Free TSA CBT Practice Test 2025

The TSA CBT (Computer-Based Test) is a required pre-employment exam used by the Transportation Security Administration to assess candidates applying for the role of Transportation Security Officer (TSO). It includes either a traditional version with X-ray image analysis and English skills assessment or a newer short version testing spatial and cognitive abilities. Passing the TSA CBT is essential to move forward in the TSA hiring process.

There are two versions of the TSA CBT, depending on your test location:

How to Know Which TSA Test You’ll Take

Check your Pearson VUE scheduling email. If it includes the line:

“This assessment is not an English language proficiency assessment”

you’re scheduled for the short TSA test. Otherwise, expect the full TSA CBT with English and X-ray sections.

If you're taking the short version of the TSA test, you'll face three timed visual challenges:

• 2D to 3D Shape Folding

• Image Matching

• Connect the Dots (Letters, Numbers, Mixed)

If you're preparing for the traditional TSA CBT, your focus should be:

• X-ray Object Recognition (identifying weapons, tools, or banned items in luggage)

• English Skills Assessment:

  • Grammar and syntax

  • Reading comprehension

  • Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms)

Practice tests for both versions help improve your speed, focus, and confidence.

In these TSA CBT test questions, you are given a flat, 2D shape (often with markings or labels on various segments) and asked to visualize how it would look when folded into a 3D object. You will be asked to match numbers on the faces of the 2D shape to the corresponding letters on the faces of the folded 3D shape.

Figure Folding requires methodical work, attention to detail, and an understanding of 3D figures. In the second example, while some 3D components overlap, the shape that connects them is unique, making it easier to track. Developing a methodical workflow will improve your accuracy. Find many examples in our All-Inclusive TSA CBT PrepPack.

In Shape Match questions, you are given a target shape and must quickly identify the matching shape from a series of other shapes. The matching shape may be rotated or scaled, adding to the complexity. On the actual TSA CBT exam, time counts forward. While there's no time limit, answering quickly can improve your score.

On these TSA CBT test questions, you are presented with numbers and/or letters scattered on the screen. You'll need to connect them numerically (1-2-3...), then alphabetically (A-B-C...), and finally sequentially (1-A-2-B-3-C...). This section of the TSA computer-based test assesses your speed and accuracy. It primarily focuses on the ease of switching between the alphabetical and numerical tasks.

It is similar to a common assessment of task shifting known as the Trail Making Test.

The X-ray section of the TSA Computer-Based Test (CBT) is one of the most challenging parts of the exam. It’s designed to test your ability to identify potential threats inside passenger luggage using color-coded images. This section is part of the traditional 2.5-hour TSA CBT, alongside an English assessment, and is administered at TSA testing centers.

• Duration: 15 seconds per image
• Question Types: Identify whether a specified item (e.g., gun, knife, water bottle) appears in the image
• Scoring: Based on accuracy and speed. Incorrect guesses or missed threats can reduce your score

You'll see scanned images of bags containing both harmless and prohibited items. Your job is to quickly and confidently decide if the target item is present.

The TSA X-Ray test (also used by GardaWorld) images are color-coded based on material density:

💡 Important: Focus on structural features over color. Some items may appear in unexpected shades depending on their composition. Focus on structure and outline.

The test mixes everyday items with potential threats. You may be asked to find or rule out:

• Tools: wrench, screwdriver, spatula
• Household items: pen, key, shoe, watch
• Electronics: charger, headphones, flashlight
• Weapons: knife, gun, grenade

Let’s go through sample questions so you can get a feel for what to expect.

💡 Avoid memorizing the item's colors as they may change from one question to the next depending on the item's specific materials and densities – as can be seen in the following questions.  

How can you be certain of your observation?

If there was a key in the image, it would probably appear in blue (since it is made of metal). Like the TSA CBT exam, our practice test contains images with no concealed items. You must be able to memorize the different traits and structures you are looking for to quickly rule out the presence of items in the images.

Some images may be more challenging, with items that are more difficult to identify. See if you can spot the requested item in the following question: 

Now try to solve this next set of questions, with different items to identify:

Some items such as water bottles are more distinct, and as seen in the examples above, their absence is clear. In the second example, common knowledge (spatula being made of wood) can be utilized to answer the question successfully. However, there are a variety of working tool items that may be more challenging to identify.

In our TSA Preparation Pack, you will find a variety of items and guidelines to help you learn about the features of different tools, so you are able to recognize any described item during the X-ray test.

Now try this next set of questions, with new and varying items:

💡 Note – here you can spot a distinctive metal water bottle. However, since the question requires finding an electronic device, you should ignore the water bottle and any item that is not an electronic device. Make sure to always read and follow the instructions before each question. 

What traits should you look for to find electronic items?

A plug: pay attention to the different kinds of plugs (EU, US, AU, UK)

Colors: Many electronic items have a plastic wrap and inside of it are metal parts. The density of the metal parts shows as green or blue, so you can notice the chips, batteries, wires, and other metallic components inside the electronic object.

💡 An important note about knives:

On the actual TSA Computer-Based Test, you'll need to identify different kinds of knives, from large knives to utility knives, sharp nail filers, and even scissors. All these examples and more can be found in the wide variety of questions in our complete TSA Preparation Pack. 

Usually, the body of the grenade appears in green or blue. However, it is better to learn to identify its parts rather than relying on the colors, as they may look different in other X-Ray machines. Since the grenade may vary in shape, it is best to learn the different structures of different grenades and be prepared to identify them in any variation in the real test. 

The TSA screener English test (also known as the TSA Writing Skills Assessment) includes Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Written Communication. Your TSA exam may contain some or all of these topics.

💡 Tips for Reading Comprehension:

• Read the questions first before reading the passage.
• Answer the easiest questions first.
• Base all answers strictly on the passage—do not assume external knowledge.

💡 Tips for Synonym & Antonym Questions:

• Eliminate at least two answer choices with similar meanings.
• Use prefixes & suffixes to determine meanings.
• For antonyms, first identify if the given word has a positive or negative connotation.

 Read the following passage and try answering the questions below:

Common grammar mistakes you should be familiar with:

1. Adding a comma where it's inappropriate or forgetting to add a comma where needed.

2. Pronoun disagreement: for example - "Every TSA agent must wear their own badge."

3. Mistakes in apostrophe usage.

4. Sentence fragments- sentences without a subject and a verb.

5. No clear antecedent. For example - "The TSO found the passenger's Swiss knife, and he was surprised."

7. Mixing up spellings, such as you're/your, to/too, there/their, etc.

8. Capitalization mistakes.

For more vocabulary assessing exams, check out our Free Wonderlic Test Practice.

Below you'll find valuable resources for the other steps you need to pass during the Transportation Security Administration hiring process.

• TSA CBT Hiring Process Guide
• Airport Assessment
• Medical Evaluation
• Drug Test
• Background Check
• Ready Pool
• Orientation
• Training
• TSA scores

The entire process may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

The application timeline for the TSA varies depending on the number of vacancies in the government department.

You may submit your application online and wait months to hear back from the TSA before a vacancy in your area becomes available. However, if an opening opens immediately, you could hear from the department the next day.

The length of the hiring process is also determined by how well you do on the TSA CBT (Computer-Based Test). Candidates with higher scores get job offers more quickly.

Get your hands on our free TSA CBT practice test in a downloadable PDF format. Perfect for offline study, this printable version includes sample X-ray image questions, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar practice — all based on the real TSA exam.

TSOs (Transportation Security Officers) screen passengers and luggage at U.S. airports to ensure public safety.

Starting Salary: ~$37,000–$42,000/year
With Experience: $50,000+ possible (incl. overtime)
Benefits: Paid training, health insurance, federal retirement plan, and advancement opportunities

Passing the TSA test is required to qualify for this role.