Last Updated on October 7, 2025

Before beginning your security guard training, it’s helpful to assess what you already know about the field. These security guard pretest questions are designed to help you consider key topics that will be covered throughout your training course.

The primary objective of this pretest is to assess your current knowledge of security-related responsibilities, communication skills, professionalism, access control, fire safety, patrol techniques, and the legal system.

It’s not an exam but a self-assessment tool that helps you understand where you stand before starting your formal security guard training.

Write “T” for True or “F” for False after each statement.

1. Duties and Responsibilities

1. It’s allowed for you to talk to the media “confidentially.” __________
2. You may need to ask an individual whose first language isn’t English to speak slowly so you can understand them. ___
3. Alzheimer’s disease is part of a group of mental illnesses called mood disorders. ___
4. When helping a blind person down the stairs, stay one step ahead of them. ___
5. You should ignore their behavior if someone defensively reacts to you. ___
6. To stereotype someone is to behave toward that person in a way that the person finds offensive. ___
7. If a person is hallucinating, it is helpful to pretend that you can sense the same thing. ___
8. An expressive crowd has a leader and is organized by a plan. ___
9. Never attempt to control a hostile crowd on your own. ___
10. Part of active listening is restating what the person has said in your own words. ___
11. A supporting position is facing the person at an arm’s length distance. ___
12. Open-ended questions are used when you want specific information. ___
13. If a person is angry, it’s important not to lose eye contact with them. ___
14. If you must cross a picket line, keep vehicle windows up and doors locked. ___
15. Always help a person who looks like they need it. ___

2. Professionalism and Public Relations

1. Keeping secret things secret is an important part of security work. ___
2. All security guards do patrols. ___
3. Patrol and report are the security guard’s main duties. ___
4. In emergencies, security guards may be asked to help the police. ___
5. Another part of the security guard’s duty is to protect information. ___
6. Standard operating procedures include details such as who to contact in case of an emergency. ___

3. Access Control and Alarm Systems

1. The medium level of access control is used at shopping malls. ___
2. A gate is a method of access control at the perimeter of a property. ___
3. A proximity card is swiped on a reader to enter a locked building. ___
4. Fingerprints cannot be used for biometric identification. ___
5. Alarm systems can warn people about changes in humidity. ___
6. The three components of an alarm system are the sensor, transmitter, and control panel. ___
7. A magnetic sensor is activated by heat. ___
8. Two main reasons for false alarms are mechanical malfunctions and electrical problems. ___
9. You must complete a report after responding to a false alarm. ___

4. Types of Fire

1. To put out a fire involving rubber, throw water on it. ___
2. Fires need fuel, heat, and oxygen. ___
3. The first thing you should do when you detect a fire is call your supervisor. ___
4. Some materials, such as oily rags, can ignite on their own. ___
5. One way to extinguish a fire is to lower its temperature. ___
6. Smoke can cause you to lose muscle control. ___
7. Poor housekeeping is a major cause of fires. ___
8. You should walk close to walls in smoke-filled rooms. ___
9. Class C fires involve flammable liquids such as oil. ___
10. When using a fire extinguisher, sweep from side to side while aiming at the base of the fire. ___

5. The Security Guard and the Legal System

1. Security guards have almost the same legal powers as police officers. ___
2. You have the right to enter a tenant’s apartment if the tenant has been given 12 hours’ notice. ___
3. You are justified in using force to stop an assault. ___
4. Causing a disturbance is an indictable offence. ___
5. After you arrest someone, you must tell them the reason for the arrest. ___
6. Trespassing is included under Mischief in the Criminal Code. ___
7. You may routinely search employees if requested by the client. ___

6. Notebook Taking

1. The notes from your notebook could be used as evidence in court. ___
2. You should use a pen to write your notes. ___
3. Your opinion about an event is important when you write a report. ___
4. 1700 hours means the same as 7:00 p.m. ___
5. The words “Bravo” and “Dog” are used to make the letters B and D clearer on the radio or phone. ___
6. An incident report should include who, what, when, where, why, and how the event happened. ___
7. After a theft, you should complete an incident report. ___
8. The most reliable evidence is circumstantial evidence. ___
9. Photographs are examples of direct evidence. ___
10. After a crime, you should secure the area. ___
11. You should read from your notes when answering questions in court. ___

7. General Patrol Tactics and Practices

1. When using a flashlight, hold it close to your body. ___
2. One purpose of patrols is to look for machinery that is not working properly. ___
3. Patrols can be done on foot, by bicycle, or in a vehicle. ___
4. It’s sometimes acceptable to complete only half a patrol before returning to your post. ___
5. When patrolling a building, start from the bottom floor and move upward. ___
6. During nighttime patrols, walk quickly near windows and glass doors. ___
7. A security guard should arrest an intruder immediately upon seeing them. ___
8. Associating new information with what you already know helps memory retention. ___
9. Hearing is the most important sense to use when on patrol. ___

Final Note

The answers to these pretest questions are not provided here because you’ll learn everything during your security guard training course.
These statements are designed to make you think critically and prepare mentally for the lessons ahead.

To explore detailed explanations and answers, go through all the Security Guard Training Course Lessons on our website.
You can also practice with more tests, like the Security Guard Pretest Questions, to strengthen your knowledge before your final exam.

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