Alberta Security Guard Test (ABST) Practice 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   A business uses security cameras. Which is a good privacy practice?

   • AShare video with anyone who asks
   • BPost clear signs telling people that cameras are in use
   • CKeep every recording forever
   • DPoint cameras into washrooms to catch thieves
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Post clear signs telling people that cameras are in use

   Privacy guidance on video surveillance says to tell people about cameras, avoid places like washrooms and change rooms, limit who can view recordings, and keep them only as long as needed.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Why should a guard vary patrol routes and times?

   • ABecause the same route is boring
   • BSo people cannot predict when the guard will pass
   • CTo avoid writing patrol notes
   • DTo make patrols shorter
   Show answer

   Answer: B. So people cannot predict when the guard will pass

   A predictable patrol is easy to avoid. Changing routes and timing makes it harder for someone to plan a crime around you.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Section 29(2) of the Criminal Code says a person making an arrest must, where it is feasible, tell the person…

   • Athe guard's home address
   • Bthe store manager's name
   • Cthe reason for the arrest
   • Dthe value of the items taken
   Show answer

   Answer: C. the reason for the arrest

   Everyone who arrests a person has a duty, where feasible, to give notice of the reason for the arrest (or the warrant or process).

4. Question 4 of 25

   Your relief guard has not arrived at the end of your shift. What should you do?

   • AStay at your post and contact your supervisor
   • BAsk a member of the public to watch the site
   • CLock the site and go home
   • DLeave on time, since your shift is over
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stay at your post and contact your supervisor

   Never leave a post uncovered without permission. Tell your supervisor so they can arrange relief.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Under section 494(2)(b), an owner or authorized guard may arrest within a reasonable time after the offence only if they believe on reasonable grounds that…

   • Athe person admitted the offence on video
   • Bit is not feasible in the circumstances for a peace officer to make the arrest
   • Cthe property is worth more than $5,000
   • Dthe person has left the province
   Show answer

   Answer: B. it is not feasible in the circumstances for a peace officer to make the arrest

   An arrest after the fact is allowed under 494(2)(b) only within a reasonable time and only when it is not feasible for a peace officer to make the arrest.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Self-defence under section 34 of the Criminal Code has three conditions. Which is one of them?

   • AThe act was reasonable in the circumstances
   • BThe other person was larger
   • CThe person gave three warnings
   • DThe person was on duty
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The act was reasonable in the circumstances

   Section 34(1) requires a reasonable belief that force or a threat of force is being used, an act done to defend against it, and an act that is reasonable in the circumstances.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A visitor complains angrily about the site's parking rules. What should the guard do?

   • AListen politely, explain the rule calmly, and pass the complaint to a supervisor if needed
   • BRefuse to speak to the visitor
   • CArgue until the visitor agrees
   • DTell the visitor the rules are stupid but must be followed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Listen politely, explain the rule calmly, and pass the complaint to a supervisor if needed

   Professional guards stay polite, explain without arguing, and know when to involve a supervisor.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Why should a guard write reports in the first person ("I saw…") and in plain language?

   • AIt hides who wrote the report
   • BIt lets the guard include rumours
   • CIt makes the report longer
   • DIt makes clear what the guard personally saw and did, and is easy to understand
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It makes clear what the guard personally saw and did, and is easy to understand

   Clear first-person writing shows which facts come from your own senses. Simple words reduce mistakes when others read the report.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Under section 26 of the Criminal Code, a person who is allowed to use force but uses too much is…

   • Acriminally responsible for the excess
   • Bprotected if they were in uniform
   • Conly responsible if someone dies
   • Dfully protected because they had authority
   Show answer

   Answer: A. criminally responsible for the excess

   Section 26 says anyone authorized by law to use force is criminally responsible for any excess.

10. Question 10 of 25

    After calling 911 for a medical emergency, why should a guard send someone to meet the ambulance at the entrance?

    • ABecause paramedics cannot enter private property
    • BTo keep the crowd entertained
    • CTo collect payment for the call
    • DTo guide paramedics to the patient as quickly as possible
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To guide paramedics to the patient as quickly as possible

    In large buildings, a guide at the door, with elevators and doors ready, can save valuable minutes.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What are a guard's post orders?

    • AThe written instructions for the duties at a specific site
    • BThe guard's licence application
    • CA list of people banned from Canada
    • DA court order given to a guard
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The written instructions for the duties at a specific site

    Post orders (site instructions) tell you what to do at that site, such as patrol times, access rules and who to call in an emergency. Read them at the start of every shift.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which provinces have their own private-sector privacy laws that apply instead of PIPEDA for most activity inside the province?

    • AAlberta, British Columbia and Quebec
    • BSaskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Yukon
    • COntario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia
    • DEvery province and territory
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec

    Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have private-sector privacy laws considered substantially similar to PIPEDA.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A person you lawfully arrested stops resisting and becomes calm. What should happen to the force you use?

    • AIncrease it in case they resist again
    • BKeep the same force to be safe
    • CReduce it right away to the minimum needed to keep control
    • DLet them go and leave the area
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Reduce it right away to the minimum needed to keep control

    Force is only justified while it is needed. Force that continues after resistance stops can be excessive under section 26.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Who does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms mainly apply to?

    • AOnly federal judges
    • BOnly people born in Canada
    • CEvery private business in every situation
    • DGovernments and those acting for them, such as police
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Governments and those acting for them, such as police

    Section 32 says the Charter applies to Parliament, the provincial legislatures and government. Private guards are usually not covered unless they act for the state.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Under section 494(1)(b), a private person may arrest someone they believe on reasonable grounds has committed a criminal offence and who is…

    • Aacting nervous near the exit
    • Bescaping from, and being freshly pursued by, people with lawful authority to arrest them
    • Cknown to have a criminal record
    • Drefusing to show identification
    Show answer

    Answer: B. escaping from, and being freshly pursued by, people with lawful authority to arrest them

    Section 494(1)(b) covers a person who has committed a criminal offence and is escaping from, and freshly pursued by, people who have lawful authority to arrest.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You work alone on night shifts. Which is a good safety practice?

    • ACheck in with your supervisor or monitoring centre at set times
    • BInvestigate every alarm alone, even when you feel unsafe
    • CTell no one where you are patrolling
    • DTurn off your radio to save battery
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Check in with your supervisor or monitoring centre at set times

    Regular check-ins mean someone will notice quickly if you are hurt or in trouble. Follow your site's working-alone plan.

17. Question 17 of 25

    How many sections does a WHMIS safety data sheet (SDS) have?

    • A24
    • B10
    • C16
    • D8
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 16

    An SDS has 16 sections, covering hazards, first aid, firefighting, handling, storage and more.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?

    • APush, Alert, Spray, Stop
    • BPoint, Activate, Shake, Spray
    • CPull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
    • DPull, Alarm, Spray, Stand
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

    Pull the pin, aim low at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep from side to side.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Under section 494(1)(a) of the Criminal Code, anyone may arrest without a warrant a person they find committing which kind of offence?

    • AAn indictable offence
    • BA parking violation
    • CAny provincial offence
    • DAny municipal bylaw offence
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An indictable offence

    Section 494(1)(a) lets any person arrest someone they find committing an indictable offence.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which class of fire involves flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil or paint?

    • AClass B
    • BClass D
    • CClass A
    • DClass C
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Class B

    Class A is ordinary combustibles like wood and paper, Class B is flammable liquids, Class C is live electrical equipment, Class D is burning metals and Class K is cooking oils.

21. Question 21 of 25

    When should notebook entries be made?

    • AOnly when a supervisor asks
    • BOnly if police are involved
    • CAt the end of the week
    • DAt the time of the event or as soon as possible after
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At the time of the event or as soon as possible after

    Write notes while details are fresh. Notes made long after the event carry less weight.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where should you aim a fire extinguisher?

    • AAt the ceiling above the fire
    • BAt the base of the fire
    • CAt the top of the flames
    • DInto the smoke
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At the base of the fire

    The fuel is burning at the base. Spraying the flames or smoke wastes the extinguisher.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Where do the main rules on trespassing on private property come from in Canada?

    • AThe Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • BThe Criminal Code only
    • CProvincial and territorial trespass laws
    • DMunicipal parking bylaws
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Provincial and territorial trespass laws

    Each province has its own trespass law, such as Alberta's Trespass to Premises Act and Ontario's Trespass to Property Act. Learn the one where you work.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A concert posts a rule that bags are checked at the door. A person refuses the check. What is the proper response?

    • AAccuse them of theft in front of others
    • BArrest the person for refusing
    • CPolitely refuse them entry, since the check is a condition of entry
    • DSearch the bag by force
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Politely refuse them entry, since the check is a condition of entry

    A bag check at the door is a condition of entry. The person may say no and not enter. Refusing is not an offence.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why are guards often told not to use a two-way radio or cellphone close to a suspicious package?

    • AIt disturbs other workers
    • BRadio signals could set off some explosive devices
    • CIt uses too much battery
    • DThe package could record the call
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Radio signals could set off some explosive devices

    Some devices can be triggered by radio signals, so report from a safe distance or use a landline, following your site procedure.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 80% or higher