If you are looking to go into law enforcement, criminal justice, or emergency response, it is not out of the usual to look to gain some experience as a 911 dispatcher. Perhaps you are even looking to work in dispatch in the future. If this is you, then this is one test you are very likely to come across. The Criticall, 911 dispatch test, or the Criticall dispatcher exam is a pre-employment computerized test that is used for the measurement of the pre-existing skills a person has in relation to the Criticall 911dispatch role.
It is essentially done before they receive any training as a hired call taker, or public safety dispatcher. This exam usually takes 1.5-2 hours to complete. If you have never taken this test before, then it is essential that you know that this test may be different from the others you have been taking so far. It tests for the skills and abilities of the individual, as opposed to several tests that are more focused on generalized questions.
To give you a better idea of what the test is about, the sections include decision-making, typing, data entry, memory recall, call summarization, spelling, map reading, math, sentence clarity, prioritization, reading comprehension, cross-referencing, and character checking test. You can easily tell from the test’s components that it is all about seeing what skills you have to make you suitable for the role. While that is a tip in itself, let’s now examine the other tips you need to pass the Criticall Dispatcher Exam:
Use Practice Tests
This one is a must for any test you are to take; be it a job test or any other test. Having an idea of how the questions are usually structured helps you to know the best way for the exam questions to be answered. You would also have an idea of the areas you may need to brush up on. Since the questions you would be answering are very specific to the job you will be doing and you have never done the job before, being familiar with practice questions is a step in the right direction towards acing the exam. In summary, ensure you practice for Criticall dispatcher test before taking it.
Get Used to Working under Pressure
As weird as it may sound, you have to train yourself to be comfortable with working under pressure, if you really want to ace this test. While all job tests come with stress and puts candidates under some form of pressure, the Criticall test beats them all in this area. To sort out this aspect of the test, try to put yourself in stressful situations and teach yourself how to work out of such situations.
Teach Yourself to Multitask
Think about the job of a Criticall dispatcher. There’s the need to do several things at the same time. Essentially, you would need to be well-versed with using visual input and audio inputs simultaneously if you are looking to score really well on the test. To practice this, you can try listening to a podcast while working a practice test on your screen.
Train Your Focus
The Criticall test has so many sections and tends to last between 1.5-2 hours. While the duration looks long, you really have to manage your time while answering the questions, as they are fast-paced. Hence, it is very important that you learn to heighten your focus, as it is important that you do not get distracted throughout the test’s duration. You can train your focus during the practice tests.
Conclusion
Don’t let anyone tell you that the Criticall test is too hard to pass. You can ace it; just use these tips to your advantage.
