Alberta Security Guard Test (ABST) Practice 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   After a private person makes an arrest without a warrant, what does section 494(3) require?

   • ADeliver the person to a peace officer right away
   • BRelease the person after taking a photo
   • CHold the person until the next business day
   • DDrive the person home
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Deliver the person to a peace officer right away

   Section 494(3) says anyone other than a peace officer who arrests without a warrant must forthwith (immediately) deliver the person to a peace officer.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which three words sum up the main job of a security guard?

   • AArrest, search and detain
   • BInvestigate, charge and prosecute
   • CPatrol, enforce and punish
   • DObserve, deter and report
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   Answer: D. Observe, deter and report

   Guards protect people and property by watching carefully, being visible so people think twice about crime, and reporting what they see to the right people.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which federal law sets privacy rules for private businesses that collect personal information in commercial activities?

   • AThe Criminal Code
   • BPIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)
   • CThe Canada Labour Code
   • DThe Access to Information Act
   Show answer

   Answer: B. PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)

   PIPEDA covers personal information collected, used or shared by private-sector organizations in commercial activities, unless a similar provincial law applies.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Can a security guard search a person's bag just because the person looks suspicious?

   • ANo. The guard needs the person's real consent or another lawful authority
   • BYes, if the guard has a strong feeling
   • CYes, but only at night
   • DYes, guards may search anyone on private property
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No. The guard needs the person's real consent or another lawful authority

   Guards have no general power to search. Touching a person or their belongings without consent or legal authority can be an assault.

5. Question 5 of 25

   In the 24-hour clock, what is 7:45 p.m.?

   • A17:45
   • B21:45
   • C07:45
   • D19:45
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 19:45

   Add 12 to afternoon and evening hours: 7 + 12 = 19, so 7:45 p.m. is 19:45.

6. Question 6 of 25

   After a bomb threat, you find an unattended, suspicious package. What should you do?

   • ACover it with a coat
   • BOpen it carefully to check
   • CDo not touch it, move people away, and report it from a safe distance
   • DCarry it outside
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Do not touch it, move people away, and report it from a safe distance

   Never touch or move a suspicious item. Clear the area and let police or trained specialists deal with it.

7. Question 7 of 25

   At a crime scene where someone is badly hurt, what is the top priority?

   • AKeeping the scene untouched even if the person needs help
   • BChasing the suspect
   • CTaking photos before anything else
   • DSaving life: call 911 and give first aid if trained, even if it disturbs the scene
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Saving life: call 911 and give first aid if trained, even if it disturbs the scene

   Life comes before evidence. Afterwards, note anything you moved or changed so police know.

8. Question 8 of 25

   A person is inside a mall after closing without permission but is not committing a crime. What should a guard usually do first?

   • AIdentify yourself, tell them they must leave, and give them a chance to go
   • BLock them inside until morning
   • CTake their phone as a security deposit
   • DArrest them for a criminal offence
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Identify yourself, tell them they must leave, and give them a chance to go

   Most trespass situations end when the person is told to leave. Trespass laws generally expect notice or a direction to leave before stronger action.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You arrive first at a break-in. The suspect is gone and nobody is hurt. What should you do?

   • ALet staff walk through to look at the damage
   • BKeep people out of the area, avoid touching anything, and call police
   • CClean up the broken glass right away
   • DLift fingerprints with tape
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Keep people out of the area, avoid touching anything, and call police

   Protect the scene for police. Every person who walks through can destroy or add evidence. Keep a log of anyone who must enter.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How do a security guard's arrest powers compare with a police officer's?

    • AA guard can arrest for any provincial offence anywhere
    • BA guard has all police powers while on duty
    • CA guard has more powers than police on private property
    • DA guard generally has the same arrest powers as any private citizen
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A guard generally has the same arrest powers as any private citizen

    Guards are not peace officers. Their arrest powers come mainly from section 494 of the Criminal Code, which applies to everyone, plus any provincial trespass law.

11. Question 11 of 25

    While on patrol, a visitor asks you for directions. What is the best response?

    • ATell them you are too busy
    • BIgnore them so you stay alert
    • CHelp politely and briefly, then carry on with your duties
    • DWalk them across the whole site, leaving your post
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Help politely and briefly, then carry on with your duties

    Good customer service is part of the job. Be helpful and friendly while keeping your attention on safety and your post.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Why is a guard's notebook important?

    • AIt is the guard's private diary
    • BIt is only for shift schedules
    • CIt replaces all written reports
    • DIt is a record made at the time that helps the guard remember details later, including in court
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It is a record made at the time that helps the guard remember details later, including in court

    Notes made at or near the time of an event are more reliable. A guard may be allowed to refer to them when testifying.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Section 10(b) of the Charter gives a person who is arrested or detained the right to…

    • Aone free phone call to family only
    • Bhire and instruct a lawyer without delay and be told of that right
    • Cleave whenever they want
    • Drefuse to give their name in court
    Show answer

    Answer: B. hire and instruct a lawyer without delay and be told of that right

    Section 10 also gives the right to be told promptly why you are arrested or detained. Many employers tell guards to explain both rights after an arrest.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Why does a visible, uniformed guard help prevent crime?

    • AThe law makes crimes near a guard more serious
    • BGuards can give fines to anyone nearby
    • CPeople are less likely to commit a crime when they think someone is watching
    • DA uniform gives a guard police powers
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People are less likely to commit a crime when they think someone is watching

    This is deterrence. A guard who is seen and alert makes a site a less attractive target.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Using the phonetic alphabet, how do you say the licence plate letters "BKM" on the radio?

    • ABoy Kite Mother
    • BBravo Kilo Mike
    • CBaker King Mary
    • DBravo King Mike
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bravo Kilo Mike

    The international phonetic alphabet uses Bravo for B, Kilo for K and Mike for M, so letters are not confused.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You receive a bomb threat by phone. What should you do?

    • AStay calm, keep the caller talking, and write down their exact words, voice and background sounds
    • BHang up immediately
    • CTell the caller the building is empty
    • DTreat it as a joke and do nothing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay calm, keep the caller talking, and write down their exact words, voice and background sounds

    Details about the caller and the threat help police judge it. Then follow your site's bomb threat procedure and report it right away.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Theft under $5,000 is a hybrid offence. For citizen's arrest purposes, how is it treated?

    • AAs an indictable offence, until the Crown decides how to proceed
    • BAs a summary offence that never allows an arrest
    • CAs a civil matter only
    • DAs a provincial offence
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As an indictable offence, until the Crown decides how to proceed

    Under section 34(1)(a) of the federal Interpretation Act, a hybrid offence is treated as indictable until the Crown elects, so it can support an arrest under section 494.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Workers in Canada generally have three basic health and safety rights. Which set is correct?

    • AThe right to overtime, to holidays, and to a uniform
    • BThe right to choose shifts, to work alone, and to skip training
    • CThe right to sue, to strike at any time, and to carry a weapon
    • DThe right to know, to participate, and to refuse unsafe work
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The right to know, to participate, and to refuse unsafe work

    Occupational health and safety laws across Canada give workers the right to know about hazards, to take part in safety activities, and to refuse dangerous work.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A guard sees a person trying car door handles in a parking lot. What is usually the best first action?

    • ARun up and tackle the person
    • BIgnore it because the cars do not belong to the client
    • CKeep watching from a safe spot and report it to police or a supervisor
    • DPost the person's photo on social media
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep watching from a safe spot and report it to police or a supervisor

    Observing and reporting is the core of the job. Rushing in can put the guard and others in danger, and there may not yet be grounds for an arrest.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does "over" mean at the end of a radio transmission?

    • AThere is an emergency
    • BPlease repeat your message
    • CI have finished speaking and expect a reply
    • DThe conversation is finished and no reply is needed
    Show answer

    Answer: C. I have finished speaking and expect a reply

    "Over" hands the conversation back. "Out" means the conversation is finished, so "over and out" is a contradiction.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does "finds committing" mean when a guard decides whether to make a citizen's arrest?

    • AThe guard found evidence the next day
    • BThe guard personally sees the offence happening
    • CThe guard suspects the person because of how they look
    • DSomeone told the guard about the offence
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The guard personally sees the offence happening

    You must see the offence yourself. An arrest based only on someone else's story or on a hunch can be unlawful.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Section 35 of the Criminal Code covers defence of property. A guard acting for the property's possessor can rely on it only if the act is…

    • Ameant to punish the person
    • Breasonable in the circumstances
    • Cdone after the person has left the property
    • Dapproved by police beforehand
    Show answer

    Answer: B. reasonable in the circumstances

    Section 35 protects a person acting for someone in peaceable possession of property, but the act must be reasonable in the circumstances.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Section 25 of the Criminal Code protects a person acting on reasonable grounds while enforcing the law, but only if they use…

    • Ano force in any situation
    • Bas much force as is necessary for the purpose
    • Ctwice the force used against them
    • Dany force they choose
    Show answer

    Answer: B. as much force as is necessary for the purpose

    Section 25(1) justifies a private person who is authorized by law to act, if they act on reasonable grounds and use only as much force as is necessary.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which statement best describes reasonable force?

    • AAny force, as long as the person is under arrest
    • BThe least force needed to safely control the situation, judged by what a reasonable person would do
    • CForce that matches the insults the person used
    • DForce that teaches the person a lesson
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The least force needed to safely control the situation, judged by what a reasonable person would do

    Force must be necessary and proportionate. Courts judge it by what a reasonable person would have done in the same situation.

25. Question 25 of 25

    The fire triangle shows the three things a fire needs. What are they?

    • AFuel, carbon dioxide and wind
    • BHeat, water and smoke
    • COxygen, nitrogen and light
    • DHeat, fuel and oxygen
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Heat, fuel and oxygen

    Take away any one side of the triangle (heat, fuel or oxygen) and the fire goes out.

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The real test: 80% or higher