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Dispatch Test Day

Candidates

Dispatch - Test Day Requirements and Policies

  • You must bring valid government-issued photo identification. You will not be allowed to test without proper identification.

  • Don't forget your notarized Liability Waiver and Release Agreement. If you do not have your waiver notarized, we offer notary services at Washington State test sites for a fee. If your waiver is not notarized, you will not be allowed to test.

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled testing time for registration and notary services. You will be required to reschedule if you arrive late.

  • These items are NOT ALLOWED in the written test room: Bags/Purses, Backpacks, Mechanical Pencils, Electronic Devices of any kind (including but not limited to: Cell Phones, Pagers, Smart and/or Analog Watches, Activity Trackers, Cameras, Calculators, PDA’s, MP3 Players, etc.) or any other items determined inappropriate by test proctors. It is your responsibility to secure these items prior to entering the written test room. If any prohibited item is discovered, you may be disqualified.

  • Make all necessary arrangements to ensure that you arrive early at the test site.  You may need to make advance arrangements for such things as a ride to the test site or childcare. It would be wise to allow for more time due to potential poor weather or traffic delays. Give yourself ample time to settle in at the test site.

Allocate approximately 3.5 hours to complete the written examination.

Other Important Information

  • The information that you provide in your account profile, your test dates and scores, and your Personal History Statement (PHS) will be made available to the agency or agencies to which you applied.& Make sure to review your information for accuracy. It is your responsibility to make any changes in your account before your test date.

  • The exam you will be administered is an audio-based assessment that measures critical dispatch skills of listening comprehension, problem-solving, multitasking and composure under stress.  You will listen to instructions, various scenarios, and are allowed to take notes during the exam. You will be asked a series of questions about the scenarios.  In addition, other questions will be presented in writing. A Preparation Guide is available for purchase to help you study for the exam via our online Store.

  • You are responsible for selecting the score you want PST to forward to the agencies you applied to. While the typing test can be completed within 90 days (before or after) your written exam, your scores will not be made available to the agencies you applied to until you assign a typing test that meets each agency’s requirements. You must complete this step by choosing "Typing Tests" from your drop-down menu when you are logged into your PST account.

  • Failure to complete and select your typing test score may result in your application and test score not being sent to the agency/agencies, as there will be no typing test score to report.

  • You must declare all agencies you wish you apply to prior to taking your written exam. Review our add-on policy for more information.

Helpful Tips For Success:

  • Prepare: You will increase your chances of obtaining your best score if you spend some time preparing.

  • Rest: Get a good night’s sleep before the exam.  Try to ensure that you are in the best possible physical and mental condition on the day of the exam. Eat a healthy meal beforehand.

  • Confidence: The more confident you are in your abilities, the more likely you are to do well on the exam.  Try to stay focused on the exam so that you don’t lose your place or miss some important information that is presented. Focus on becoming relaxed but concentrate on the examination.

  • Positive Attitude: This examination is an opportunity for you to show your skills and abilities, and a positive attitude can impact your test score.

Look at this exam as a challenge but try not to get “stressed out” by thinking about it and over-analyzing it too much;

Remember that passing this examination is the first step in the selection process, but it is not the only piece of information used to make the hiring decision.