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Quizzes > Society & Culture

SWAT quiz: Test your tactical knowledge

Quick, free SWAT test to check your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Melissa DooleyUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration depicting SWAT tactical helmet shield and bullet icons on coral background for SWAT tactics quiz

This SWAT quiz helps you check how well you know tactics, entry methods, and team roles. Work through quick scenarios on safety, coordination, and protocols, then review your results to spot gaps. For more practice, try the police 10-codes quiz and the law enforcement vocabulary quiz, or sharpen basics with a gun knowledge quiz.

What is the primary purpose of a ballistic shield in SWAT operations?
To provide ballistic protection for officers
To signal team positions
To breach locked doors
To immobilize suspects
A ballistic shield is designed to stop or deflect projectiles, protecting officers during high-risk entries and confrontations. It offers a mobile form of cover when advancing on a threat, reducing exposure. Shields are not intended for breaching or restraining suspects.
What is a flashbang used for in SWAT operations?
To provide illumination only
To disorient and temporarily incapacitate suspects
To contain chemical agents
To signal team movements
A flashbang, or stun grenade, emits a bright flash and loud noise to overload suspects' senses, creating a distraction for entry. It is not designed to cause permanent harm but to allow officers to gain control. Flashbangs are not used solely for illumination or signaling.
What is the name of the formation where officers stack up close behind each other before clearing a room?
Bounding overwatch
Wedge formation
Stack formation
Team anchor
In a stack formation, officers line up closely behind the point man to maintain control and minimize exposure when breaching a room. Each member has a preassigned lane of fire and movement path. This technique improves coordination during a dynamic entry.
Which of these is classified as a less-lethal munition in SWAT toolkits?
Beanbag impact round
5.56 mm rifle round
12-gauge shotgun slug
Tear gas grenade
A beanbag impact round is designed to incapacitate a suspect with blunt force, minimizing the risk of fatal injury. Shotgun slugs and rifle rounds are lethal. Tear gas is chemical; while less-lethal in many cases, the standard classification for munitions refers to impact projectiles.
Which tool is most commonly used for mechanical breaching of a reinforced door?
Battering ram
Halligan bar
Sledgehammer
Bolt cutters
A battering ram is specifically designed to deliver forceful strikes to doors and frames to overcome locks and hinges. The Halligan bar is primarily for prying and leverage. Bolt cutters handle padlocks, and a sledgehammer lacks the focused force of a ram.
In a hostage rescue scenario, SWAT's top priority is:
Collecting evidence
Securing surrounding buildings
Preserving the lives of innocent hostages
Capturing the suspect alive
The primary objective in any hostage situation is the safe rescue of innocents, as their lives are at direct risk. While apprehending the suspect is important, it is secondary to saving hostages. Establishing perimeter control and evidence collection follow after safety is assured.
What is the primary responsibility of the 'Point Man' during a breach and clear?
Protect team's rear
Control communications with command
Manage evidence collection
Lead the formation and clear immediate threats
The point man is the first team member through the breach and is responsible for identifying and engaging immediate threats. They set the pace and direction for the stack. Communication and rear security are handled by other designated team members.
Which step is NOT part of the military decision-making process (MDMP)?
Course of action development
Mission analysis
Orders production
Initiation
The MDMP consists of receipt of mission, mission analysis, COA development, COA analysis and comparison, COA approval, and orders production. 'Initiation' is not an official phase. Understanding each defined step ensures coherent planning.
During a dynamic entry, where should the flashbang be placed for maximum effect?
Just inside the breached doorway
Five feet outside the door
Behind the team stack
In the center of the room
Placing the flashbang just inside the doorway ensures the flash and concussion project into the target zone, maximizing disorientation. Too far inside risks missing the entryway, and outside may disperse effects. Proper placement is critical for surprise.
When planning a roof assault, which factor is MOST critical to assess?
Roof load-bearing capacity
Roof color and visibility
Nearby water sources
Time of day only
Determining if the roof can support the weight of operators and equipment is essential to avoid collapse or injury. Other considerations like time or visibility are secondary. Overlooking load capacity can lead to mission failure.
An NIJ Level IIIA ballistic helmet is rated to stop which of the following projectiles?
7.62×39 mm AK round
.50 BMG armor-piercing
9
.44 Magnum hollow-point
NIJ Level IIIA protection stops projectiles up to .44 Magnum and .357 SIG but not rifle rounds. AK-47 and .50 BMG rounds exceed this rating. Helmets beyond IIIA are required for rifle threats.
Which radio proword indicates that a message has been received and understood?
Wilco
Over
Roger
Copy
'Roger' is the standard term meaning the last transmission was received and understood. 'Over' means you have finished speaking and are awaiting a reply. 'Copy' is informal and can cause ambiguity in SWAT communications.
After executing a dynamic entry, what is the FIRST action team members should take to preserve forensic evidence?
Bag all weapons and tools used
Begin witness interviews
Don protective shoe covers before moving
Photograph the entire scene immediately
Donning protective shoe covers prevents contamination of the scene with external debris or footprints. While photography and evidence collection follow, initial contamination control is the first priority. This preserves integrity for forensic analysis.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand SWAT Test Structure -

    After completing the quiz, you will recognize the primary sections and question formats of a SWAT test, from tactical protocols to scenario-based challenges.

  2. Identify Critical Tactical Protocols -

    You will be able to list essential SWAT tactics and procedures assessed in swat tests, ensuring familiarity with standard operating guidelines.

  3. Analyze High-Stakes Scenario Responses -

    You will practice dissecting scenario questions to determine the most effective tactical responses under pressure.

  4. Apply Best Practices in SWAT Operations -

    You will apply learned protocols and decision-making strategies to hypothetical missions, enhancing your readiness for real-world challenges.

  5. Evaluate and Improve Your Test Performance -

    You will review your quiz results to identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding targeted study for future swat tests.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Entry Formations and Movement -

    Review core SWAT entry formations such as Stack, Diamond, and Wedge, as outlined in the FBI SWAT Operator's Manual (2020). Knowing when to use each formation ensures safe team flow and room security during high-risk entries, a common scenario in swat tests. Mnemonic trick: "DWV" helps recall Diamond, Wedge, and Vertical Stack on your test swat drills.

  2. Team Roles and Responsibilities -

    Master the primary functions of the Team Leader, Point Man, Breacher, Shield, and Rear Guard based on NIJ's SWAT training standards (2018), essential knowledge for your upcoming swat test or test swat drill. Clear role delineation boosts efficiency under stress and reduces task overlap during exercises. Use the acronym "LPRSB" to sequence Leader, Point, Rear, Shield, Breacher when studying role calls.

  3. Effective Communication Protocols -

    Use standardized brevity codes and formats like "SITREP" (Situation, Intent, Time, Resources, Personnel) to keep radio traffic concise during operations and in swat test scenarios. Consistent phrasing helps avoid confusion during fast-paced missions and exam settings like a swat test. Practice three-word status updates to ace communication sections in swat tests.

  4. Cover, Concealment, and Fire Discipline -

    Differentiate cover (stopping rounds) from concealment (hiding) when moving through danger areas, a skill commonly assessed in swat tests. Apply the "3-5-7 Rule": three seconds to acquire a target, five seconds to shoot, and seven seconds to transition positions. Regular dry-fire drills reinforce quick target identification and smooth position changes for both live scenarios and test swat evaluations.

  5. Tactical Trauma Care (MARCH Protocol) -

    Familiarize yourself with the MARCH mnemonic: Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Head injury/Hypothermia, advocated by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC), often featured in swat test evaluations. Rapid hemorrhage control with tourniquets saves lives in the "golden minute" following injury. Practice applying tourniquets and chest seals under timed conditions to boost speed and confidence for the swat test.

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