These role-specific previews are published directly in the page HTML so you can review TSA-style screening, checkpoint, and image-interpretation logic before you start the interactive test. They are original practice scenarios, not official TSA exam questions.
Preview question 1 · reading
TSA policy states: "Liquids, aerosols, and gels must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100ml) or less, placed in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag, with one bag per passenger." A passenger presents a 2 oz bottle of lotion and a 3 oz bottle of shampoo in a gallon-sized clear bag. Is this compliant?
- A. Yes — both containers are under 3.4 oz
- B. No — the bag must be quart-sized, not gallon-sized
- C. Yes — the combined volume is under 3.4 oz
- D. No — lotion and shampoo cannot be in the same bag
Why it matters: The containers are compliant in size, but the bag is the wrong size — it must be quart-sized. A gallon-sized bag does not meet the requirement.
Preview question 2 · reading
For this checkpoint scenario, assume screening procedure states: "If an alarm is triggered during primary screening and cannot be resolved through secondary hand-wand screening, the passenger must be referred to a supervisor for enhanced screening." A passenger alarms the walk-through detector. The hand-wand also alarms near the hip area. The passenger states they have a hip replacement. What is the next step?
- A. Wave the passenger through — medical implants are automatically cleared
- B. Refer the passenger to a supervisor for enhanced screening
- C. Perform a pat-down of the hip area and clear the passenger
- D. Ask the passenger for medical documentation before proceeding
Why it matters: When primary and secondary screening both produce alarms that cannot be resolved, the procedure requires supervisor referral for enhanced screening. The officer does not make a solo determination to clear or deny.
Preview question 3 · reading
TSA prohibited items policy states: "Firearms are prohibited in carry-on baggage. Unloaded firearms in hard-sided locked containers may be transported in checked baggage with declaration to the airline." A passenger's carry-on X-ray reveals what appears to be a handgun. What is the required action?
- A. Ask the passenger if the item is real before taking further action
- B. Immediately refer the situation to a law enforcement officer and do not allow the passenger to touch the bag
- C. Remove the item from the bag and inspect it manually
- D. Allow the passenger to check the bag at the gate
Why it matters: A potential firearm in carry-on baggage is a law enforcement matter. TSA officers refer to law enforcement immediately and do not allow the passenger access to the bag — a real firearm in the passenger's hands at a checkpoint is a critical threat.
Preview question 4 · reading
For this checkpoint scenario, assume unattended-bag protocol states: "Any bag left unattended in a screening area for more than 2 minutes shall be treated as a potential security threat. The officer shall notify a supervisor immediately, clear the area if instructed, and not touch or move the bag." An officer notices a bag that has been sitting at the end of a screening belt for 3 minutes with no owner present. What should the officer do?
- A. Open the bag to check the contents and identify the owner
- B. Move the bag to the lost and found
- C. Notify a supervisor immediately and do not touch the bag
- D. Make an announcement asking the owner to return
Why it matters: The protocol is explicit: notify a supervisor and do not touch or move the bag. Announcements and lost-and-found are not part of the security response for an unattended bag exceeding the time threshold.
Preview question 5 · reading
For this checkpoint scenario, assume behavior-observation guidance states: "Officers shall not deny boarding or take enforcement action based solely on behavioral indicators. Behavioral observations must be combined with articulable, objective information before referral." An officer notices a passenger is sweating heavily and avoiding eye contact. Based on this alone, what action is appropriate?
- A. Deny boarding — the behavior is suspicious
- B. Refer immediately to law enforcement based on the behavioral indicators
- C. Continue observing and seek additional articulable information before taking any referral action
- D. Conduct enhanced screening of the passenger's bags immediately
Why it matters: Behavioral indicators alone are insufficient for referral or enforcement action. The officer must combine observations with additional objective information. Sweating and eye contact avoidance have many innocent explanations.
Preview question 6 · math
A checkpoint has 3 lanes, each processing an average of 180 passengers per hour. How many passengers does the checkpoint process in an 8-hour shift?
- A. 3,600
- B. 4,080
- C. 4,320
- D. 4,800
Why it matters: 3 lanes × 180 passengers/hour × 8 hours = 4,320 passengers.
Preview question 7 · math
A screening station processes 220 passengers per hour. An average of 7% require secondary screening. Approximately how many secondary screenings occur per 4-hour block?
- A. 52
- B. 58
- C. 62
- D. 66
Why it matters: 220 × 0.07 = 15.4 secondary screenings per hour. 15.4 × 4 = 61.6 ≈ 62.
Preview question 8 · math
A TSA officer earns $24.60/hour. The shift is 8 hours with two 15-minute paid breaks and one 30-minute unpaid lunch. How much does the officer earn in one shift?
- A. $172.20
- B. $184.50
- C. $189.42
- D. $196.80
Why it matters: The 30-minute lunch is unpaid, so paid time is 8.0 − 0.5 = 7.5 hours. The two 15-minute breaks are paid and stay inside that 7.5-hour total. Earnings are 7.5 × $24.60 = $184.50.
Preview question 9 · math
A checkpoint confiscates an average of 8 prohibited items per 100 passengers screened. On a day with 1,650 passengers, approximately how many prohibited items would be expected?
- A. 116
- B. 124
- C. 132
- D. 141
Why it matters: 1,650 × 0.08 = 132 prohibited items.
Preview question 10 · math
Lost-and-found begins the week with 47 unclaimed items. During the week, 23 items are claimed by owners, 6 items are donated per policy after 30 days, and 18 new unclaimed items are added. How many items remain at the end of the week?
- A. 34
- B. 36
- C. 38
- D. 40
Why it matters: 47 − 23 − 6 + 18 = 36 items remaining.
Preview question 11 · logic
X-ray screening protocol requires a second review of any image that shows an organic mass overlapping with a dense object. An officer notices what appears to be a book (organic) pressing against a metallic object of unclear shape. What is the required action?
- A. Clear the bag — books commonly appear next to personal items
- B. Flag the bag for physical inspection
- C. Ask the passenger what is in the bag before deciding
- D. Run the bag through the X-ray a second time only
Why it matters: The protocol triggers a second review when an organic mass overlaps a dense object. The correct action is to flag the bag for physical inspection — passenger disclosure does not substitute for the required physical check.
Preview question 12 · logic
Screening lane rules: PreCheck passengers use Lane 1 only. Standard passengers use Lanes 2–4. Passengers with mobility devices use Lane 2 only. A PreCheck passenger uses a wheelchair. Which lane should they use?
- A. Lane 1 — PreCheck supersedes the mobility rule
- B. Lane 2 — mobility device rule supersedes PreCheck lane assignment
- C. Either Lane 1 or Lane 2 at the officer's discretion
- D. The passenger must choose between PreCheck and mobility accommodations
Why it matters: The mobility device accommodation (Lane 2) is an ADA-related access requirement. Access accommodations take precedence over program-based lane assignments. The passenger uses Lane 2.
Preview question 13 · logic
All passengers with a CLEAR membership must still pass TSA screening. Some CLEAR members use PreCheck. If a passenger has CLEAR but not PreCheck, which must be true?
- A. They bypass TSA screening entirely via CLEAR
- B. They must complete standard TSA screening
- C. They automatically receive PreCheck benefits through CLEAR
- D. They may choose any screening lane
Why it matters: CLEAR expedites identity verification but does not replace TSA screening. All passengers — including CLEAR members — must pass TSA security screening. Without PreCheck, they use standard screening lanes.
Preview question 14 · logic
An officer's shift processes three categories of passengers: standard (85%), PreCheck (12%), and crew (3%). In a 4-hour block processing 800 passengers, how many are PreCheck passengers?
- A. 84
- B. 90
- C. 96
- D. 102
Why it matters: 800 × 0.12 = 96 PreCheck passengers.
Preview question 15 · logic
A passenger is flagged for secondary screening. While waiting, the passenger's flight departure is in 12 minutes and they are becoming agitated. Another officer mentions the gate is a long walk. What determines whether secondary screening proceeds?
- A. The passenger's flight time — security cannot cause a missed flight
- B. Secondary screening must proceed regardless of the passenger's flight status
- C. The supervising officer makes a risk-based judgment call to skip screening
- D. The airline must be consulted before screening can proceed
Why it matters: Secondary screening is a security requirement that cannot be waived based on flight schedule. A passenger's urgency — however understandable — does not override the security process. Supervisors may expedite, but screening must be completed.