The TSA CBT test is divided into two parts: X-ray images and English Skills.
Let's start with the section that most candidates are nervous about - the X-ray test.
Free TSA X-Ray Practice Test
On the TSA X-Ray portion, you'll need to quickly decide whether you identify a given object or not, based on the question's instructions.
These objects may include forbidden items such as knives and other weapons, as well as everyday items, like toys, kitchenware, electronics, etc. Note that on the real test, you'll have 15 seconds per question.
Toys, Pens, Keys, and Shoes
Can you identify a toy in the X-ray image?
Yes, there's a toy in this X-ray scan.
A toy is a general term. In this bag, there is a toy truck.
The truck is entirely organic; thus, it appears orange, making it very hard to identify. There are no specific ways of identifying this item other than knowing it in advance.
If you are asked to identify a unique item, like the toy truck in this question, focus on its outlines to learn what it looks like.
Avoid memorizing its colors as they may change from one question to the next since toys can be made from different materials and have different densities.
Can you identify a pen in the X-ray image?
There's a pen in the scan. It appears green as it's made of plastic.
Can you identify a key in the X-ray image?
There’s no key in this scan.
Can you identify a shoe in the X-ray image?
A shoe appears in the x-ray, the sole appears bright green as it is made of dense rubber and the top part appears light green as it is made out of leather.
Search the items using a method to make sure you don't miss anything. Try scanning the bags in snake-like movements or dividing the suitcase into four parts and searching each one separately. Don’t forget to examine the outlines of the suitcase/bag for items that might be hidden there.
Water Bottles, Kitchen and Working Tools
Can you identify a water bottle in the X-ray image?
There’s no water bottle in this X-ray scan.
Can you identify a kitchen tool in the X-ray image?
A ladle appears in the X-ray scan. The handle appears orange as it is made of wood. Its bowl appears blue as it is made of metal.
Can you identify a working tool in the X-ray?
There's no working tool in this x-ray scan.
X-Ray machines present images that are colored based on the density of the scanned items. The denser the material, the darker it will appear.
Blue represents dense materials, such as metal, hard (dense) plastics, and different parts of
weaponry.Green represents less dense materials such as plastics and alloys (less dense metals).
Orange represents the least dense material, which is mostly biological material.
Watches, Electronics, and Flashlights
Can you identify a watch in the X-ray image?
There's a watch in this scan:
Can you identify an electronic item in the X-ray image?
There's no electronic item in this X-ray scan.
Can you identify a flashlight in the X-ray image?
There's no flashlight in this X-ray scan.
Under tight time constraints, it is common to mistake ordinary objects for targeted objects. Therefore, you should only mark 'Yes' if you actually see the targeted object.
Weapons
Can you identify a knife in the X-ray image?
Yes, there's a utility knife in this X-ray scan.
Utility knives may appear open or closed. In this question, the knife is closed. The blade and its other tools are visible inside of it.
Remember, if a shape has different colors, trying to understand them separately may help you identify the knife inside.
Can you identify a gun in the X-ray image?
There's no gun in this X-ray scan.
Can you identify a grenade in the X-ray?
Yes, there's a grenade in this X-ray scan.
When identifying an object that may be a grenade, look for the prominent features a grenade has – the lever and safety pin. The grenade in this question is masked using a tablet.
The grenade appears black because of the increased density of the grenade and the tablet together. Its lever, however, is sticking out and indicates its location.
Although most guns, knives and grenades are made of metal, they might come in different densities, thus appearing in the X-Rays as green or even orange!
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Free TSA CBT English Practice Test
The TSA screener English test includes three main topics: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Written Communication.
Reading Comprehension
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
A growing body of research suggests that the regular, high-level use of more than one language may actually improve early brain development. According to several different studies, command of two or more languages aggrandizes the ability to focus in the face of distraction, decide between competing alternatives, and disregard irrelevant information. These essential skills are grouped together, known in brain terms as ‘executive function’ and research suggests they develop ahead of time in bilingual children. While no one has yet identified the exact mechanism by which bilingualism boosts brain development, the advantage likely stems from the bilingual’s need to continually select the right language for a given situation.
#1 The research suggests that ‘executive function’ increases with the number of languages mastered.
- True on the basis of the passage.
- False on the basis of the passage.
- Not possible to say if the statement is true or false on the basis of the passage.
The correct answer is (3).
The passage mentions differences expected in ‘executive functions’ of the brain between children who have command of a single language and children who have mastered more than one.
However, it cannot be inferred that this effect continues as the number of languages continues to grow. For instance, it is not clear whether the difference in executive functions is also present between children who have command of two languages and children who have command of more than two languages.
#2 Which one of the following provides the best summary of the main point of the passage?
- It’s recommended to know more than one language.
- Bilingualism has significant advantages.
- Bilinguals have difficulties selecting the right language
- Bilingualism contributes to the development of ‘executive functions’.
The correct answer is (4).
The passage introduces two main themes: bilingualism and ‘executive functions’, emphasizing how the two are connected. The only distracter that offers an insight into this connection is D.
All three remaining distracters focus either on bilingualism or ‘executive functions’, failing to acknowledge the essence of the passage.
Vocabulary
Pecuniary most nearly means
- Affection
- Scant
- Unique
- Monetary
The correct answer is (4).
Pecuniary is related to money or banking, and means financial or monetary, as suggested by option 4.
IMPERIOUS is the opposite of...
- Arrogant
- Moody
- Subservient
- Quiet
- Stormy
The correct answer is (3).
Imperious means "domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing," so the antonym is subservient. Arrogant is a similar word but not a synonym. Quiet and stormy are not related.
Therefore, the correct answer is subservient.
Written Communication
Please identify which type of error appears in the sentence below:
Mrs. Qualitrix's meeting, has been postponed, due to a doctor's appointment.
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation and capitalization
- None of the above
The correct answer is (3) - punctuation and capitalization.
According to the English language's punctuation and capitalization rules, a comma should never separate the subject and the verb. The correct way to write the sentence - "Mrs. Qualitrix's meeting has been postponed due to a doctor's appointment" without any commas.
Please identify which type of error appears in the sentence below:
The heat of the desert affected the traveler greatly, and he regretted not leaving with the professor whom had offered him a ride to the city.
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation and capitalization
- None of the above
The correct answer is (1).
According to the English language's grammar rules, 'whom' should be applied when the noun refers to objects rather than the sentence's subject.
If you can replace the word with "she" or "he," use "who." if you can replace it with "her" or "him," use "whom." In this part of the sentence – "the professor… had offered him a ride" – the professor is the subject, and the traveler is the object.
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