TIPS CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
The TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) certification exam evaluates a server's
knowledge of responsible alcohol service practices, focusing on preventing
intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving. Key topics include recognizing
behavioral cues of intoxication across three levels—lowered inhibitions, impaired
judgment, slowed reactions, and loss of coordination. The exam covers intoxication
rate factors such as body size, gender, food intake, and carbonation, along with BAC
metabolism and the legal .08% limit. Legal responsibilities include dram shop liability,
common negligence standards, and proper ID verification. Additionally, candidates
must understand dangerous drug-alcohol interactions, effective refusal techniques,
reasonable efforts like offering food and alternative transportation, and proper
incident documentation procedures.
Section 1: Behavioral Cues of Intoxication (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a behavioral cue of intoxication?
A) Slurred speech
B) Loss of coordination
C) Increased attention span
D) Impaired judgment
Correct Answer: C) Increased attention span
Rationale: Intoxication causes decreased attention span, not increased. Alcohol is a
depressant that impairs cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate or
maintain focus.
,Question 2
A guest who is displaying relaxed and talkative behavior with mood swings is
showing signs of:
A) Coordination impairment
B) Inhibitions being lowered
C) Reaction time being affected
D) Judgment impairment
Correct Answer: B) Inhibitions being lowered
Rationale: When inhibitions are lowered, guests become relaxed, talkative, and
may display mood swings. This is often one of the first behavioral cues of
intoxication.
Question 3
A guest who is overly friendly, dancing, or singing is displaying impairment in:
A) Coordination
B) Reactions
C) Judgment
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: C) Judgment
Rationale: Impaired judgment manifests as overly friendly behavior, dancing, or
singing—actions a person might not normally engage in when sober.
Question 4
,Glassy or unfocused eyes, slurred speech, and losing their train of thought are signs
that a guest's ________ has been affected.
A) Coordination
B) Reactions
C) Judgment
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: B) Reactions
Rationale: These are classic signs of slowed reactions. The thinking process has been
affected, making it difficult for the person to process information and respond
appropriately.
Question 5
Spilling drinks, stumbling, staggering, and having difficulty handling silverware are
signs of impaired:
A) Judgment
B) Reactions
C) Coordination
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: C) Coordination
Rationale: Motor skills and physical coordination are affected, resulting in these
physical manifestations of intoxication.
Question 6
, Which behavioral cue is typically the FIRST to appear as a person becomes
intoxicated?
A) Slurred speech
B) Staggering
C) Lowered inhibitions
D) Vomiting
Correct Answer: C) Lowered inhibitions
Rationale: Lowered inhibitions typically appear first, as alcohol initially affects the
brain's frontal lobe, which controls social behavior and restraint.
Question 7
A guest who is having difficulty following a conversation or frequently losing their
train of thought is displaying:
A) Coordination issues
B) Slowed reactions
C) Judgment impairment
D) Inhibitions being lowered
Correct Answer: B) Slowed reactions
Rationale: This indicates the thinking process has been affected, which is a sign of
slowed reactions. The brain is processing information more slowly.
Question 8
Which of the following is considered a "late stage" behavioral cue of intoxication?
A) Relaxed and talkative
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
The TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) certification exam evaluates a server's
knowledge of responsible alcohol service practices, focusing on preventing
intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving. Key topics include recognizing
behavioral cues of intoxication across three levels—lowered inhibitions, impaired
judgment, slowed reactions, and loss of coordination. The exam covers intoxication
rate factors such as body size, gender, food intake, and carbonation, along with BAC
metabolism and the legal .08% limit. Legal responsibilities include dram shop liability,
common negligence standards, and proper ID verification. Additionally, candidates
must understand dangerous drug-alcohol interactions, effective refusal techniques,
reasonable efforts like offering food and alternative transportation, and proper
incident documentation procedures.
Section 1: Behavioral Cues of Intoxication (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a behavioral cue of intoxication?
A) Slurred speech
B) Loss of coordination
C) Increased attention span
D) Impaired judgment
Correct Answer: C) Increased attention span
Rationale: Intoxication causes decreased attention span, not increased. Alcohol is a
depressant that impairs cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate or
maintain focus.
,Question 2
A guest who is displaying relaxed and talkative behavior with mood swings is
showing signs of:
A) Coordination impairment
B) Inhibitions being lowered
C) Reaction time being affected
D) Judgment impairment
Correct Answer: B) Inhibitions being lowered
Rationale: When inhibitions are lowered, guests become relaxed, talkative, and
may display mood swings. This is often one of the first behavioral cues of
intoxication.
Question 3
A guest who is overly friendly, dancing, or singing is displaying impairment in:
A) Coordination
B) Reactions
C) Judgment
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: C) Judgment
Rationale: Impaired judgment manifests as overly friendly behavior, dancing, or
singing—actions a person might not normally engage in when sober.
Question 4
,Glassy or unfocused eyes, slurred speech, and losing their train of thought are signs
that a guest's ________ has been affected.
A) Coordination
B) Reactions
C) Judgment
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: B) Reactions
Rationale: These are classic signs of slowed reactions. The thinking process has been
affected, making it difficult for the person to process information and respond
appropriately.
Question 5
Spilling drinks, stumbling, staggering, and having difficulty handling silverware are
signs of impaired:
A) Judgment
B) Reactions
C) Coordination
D) Inhibitions
Correct Answer: C) Coordination
Rationale: Motor skills and physical coordination are affected, resulting in these
physical manifestations of intoxication.
Question 6
, Which behavioral cue is typically the FIRST to appear as a person becomes
intoxicated?
A) Slurred speech
B) Staggering
C) Lowered inhibitions
D) Vomiting
Correct Answer: C) Lowered inhibitions
Rationale: Lowered inhibitions typically appear first, as alcohol initially affects the
brain's frontal lobe, which controls social behavior and restraint.
Question 7
A guest who is having difficulty following a conversation or frequently losing their
train of thought is displaying:
A) Coordination issues
B) Slowed reactions
C) Judgment impairment
D) Inhibitions being lowered
Correct Answer: B) Slowed reactions
Rationale: This indicates the thinking process has been affected, which is a sign of
slowed reactions. The brain is processing information more slowly.
Question 8
Which of the following is considered a "late stage" behavioral cue of intoxication?
A) Relaxed and talkative
