TSA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TSA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. On a typical dual-energy X-ray display, a block of organic material with even density and wires attached to a battery should be treated as what? → A possible IED needing further screening
2. A TSA prompt asks 'Is it ever right to break the law?' What must your essay do first? → Interpret key terms such as 'right' and 'the law'
3. Which document element is checked by Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) at the podium? → The validity and authenticity of the passenger's ID against flight vetting
4. An ETD unit alarms several times in a row on unrelated passengers. What should the officer suspect first? → Possible contamination of the unit or work area
5. Two passengers start arguing loudly in the screening line. What should you do first? → Stay calm, use a neutral tone to de-escalate, and call for support if needed
6. A passenger's carry-on holds a 5-ounce bottle of sunscreen that is only half full. What should the officer do? → Explain that the container itself exceeds 3.4 ounces and cannot go through in the carry-on
7. A passenger's carry-on bag alarms and the officer needs to swab it for explosive residue. Which technology is used? → Explosives Trace Detection (ETD)
8. If checkpoint A is closed, all its passengers reroute to checkpoint B. A had 80 people and B had 40. What is B's new load? → 120
9. Which 49 CFR Part sets out the security program rules for U.S. aircraft operators, such as passenger airlines? → Part 1544
10. Why do screeners use the 'high penetration' function on an X-ray image? → To see into denser areas that look too dark at normal settings
11. Which of these items is on the TSA prohibited items list for carry-on bags? → Firearms and ammunition
12. Who generally performs a pat-down on a passenger? → An officer of the same gender as the passenger
13. Under TSA standard screening procedures, which travelers may generally keep their shoes on? → Children 12 and under
14. Which agency, now part of TSA, places armed federal law enforcement officers on commercial flights? → Federal Air Marshal Service
15. What is the purpose of documenting an ETD alarm and how it was resolved? → To keep an accurate record for accountability and follow-up
16. Identify the sentence with the correct use of an apostrophe. → The officer's badge was shiny.
17. In standard dual-energy X-ray imaging used at TSA checkpoints, what color typically represents organic materials such as food, clothing, and plastics? → Orange
18. The REAL ID Act sets federal standards for which type of document used at TSA checkpoints? → State-issued driver's licenses and identification cards
19. Passage: 'The checkpoint opened at 5:00 a.m. By 5:15 the line reached the terminal entrance, so a second lane was opened.' What can be reasonably inferred? → Passenger volume exceeded what one lane could handle.
20. You notice an unattended bag near the checkpoint. What should you do first? → Immediately alert your supervisor and follow the unattended baggage protocol
21. A candidate is asked how to respond when uncertain whether an item is prohibited. What is the safest approach? → Escalate for secondary screening or supervisor review
22. Which spatial-reasoning statement is true: a box rotated 90 degrees still has the same __? → Volume
23. When a bag is heavily cluttered and the screener cannot confidently see all items, what is the best practice? → Rescreen it, for example after removing or rearranging items, or send it for a bag search
24. A passenger presents a pacemaker and says it cannot go through the AIT scanner. What is the correct action? → Conduct a thorough physical pat-down as the alternative screening method
25. A passenger refuses to remove their shoes at the checkpoint. What is the correct procedure? → Explain the requirement and offer alternative screening if shoes are not removed
26. What should a passenger do if a checkpoint alarm sounds when they walk through the metal detector? → Cooperate with additional screening such as a pat-down
27. A traveler says they are uncomfortable with a pat-down in public view. What should an officer do? → Offer a private screening area if available
28. During a pat-down, a passenger expresses concern about privacy and modesty. How should you respond? → Explain each step, offer a private screening room, and use same-gender officer protocol
29. What key benefit does TSA PreCheck provide to enrolled travelers? → Expedited screening that allows shoes, laptops, and belts to remain on or in bags
30. A written item asks the candidate to identify the correct order of checkpoint steps. This assesses what competency? → Sequencing and procedural knowledge