Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Agency FAQs

A.Commission Regulation 1018(c)(4) (pdf) mandates that “public safety dispatchers be subject to a Verbal, Reasoning, Memory, and Perceptual Abilities Assessment. These abilities must be evaluated before hire to assure the presence of ability levels commensurate with the performance of dispatcher duties, as measured by the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (POST Dispatcher Test) or alternative job-related tests of these abilities.” Since scores on the POST Dispatcher Test are predictive of both training proficiency and job success, many law enforcement agencies and communication centers use the POST Dispatcher Test to measure the applicant’s aptitude for performing public safety dispatcher work.

A.The POST Dispatcher Test is designed to measure aptitude for performing public safety dispatcher work. The test consists of eleven (11) brief tests that measure a candidate’s:

• Verbal Ability (the ability to read and listen to information and identify facts and draw conclusions; and the ability to write clearly),
• Reasoning (the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to attain logical answers; and the ability to correctly follow rules to arrange things or actions in a certain order),
• Memory (the ability to store and retrieve facts, details, and other information), and
• Perceptual Ability (the ability to quickly and accurately compare letters and numbers presented orally and in written form; and the ability to shift back and forth between two or more sources of information, both written and orally imparted, in performing a task).

Each test is administered with its own set of instructions and is timed separately. The separately-timed tests range from 5 minutes to 15 minutes each. The entire test battery takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours, including a short break. Additional detailed information about the test battery is available in the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery: User’s Manual (1996) (pdf).

A.For test security reasons, current test materials are not provided for review. Copies of the POST Dispatcher Test are only provided to agencies that use the test as part of their hiring process. Information about the test format along with sample questions is included in the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Examinee Guide (1996) (pdf). The Examinee Guide is designed for and can be disseminated to applicants.

A.Agencies that would like to use the POST Dispatcher Test as part of their hiring process must obtain and complete a Security Agreement. Contact POST at 916.227.4820 or testorders@post.ca.gov for a current copy of the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Security Agreement.

A.POST does not charge a fee for the test. However, there are fees associated with proctor training and proctor services. Additionally, if you order your tests less than 10 business days prior to your testing date, you will be charged an expedited shipping fee.

A.Yes. Agencies that use the POST Dispatcher Test must have authorized proctors who have completed a POST-approved proctor training session. If your agency does not have a trained proctor on staff, you will need to contact Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) to schedule a POST-approved proctor training session. Another option is to have CPS proctor the test for your agency. CPS charges for both of these services, and needs at least one month’s notice to schedule the proctor training or service. For more information on proctor training and/or services, contact CPS at 916.263.3644 x4966.

A.If your agency has a current Security Agreement on file, you may submit your test request to POST at testorders@post.ca.gov. All requests must be made at least 10 business days prior to your testing date. If you do not allow at least 10 business days, you will be charged for expedited shipping, and you run the risk of not receiving your tests in time. NOTE: When you make your test request, order only enough tests for the expected number of applicants. If you need assistance in estimating the number of tests you’ll need, contact POST at testorders@post.ca.gov or 916.227.4820.

A.Agencies can refer applicants to the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Examinee Guide (1996) (pdf) for information on the test format and sample questions. Your agency may want to have some printed copies of the Examinee Guide available for applicants.

A.All answer sheets are sent to POST for processing. Upon receipt, POST electronically scans the answer sheets and renders a score report which includes a breakdown of each applicant’s verbal, reasoning, memory, perceptual abilities and total T-scores. The score report is sent to the agency (either as a hard copy or electronically, depending on the agency’s preference) within 3 business days.

A.When POST electronically scans test answers, statistical calculations are performed to convert raw test scores (the number of items answered correctly) into “T-scores.” T-scores are standardized scores that place an individual applicant’s performance on the test into a distribution (bell-shaped curve) with a midpoint (average) of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. If an applicant’s score falls around 50, his/her performance is considered “average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test. If an applicant’s score is 40 or below, his/her performance is considered “below average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test. If an applicant’s score is 60 or above, his/her performance is considered “above average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test.

Given the diverse needs of California agencies, POST does not require all agencies to use the same passing score. Agencies are allowed to locally determine the passing score that best fits their hiring needs and standards. For additional information on setting the passing score, see the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery: User’s Manual (1996) (pdf).

A.As indicated in the POST Security Agreement, all agencies that use the POST Dispatcher Test are required to provide each applicant with their T-score on agency letterhead within 30 days of the test administration.

A.For security reasons, POST is unable to provide test results directly to applicants or other unauthorized persons. Authorized individuals (i.e., individuals listed on a current POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Security Agreement) from a POST user agency can contact POST’s Standards and Evaluation Services Bureau at 916.227.4820 to verify test results reported by applicants.

A.Additional questions about the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery can be directed to seb@post.ca.gov or 916.227.4820.