relaxed. (Correct answer)
Sitting with a slouched back.

Correct answer: Sitting with your back straight and wrists relaxed.

Maintaining proper posture while typing, specifically sitting with a straight back and relaxed wrists, is essential for ergonomics and long-term health. This posture reduces strain on your back, neck, and wrists, preventing discomfort and potential repetitive strain injuries. It also allows for more fluid and efficient typing movements, contributing to better speed and accuracy.

Question 66: The CritiCall data-entry test commonly measures which two factors together?

Math and logic
Speed and accuracy (Correct answer)
Memory and reading
Spelling and grammar

Correct answer: Speed and accuracy

Data-entry tasks are scored on both typing speed and accuracy.

Question 67: On the CritiCall typing test, what does "net WPM" measure?

Words typed in the first minute only
Words read aloud per minute
Words typed per minute after subtracting errors (Correct answer)
Total keystrokes regardless of errors

Correct answer: Words typed per minute after subtracting errors

Net WPM is gross words per minute minus errors, reflecting accurate output.

Question 68: A caller reports smoke but no visible flames in an occupied apartment building. This should be treated as:

An ignorable report
A high-priority fire response (Correct answer)
A low-priority maintenance issue
A non-emergency callback

Correct answer: A high-priority fire response

Smoke in an occupied building signals a possible fire endangering many lives and warrants high priority.

Question 69: During a shift briefing, the sergeant states: 'We have a noise complaint moratorium in effect for the Lakeview area between 2200 and 0600. Non-emergency noise calls should be logged but not dispatched during those hours.' A noise call from Lakeview comes in at 2315. What should the dispatcher do?

Dismiss the call entirely since no dispatch is needed
Dispatch a unit immediately—noise complaints are always dispatched
Ask the caller to call back during business hours
Log the call but hold dispatch until 0600 per the moratorium policy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Log the call but hold dispatch until 0600 per the moratorium policy

The moratorium policy requires logging non-emergency noise calls in Lakeview but holding dispatch until 0600, which applies at 2315.

Question 70: A caller insists on speaking only to a specific officer they know. What is the appropriate response?

Refuse to help unless they reach that officer
Hang up because the request cannot be met
Give them the officer's personal phone number
Explain you can help and gather the details of their situation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Explain you can help and gather the details of their situation

The dispatcher should reassure the caller and collect the information needed to send appropriate help.

Question 71: An officer is at Main St. and 5th Ave heading north. A suspect flees east on 6th Ave. What direction should a second unit travel on 4th Ave to intercept?

West on 4th Ave
North on 4th Ave (Correct answer)
East on 4th Ave
South on 4th Ave

Correct answer: North on 4th Ave

To intercept someone heading east on 6th Ave, a unit on 4th Ave (south of 6th) should travel north to reach 6th Ave and cut off the suspect's path.

Question 72: A dispatcher receives a call with background noise making it difficult to hear all details. What data entry practice should be followed?

Enter your best guess for unclear parts
Enter confirmed information and flag uncertain fields with a notation (Correct answer)
Skip the unclear fields entirely
Delay the entry until the call is clearer

Correct answer: Enter confirmed information and flag uncertain fields with a notation

Confirmed data should be entered immediately; uncertain fields should be noted as unconfirmed to prevent false information from being acted upon.

Question 73: A caller blames the dispatcher personally for a long wait on a prior call. The dispatcher should:

Apologize excessively and lose focus
Stay calm, avoid taking it personally, and focus on the current need (Correct answer)
Tell the caller to stop complaining
Argue that the wait was not their fault

Correct answer: Stay calm, avoid taking it personally, and focus on the current need

Staying calm and focused on the present need keeps the call professional and effective.

Question 74: You are entering a vehicle description while a second caller is placed on hold. The priority is to:

Drop the description and switch immediately
Finish the description, then return to the held caller (Correct answer)
Handle whichever call is louder
Hang up the held caller

Correct answer: Finish the description, then return to the held caller

Completing the active data entry before switching prevents lost information, unless the held call is a higher emergency.

Question 75: A traffic incident report reads: 'MVA, PI, 2 vehicles, airbags deployed, one driver trapped, fuel leaking.' What does 'PI' indicate?

Personal injury involved (Correct answer)
Police investigation required
Partial impact recorded
Property incident only

Correct answer: Personal injury involved

'PI' in MVA (motor vehicle accident) reports stands for personal injury, signaling that medical response is required.

Question 76: An officer's report states: 'At approximately 2130 hrs, I observed the RP's vehicle in the 300 block of Pine St.' What does 'RP' stand for?

Responding patrol
Restricted person
Reporting party (Correct answer)
Recorded perpetrator

Correct answer: Reporting party

RP stands for 'reporting party,' referring to the person who initially called or reported the incident.

Question 77: During a timed CritiCall data entry exercise, you notice you mistyped a phone number two fields back. What is the correct action?

Stop immediately, navigate back, fix the error, then resume from the beginning
Correct the error as quickly as possible without losing pace on the current entry (Correct answer)
Flag the field with a placeholder and move on, noting it for supervisor review
Continue entering current data and correct the error after the exercise ends

Correct answer: Correct the error as quickly as possible without losing pace on the current entry

Accuracy matters as much as speed; correcting errors promptly prevents cascading mistakes while minimizing time lost — pausing entirely or restarting wastes more time.

Question 78: When a caller refuses to give their location but reports a serious emergency, the dispatcher should:

End the call
Use all available tools and persistent questioning to determine the location (Correct answer)
Dispatch randomly
Wait for the caller to volunteer it

Correct answer: Use all available tools and persistent questioning to determine the location

Dispatchers must use location technology and skilled questioning to locate the emergency.

Question 79: During a shift, a dispatcher is told: 'The shelter-in-place order for the downtown zone is lifted effective 1200 hours.' A call at 1215 asks if the order is still active. What should the dispatcher say?

The order was lifted at noon; the zone is clear (Correct answer)
Advise the caller to check local news for updates
The order is still active—wait for official confirmation
Transfer the caller to the emergency management office

Correct answer: The order was lifted at noon; the zone is clear

The dispatcher was informed the order lifted at 1200, and the call is at 1215, so the accurate answer is that the zone is clear.

Question 80: Multiple callers report the same major traffic accident. The dispatcher should:

Send separate units to each caller
Ignore the extra callers
Recognize it as one incident and gather details without duplicate dispatch (Correct answer)
Treat each call as a new accident

Correct answer: Recognize it as one incident and gather details without duplicate dispatch

Identifying duplicate reports of one event prevents wasteful over-dispatching.

Question 81: The primary goal of data entry on the CritiCall test is to balance:

Volume and abbreviation
Spelling and punctuation only
Creativity and length
Speed and accuracy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Speed and accuracy

Dispatch data entry is scored on both how fast and how accurately you type.

Question 82: What is the most effective way to improve typing accuracy?

By using a typing software that focuses on accuracy.
By typing slower and correcting mistakes immediately. (Correct answer)
By typing on a computer with a larger keyboard.
By typing without looking at the keyboard.

Correct answer: By typing slower and correcting mistakes immediately.

The most effective way to improve typing accuracy is to consciously slow down and correct any mistakes as soon as they occur. This deliberate practice helps retrain muscle memory to hit the correct keys consistently, reducing the frequency of errors over time. Prioritizing accuracy at a slower pace builds a strong foundation for error-free typing, which can then be gradually sped up.

Question 83: Choose the correctly spelled option: the officer reported a 'disturbance' at the location.

disturbansce
disterbance
disturbance (Correct answer)
distrubance

Correct answer: disturbance

'Disturbance' is correct — the vowel in the middle is 'u', and the ending is '-ance'.

Question 84: A dispatcher receives a call where the caller spells out a street name letter by letter. What is the most efficient way to enter this information accurately?

Wait until the caller finishes spelling, then type the entire word from memory
Ask the caller to repeat the street name twice before typing anything
Type phonetically and correct spelling errors after the call ends
Type each letter as the caller spells it, then verify the completed entry (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Type each letter as the caller spells it, then verify the completed entry

Typing each letter as it is spoken minimizes reliance on short-term memory and reduces transcription errors, especially for unfamiliar or hyphenated street names.

Question 85: A dispatcher is handling a high-volume period and takes 8 calls in 30 minutes. Afterward, a supervisor asks how many were medical emergencies. The dispatcher recalls: 3 traffic calls, 2 domestics, 1 noise complaint, 1 cardiac arrest, and 1 unconscious person. How many were medical emergencies?

1
4
3
2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2

The cardiac arrest and unconscious person calls are both medical emergencies, totaling 2.

Question 86: A caller gives the following description of a burglar: 'White male, short brown hair, about 5'9", wearing a gray hoodie, dark pants, carrying a black backpack, ran east on Birch Street.' A unit asks for the clothing description only. What should the dispatcher broadcast?

East on Birch Street
White male, 5'9", short brown hair
White male, gray hoodie, eastbound Birch
Gray hoodie, dark pants, black backpack (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Gray hoodie, dark pants, black backpack

The unit specifically asked for the clothing description, so the dispatcher should relay only clothing details: gray hoodie, dark pants, black backpack.

Question 87: What is the standard acceptable typing speed benchmark for most 911 dispatch positions?

80 WPM
35 WPM (Correct answer)
100 WPM
20 WPM

Correct answer: 35 WPM

Most dispatch centers require a minimum of 35 WPM with high accuracy. Some require higher speeds, but 35 WPM is the common minimum standard.

Question 88: On the CritiCall data entry test, you are shown a string of characters for 8 seconds, then asked to reproduce it. This tests which skill?

Mathematical reasoning
Short-term memory and accurate recall under pressure (Correct answer)
Spelling ability
Reading comprehension

Correct answer: Short-term memory and accurate recall under pressure

This 'data entry from memory' subtest measures how accurately dispatchers can recall and reproduce information — a core real-world dispatch skill.

Question 89: A caller says the incident is two intersections west and one intersection south of City Hall. From City Hall, the incident is in which quadrant?

Northeast
Southwest (Correct answer)
Southeast
Northwest

Correct answer: Southwest

West and south combine to place the incident in the southwest quadrant.

Question 90: A CAD note states: 'Subj advised he has been waiting 45 min, becoming agitated. Prior call history at location shows 3 prior disturbances in last 6 months.' What should this prior call history indicate to the dispatcher?

Officers should be advised of the location's prior disturbance history for situational awareness (Correct answer)
A supervisor must be notified before dispatching any unit
The caller should be told to contact the civil court
The call should be dismissed as a nuisance complaint

Correct answer: Officers should be advised of the location's prior disturbance history for situational awareness

Prior call history is important context that should be relayed to responding officers so they can approach with appropriate caution.

Question 91: A caller gives their location as 'the northeast corner of Park Blvd and Oak Street'. If you are viewing a standard north-up map, which corner is northeast?

Upper left
Lower left
Upper right (Correct answer)
Lower right

Correct answer: Upper right

On a standard north-up map, northeast is up-and-to-the-right — the upper right corner of an intersection.

Question 92: An incident report states: 'Complainant advises neighbor's dog has been barking continuously for 4 hours. No prior calls at this location. Complainant requests officer contact but does not wish to file a formal complaint.' What action should the dispatcher record?

Log as an emergency call requiring immediate response
Log as a civil matter with no police jurisdiction
Decline to log the call since no formal complaint was requested
Log as a non-emergency request with officer contact, no formal complaint (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Log as a non-emergency request with officer contact, no formal complaint

The dispatcher should accurately capture the caller's specific requests—officer contact without formal complaint—in the incident log.

Question 93: During cross-reference data entry, you must match a name to an ID number. The key skill is:

Accurately reading and comparing both fields (Correct answer)
Typing as fast as possible
Memorizing all ID numbers
Ignoring the name field

Correct answer: Accurately reading and comparing both fields

Cross-referencing relies on careful comparison of corresponding fields.

Question 94: A call log reads: 'Caller reports domestic disturbance. States male party left scene in a white pickup prior to officer arrival. No weapons observed. No injuries reported. Wants report only.' What should be the dispatcher's priority level for this call?

Reduce priority since the subject has left and no injuries were reported (Correct answer)
Upgrade to emergency—domestic calls are always high priority
Close the call since the subject is gone
Keep the same priority because weapon information could be wrong

Correct answer: Reduce priority since the subject has left and no injuries were reported

With the subject gone and no injuries or weapons observed, the priority can be reduced to a report-only, non-emergency response.

Question 95: A data table lists incident codes; code 10-50 means a traffic accident. If a caller reports a crash, which code applies?

10-20
10-50 (Correct answer)
10-13
10-99

Correct answer: 10-50

Per the provided table, 10-50 corresponds to a traffic accident.

Question 96: What does '10-7' typically mean in standard 10-code communications?

En route to call
Out of service (Correct answer)
Arrived at scene
Request for supervisor

Correct answer: Out of service

'10-7' means 'out of service,' indicating that a unit is unavailable to respond to calls at that time.

Question 97: A dispatcher hears: 'This is Officer Torres, badge 2274, requesting a 10-29 on plate Lima-Kilo-9-4-3.' The radio then cuts out. Which detail is MOST important for the dispatcher to have retained?

Officer Torres's first name
Badge number 2274
The 10-29 code request
The plate: LK-943 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The plate: LK-943

The license plate is the specific query data needed to run the 10-29 (vehicle/wants check); without it, the check cannot be performed.

Question 98: An incident summary reads: 'At 1422 hrs, Unit 9 arrived on scene. At 1435 hrs, Unit 9 requested backup. At 1448 hrs, two additional units arrived. At 1502 hrs, all units cleared.' How long did the incident last from Unit 9's arrival to clearance?

26 minutes
54 minutes
40 minutes (Correct answer)
1 hour 2 minutes

Correct answer: 40 minutes

From 1422 hrs arrival to 1502 hrs clearance is exactly 40 minutes.

Question 99: A caller describes a suspicious package: 'It's a brown cardboard box, about the size of a shoebox, taped with black tape, sitting on the bench near the east entrance of City Hall, been there about an hour, no one around it.' Officers ask for the location and description. What is the correct order to relay?

Description and location simultaneously
Description first, then location
Time first, then location, then description
Location first (east entrance City Hall), then description (brown shoebox-sized box, black tape) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Location first (east entrance City Hall), then description (brown shoebox-sized box, black tape)

Location is always relayed first so officers can begin responding while receiving the descriptive details.

Question 100: Which sentence contains correctly spelled dispatch terminology?

The suspect fled the premises on foot. (Correct answer)
The susspect fled the premices on foot.
The suspect fled the premisis on foot.
The susspect fled the premeses on foot.

Correct answer: The suspect fled the premises on foot.

'Suspect' (not 'susspect') and 'premises' (not 'premices/premisis/premeses') are the correct spellings.

CritiCall Test

The CritiCall Test is a pre-employment screening tool used by emergency services agencies to assess candidates' skills for dispatch and 911 operator roles.

100

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds