Dispatcher Test 3
5 min40 WPM required255 words
Click on the passage and start typing to begin.
The CritiCall examination used by many public safety agencies measures the specific abilities that dispatching demands rather than general office skills. The typing module measures speed and accuracy in words per minute, and most agencies set their minimum between thirty five and forty five net words per minute. Other modules measure data entry from spoken audio, decision making under rules, map reading, memory recall, and the ability to keep typing while listening to new information. Candidates preparing for the examination should understand that net speed, not raw speed, determines the score. Net words per minute equals gross typing speed minus a penalty for each error, so accuracy protects the score more reliably than rushing. A candidate who types fifty words per minute with many mistakes may score lower than one who types forty two cleanly. Preparation should therefore emphasize error free typing at a steady rhythm before pushing for higher speed. The data entry portions of the test present names, addresses, license plates, and phone numbers, information that must be transcribed exactly as heard or seen, including unusual spellings. Practicing with mixed content that includes numbers and capitalized proper nouns builds the precise finger habits the test rewards. On examination day, candidates should read every instruction carefully, because the software scores exactly what was requested and nothing else. Agencies use these scores to predict success in a training academy that can last many months, so a strong performance opens the door to the career while a weak one closes it until the next testing cycle.