BC Security Guard Test (BST) Practice 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What makes consent to a search valid?

   • AIt is given by the person's friend
   • BIt is given after the guard threatens to call police
   • CIt is given freely by a person who knows they can say no
   • DIt is assumed because the person did not complain
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It is given freely by a person who knows they can say no

   Consent must be voluntary and informed. Consent given under pressure or threats is not real consent.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A guard arrests someone without legal grounds. What could happen?

   • ANothing, because guards cannot be sued
   • BThe person arrested must pay the guard's costs
   • CPolice must charge the person anyway
   • DThe guard and employer could face criminal charges or a lawsuit, for example for false imprisonment
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The guard and employer could face criminal charges or a lawsuit, for example for false imprisonment

   An unlawful arrest can be an assault and false imprisonment. Always be sure of your grounds, and follow your employer's arrest policy.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    On the radio, which word means "I have received your message"?

    • AMayday
    • BBreak
    • COver and out
    • DRoger
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Roger

    "Roger" (or "copy" at many sites) confirms you received the message. "Mayday" is a distress call.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    During a fire evacuation, how should people leave a multi-storey building?

    • ABy the stairs and marked exits, not the elevators
    • BBy the elevators, because they are faster
    • CBy staying at their desks until told to move
    • DBy going up to the roof
    Show answer

    Answer: A. By the stairs and marked exits, not the elevators

    Elevators can stop or open onto a fire floor. Use stairwells and exits, and help people who need assistance according to the fire safety plan.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Under section 30 of the Criminal Code, a person who sees a breach of the peace may…

    • Afine the people involved
    • Bstep in to stop it and detain a person to hand them to a peace officer, using no more force than reasonably necessary
    • Cuse any force to punish the people involved
    • Darrest anyone in the area
    Show answer

    Answer: B. step in to stop it and detain a person to hand them to a peace officer, using no more force than reasonably necessary

    Section 30 lets anyone who witnesses a breach of the peace interfere and detain a person to give them into police custody, using only reasonable force.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A good incident report answers which basic questions?

    • AOnly who and when
    • BOnly what the client wants to hear
    • CWho, what, when, where, why and how
    • DOnly the guard's opinion of the people involved
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Who, what, when, where, why and how

    The 5 Ws and H give a complete, factual picture that someone who was not there can understand.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which situation gives a guard the clearest legal grounds for a citizen's arrest?

    • AA customer says someone looked suspicious
    • BThe guard watches a person smash a car window and take a laptop
    • CA person matches a vague description from last week
    • DA person refuses to answer the guard's questions
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The guard watches a person smash a car window and take a laptop

    The guard personally finds the person committing an indictable offence (breaking in and theft), which meets section 494(1)(a).

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    An upset customer is shouting at you. Which approach is most likely to calm the situation?

    • ATurn your back and walk away
    • BLaugh to lighten the mood
    • CStay calm, listen, speak slowly and offer options
    • DShout back to show authority
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stay calm, listen, speak slowly and offer options

    A calm voice, active listening and real choices help an upset person come back down. Matching their anger usually makes things worse.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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The real test: 70% or higher