100+ Free SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Exam

Total Exam Questions

SIA / Awarding Bodies

45 mins

Total Time Limit

SIA / Awarding Bodies

70%

Passing Score per Unit

SIA requirement

1 Day

Typical Course Length

Training providers

EFAW

First Aid Prerequisite

SIA entry requirement

ACT

Mandatory E-learning

ProtectUK / SIA

The SIA Security Guarding Top-Up is a mandatory refresher training qualification required to renew a UK front-line Security Guard licence. It consists of two multiple-choice exams totalling 26 questions (70% pass mark per unit) and a practical search assessment. The course covers counter-terrorism (ACT e-learning, Run Hide Tell, HOT assessment), dynamic risk assessment (NDM, Pop model), wands search procedures, body-worn cameras (BWV), safeguarding, and UK GDPR. This free practice bank contains 100 questions.

Sample SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SIA Security Guarding Top-Up exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary meaning of the acronym 'ACT' in the context of UK counter-terrorism?

A.Action Counters Terrorism

B.Active Counter Terrorists

C.Alertness and Custody Training

D.Anti-Terrorist Crisis Team

Explanation: ACT stands for Action Counters Terrorism. It is the key initiative by Counter Terrorism Policing and ProtectUK to encourage security operatives and the public to be vigilant, spot suspicious behavior, and report it to keep the public safe.

2Under the 'Run Hide Tell' guidance, what should you do with your mobile phone when hiding from an active attacker?

A.Keep it on ring so you can hear incoming police calls

B.Switch it to silent mode and turn off vibrate

C.Keep it on vibrate so you are alerted quietly

D.Turn it off completely so it cannot be tracked by GPS

Explanation: When hiding from an active attacker, you must turn your phone to silent mode and ensure that vibrate is switched off. A vibrating phone or ringtone can easily reveal your hiding place to a nearby attacker.

3What is the purpose of the official ProtectUK platform?

A.To book SIA license renewal exams directly

B.To provide real-time counter-terrorism advice, guidance, and training to businesses and individuals

C.To check the criminal records of security applicants

D.To track the GPS location of security guards in the UK

Explanation: ProtectUK is the official UK government information sharing platform that provides businesses, security operatives, and the public with counter-terrorism guidance, updates, and training resources like the ACT e-learning modules.

4In the counter-terrorism assessment of suspicious items, what does the letter 'H' in the 'HOT' protocol stand for?

A.Hidden

B.Hazardous

C.Heavy

D.Handheld

Explanation: The 'H' in the HOT protocol stands for 'Hidden'. This involves assessing whether the item has been deliberately concealed or hidden from view, which is a major indicator of a suspicious item.

5In the counter-terrorism assessment of suspicious items, what does the letter 'O' in the 'HOT' protocol stand for?

A.Obvious

B.Obscure

C.Ownerless

D.Oily

Explanation: The 'O' in the HOT protocol stands for 'Obvious' (or 'Obviously suspicious'). Operatives check if there are obvious visual anomalies, such as protruding wires, batteries, tape, liquids, or an unusual smell coming from the item.

6In the counter-terrorism assessment of suspicious items, what does the letter 'T' in the 'HOT' protocol stand for?

A.Typical

B.Timed

C.Triggered

D.Threatening

Explanation: The 'T' in the HOT protocol stands for 'Typical'. Operatives must assess whether the item is typical for that environment (for example, a suitcase at an airport terminal vs. a suitcase left behind a secure fire door).

7What are the steps of the '4 Cs' protocol used when a suspicious item is confirmed?

A.Contain, Cover, Call, Check

B.Confirm, Clear, Communicate, Control

C.Check, Cordon, Contact, Cooperate

D.Confront, Capture, Clear, Calm

Explanation: The correct steps of the 4 Cs protocol are Confirm (verify the item is suspicious), Clear (evacuate the area), Communicate (notify the control room and police), and Control (cordon off access to the area).

8When calling 999 to report a suspected bomb, what is the minimum safe distance for using a mobile phone or radio?

A.5 metres

B.15 metres

C.50 metres

D.100 metres

Explanation: The minimum safe distance to operate hand-held radios or mobile phones when reporting a suspected explosive device is 15 metres. Using them closer can potentially trigger a radio-controlled explosive device.

9What does the 'Tell' step in 'Run Hide Tell' primarily require you to do?

A.Tell your colleagues about the attacker on social media

B.Call the police on 999 immediately when it is safe to do so

C.Tell the attacker to stop their actions immediately

D.Tell your supervisor at the next shift handover

Explanation: The 'Tell' step requires you to contact the emergency services by calling 999 as soon as it is safe to do so, providing key information such as the location, number of attackers, and weapons involved.

10Which of the following is the best definition of 'hostile reconnaissance'?

A.A police patrol checking security guards' licensing credentials

B.Information gathering by individuals planning an attack on a target

C.An unannounced fire drill conducted by building management

D.A security audit carried out by an external Approved Contractor

Explanation: Hostile reconnaissance is the purposeful gathering of information (such as taking photos of security cameras, mapping access points, or recording patrol patterns) by individuals planning a criminal or terrorist attack.

About the SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Exam

The SIA Security Guarding Top-Up (Refresher) Award is the mandatory qualification for existing UK Security Guard licence holders seeking to renew their front-line licence. Introduced to align existing guards with updated security standards, the course is split into two modules: Terror Threat Awareness (covering ProtectUK, ACT e-learning, HOT protocol, and Run Hide Tell) and Minimising Personal Risk (covering lone working, wands search procedures, body-worn video, Ask for Angela safeguarding, and pocket notebook records).

Assessment

Two externally set multiple-choice exams: 10 questions for Terror Threat Awareness (20 minutes) and 16 questions for Minimising Personal Risk (25 minutes), plus practical assessments of search techniques.

Time Limit

45 minutes total (20 minutes and 25 minutes respectively)

Passing Score

70% per unit (7/10 for Terror Threat, 11/16 for Minimising Personal Risk)

Exam Fee

£99 - £200+ (course fee) + £184 (SIA licence renewal) (Security Industry Authority (SIA) via Ofqual-regulated Awarding Bodies)

SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Exam Content Outline

38%

Principles of Terror Threat Awareness

Understanding terror threats, attack methodologies, Run Hide Tell, identifying suspicious behavior, and counter-terrorism protocols like ACT.

62%

Principles of Minimising Personal Risk

Personal safety responsibilities, situational awareness, lone working safety, dynamic risk assessment, conflict de-escalation, safeguarding vulnerable people, and equipment like Body-Worn Video (BWV).

How to Pass the SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% per unit (7/10 for Terror Threat, 11/16 for Minimising Personal Risk)
Assessment: Two externally set multiple-choice exams: 10 questions for Terror Threat Awareness (20 minutes) and 16 questions for Minimising Personal Risk (25 minutes), plus practical assessments of search techniques.
Time limit: 45 minutes total (20 minutes and 25 minutes respectively)
Exam fee: £99 - £200+ (course fee) + £184 (SIA licence renewal)

Keys to Passing

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

SIA Security Guarding Top-Up Study Tips from Top Performers

1Thoroughly review your ACT e-learning materials, focusing on identifying hostile reconnaissance, conducting HOT assessments on unattended items, and executing Run Hide Tell protocols.

2Understand the key UK legal frameworks, especially Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 (reasonable force), PACE Section 24A (citizen's arrest for indictable offenses), and UK GDPR regarding BWV/CCTV data.

3Memorize the ELBOW rules for pocket notebook entries (Erasures, Leaves torn out, Blank spaces, Overwriting, Writing between lines) as these are highly testable.

4Study wands search protocols (keeping 2-5 cm distance, self-searching for pockets) and safeguarding initiatives like 'Ask for Angela'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SIA Security Guarding Top-Up course and why do I need it?

It is a mandatory refresher training course introduced by the SIA. As of April 2025, it is a legal requirement for all existing Security Guard licence holders in the UK to pass this qualification (or the newer Refresher qualification) before they can renew their front-line licence.

What are the entry prerequisites for the Top-Up training?

You must hold a valid Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or equivalent certificate with at least 12 months validity remaining at the start of the course. You must also complete the online ACT Awareness and ACT Security e-learning modules on ProtectUK prior to attending the training.

How is the SIA Security Guarding Top-Up exam structured?

The course is assessed via two multiple-choice exams: Principles of Terror Threat Awareness (10 questions, 20 minutes) and Principles of Minimising Personal Risk (16 questions, 25 minutes). You must achieve a pass mark of 70% in each unit (at least 7/10 and 11/16 correct). There is also a practical search assessment.

What topics are tested on the Top-Up / Refresher exams?

Key topics include counter-terrorism protocols (ACT, ProtectUK, HOT protocol, 4 Cs, Run Hide Tell, hostile reconnaissance), risk management (dynamic risk assessment, NDM, lone working safety), wands (hand-held metal detector) search procedures, Body-Worn Video (BWV) activation, safeguarding vulnerable individuals (Ask for Angela, drink spiking), pocket notebook (PNB) entry rules, and UK GDPR compliance.

How much does the course and licence renewal cost?

The Top-Up course fee is set by individual training providers and typically ranges from £99 to £200+. The separate SIA front-line licence renewal application fee is £184, paid directly to the SIA.