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Sample PSBD Security Guard Exam Practice Questions

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1Which government body regulates, licenses and examines private security guards across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates?

A.The Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA)

B.The Private Security Business Department (PSBD) of Abu Dhabi Police

C.The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

D.The National Security Institute (NSI)

Explanation: The Private Security Business Department (PSBD) is a unit of Abu Dhabi Police under the UAE Ministry of Interior. It sets standards, licenses companies and guards, examines candidates and enforces the Private Security Law. Formerly the PSBS, it became a federal department covering Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates.

2PSBD licensing applies to private security guards working in which group of emirates?

A.Dubai only

B.Abu Dhabi only

C.Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

D.All seven emirates including Dubai

Explanation: PSBD is the competent authority for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai is regulated separately by SIRA. A guard licensed by PSBD may not assume those credentials transfer automatically to Dubai.

3Where must a security guard complete the Basic Security Guard (BSG) training and evaluation before being licensed by PSBD?

A.Any private security company's in-house training centre

B.The National Security Institute (NSI)

C.The Dubai Police Academy

D.An online distance-learning provider of the candidate's choice

Explanation: Training and evaluation for PSBD-regulated guards is carried out by the National Security Institute (NSI), which is owned by the Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Police. In-house company training was stopped because some firms failed to follow police standards, so all guards must attend NSI.

4What is the pass mark a candidate must achieve on the NSI Basic Security Guard evaluation?

A.50 percent

B.60 percent

C.70 percent

D.90 percent

Explanation: NSI evaluates deportment, literacy and comprehension, notebook use and written understanding of the training materials. Students must pass each criterion at a minimum of 70 percent. A candidate who fails must repeat the whole course before reattempting the PSBD licensing exam.

5The overall goal of private security is best described as which of the following?

A.Arresting and prosecuting criminals on behalf of the police

B.The identification and prevention of problems that may cause harm or loss to the client

C.Replacing the public police force at protected sites

D.Collecting evidence for criminal court proceedings

Explanation: Private security is a commercial service whose goal is the identification and prevention of problems that may cause harm or loss to the client. The main role of private security in the UAE is prevention, protecting people, property and information rather than law enforcement.

6Private security exists to protect three core categories. Which set correctly lists them?

A.Vehicles, weapons and uniforms

B.People, property and information

C.Cash, gold and documents

D.Police, government and military

Explanation: Private security protects people (employers, employees and the public), property (buildings, equipment and materials) and information (documents, data, video and verbal information). Remembering these three categories helps a guard understand the full scope of what must be safeguarded.

7The Arabic word commonly used for security, "Amin", means which of the following?

A.Strong or powerful

B.Safe or free from danger

C.Watchful or alert

D.Honest or truthful

Explanation: The Arabic word for security, "Amin", means safe or free from danger. It reflects the purpose of the security guard role, which is to keep people, property and information safe by preventing harm and loss.

8A private security guard who witnesses a person committing a crime on protected premises should do which of the following?

A.Make a formal arrest and detain the person in a locked room indefinitely

B.Use any level of force needed to punish the offender

C.Detain the person only briefly using reasonable means and call the police immediately

D.Release the person and take no further action

Explanation: A guard is not a police officer. The lawful response is to detain a person only briefly and with reasonable means until the police arrive, and to report the crime to the police immediately. Indefinite detention, formal arrest and punitive force are not within a guard's powers.

9Regarding the use of force, what standard must a private security guard in the UAE apply?

A.Maximum force to deter future offenders

B.Only the minimum reasonable force necessary, and only when justified

C.Whatever force the client requests

D.Force equal to the value of the property being protected

Explanation: A guard may use only the minimum reasonable force necessary and only when it is justified, such as in self-defence or to briefly detain an offender until police arrive. Excessive force exposes the guard to separate criminal and civil liability under UAE law.

10When a private security guard deals with the police during an incident, which information should the guard request from the attending officer?

A.The officer's home address and personal mobile number

B.The officer's name, rank, contact number, police station and case number

C.A copy of the officer's salary record

D.Nothing, because guards may not speak to police officers

Explanation: When private security deals with police, the guard should record the officer's name, rank, contact telephone number, police station and case number. This creates an accurate handover record. Information normally flows one way, from private security to the police, not the reverse.

About the PSBD Security Guard Exam Exam

The Abu Dhabi PSBD Basic Security Guard exam is the certification a candidate must pass to be licensed as a private security guard across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah). After being employed by a licensed security company, the candidate completes Basic Security Guard (BSG) training at the NSI, which is owned by the Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Police, then sits the PSBD examination. The licence is valid for two years with annual NSI renewal training.

Assessment

Computer-based multiple-choice Basic Security Guard (BSG) written examination of approximately 60 questions, taken at the NSI under the control of Abu Dhabi Police, with results shown immediately after submission.

Time Limit

Computer-based; results displayed immediately on submission. Candidates should allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes.

Passing Score

70 percent. On the approximately 60-question exam this means about 38 of 60 questions answered correctly.

Exam Fee

Training and exam fees are the responsibility of the employing security company, not the guard. NSI training and PSBD examination fees are set by NSI and PSBD and change periodically. (Private Security Business Department (PSBD), Abu Dhabi Police; training and evaluation by the National Security Institute (NSI).)

PSBD Security Guard Exam Exam Content Outline

15%

Role of Security and Guard Duties

Prevention as the goal of private security; protecting people, property and information; static guarding, deterrence and the limits of the role.

15%

UAE Security Law and Legal Powers

Guard versus police powers, reasonable force, brief detention, consent-based searching, Federal Law 37, Decree 557 of 2008 and reporting crime.

13%

PSBD Regulation, Licensing and NSI

PSBD jurisdiction over Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, NSI training, licensing, inspection, two-year licence, renewal and offences and fines.

15%

Fire Safety and Emergencies

Fire triangle, extinguisher selection, PASS and RACE, evacuation and assembly points, bomb threats, suspicious packages, gas leaks and alarms.

10%

First Aid

DRABC, CPR, bleeding control, choking, heat illness and UAE summer midday outdoor work rules.

10%

Access Control and Searching

Visitor management and logs, key control, bag and vehicle searches and handling prohibited and found property.

CCTV and Surveillance

Active monitoring, footage as confidential evidence and managing camera faults and surveillance gaps.

Patrol and Observation

Varied patrols, using all senses, the 4Ds of physical security, night patrol and spotting suspicious behaviour.

Communication and Reporting

Radio discipline and phonetic alphabet, notebook and occurrence book, incident reports, shift handover and police liaison.

How to Pass the PSBD Security Guard Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70 percent. On the approximately 60-question exam this means about 38 of 60 questions answered correctly.
Assessment: Computer-based multiple-choice Basic Security Guard (BSG) written examination of approximately 60 questions, taken at the NSI under the control of Abu Dhabi Police, with results shown immediately after submission.
Time limit: Computer-based; results displayed immediately on submission. Candidates should allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes.
Exam fee: Training and exam fees are the responsibility of the employing security company, not the guard. NSI training and PSBD examination fees are set by NSI and PSBD and change periodically.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PSBD Security Guard Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn the memory aids that the exam tests directly: PASS for using a fire extinguisher, RACE for fire response, DRABC for first aid and the 4Ds of physical security.

2Be clear on the limits of a guard's powers: guards prevent, deter, observe and report, may use only reasonable force and may detain only briefly until police arrive, and they are not police officers.

3Memorise the UAE-specific facts examiners favour, including the PSBD emirates, the 70 percent pass mark, the two-year licence with annual NSI renewal, the 999 police number and that PSBD is separate from Dubai's SIRA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who regulates the PSBD security guard exam and which emirates does it cover?

The Private Security Business Department (PSBD) of Abu Dhabi Police, under the UAE Ministry of Interior, regulates and licenses private security guards across Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai is regulated separately by SIRA, so a PSBD licence is distinct from a Dubai SIRA licence.

How many questions are on the PSBD exam and what is the pass mark?

The Basic Security Guard written examination is a computer-based multiple-choice test of approximately 60 questions with a pass mark of 70 percent, meaning you need to answer roughly 38 of 60 correctly. Results are shown immediately after you submit the test.

Where is the training delivered and how long does it take?

Training and evaluation are delivered by the National Security Institute (NSI), which is owned by the Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Police. The Basic Security Guard course is classroom-based and instructor-led and typically runs over about five to eight days, after which the candidate sits the PSBD exam.

How long is the PSBD licence valid and how is it renewed?

The PSBD licence is valid for two years and is issued immediately after passing. Guards must also return to NSI every 12 months for annual renewal training; failing to take and pass it can result in the licence being withdrawn after one year.