DGSA — full mock exam
A scored 20-question multiple-choice section (about 30 minutes, pass mark 65% — the real SQA DGSA mark), PLUS the case-study practice the real open-book exam actually tests. The MCQ section checks recall; the case studies below are self-marked (model-answer reveal, not auto-graded). This is a MOCK and does not certify you.
Timed mock — feedback and your score appear when you submit (or when the timer runs out). You can flag questions and jump around before submitting.
Case-study practice (self-marked)
The real DGSA exam is open-book short-answer plus a case study, marked by an examiner — not multiple choice. These items are NOT auto-scored: attempt them, then reveal the model answer / marking guide to compare. This is how the apply-the-rule skill is really tested.
A small haulier carries packaged Class 8 corrosives a few times a month and asks whether it really needs a DGSA.
- State the rule that decides whether a DGSA must be appointed.
- List the options the firm has for who fills the role.
- Explain what the firm must do even after appointing one.
MONITORING CASE STUDY. You have just been appointed as external DGSA to a medium haulier that carries packaged Class 3 and Class 8 goods three or four times a week. There is no written monitoring plan, no procedures folder and no record of what was checked in the last two years. The MD wants to know what 'monitoring' actually looks like and how soon they can have a clean annual report.
- Outline the written monitoring plan you would put in place.
- List the procedures the operator must hold and that you will check exist.
- Explain how findings flow into corrective action and the annual report.
A consignor presents drums described only as 'cleaning fluid, flammable'. The DGSA is asked to confirm classification before despatch.
- Explain how you would classify the goods.
- State which Table A columns you would read once a UN number is identified.
- Note one risk of accepting the consignor's description at face value.
CLASSIFICATION CASE STUDY. A consignor presents a four-product despatch: (a) a paint with flash point 18 °C and BP 90 °C; (b) a battery-acid solution with concentration 35 % H₂SO₄; (c) a mixture described as 'cleaner — corrosive AND flammable, no UN'; and (d) a substance flagged on the SDS as 'environmentally hazardous' but with no other ADR hazard. The DGSA is asked to classify the four before despatch.
- Assign class, packing group and a plausible UN entry to each, with reasoning.
- Explain which clause governs the multi-hazard item.
- Identify the most common audit failing in this set.
During a packaging audit you see PG II flammable liquid packed in drums marked with a 'Z' in the UN packaging code.
- State whether the packaging is suitable and why.
- Explain what the packing-group letters X/Y/Z mean.
- Recommend the corrective action.
EQUIPMENT AUDIT CASE STUDY. You are auditing a vehicle being loaded with packages of UN1830 (sulphuric acid, Class 8, PG II) and UN1170 (ethanol, Class 3, PG II) for a multi-drop route. Findings: (a) one drum of the acid has a UN packaging code ending 'Y2', the ethanol drums carry 'X1.4'; (b) the vehicle is showing orange plates with the old delivery's UN number still visible; (c) the diamond label on three acid drums is faded and the class number is unreadable; (d) the EX/II/EX/III vehicle equipment list is missing a wheel chock.
- Decide whether each packaging is acceptable.
- List each marking/placarding failing and cite the clause.
- State the immediate corrective actions and what you would record.
AUDIT CASE STUDY. You are the appointed DGSA for a distributor. On a spot check of a load of UN1263 PAINT (Class 3, PG II) and UN1830 SULPHURIC ACID (Class 8, PG II), you find: the transport document lists the paint as 'paint, flammable' with no UN number and no packing group; the acid line is correct; the instructions in writing are present but in a language the agency driver cannot read; and both products are loaded together in the same vehicle.
- Identify each compliance failing and cite the clause.
- State the immediate corrective actions before the vehicle departs.
- Explain what you would record for the annual report and monitoring.
LQ MISCLASSIFICATION CASE STUDY. A despatch has been booked under limited-quantity (LQ) provisions for 4 pallets of small UN1263 paint tins, but each individual receptacle holds 6 L — above the LQ limit shown in column 7a of Table A. The transport unit's gross mass of LQ packages will be 9.5 tonnes. The DGSA is asked to review before despatch.
- Decide whether the goods qualify as LQ at all.
- If not, describe what the consignment becomes and the required documentation/marking.
- Explain the 8-tonne LQ-load rule and how it would apply if the LQ limit were respected.
CALCULATION CASE STUDY. A van is to carry, in one transport unit: 30 litres of a transport category 2 flammable liquid, and 400 litres of a transport category 3 substance. The operator asks whether the load stays within the 1.1.3.6 threshold (so the full orange-plate / ADR-certificate requirements need not apply).
- Show the 1.1.3.6 calculation with the correct multipliers.
- State whether the load is within the threshold.
- Explain what changes if it is exceeded.
FOUR-ITEM CALCULATION CASE STUDY. A transport unit is loaded with: (a) 10 kg of a transport category 1 item, (b) 200 L of a category 2 item, (c) 400 L of a category 3 item, and (d) 250 kg of a category 4 item. The despatch desk insists the load is under the 1.1.3.6 threshold because 'most of it is category 4'.
- Show the 1.1.3.6 weighted sum with multipliers per 1.1.3.6.4.
- State the verdict and what changes if a cat-0 item were added later.
- Recommend a despatch-desk control to prevent the recurring error.
COMPLEX SEGREGATION CASE STUDY. A pallet load combines: (a) 5 kg UN0030 (electric detonators, 1.1B); (b) 100 L of a Class 3 flammable liquid; and (c) 60 L of a Class 8 corrosive. A driver-side dispatcher asks whether the three may travel together.
- Apply the 7.5.2.1 method to each pair and state the outcome.
- Explain the additional Class 1 step.
- State the immediate decision and what to record in monitoring.
INCIDENT CASE STUDY. During unloading, a 200-litre drum of UN1830 sulphuric acid (Class 8, PG II) is dropped; ~150 litres spills, one operative needs hospital treatment for chemical burns, and a small amount reaches a surface drain. Management asks the DGSA what must be done.
- Decide whether this is a reportable occurrence and justify it.
- State which report and form is used and to whom.
- Describe the DGSA's follow-up actions.
ANNUAL REPORT DRAFT CASE STUDY. You are drafting this year's 1.8.3.3 annual report for a haulier that ran approximately 12 000 dangerous-goods consignments across Classes 3, 6.1 and 8. There were two reportable 1.8.5 events and four near-misses. Training was refreshed for 22 drivers and 3 loaders. Two recurring monitoring findings: documentation typos and missing wheel chock.
- Outline each section you would write, with one or two lines of indicative content per section.
- State what you would include about the recurring findings and how they tie to recommendations.
- Confirm where the report is retained and for how long.
An undertaking has just won a contract to carry quantities of a substance listed as High Consequence Dangerous Goods. The MD asks the DGSA what is now required on the security side.
- State the general security duty and who it applies to.
- Explain the additional HCDG requirement and what the plan must contain.
- Note how this links to the DGSA's monitoring.
TRAINING PLAN CASE STUDY. A haulier has hired three new drivers and two new loaders. None has any ADR background. The MD asks the DGSA for a training plan that gets them legal to work, and asks how the plan will be evidenced.
- Outline the training each role needs before they start handling DG.
- State the records the DGSA expects to see and where they are kept.
- Explain what changes when a driver later carries HCDG.
CONTRACTOR NON-COMPLIANCE CASE STUDY. Your firm has subcontracted three Class-3 loads in the last month to Carrier X. On a spot check you find: (a) Carrier X cannot produce evidence of a DGSA appointment; (b) the driver's 8.2 certificate has expired; (c) the instructions in writing are present but in a language the driver cannot read; (d) the vehicle's orange plates carry an old UN number. Management asks for the DGSA's call.
- List the failings and the clauses they breach.
- State the immediate actions for the current shipment.
- Set out the contractor-management changes you would recommend.
TUNNEL / ROUTE DECISION CASE STUDY. A repeating booking carries 200 L of UN1170 (ethanol, Class 3 PG II) plus 80 L of UN1830 (sulphuric acid, Class 8 PG II) on a route that includes a category-E tunnel. The route planner asks the DGSA whether the tunnel is acceptable or whether to divert.
- Walk through the tunnel-code check for each item.
- State the decision for the route and the alternatives.
- Note the monitoring/training point that comes out of this.