The Best Dispatcher Test Study Guide

Being a 911 dispatcher is one of the most grueling, prestigious, and rewarding careers in the civil service industry. It requires staying calm under pressure and understanding how to navigate multiple, intricate pieces of software.

It is no surprise that there is a lot of preemptive evaluation that goes into hiring a new dispatcher. Here, we will take a look at the dispatcher test and see how to properly prepare.

What is the 911 Dispatcher Test?

The 911 dispatcher test is an extensive written exam that gauges your ability to reason, solve complex logical problem, communicate through writing, speak clearly, and multitask. The test for a dispatcher can vary based on your location, but these general testing areas are always the same.

The purpose of the test is to ensure that a potential employee has the skills necessary to not only do the job, but to perform all these skills under immense pressure and with small time limits.

Being able to properly prioritize duties and navigate tools seamlessly is an important skill for the position, which is why the test is so rigorous.

Standard Test Areas

Though the specifics of questions may change based on the specific location of the company issuing the test, these testing areas are fairly standard:

• Personality Test: test questions designed to determine the ability of a future dispatcher to both stay calm and remain levelheaded during calls. This skill is vital to ensure the dispatcher can get life-saving information from a panicked caller.
• Memory Test: You may be surprised by how much memorization is involved as a professional dispatcher. This section of the test focuses on the ability to memorize short term information even while distracted.
• Data Entry: The ability to both type information quickly and accurately is a skill necessary for all clerical positions. As a dispatcher, the accuracy of this information can be the difference between life and death.
• Reading Comprehension: Dispatchers need to have a high level of reading comprehension, so this part of the exam focuses on the examinees ability to quickly assess written information for key details.
• Deductive Reasoning: Deductive reasoning questions help an employer evaluate the test taker’s ability to problem solve based on the context of a situation.
• Multitasking: The ability to multi-task is one of the most important for a dispatcher. You will be required to go between software and calls constantly. That’s why a portion of the test focuses on the ability to do multiple things at once, error-free.
• Listening Skills: In this section, test takers will hear recorded conversations between callers and dispatchers. There will be basic questions written down in front of you. The answers to the questions will be revealed through the recorded conversations. This portion of the test is timed to simulate what it is like on the job.
• Prioritization Skills: Another interesting area of the dispatch test, the prioritization section asks you to make a decision on the level of important of a multitude of items. You will be given a selection of situations and asked to grade them by their level of priority. Priority level 1 is reserved for injuries and death situations. Level 2 involves theft/ loss of property. Level 3 is for the threat or implication of future harm.

Is the 911 Dispatcher Test hard?

The 911 dispatcher test has been taken by thousands of people, and if there is consensus on anything, it is that the test is tough. That makes sense, of course. You don’t want to let someone get a job as a 911 dispatcher who is ineffective.

A great 911 dispatcher can easily stay calm while navigating a dozen things at once. They comfort callers and get appropriate information to be able to prioritize the urgency. Then, they swiftly direct the appropriate department toward the caller, all while offering potentially lifesaving advice over the phone.

It is a very complicated job with a complicated pre-employment assessment, which is why it is so essential to thoroughly prep for your dispatcher test.

How to Prepare for the 911 Dispatcher Test?

If you want to prepare for your dispatcher test, you need to find an all inclusive civil servant study guide that doesn’t leave out any information. That’s where JobAssessmentHelp comes in.

We have curated the most in depth civil servant practice test bundle available. With over 100 unique test and 2000 questions, you will get all the information you need to pass your test with flying colors.

Dispatcher tests require a large amount of quick thinking and instant responses. To combat this, use the Civil Service pack from JobAssessmentHelp to instill confidence in the guidelines and processes present on the dispatcher test.

After all, there is no better way to get fast at something than to practice it over and over.

If you are ready to prepare for your dispatch test, check out JobAssessmentHelp.

The components of the test can vary by agency but typically include the following sections: