ServSafe Alcohol Practice Test & Answers

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 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)

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Congratulations - you have completed Primary ServSafe Alcohol Test (40 Questions). You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

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 2

A person who is losing their train of thought is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?

A	Impaired motor coordination
B	Slowed reaction time
C	Relaxed inhibitions
D	Impaired judgment

Question 3

Which behavior is a sign that a guest is experiencing impaired judgment?

A	Talking slowly
B	Becoming forgetful
C	Becoming depressed
D	Drinking faster

Question 4

What is the best type of food to serve to a guest to help prevent intoxication?

A	Salty food items
B	Food high in sugar
C	Food high in fat
D	Food high in carbohydrates

Question 5

An ID with a raised photo is an example of

A	tampering.
B	an ID issued to a non-citizen.
C	validity.
D	an ID issued to someone under the age of 21.

Question 6

Most of the alcohol that a person drinks is absorbed into the bloodstream from which organ?

A	Liver
B	Small intestine
C	Brain
D	Stomach

Question 7

What is the purpose of an ID reader?

A	To detect holograms on IDs.
B	To confirm ID validity.
C	To display information from bar codes or magnetic stripes.
D	To detect cracks or dents in IDs.

Question 8

When must you stop serving alcohol to guests?

A	When their BAC is .10 or higher
B	When they do not have a designated driver
C	When they have finished drinking their second drink
D	When they look or act intoxicated

Question 9

It is against the law in most states to drive with what Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?

A	.06 or higher.
B	.08 or higher.
C	.05 or higher.
D	.03 or higher.

Question 10

What feature is often added to IDs to keep them secure?

A	Toll-free verification hotline numbers
B	Digitally blurred photos
C	Blank backs
D	Ultraviolet text and features

Question 11

Civil penalties may include which of the following?

A	Serving prison time.
B	Payment of damages.
C	Fines.
D	Probation.

Question 12

Which is true about liquor laws?

A	Obtaining a liquor license is the right of every operation.
B	Only the local liquor authority has the responsibility for monitoring and enforcing liquor laws.
C	Violation of liquor laws will not result in an establishment losing its liquor license.
D	Municipal liquor laws can be stricter than state liquor laws.

Question 13

Three visibly intoxicated men order beer, and their designated driver orders a soft drink. What action must the server take?

A	Confirm that the designated driver is sober.
B	Offer the party food in addition to the drinks.
C	Serve the party the beer and cola.
D	Inform the party that they will not be served any more alcohol.

Question 14

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	There is no way to determine who will have a higher BAC
C	The athletic man
D	They will have the same BAC

Question 15

What is one thing you should do if a fight happens?

A	Wait to see if it ends on its own.
B	Physically restrain the more aggressive person.
C	Physically separate the fighting parties.
D	Move other guests away from the fight.

Question 16

The liver breaks down alcohol in the body at what rate?

A	1 drink per hour.
B	4 drinks per hour.
C	3 drinks per hour.
D	2 drinks per hour.

Question 17

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	Relaxed inhibitions
C	Impaired motor coordination
D	Impaired judgment

Question 18

How many drinks are in a 3-ounce glass of 80-proof vodka?

A	2
B	3
C	4
D	1

Question 19

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	1
D	2

Question 20

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 21

How old must a person be to purchase alcohol in most states?

A	20 years old.
B	18 years old.
C	21 years old.
D	19 years old.

Question 22

What is the first thing you should do before stopping service to a guest?

A	Bring the guest a soft drink.
B	Alert a backup.
C	Call the police.
D	Fill out an incident report.

Question 23

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	4
B	3
C	1
D	2

Question 24

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 another server for a second opinion.
B	Ask for a second valid ID.
C	Ask the guest’s friend to verify her age.
D	Ask the guest a question only a person of their age would know.

Question 25

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 60
C	Woman, aged 25
D	Man, aged 25

Question 26

What is the percentage of alcohol in an 80-proof bottle of vodka?

A	10%
B	40%
C	20%
D	30%

Question 27

Which is true in relation to criminal and civil liability?

A	Both criminal and civil liability can result in a prison sentence.
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	Criminal liability applies to the employees of an establishment, while civil liability applies only to the actual owners.

Question 28

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	Do not serve her any alcohol.
C	Serve the guest but keep a close eye on her.
D	Serve the guest no more than 1 alcoholic drink.

Question 29

Which is an acceptable form of identification?

A	School ID
B	Voter's Registration Card
C	Birth Certificate
D	Passport

Question 30

What should you say to a guest when stopping service?

A	“Sorry sir, but you might hurt someone if we gave you another drink, so we can’t serve you anymore tonight.”
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’re having trouble talking, so we think you’ve had enough.”
D	“Sorry sir, but I’m not able to serve you any more alcohol this evening.”

Question 31

What should you do if a guest is intoxicated when he arrives at your establishment?

A	Do not serve him alcohol.
B	Find out where he was drinking previously and report it to the police.
C	Physically prevent him from entering.
D	Serve him alcohol if he agrees to take a cab home.

Question 32

A guest has a birthday of January 1, 1998. In what year do they turn 21?

A	2019
B	2018
C	2020
D	2021

Question 33

How many drinks are in a 2-ounce glass of 100-proof whiskey?

A	2
B	4
C	3
D	1

Question 34

When is the best time to inform a guest that you have to stop alcohol service?

A	As you serve the person’s last drink
B	After you have arranged a safe ride home for the person
C	Before the person has ordered food
D	When the person tries to order another drink

Question 35

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	Relaxed inhibitions
B	Impaired motor coordination
C	Slowed reaction time
D	Impaired judgment

Question 36

Which should be avoided when telling people that you have to stop service?

A	Expressing concern
B	Being firm
C	Citing company policy
D	Using “you” statements

Question 37

What is the best thing to do when liquor authorities enter your establishment?

A	Notify your manager.
B	Discontinue all alcohol service until the authorities leave.
C	Find a coworker who will confirm to the authorities that you have not been serving minors.
D	Discreetly ask intoxicated guests to leave.

Question 38

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 magnetic strip
C	A hologram
D	A state seal

Question 39

Which will result in a reduction of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream and help them sober up?

A	Exercising vigorously
B	Passage of time
C	Taking a cold shower
D	Drinking coffee

Question 40

What action should be taken if you see a guest pass a drink to an underage person?

A	If the drinks were purchased by an adult, no action is required.
B	Allow the guests to continue drinking.
C	Stop service and remove the alcohol.
D	Discreetly ask intoxicated guests to leave.

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Advanced ServSafe Alcohol Test (60 Questions)

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Congratulations - you have completed Advanced ServSafe Alcohol Test (60 Questions). You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

What must you always do when checking an ID with an ID reader?

A	Ask the guest to verify the readout on the display.
B	Compare the readout with the information on the ID.
C	Scratch the magnetic stripe or bar code to ensure it is real.
D	Simply swipe or scan the ID.

Question 2

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	1 oz pure alcohol.
C	1/2 oz pure alcohol.
D	3/4 oz pure alcohol.

Question 3

If you are not certain that an ID is valid, what should you do?

A	Ask the guest for a second valid ID.
B	Question the guest until he gives up and leaves.
C	Call the local police.
D	Serve the guest a weaker version of the drink ordered.

Question 4

What should you do before stopping service to a guest?

A	Alert a backup.
B	Isolate the guest from other customers.
C	Complete an incident report.
D	Remove any alcohol from in front of the guest.

Question 5

The manager should be informed when:

A	Party arrives with a minor.
B	Guest switches to soda.
C	A party arrives with a designated driver.
D	Guest is being cut off alcohol.

Question 6

Most of the alcohol a person consumes is metabolized by the:

A	Kidneys
B	Capillaries
C	Small intestine
D	Liver

Question 7

A person who is swaying or staggering when walking is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?

A	Impaired motor coordination
B	Slowed reaction time
C	Relaxed inhibitions
D	Impaired judgment

Question 8

Call police if a guest:

A	Complains about being refused alcohol.
B	Is denied alcohol.
C	Becomes intoxicated.
D	Exhibits threatening or abusive behavior

Question 9

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	Fill out an incident report.
B	Call the guests family.
C	Call the police.
D	Inform the server on the next shift.

Question 10

What is true when serving a group of guests with a designated driver?

A	You can continue service even if the guests are intoxicated.
B	You are not responsible for the guests if they agree not to drive.
C	You cannot serve the guests to the point of intoxication.
D	You are not responsible for the guests because they have a designated driver.

Question 11

When a guests face becomes red after having a few drinks the cause is?

A	Loss of body heat.
B	Increased heart rate.
C	Slowed reactions.
D	Impaired motor skills.

Question 12

Which is an example of a criminal violation?

A	Serving alcohol to a guest who is taking medication.
B	Serving alcohol to a pregnant woman.
C	Serving alcohol to a regular.
D	Serving alcohol to a guest who appears to be intoxicated.

Question 13

What must an ID contain in order to be valid?

A	Social security number
B	State seal
C	Signature
D	Hologram

Question 14

A person who is talking or moving slowly is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?

A	Impaired motor coordination
B	Impaired judgment
C	Slowed reaction time
D	Relaxed inhibitions

Question 15

John drank 6 12-ounce beers from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. How many drinks still remain in his bloodstream?

A	2
B	3
C	4
D	1

Question 16

What does civil liability mean for sellers or servers of alcohol?

A	They can be fined for failing to pass a compliance check.
B	They can be sued and forced to pay damages for injuries.
C	They can be fined for violating the establishment’s liquor license.
D	They can be held responsible for committing a crime.

Question 17

What percentage of alcohol is passed through the small intestine into the bloodstream?

A	50%
B	8%
C	80%
D	20%

Question 18

Criminal violations of alcohol-related law may result in what?

A	Payment of damages
B	Dram shop
C	Jail time
D	Civil liability

Question 19

Alcohol is a?

A	Stimulant
B	Warming agent
C	Depressant
D	Blood sugar stabilizer

Question 20

Third-party liability results if a server:

A	Is injured on the job.
B	Serves alcohol to an intoxicated guest.
C	Doesn’t prevent a guest from driving away and someone is injured.
D	Serves alcohol to a minor.

Question 21

Which contains the most alcohol?

A	1 oz of 100 proof liquor.
B	32 oz bottle of beer.
C	Mixed drink with 1 1/4 oz 80 proof liquor.
D	8 oz glass of wine.

Question 22

Which of these will result in a reduction of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream?

A	Vomiting
B	Passage of time
C	Taking vitamins
D	Consuming energy drinks

Question 23

What step should be taken after stopping service?

A	Resume serving if the guest appears to calm down.
B	Inform coworkers that service has been stopped for the individual.
C	Remind the guest that they are drunk and you had to stop service.
D	Demand that the guest leave immediately.

Question 24

When you first decide to shut a guest off you should first:

A	Alert a manager and find a backup.
B	Serve the guest one last drink.
C	Alert the other guests at the table.
D	Fill out an incident report.

Question 25

What is the best type of food for preventing intoxication?

A	Food high in carbohydrates.
B	Food high in salt.
C	Food high in fat.
D	Food high in sugar.

Question 26

If you fail to exercise reasonable care to an intoxicated person that results in a person being injured it is called:

A	Constructive knowledge
B	Actual knowledge
C	Compliance
D	Negligence

Question 27

In most states, how old must you be to purchase alcohol?

A	21
B	18
C	19
D	20

Question 28

In many states, it is illegal for operations to

A	Ask guests to produce a second form of ID.
B	Refuse service to guests over the age of 21.
C	Allow drinking games such as pong and quarters.
D	Serve alcohol to a pregnant guest.

Question 29

An ID that has expired is no longer

A	Accurate
B	Genuine
C	Voided
D	Valid

Question 30

If a guest makes irrational or argumentative statements and starts buying drinks for strangers is exhibiting?

A	Impaired judgment.
B	Impaired motor coordination.
C	Slowed reaction time.
D	Relaxed inhibitions.

Question 31

What should you do to verify that an ID belongs to a guest?

A	Compare the guest to the physical characteristics on the ID.
B	Compare the guest to someone of the same approximate age.
C	Compare the ID to confiscated fake IDs.
D	Compare the ID to an ID listed in an ID-checking guide.

Question 32

If you work in a large arena you must:

A	Serve drinks in oversized cups.
B	Stop serving alcohol ¾ of way through game.
C	Count drinks and be aware of intoxicated guests.
D	Allow spectators to "BYOB".

Question 33

If you become aware of drug activity in your establishment you should:

A	Suggest that the involved guests leave.
B	Explain the law to the guest.
C	Not stop serving nor confront guests.
D	Tell manager.

Question 34

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 is not genuine or valid.
C	The ID was issued to someone under 21.
D	The ID was issued to a non-state resident.

Question 35

When would you need to fill out an incident report?

A	When a guest becomes intoxicated.
B	A minor is seated with adults who are not drinking.
C	A guest is not appropriately dressed.
D	A taxi was called for an intoxicated person.

Question 36

Four drinks are metabolized in about:

A	3 hours
B	1 hour
C	4 hours
D	2 hours

Question 37

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	Let the situation resolve itself.
B	Call the police.
C	Notify your manager to determine what to do.
D	Step between the 2 guests to stop the argument.

Question 38

Which behavior is a sign that a guest is experiencing impaired motor coordination?

A	Being overly-friendly
B	Becoming quiet
C	Making rude comments
D	Spilling drinks

Question 39

Which drinks contain the same amount of alcohol?

A	6 ounces of wine; 12 ounces of beer; 1¼ ounces of 80-proof liquor; 2 ounces 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	5 ounces of wine; 12 ounces of beer; 1½ ounces of 80-proof liquor; 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor.
D	4 ounces of wine; 16 ounces of beer; 1¼ ounces of 80-proof liquor; ½ ounce of 100-proof liquor.

Question 40

When should you write an incident report?

A	At the end of your shift.
B	Immediately after the incident.
C	One day after an incident occurs.
D	If a criminal charge is filed.

Question 41

What should you do if guests insist on driving after service has been stopped?

A	Call the police.
B	Use physical force to stop them.
C	Take their car keys.
D	Let them go because there is nothing more you can do.

Question 42

Once you have stopped service to a guest, what is the next step?

A	Ask the guest to leave the establishment as soon as possible.
B	Complete an incident report.
C	Offer food and nonalcoholic beverages.
D	Alert a backup.

Question 43

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	Relaxed inhibitions
C	Impaired motor coordination
D	Slowed reaction time

Question 44

A guest has a birthday of February 5, 1999. In what year do they turn 21?

A	2019
B	2020
C	2021
D	2018

Question 45

How many drinks are in a 60-ounce pitcher of beer?

A	3 drinks
B	4 drinks
C	5 drinks
D	2 drinks

Question 46

A person who switches to larger or stronger drinks is demonstrating what sign of intoxication?

A	Slowed reaction time
B	Relaxed inhibitions
C	Impaired motor coordination
D	Impaired judgment

Question 47

In many states, if a person drives from your establishment and injures someone, you could be held liable under:

A	Dram shop laws.
B	Local last call ordinances.
C	DWI convictions.
D	The traffic light system.

Question 48

If a man and a woman drank 4 12-ounce beers in an hour, which one will, most likely, have the higher BAC?

A	There is no way to determine who will have a higher BAC.
B	The woman.
C	They will have the same BAC.
D	The man.

Question 49

No state law forbids a pregnant woman to consume alcohol, but some states require you to:

A	Verbally warn pregnant guest of effects of alcohol on fetus.
B	Establish their own policies regarding serving pregnant guests.
C	Post a visible sign that warns guests of alcohol’s effects on the fetus.
D	Pass out written warnings to pregnant guests.

Question 50

When a person drinks alcohol, which organ absorbs most of the alcohol into the bloodstream?

A	Liver
B	Mouth and throat
C	Stomach
D	Small intestine

Question 51

Which food is mostly likely to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream?

A	Cheese sticks
B	Unsalted pretzels
C	Wheat bread
D	Garden salad

Question 52

Who can be sued in a dram shop case?

A	The business owner
B	The employees of the business
C	The business
D	The business, business owner, and employees

Question 53

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 beer.
B	The guest drinking the martini.
C	Both guests will have the same BAC.
D	There is no way to know whose BAC will be higher.

Question 54

What should you do if a guest is intoxicated when he arrives at your establishment?

A	Serve the guest no more than 1 alcoholic drink.
B	Take his car keys.
C	Make sure he gets home safely.
D	Use physical force to stop him from entering.

Question 55

A guest shows you an ID with a blank back. What does this tell you about the ID?

A	The ID was issued to someone under 21 years of age.
B	The ID is expired.
C	The ID is from a U.S. overseas territory.
D	The ID is fake.

Question 56

When stopping service, which statement should be avoided?

A	“It’s against the law for 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	“Our company policy doesn’t allow me to serve you any more alcohol.”

Question 57

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	2
C	1
D	1.5

Question 58

When should an employee begin assessing guests for signs of intoxication?

A	After a guest orders his or her second drink.
B	When a guest prepares to leave the establishment.
C	Any time a guest has consumed more than 1 drink per hour.
D	When a guest first arrives at the establishment.

Question 59

What is BAC?

A	Percentage of alcohol in the small intestine.
B	Percentage of alcohol broken down by the liver.
C	Percentage of alcohol in the brain.
D	Percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Question 60

Liquor licenses are issued and monitored by the

A	Liquor authority.
B	Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
C	Local chamber of commerce.
D	Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).

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