100+ Free TSA TSO CBT Practice Questions
Pass your TSA Transportation Security Officer Computer-Based Test (CBT) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Read the passage: 'TSA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) require officers to resolve every alarm prior to releasing a bag back to the passenger.' What does the passage state must happen before a bag is returned?
Explore More Civil Service Exams
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
More From This Family
Videos and articles for deeper review.
Key Facts: TSA TSO CBT Exam
2
Legacy CBT Sections
JobTestPrep / Mometrix
~2.5 hrs
Legacy CBT Duration
TestHQ / iPrep
Pass/Fail
Score Reporting
JobTestPrep TSA guide
$0
Candidate Fee
TSA Careers
6 months
Retake Wait
JobTestPrep TSA guide
~30%
First-Attempt Pass Rate
TestHQ / industry estimate
3.4 oz
3-1-1 Liquid Limit
TSA.gov 'What Can I Bring?'
~15 sec
Per X-ray Image
iPrep TSA CBT guide
The TSA TSO CBT is the legacy ~2.5-hour computer-based screening exam for Transportation Security Officer hiring, with two sections: X-ray Object Recognition (~100 images at ~15 seconds each, covering firearms, knives, ammunition, explosives, aerosols, oversize liquids, and martial-arts weapons) and English Skills (~30 items on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing clarity at high-school level). Results are Pass/Fail, with passers categorized Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified. There is no candidate fee. Roughly 30% of candidates pass on their first attempt. Failed candidates must wait 6 months and typically get one additional attempt. A newer TAB (TSA Aptitude Battery) format with 2D-to-3D shape folding, connect-the-dots, and image matching is used at a small share of airports. After passing the CBT, candidates proceed to color vision test, medical, drug screen, background investigation, and TSA Academy training at FLETC-Glynco, Georgia.
Sample TSA TSO CBT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your TSA TSO CBT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1The TSA TSO Computer-Based Test (CBT) at legacy airports consists of which two primary sections?
2Approximately how long does the legacy TSA CBT take to complete?
3Under TSA policy, a candidate who fails the CBT must wait at least how long before reapplying?
4How much does a candidate pay TSA to take the CBT?
5Approximately what percentage of TSA TSO candidates pass the CBT on their first attempt?
6On a typical TSA dual-energy X-ray display, what does an orange tint usually indicate?
7On the X-ray image, you observe a dense, dark item with a distinct L-shaped outline, a grip, a barrel, and a trigger guard. Which of the following best identifies the item?
8On the X-ray image, you observe a long, dense blade with a single straight edge, a tang, and a molded handle without a hinge. Which of the following best identifies the item?
9On the X-ray image, you observe a row of small cylindrical brass-colored objects, each with a rounded tip and a flat base. Which of the following best identifies the item?
10On the X-ray image, you observe two long metallic rods joined by a short chain, each terminating in a weighted ball. Which of the following best identifies the item?
About the TSA TSO CBT Exam
The TSA TSO CBT is the computer-based screening test for the Transportation Security Officer position. The legacy format has two sections — X-ray Object Recognition (XRAY) and English Skills — and runs about 2.5 hours. A newer TAB (TSA Aptitude Battery) format with 2D-to-3D shape folding, connect-the-dots, and image matching is used at a small share of airports. The CBT is one of the first major hurdles in the TSO hiring pipeline.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
~2.5 hours (legacy CBT)
Passing Score
Pass/Fail; passers categorized Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified
Exam Fee
No fee — part of TSA federal hiring (TSA-contracted in-person test centers)
TSA TSO CBT Exam Content Outline
X-ray Object Recognition Test (XRAY)
Identify TSA-prohibited items on simulated checkpoint X-ray images: firearms, knives, ammunition, explosives and IED components, aerosols, oversize liquids, martial-arts weapons, and replicas.
English Skills Test
Reading comprehension, vocabulary in security context, grammar (subject-verb agreement, parallelism, punctuation), sentence completion, and concise writing at roughly 8th-12th grade level.
Situational Judgment & Customer Service
TSA SOP scenarios: PreCheck handling, pat-down protocols, religious/medical accommodation, TSA Cares, supervisor escalation (LTSO/STSO), and reportable incidents.
Basic Aptitude / Reasoning
Numerical reasoning, percentages, sequence patterns, simple syllogisms, multi-step directions, and visual rotation/mirror-image proxies for X-ray skill.
How to Pass the TSA TSO CBT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Pass/Fail; passers categorized Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: ~2.5 hours (legacy CBT)
- Exam fee: No fee — part of TSA federal hiring
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
TSA TSO CBT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TSA TSO CBT?
The TSA Transportation Security Officer Computer-Based Test (CBT) is TSA's primary screening assessment in the TSO hiring pipeline. The legacy version has two sections — X-ray Object Recognition (XRAY) and English Skills — and runs about 2.5 hours.
What sections are on the TSA TSO CBT?
The legacy CBT has two main sections: X-ray Object Recognition (~100 images at ~15 seconds each) and an English Skills Test (~30 items covering grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension). A newer TAB format used at select airports has 2D-to-3D shape folding, connect-the-dots, and image matching.
How long is the TSA TSO CBT?
The legacy CBT takes about 2.5 hours total, with each section timed. The newer TAB format is shorter at roughly 25-45 minutes.
How is the TSA TSO CBT scored?
The test is Pass/Fail. Candidates who pass are further categorized as Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified, which affects competitiveness for job offers.
How much does the TSA TSO CBT cost?
There is no candidate fee. The CBT is part of TSA's federal hiring process for the Transportation Security Officer position.
Can I retake the TSA TSO CBT if I fail?
Yes — candidates who fail must wait at least 6 months before reapplying, and are typically allowed one additional CBT attempt.
What is the TSA TSO CBT pass rate?
TSA does not publish an official pass rate, but widely cited industry test-prep estimates put the first-attempt pass rate around 30%.
What happens after I pass the CBT?
After passing, candidates proceed through additional steps: Color Vision Test, medical exam, drug screening, background investigation, and (upon hire) TSA Academy training at FLETC-Glynco in Georgia.
What does the X-ray section cover?
The XRAY section tests recognition of TSA-prohibited items including firearms, knives, ammunition, explosives, aerosols, oversize liquids, martial-arts weapons, and replica weapons, often with ~15 seconds per image.
Is the TSA TSO CBT the same as the TAB?
The TAB (TSA Aptitude Battery) is a newer, shorter assessment used at a small share of airports as a replacement for the legacy CBT. Most candidates still take the legacy CBT with X-ray and English Skills sections.