BC Security Guard Test (BST) Practice 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which body language usually helps calm a tense conversation?

   • AStanding face to face, very close
   • BArms crossed and finger pointing
   • COpen hands kept visible, a relaxed stance, standing slightly to the side
   • DHands resting on your equipment belt
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Open hands kept visible, a relaxed stance, standing slightly to the side

   Open, non-threatening body language shows you are not a danger while keeping you ready to react.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does continuity of evidence (chain of custody) mean?

   • ALetting anyone handle evidence as long as they are careful
   • BKeeping evidence in the guard's car
   • CThrowing out evidence after 24 hours
   • DBeing able to account for who had an item of evidence from when it was found until court
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Being able to account for who had an item of evidence from when it was found until court

   If you cannot show who held the item and when, a court may doubt that it is the same, unchanged item.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   During an evacuation, when may people go back into the building?

   • AOnly when the fire department or person in charge says it is safe
   • BAfter 10 minutes
   • CWhen they can no longer see smoke
   • DWhen the alarm stops ringing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when the fire department or person in charge says it is safe

   Silence does not mean safety. Re-entry is allowed only when the fire department or the person in charge of the emergency gives the all-clear.

6. Question 6 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).

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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
   Show answer

   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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A guard follows a customer around a store only because of the customer's skin colour. What is this?

    • ARequired by most post orders
    • BRacial profiling, which is discrimination
    • CAllowed as long as the guard is polite
    • DGood loss-prevention practice
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Racial profiling, which is discrimination

    Decisions must be based on behaviour, not on race or other protected grounds. Profiling is discrimination and damages trust.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which sentence belongs in an incident report?

    • AThe man looked like a typical thief.
    • BAt 14:32 the man put two phone chargers in his jacket pocket and walked past the tills.
    • CI think he was probably on drugs.
    • DEveryone knows people like him steal.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At 14:32 the man put two phone chargers in his jacket pocket and walked past the tills.

    Reports record facts you saw and heard, with times. Leave out guesses, opinions and stereotypes.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Where law and employer policy allow it, a guard who has made a lawful arrest may do a limited search mainly for…

    • Aweapons, or items that could help an escape or be destroyed as evidence
    • Binformation to share online
    • Canything the guard is curious about
    • Dthe person's wallet to collect payment
    Show answer

    Answer: A. weapons, or items that could help an escape or be destroyed as evidence

    A search after arrest is limited to safety and protecting evidence. Many employers do not allow guards to search at all, so follow your policy.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does WHMIS stand for?

    • AWorker Hazard Management and Inspection System
    • BWarehouse Hazardous Materials Inventory Standard
    • CWorkplace Health and Medical Information Service
    • DWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information System
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

    WHMIS is Canada's national system for information on hazardous products at work: labels, safety data sheets and worker training.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You make a mistake in your notebook. What is the correct way to fix it?

    • ACover it with correction fluid
    • BTear out the page
    • CDraw a single line through it so it can still be read, and initial it
    • DScribble over it so nobody can read it
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Draw a single line through it so it can still be read, and initial it

    Errors must stay readable so nobody can say you hid or changed information. Never remove pages.

19. Question 19 of 25

    When is a court most likely to apply the Charter to a private security guard?

    • ANever, under any circumstances
    • BOnly when the guard works nights
    • COnly when the guard is off duty
    • DWhen the guard acts as an agent of the police, for example on police instructions
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When the guard acts as an agent of the police, for example on police instructions

    A guard who acts at the direction of police can be treated as a state agent, and then Charter rules such as protection from unreasonable search apply.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You find a person collapsed who is not breathing normally. What should you do?

    • AWait a few minutes to see if they wake up
    • BCarry them to the staff room
    • CGive them a drink of water
    • DCheck the area is safe, call 911 or have someone call, and start CPR if trained
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Check the area is safe, call 911 or have someone call, and start CPR if trained

    Make sure the scene is safe, get help on the way fast, and start CPR if you are trained. Send someone for an AED if one is available.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A store owner offers you free goods if you "look the other way" during a theft by a friend. What should you do?

    • ARefuse and report the offer to your supervisor
    • BAccept, but only if the goods are cheap
    • CAsk for money instead
    • DAccept, since it is a small favour
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Refuse and report the offer to your supervisor

    Accepting gifts for ignoring wrongdoing is unethical, may be a crime, and could cost you your licence.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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The real test: 70% or higher