ServSafe Alcohol Practice Test and Answers for Primary and Advanced Certification
There are two ServSafe Alcohol tests. The ServSafe Alcohol Primary and the ServSafe Alcohol Advanced. Check with your local health department or restaurant association to determine which one you need.
ServSafe Alcohol certification is not accepted in every state. Or there may be supplemental information that is different for each jurisdiction. These practice tests are based on the most common questions found in all municipalities.
ServSafe Alcohol Primary
The ServSafe Alcohol Primary exam is the easier one of the two. There are 40 questions and you must achieve a score of at least 75% in order to pass. That means that you need to correctly answer at least 30 of the questions correctly.
The ServSafe Alcohol Primary exam does not need to be taken under the supervision of a proctor. You are allowed to take it at home.
ServSafe Alcohol Advanced
The ServSafe Alcohol Advanced exam is more difficult. There are 70 questions but you are only graded on 60 of them. The remaining 10 are “pilot” questions to determine if they will be included in future exams. You need to score at least 80% in order to pass. This means that you must correctly answer at least 48 of the 60 graded questions.
The ServSafe Alcohol exam must be taken in the presence of a proctor, you are not allowed to take the test alone.
Tap the blue start button to begin. Use the arrows to view the next or previous question. Good luck!
Primary ServSafe Alcohol Test (40 Questions)
Question 1 |
A recipe for a margarita includes 2 ounces of 80-proof tequila, and 1 ounce of 80-proof Grand Marnier. How many standard drinks does this recipe contain?
A | 3 |
B | 4 |
C | 2 |
D | 1 |
Question 2 |
How many drinks are in a 2-ounce glass of 100-proof whiskey?
A | 3 |
B | 2 |
C | 1 |
D | 4 |
Question 3 |
What is one thing you should do if a fight happens?
A | Physically restrain the more aggressive person. |
B | Physically separate the fighting parties. |
C | Move other guests away from the fight. |
D | Wait to see if it ends on its own. |
Question 4 |
Which is true about liquor laws?
A | Municipal liquor laws can be stricter than state liquor laws. |
B | Violation of liquor laws will not result in an establishment losing its liquor license. |
C | Obtaining a liquor license is the right of every operation. |
D | Only the local liquor authority has the responsibility for monitoring and enforcing liquor laws. |
Question 5 |
What is the purpose of an ID reader?
A | To detect cracks or dents in IDs. |
B | To confirm ID validity. |
C | To display information from bar codes or magnetic stripes. |
D | To detect holograms on IDs. |
Question 6 |
It is against the law in most states to drive with what Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?
A | .08 or higher. |
B | .06 or higher. |
C | .05 or higher. |
D | .03 or higher. |
Question 7 |
What is the best type of food to serve to a guest to help prevent intoxication?
A | Food high in sugar |
B | Salty food items |
C | Food high in fat |
D | Food high in carbohydrates |
Question 8 |
How old must a person be to purchase alcohol in most states?
A | 21 years old. |
B | 19 years old. |
C | 18 years old. |
D | 20 years old. |
Question 9 |
All other factors being the same, who’s BAC would be highest after drinking a 12-ounce beer?
A | Woman, aged 60 |
B | Man, aged 25 |
C | Man, aged 60 |
D | Woman, aged 25 |
Question 10 |
What should you do if a guest is intoxicated when she arrives at your establishment?
A | Use physical force to stop her from entering |
B | Serve the guest no more than 1 alcoholic drink. |
C | Serve the guest but keep a close eye on her. |
D | Do not serve her any alcohol. |
Question 11 |
What do dram shop laws allow a person injured by an intoxicated guest to do?
A | Sue the bartender who served the intoxicated guest, the business, and the business owner. |
B | Sue the business, but not the bartender who served the intoxicated guest. |
C | Sue the bartender who served the intoxicated guest, but not the business owner. |
D | Sue the business, but not the business owner. |
Question 12 |
Three visibly intoxicated men order beer, and their designated driver orders a soft drink. What action must the server take?
A | Inform the party that they will not be served any more alcohol. |
B | Offer the party food in addition to the drinks. |
C | Serve the party the beer and cola. |
D | Confirm that the designated driver is sober. |
Question 13 |
A person who is losing their train of thought is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?
A | Slowed reaction time |
B | Impaired motor coordination |
C | Relaxed inhibitions |
D | Impaired judgment |
Question 14 |
What action should be taken if you see a guest pass a drink to an underage person?
A | Allow the guests to continue drinking. |
B | Discreetly ask intoxicated guests to leave. |
C | If the drinks were purchased by an adult, no action is required. |
D | Stop service and remove the alcohol. |
Question 15 |
Which will result in a reduction of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream and help them sober up?
A | Passage of time |
B | Exercising vigorously |
C | Taking a cold shower |
D | Drinking coffee |
Question 16 |
A guest arrived at a bar at 12:00 p.m. By 2:00 p.m., he had consumed 4 12-ounce beers. How many drinks remain in the guest’s body at 2:00 p.m.?
A | 2 |
B | 3 |
C | 4 |
D | 1 |
Question 17 |
Which should be avoided when telling people that you have to stop service?
A | Citing company policy |
B | Expressing concern |
C | Using “you” statements |
D | Being firm |
Question 18 |
A person who is complaining about the strength of a drink after drinking others of the same strength is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?
A | Slowed reaction time |
B | Impaired judgment |
C | Relaxed inhibitions |
D | Impaired motor coordination |
Question 19 |
Which is true in relation to criminal and civil liability?
A | Criminal liability applies to the employees of an establishment, while civil liability applies only to the actual owners. |
B | Criminal and civil liability are the same thing. |
C | Criminal liability is being held responsible for committing a crime, while civil liability is being responsible for payment of
damages. |
D | Both criminal and civil liability can result in a prison sentence. |
Question 20 |
How many drinks are in a 3-ounce glass of 80-proof vodka?
A | 1 |
B | 4 |
C | 3 |
D | 2 |
Question 21 |
What is the percentage of alcohol in an 80-proof bottle of vodka?
A | 30% |
B | 40% |
C | 10% |
D | 20% |
Question 22 |
An ID with a raised photo is an example of
A | validity. |
B | an ID issued to a non-citizen. |
C | an ID issued to someone under the age of 21. |
D | tampering. |
Question 23 |
Other than being intact and current, what other features must an ID have in order to be valid?
A | Birth date, photo, and magnetic stripe
|
B | Birth date, photo, and hologram
|
C | Birth date, photo, and signature |
D | Birth date, photo, and state seal |
Question 24 |
What should you say to a guest when stopping service?
A | “Sorry sir, but you’re having trouble talking, so we think you’ve had enough.” |
B | “Sorry sir, but you’ve had enough and I will not be able to serve you any more alcohol.” |
C | “Sorry sir, but you might hurt someone if we gave you another drink, so we can’t serve you anymore tonight.”
|
D | “Sorry sir, but I’m not able to serve you any more alcohol this evening.” |
Question 25 |
When must you stop serving alcohol to guests?
A | When they have finished drinking their second drink |
B | When their BAC is .10 or higher |
C | When they do not have a designated driver |
D | When they look or act intoxicated |
Question 26 |
What should you do if a guest is intoxicated when he arrives at your establishment?
A | Find out where he was drinking previously and report it to the police. |
B | Physically prevent him from entering. |
C | Serve him alcohol if he agrees to take a cab home. |
D | Do not serve him alcohol. |
Question 27 |
What is the first thing you should do before stopping service to a guest?
A | Bring the guest a soft drink. |
B | Fill out an incident report. |
C | Alert a backup. |
D | Call the police. |
Question 28 |
What feature is added to a minor ID in most states to indicate that it was issued to a person younger than 21?
A | A vertical format |
B | A hologram |
C | A magnetic strip |
D | A state seal |
Question 29 |
What feature is often added to IDs to keep them secure?
A | Ultraviolet text and features |
B | Toll-free verification hotline numbers |
C | Blank backs |
D | Digitally blurred photos |
Question 30 |
Two men of equal height drank 3 shots of 80-proof whiskey in 1 hour. One man was overweight and the other had an athletic build. Which man will have the higher BAC?
A | The overweight man |
B | The athletic man |
C | They will have the same BAC |
D | There is no way to determine who will have a higher BAC |
Question 31 |
A guest has a birthday of January 1, 1998. In what year do they turn 21?
A | 2018 |
B | 2019 |
C | 2020 |
D | 2021 |
Question 32 |
Which behavior is a sign that a guest is experiencing impaired judgment?
A | Becoming forgetful |
B | Becoming depressed |
C | Drinking faster |
D | Talking slowly |
Question 33 |
The liver breaks down alcohol in the body at what rate?
A | 4 drinks per hour. |
B | 3 drinks per hour. |
C | 2 drinks per hour. |
D | 1 drink per hour. |
Question 34 |
When is the best time to inform a guest that you have to stop alcohol service?
A | Before the person has ordered food |
B | After you have arranged a safe ride home for the person |
C | When the person tries to order another drink |
D | As you serve the person’s last drink |
Question 35 |
What should you do if you have checked a guest’s ID and are still not sure if she is old enough to drink?
A | Ask the guest a question only a person of their age would know. |
B | Ask for a second valid ID. |
C | Ask another server for a second opinion. |
D | Ask the guest’s friend to verify her age. |
Question 36 |
What is the best thing to do when liquor authorities enter your establishment?
A | Discontinue all alcohol service until the authorities leave. |
B | Find a coworker who will confirm to the authorities that you have not been serving minors. |
C | Notify your manager. |
D | Discreetly ask intoxicated guests to leave. |
Question 37 |
A guest who appeared very shy upon arrival at the establishment, is now acting very friendly and overly flirty. Which sign of intoxication is this guest exhibiting?
A | Impaired judgment |
B | Slowed reaction time |
C | Impaired motor coordination |
D | Relaxed inhibitions |
Question 38 |
Civil penalties may include which of the following?
A | Fines. |
B | Payment of damages. |
C | Serving prison time. |
D | Probation. |
Question 39 |
Most of the alcohol that a person drinks is absorbed into the bloodstream from which organ?
A | Brain |
B | Small intestine |
C | Liver |
D | Stomach |
Question 40 |
Which is an acceptable form of identification?
A | School ID |
B | Passport |
C | Birth Certificate |
D | Voter's Registration Card |
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Next Question
Advanced ServSafe Alcohol Test (60 Questions)
Question 1 |
Which food is mostly likely to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream?
A | Garden salad |
B | Cheese sticks |
C | Wheat bread |
D | Unsalted pretzels |
Question 2 |
In most states, how old must you be to purchase alcohol?
A | 21 |
B | 19 |
C | 18 |
D | 20 |
Question 3 |
If a guest makes irrational or argumentative statements and starts buying drinks for strangers is exhibiting?
A | Impaired motor coordination. |
B | Relaxed inhibitions. |
C | Impaired judgment.
|
D | Slowed reaction time. |
Question 4 |
What should you do to verify that an ID belongs to a guest?
A | Compare the ID to confiscated fake IDs. |
B | Compare the guest to someone of the same approximate age. |
C | Compare the ID to an ID listed in an ID-checking guide. |
D | Compare the guest to the physical characteristics on the ID. |
Question 5 |
Call police if a guest:
A | Becomes intoxicated. |
B | Is denied alcohol. |
C | Complains about being refused alcohol. |
D | Exhibits threatening or abusive behavior |
Question 6 |
What is the best type of food for preventing intoxication?
A | Food high in carbohydrates. |
B | Food high in fat. |
C | Food high in sugar. |
D | Food high in salt. |
Question 7 |
What step should be taken after stopping service?
A | Remind the guest that they are drunk and you had to stop service. |
B | Demand that the guest leave immediately. |
C | Inform coworkers that service has been stopped for the individual. |
D | Resume serving if the guest appears to calm down. |
Question 8 |
When should an employee begin assessing guests for signs of intoxication?
A | When a guest prepares to leave the establishment.
|
B | After a guest orders his or her second drink. |
C | When a guest first arrives at the establishment. |
D | Any time a guest has consumed more than 1 drink per hour. |
Question 9 |
Liquor licenses are issued and monitored by the
A | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). |
B | Local chamber of commerce. |
C | Liquor authority. |
D | Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). |
Question 10 |
What must an ID contain in order to be valid?
A | State seal |
B | Hologram |
C | Social security number |
D | Signature |
Question 11 |
Who will have a higher BAC, a guest who is drinking a 2-ounce martini, or a guest drinking a 12-ounce beer?
A | The guest drinking the martini. |
B | There is no way to know whose BAC will be higher. |
C | The guest drinking the beer. |
D | Both guests will have the same BAC. |
Question 12 |
Which of these will result in a reduction of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream?
A | Consuming energy drinks |
B | Passage of time |
C | Vomiting |
D | Taking vitamins |
Question 13 |
If a man and a woman drank 4 12-ounce beers in an hour, which one will, most likely, have the higher BAC?
A | They will have the same BAC. |
B | There is no way to determine who will have a higher BAC. |
C | The man. |
D | The woman. |
Question 14 |
A guest has a birthday of February 5, 1999. In what year do they turn 21?
A | 2018 |
B | 2019 |
C | 2020 |
D | 2021 |
Question 15 |
When a guests face becomes red after having a few drinks the cause is?
A | Loss of body heat. |
B | Increased heart rate. |
C | Impaired motor skills. |
D | Slowed reactions. |
Question 16 |
When would you need to fill out an incident report?
A | A taxi was called for an intoxicated person. |
B | A guest is not appropriately dressed. |
C | When a guest becomes intoxicated. |
D | A minor is seated with adults who are not drinking. |
Question 17 |
What should you do before stopping service to a guest?
A | Complete an incident report. |
B | Remove any alcohol from in front of the guest. |
C | Isolate the guest from other customers. |
D | Alert a backup. |
Question 18 |
If you become aware of drug activity in your establishment you should:
A | Explain the law to the guest. |
B | Suggest that the involved guests leave. |
C | Not stop serving nor confront guests. |
D | Tell manager. |
Question 19 |
In many states, if a person drives from your establishment and injures someone, you could be held liable under:
A | The traffic light system. |
B | Local last call ordinances. |
C | DWI convictions. |
D | Dram shop laws. |
Question 20 |
Who can be sued in a dram shop case?
A | The business |
B | The business, business owner, and employees |
C | The business owner |
D | The employees of the business |
Question 21 |
When you first decide to shut a guest off you should first:
A | Alert the other guests at the table. |
B | Fill out an incident report. |
C | Alert a manager and find a backup. |
D | Serve the guest one last drink. |
Question 22 |
What is BAC?
A | Percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream. |
B | Percentage of alcohol in the small intestine. |
C | Percentage of alcohol in the brain. |
D | Percentage of alcohol broken down by the liver. |
Question 23 |
Which drinks contain the same amount of alcohol?
A | 5 ounces of wine; 12 ounces of beer; 1½ ounces of 80-proof liquor; 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor. |
B | 3 ounces of wine; 10 ounces of beer; 1 ounce of 80-proof liquor; 1¼ ounces of 100-proof liquor. |
C | 4 ounces of wine; 16 ounces of beer; 1¼ ounces of 80-proof liquor; ½ ounce of 100-proof liquor. |
D | 6 ounces of wine; 12 ounces of beer; 1¼ ounces of 80-proof liquor; 2 ounces of 100-proof liquor. |
Question 24 |
Which behavior is a sign that a guest is experiencing impaired motor coordination?
A | Spilling drinks |
B | Making rude comments |
C | Becoming quiet |
D | Being overly-friendly |
Question 25 |
When stopping service, which statement should be avoided?
A | “Our company policy doesn’t allow me to serve you any more alcohol.” |
B | “You’re drunk and you’ve had enough.” |
C | “I want to make sure you get home safely.”
|
D | “It’s against the law for me to serve you any more alcohol.” |
Question 26 |
Criminal violations of alcohol-related law may result in what?
A | Civil liability |
B | Jail time |
C | Payment of damages |
D | Dram shop |
Question 27 |
When a person drinks alcohol, which organ absorbs most of the alcohol into the bloodstream?
A | Liver |
B | Mouth and throat |
C | Small intestine |
D | Stomach |
Question 28 |
An ID that has expired is no longer
A | Voided |
B | Genuine |
C | Accurate |
D | Valid |
Question 29 |
If a guest arrives at your establishment already intoxicated, you refuse service, and they agree to take a cab, what is the final step?
A | Call the guests family. |
B | Call the police. |
C | Inform the server on the next shift. |
D | Fill out an incident report. |
Question 30 |
Which contains the most alcohol?
A | 8 oz glass of wine. |
B | 1 oz of 100 proof liquor. |
C | Mixed drink with 1 1/4 oz 80 proof liquor. |
D | 32 oz bottle of beer. |
Question 31 |
Third-party liability results if a server:
A | Serves alcohol to a minor. |
B | Doesn’t prevent a guest from driving away and someone is injured. |
C | Serves alcohol to an intoxicated guest. |
D | Is injured on the job. |
Question 32 |
If you work in a large arena you must:
A | Count drinks and be aware of intoxicated guests. |
B | Stop serving alcohol ¾ of way through game. |
C | Allow spectators to "BYOB". |
D | Serve drinks in oversized cups. |
Question 33 |
If you are not certain that an ID is valid, what should you do?
A | Question the guest until he gives up and leaves. |
B | Serve the guest a weaker version of the drink ordered. |
C | Ask the guest for a second valid ID. |
D | Call the local police. |
Question 34 |
Which is an example of a criminal violation?
A | Serving alcohol to a regular. |
B | Serving alcohol to a guest who is taking medication. |
C | Serving alcohol to a pregnant woman. |
D | Serving alcohol to a guest who appears to be intoxicated. |
Question 35 |
What must you always do when checking an ID with an ID reader?
A | Compare the readout with the information on the ID. |
B | Simply swipe or scan the ID. |
C | Ask the guest to verify the readout on the display. |
D | Scratch the magnetic stripe or bar code to ensure it is real. |
Question 36 |
A person who is swaying or staggering when walking is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?
A | Impaired judgment |
B | Slowed reaction time |
C | Relaxed inhibitions |
D | Impaired motor coordination |
Question 37 |
Once you have stopped service to a guest, what is the next step?
A | Alert a backup. |
B | Offer food and nonalcoholic beverages. |
C | Complete an incident report. |
D | Ask the guest to leave the establishment as soon as possible. |
Question 38 |
A person who is talking or moving slowly is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?
A | Impaired motor coordination |
B | Impaired judgment |
C | Relaxed inhibitions |
D | Slowed reaction time |
Question 39 |
John drank 6 12-ounce beers from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. How many drinks still remain in his bloodstream?
A | 4 |
B | 3 |
C | 1 |
D | 2 |
Question 40 |
How much pure alcohol is contained in each of the following: a 12 oz beer, 4 oz wine, 1 ¼ oz 80 proof alcohol or 1 oz 100 proof alcohol?
A | 1/4 oz pure alcohol. |
B | 3/4 oz pure alcohol. |
C | 1 oz pure alcohol. |
D | 1/2 oz pure alcohol. |
Question 41 |
A person who switches to larger or stronger drinks is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?
A | Slowed reaction time |
B | Impaired motor coordination |
C | Impaired judgment |
D | Relaxed inhibitions |
Question 42 |
Most of the alcohol a person consumes is metabolized by the:
A | Capillaries |
B | Kidneys |
C | Liver |
D | Small intestine
|
Question 43 |
What should you do if guests insist on driving after service has been stopped?
A | Take their car keys. |
B | Use physical force to stop them. |
C | Let them go because there is nothing more you can do. |
D | Call the police. |
Question 44 |
If you fail to exercise reasonable care to an intoxicated person that results in a person being injured it is called:
A | Negligence |
B | Actual knowledge |
C | Compliance |
D | Constructive knowledge |
Question 45 |
What percentage of alcohol is passed through the small intestine into the bloodstream?
A | 80% |
B | 50% |
C | 20% |
D | 8% |
Question 46 |
How many drinks are in a 60-ounce pitcher of beer?
A | 4 drinks |
B | 3 drinks |
C | 2 drinks |
D | 5 drinks |
Question 47 |
The manager should be informed when:
A | Party arrives with a minor. |
B | Guest is being cut off alcohol. |
C | Guest switches to soda. |
D | A party arrives with a designated driver. |
Question 48 |
What is true when serving a group of guests with a designated driver?
A | You are not responsible for the guests because they have a designated driver. |
B | You cannot serve the guests to the point of intoxication. |
C | You can continue service even if the guests are intoxicated. |
D | You are not responsible for the guests if they agree not to drive. |
Question 49 |
What does civil liability mean for sellers or servers of alcohol?
A | They can be sued and forced to pay damages for injuries. |
B | They can be fined for violating the establishment’s liquor license. |
C | They can be fined for failing to pass a compliance check. |
D | They can be held responsible for committing a crime. |
Question 50 |
Alcohol is a?
A | Depressant |
B | Stimulant |
C | Warming agent |
D | Blood sugar stabilizer |
Question 51 |
A guest requests a rum and cola made with 1.5 ounces of 100-proof rum. How many standards drinks does this contain?
A | 2.5 |
B | 1.5 |
C | 2 |
D | 1 |
Question 52 |
What does the use of a vertical format on an ID indicate?
A | The ID was issued to someone who requires corrective lenses. |
B | The ID was issued to someone under 21. |
C | The ID was issued to a non-state resident. |
D | The ID is not genuine or valid. |
Question 53 |
Two guests who were happy upon arriving at your establishment are now beginning to argue. You don’t sense any immediate danger to you or other guests. What should you do?
A | Step between the 2 guests to stop the argument. |
B | Call the police. |
C | Notify your manager to determine what to do. |
D | Let the situation resolve itself. |
Question 54 |
In many states, it is illegal for operations to
A | Allow drinking games such as pong and quarters. |
B | Serve alcohol to a pregnant guest. |
C | Refuse service to guests over the age of 21. |
D | Ask guests to produce a second form of ID. |
Question 55 |
Four drinks are metabolized in about:
A | 2 hours |
B | 3 hours |
C | 4 hours |
D | 1 hour |
Question 56 |
No state law forbids a pregnant woman to consume alcohol, but some states require you to:
A | Post a visible sign that warns guests of alcohol’s effects on the fetus.
|
B | Establish their own policies regarding serving pregnant guests. |
C | Pass out written warnings to pregnant guests. |
D | Verbally warn pregnant guest of effects of alcohol on fetus. |
Question 57 |
When should you write an incident report?
A | Immediately after the incident. |
B | At the end of your shift. |
C | One day after an incident occurs. |
D | If a criminal charge is filed. |
Question 58 |
A guest shows you an ID with a blank back. What does this tell you about the ID?
A | The ID is expired. |
B | The ID was issued to someone under 21 years of age. |
C | The ID is from a U.S. overseas territory. |
D | The ID is fake. |
Question 59 |
What should you do if a guest is intoxicated when he arrives at your establishment?
A | Make sure he gets home safely. |
B | Use physical force to stop him from entering. |
C | Serve the guest no more than 1 alcoholic drink. |
D | Take his car keys. |
Question 60 |
A guest who appeared very shy upon arrival at the establishment is now being loud and using foul language. Which sign of intoxication is this guest exhibiting?
A | Impaired judgment |
B | Slowed reaction time |
C | Relaxed inhibitions |
D | Impaired motor coordination |
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