Top-Rated CHP Dispatcher Test Prep[2024]: Free Practice Tests, Study Guides & Exam Prep
- Practice Test
- Sample Questions
- Curriculum
- FAQs
- Reviews
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a vital part of the state’s emergency response system. They rely on highly trained professionals to coordinate emergency responses and ensure public safety. In 2024, the CHP will continue evolving to meet California’s growing population and infrastructure demands.
As the first point of contact for emergency responders, 911 dispatchers ensure timely and effective emergency responses. They handle thousands of calls daily, requiring exceptional communication, situational awareness, and technical skills. Becoming a CHP emergency dispatcher is a challenging yet rewarding career path.
That’s where our Prep Course comes in. Designed to prepare you for the challenges of becoming a CHP dispatcher, we cover essential topics and provide a realistic simulation of the actual CHP dispatcher written exam. You’ll also get access to bonus lessons that cover interview questions and tips to help you clear the remaining rounds after the written test.
Take a Free CHP Dispatcher Practice Test Now!
10 Questions - 8 Minutes
About the CHP Emergency Dispatcher Test
For CHP 911 operator hiring, the CritiCall test is used – the most popular emergency dispatcher test. It’s designed to test almost every skill needed for the role. This exam identifies candidates with the aptitude to handle the complex, high-pressure environment of emergency dispatch centers.
The test covers essential skills like multitasking, short-term and long-term memory recall, prioritization, and call summarization—everything a dispatcher deals with daily. It also evaluates decision-making by presenting simulated emergencies while you’re in the middle of other important tasks, requiring you to decide whether to complete the current task, attend to the emergency, or manage both under strict time constraints.
Questions can be in any form like multiple-choice or data entry. There’s even a topic on vocalization where you record your answers. In short, this exam thoroughly tests your abilities, and yes, it’s not easy.
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CHP Dispatcher Test Sample Questions
These are some of the samples questions from our CHP Dispatcher Mastery Course, showcasing how certain sections will be presented to you in the exam.
Decision Making
- A:
- B:
- C:
- D:
Data Entry
Call Summarization
In which direction must the intruders head to escape into Elmwood alley?
- A:
To the front of the gallery heading into the alley
- B:
To the left of the gallery crossing the cabana.
- C:
To the front of the gallery and across the street
- D:
To the back of the gallery into the alley
Map Reading
You are currently in the Internet/Newspaper room on the 1st floor. You need to deliver a package to the Banquet Kitchen on the 2nd floor. However, you must first pick up a document from the Executive Office and then pass by the Restaurant before reaching your destination. Which of the following sequences of rooms or areas will you pass through to complete your task efficiently?
- A:
Internet/Newspaper -> Café -> Restaurant -> Lobby (1st Floor) -> Executive Office -> Stairs -> Lobby (2nd Floor) -> Conference Room 4 -> Conference Room 3 -> Ballroom B -> Banquet Kitchen
- B:
Internet/Newspaper -> Café -> Restaurant -> Executive Office -> Stairs -> Lobby (2nd Floor) -> Ballroom A -> Conference Room 6 -> Banquet Kitchen
- C:
Internet/Newspaper -> Lobby (1st Floor) -> Executive Office -> Restaurant -> Stairs -> Lobby (2nd Floor) -> Conference Room 1 -> Conference Room 2 -> Ballroom A -> Banquet Kitchen
- D:
Internet/Newspaper -> Lobby (1st Floor) -> Executive Office -> Restaurant -> Stairs -> Lobby (2nd Floor) -> Ballroom B -> Banquet Kitchen
Why Choose Our Prep Course?
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Real Test Simulations: Our Data Entry & Multitasking Quizzes are made with custom functionality to mimic the original test environment, which is not available anywhere else.
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Biggest Practice Quiz Bank: 50+ Quizzes for you to practice & improve your performance on the test.
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Dedicated Study Guide for Each Section: 13 Study Guides for each major component of the CHP Dispatcher Exam
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Bonus Modules: In order to assist you with the process, we have added additional modules such as psych eval, medical check up, background screening, etc. These will help you navigate the hiring process better.
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Learn at Your Own Pace: We have practice quizzes on our course with multiple difficulty levels so you can learn from the basics & practice your way to the test level & even beyond in some cases.
Our CHP Dispatcher Mastery Modules
- Introduction to CHP Dispatcher2 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Reading Comprehension - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Spelling - CHP7 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Sentence Clarity - CHP5 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Data Entry - CHP11 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Data Entry - Written Guide
- Plain Typing Practice Questions
- ID Practice Question – Easy
- ID Practice Question – Moderate
- ID Practice Question – Hard
- Table Practice Questions – Easy
- Table Practice Questions – Moderate
- Table Practice Questions – Hard
- Audio Practice Questions – Easy
- Audio Practice Questions – Moderate
- Audio Practice Questions – Hard
- Cross Referencing - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Character Comparison - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Prioritization - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Frequency of Information / Probability Determination - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Oral Comprehension / Call Summarization - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Multi Tasking & Advance Decision Making - CHP7 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- CHP - Decision Making & Multi-Tasking - Written Guide
- CHP - Multi-Tasking Practice Questions - Easy
- CHP - Multi-Tasking Practice Questions - Moderate
- CHP - Multi-Tasking Practice Questions - Hard
- Decision Making Practice Questions – Easy
- Decision Making Practice Questions – Moderate
- Decision Making Practice Questions – Hard
- Memory Recall (Long & Short Term) - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Map Reading & Geographic Directions - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Numerical Ability - CHP4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Vocalizing Summary - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Bonus - Medical Exam - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Bonus - Psychological Examination - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Bonus - Polygraph Test - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Bonus - Background Screening - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
- Bonus - Interview Prep - CHP1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
FAQs
A CHP dispatcher is a crucial member of the California Highway Patrol team, responsible for handling emergency calls, dispatching patrol units, and providing critical information to officers in the field. Dispatchers play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of responses to public needs and emergencies.
- Police Dispatchers: Handle calls related to police services, including emergencies and law enforcement support.
- Fire Dispatchers: Specialize in dispatching fire services and emergency medical assistance.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatchers: Focus on medical emergencies and coordinate EMS response.
- Public Safety Dispatchers: Often trained to handle a mix of these services and may work in consolidated emergency dispatch centers.
CHP dispatchers use a variety of software to manage calls, dispatch units, and maintain communication with field officers. This includes Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, which help track the status and location of units, and databases like the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for accessing criminal records and other public safety information.
A CHP dispatcher is typically required to type at a minimum speed of 35 to 45 words per minute. However, higher speeds are beneficial and can enhance performance, especially in high-pressure situations where rapid response is crucial.
- Written Test: The CHP uses the CritiCall test to evaluate the skills necessary for effective dispatch and communication roles.
- Medical Clearance: The CHP requires all Public Safety Dispatcher applicants to undergo a medical examination, including an audiogram and drug screen, by a licensed physician.
- Psychological Evaluation: A psychological exam will be conducted on every applicant to determine their employment suitability.
- Background Check: Includes checks of criminal history, previous employment, and personal references.
- Training: Comprehensive training is provided upon hiring, covering all necessary skills and protocols.
*For more details refer to the official website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/
To qualify, you need either a high school diploma (or equivalent) or at least one year of clerical experience involving significant public contact.
Some essential interview questions include:
- Have you ever used dispatching equipment?
- How familiar are you with this county’s criminal law?
- If you received a call from a panicked person who was speaking unintelligibly, how would you handle it?
- Imagine one of the truck drivers calls and informs you angrily that they have been assigned the wrong cargo. What would you do?
- How do you feel about being constantly on the phone?
- Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision when your supervisor wasn’t around.
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed by stress? What did you do to keep performing your duties?
- Recall a time you had to multi-task. Were you successful?
- How do you prioritize calls during peak times?
- Describe a situation where you had to coordinate with multiple agencies or departments.
*Note: CHP, Criticall and other trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with PrepTerminal or this website.
![Maureen Laneski](https://www.prepterminal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Maureen.jpg)
Created by: Maureen Laneski
Dispatcher and CritiCall Trainer
260 students, 4.4, 110 Reviews
Maureen Laneski is an experienced public safety communications expert, dispatcher, and trainer with 18 years of dispatch experience and a master’s degree in teaching. She was her department’s first certified communications training officer and has trained numerous dispatchers over 10 years. Maureen started as a part-time dispatcher while pursuing her college education and competed against 800 other applicants for a full-time position, which she secured despite a lack of guidance and preparation. Maureen’s experience fueled her passion for assisting others in the dispatch field, and she now contributes to Prepterminal’s CritiCall Rapid Prep by creating comprehensive preparation materials for future dispatchers.
Any questions about the course? Contact Maureen at [email protected]