SIA Security Officer Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the UK public advice if you are caught up in a firearms or weapons attack?

   • ADuck, Cover, Hold
   • BStop, Drop, Roll
   • CRun, Hide, Tell
   • DWait, Watch, Report
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Run, Hide, Tell

   Run to a safe place if you can, hide if you cannot, and tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe.

2. Question 2 of 25

   An incident report should contain:

   • AYour honest opinions about the people involved
   • BFacts: who, what, when, where, why and how
   • COnly the parts that make you look good
   • DGuesses about what might have happened
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Facts: who, what, when, where, why and how

   A good report is factual, clear and complete. It may be used by the police, the courts or insurers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which class of fire involves solid materials such as wood, paper and textiles?

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

   Answer: B. Class A

   Class A is solids, Class B flammable liquids, Class C flammable gases, Class D metals and Class F cooking oils and fats.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How much force may be used to make a lawful arrest?

   • AAny force at all, because the arrest itself is lawful
   • BTwice the force the other person uses
   • COnly reasonable, necessary and proportionate force
   • DNo force at all in any situation
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Only reasonable, necessary and proportionate force

   The law allows reasonable force in preventing crime or making a lawful arrest. Excessive force can be an assault.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What colour band is on a foam extinguisher?

   • ACream
   • BYellow
   • CBlack
   • DBlue
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Cream

   Foam extinguishers have a cream band. They are used on Class A and Class B fires.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which sign may show that a colleague is struggling after a traumatic incident?

   • AAsking for a coffee break
   • BTrouble sleeping, flashbacks or avoiding the place where it happened
   • CTaking annual leave that was booked and approved several months earlier
   • DBeing slightly late once
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Trouble sleeping, flashbacks or avoiding the place where it happened

   These can be signs of stress or post-traumatic stress. Colleagues should be encouraged to seek support.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You believe a child is in immediate danger. What should you do?

   • ACall the police on 999
   • BWait until the end of your shift to tell your manager
   • CAsk the child to leave the area
   • DDo nothing unless you are certain
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Call the police on 999

   If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Then report your concerns through your organisation's safeguarding procedure.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, who commits an offence?

   • AAn operative who forgets their uniform
   • BA police officer who works in a venue
   • CA customer who refuses to show photo ID to a door supervisor at the entrance to a nightclub
   • DA person who knowingly uses unlicensed security operatives to provide security services
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A person who knowingly uses unlicensed security operatives to provide security services

   Section 5 makes it an offence to use unlicensed people to carry out licensable activities, unless a defence applies.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What number can be used to call the emergency services in the UK?

   • A999 or 112
   • B101 only
   • C111 only
   • D911 only
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 999 or 112

   Both 999 and 112 reach the emergency services. 101 is for non-emergency police matters and 111 for non-emergency medical advice.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which describes a quality of a good security operative?

    • AAggressive, so people are afraid
    • BQuick to argue with customers
    • CAlert, honest and calm under pressure
    • DWilling to bend the rules for friends and regular customers
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Alert, honest and calm under pressure

    Clients and the public expect operatives to be observant, reliable, honest and professional.

11. Question 11 of 25

    After making a lawful citizen's arrest, what should a security operative do?

    • AQuestion the person until they confess
    • BTell them they are under arrest and why, and hand them to the police quickly
    • CLet the person go once they apologise
    • DTake them to the security office and search their home or car for stolen goods
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tell them they are under arrest and why, and hand them to the police quickly

    The person should be told why they are being arrested, kept safe, and handed to the police promptly. The arrest must then be recorded.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which of these is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010?

    • AFootball team supported
    • BHeight
    • CReligion or belief
    • DHair colour
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Religion or belief

    Religion or belief is one of the nine protected characteristics. Refusing service because of one of them can be unlawful discrimination.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does the SIA check before granting a licence?

    • AIdentity, criminal record and the right training qualification
    • BOnly the applicant's height and weight
    • COnly whether the applicant owns a car
    • DOnly the applicant's school grades, work history and references
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Identity, criminal record and the right training qualification

    The SIA's licence criteria include identity checks, a criminality check, the right to work in the UK and the relevant licence-linked qualification.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does "invacuation" mean?

    • AMoving everyone outside to the assembly point as fast as possible
    • BRefusing entry to new customers only
    • CClosing the venue for good
    • DMoving people to a safer place inside the building
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Moving people to a safer place inside the building

    Invacuation may be safer than evacuation if the danger is outside, such as an attack or a hazardous release.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is one of the SIA's main functions?

    • ATraining police officers
    • BIssuing alcohol licences to pubs and clubs
    • CLicensing individuals who work in designated security activities
    • DProsecuting all crimes committed in licensed premises across the UK
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Licensing individuals who work in designated security activities

    The SIA licenses individuals, runs the Approved Contractor Scheme and works to raise standards in the industry.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What is "hostile reconnaissance"?

    • AInformation gathering by people planning an attack, such as filming security points
    • BA fire drill at a shopping centre
    • CA friendly visit by a council inspector
    • DA security patrol carried out by the venue's own staff to look for hidden weapons or bags
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Information gathering by people planning an attack, such as filming security points

    Attackers often study a site first. Unusual interest in security, loitering or filming entrances should be reported.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What can the SIA do if a licence holder no longer meets the licensing criteria?

    • ANothing until the licence expires
    • BIncrease the holder's pay
    • COnly send a thank-you letter
    • DSuspend or revoke the licence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Suspend or revoke the licence

    The SIA can suspend or revoke licences, for example after a serious conviction, to protect the public.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What is the main difference between criminal law and civil law?

    • ACriminal law only covers minor matters; civil law covers serious crimes
    • BCriminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations
    • CThere is no difference
    • DCivil law is only used in Scotland
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Criminal law deals with offences against the state; civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations

    Criminal cases can lead to punishment such as prison. Civil cases usually end with compensation or a court order.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In England and Wales, under section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, a person who is not a police officer may arrest without a warrant for:

    • ABreaking a venue's dress code
    • BAny offence, however minor
    • CParking offences only
    • DAn indictable offence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An indictable offence

    Section 24A powers apply only to indictable offences, such as theft or assault causing injury, and only when further conditions are met.

20. Question 20 of 25

    In the NATO phonetic alphabet, which word represents the letter D?

    • ADover
    • BDog
    • CDavid
    • DDelta
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Delta

    The phonetic alphabet uses Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and so on so that letters are not misheard on the radio.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What is "county lines"?

    • AA system for counting customers in and out of a venue to stay within its capacity
    • BCouncil boundaries for licensing
    • CGangs using children and vulnerable people to move and sell drugs across areas
    • DA type of patrol route
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Gangs using children and vulnerable people to move and sell drugs across areas

    Security operatives should watch for signs of exploitation, such as young people out late with unexplained money or phones, and report concerns.

22. Question 22 of 25

    During an evacuation, what is a security operative's role?

    • ALock the fire exits behind people
    • BLet people go back for their coats and bags if the fire seems small and far away
    • CUse the lifts to move people out faster
    • DHelp people leave calmly by the nearest safe exit and go to the assembly point
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Help people leave calmly by the nearest safe exit and go to the assembly point

    Operatives guide people out, check areas if safe to do so, and report anyone missing to the fire service.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the minimum age to hold an SIA front-line licence?

    • A21
    • B17
    • C16
    • D18
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 18

    You must be 18 or over to apply for an SIA licence.

24. Question 24 of 25

    An unconscious person is breathing normally and has no injuries that stop them being moved. What should you do?

    • APut them in the recovery position, call for help and monitor breathing
    • BLeave them alone to sleep it off quietly
    • CSit them upright in a chair so they do not choke, and wait for help
    • DGive them a drink of water to wake them
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Put them in the recovery position, call for help and monitor breathing

    The recovery position keeps the airway open. Keep monitoring until medical help arrives.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which government department is the SIA accountable to?

    • AThe Ministry of Defence
    • BThe Department for Education
    • CThe Home Office
    • DThe Department for Transport
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Home Office

    The SIA is a non-departmental public body accountable to the Home Secretary.

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

The real test: 70% in each multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 60 questions)