2. Nature Of Tests.—These tests are divided into oral, inspection, and standard tests. It is important that teaching should not be confused with testing. In the former a man is instructed by example and explanation; in the latter he is questioned, or ordered to carry out a certain exercise without any explanation or assistance, and either passes the qualifying standard or is relegated for further instruction.
3. Record of Tests.—A record will be kept for each man of the results of the various tests, which will be inspected periodically by the commanding officer. Extracts from these records will furnish useful guides as to efficiency when men are transferred to other companies or battalions. Men, particularly recruits, should themselves keep a record of their performances.
4. Oral Tests.—(i) Care of Arms and Ammunition.—A few questions should be put to each man on these subjects.
(ii) General Theoretical Knowledge.—A few questions should be put to each man regarding the theory of rifle fire and its practical application.
(iii) Description of Targets.—Each man separately should be called upon to describe one or two objects in a landscape, and be questioned as to shape, colours, sizes, units of measure, etc.
5. Inspection Tests.—(i) Firing Positions.—Every man should be inspected individually in all firing positions, and the existence of any of the following serious faults should be noted in a book for production at subsequent tests: (a) Firing from left shoulder; (b) eye near cocking-piece or thumb in aiming; (c) want of grip with either hand; (d) finger round trigger in loading position; (e) excessive constraint of the limbs, body, or head in firing.
(ii) Fire Discipline.—Men should be tested for ability to execute orders for fire direction and control rapidly and correctly, including accurate adjustment of sights after each advance in attack, and after every advance of the enemy—represented by fatigue-men—at distances between 600 and 1,400 yards.
6. Standard Tests.—(i) Regulation Aim.—To be tested by triangle of error. Standard—No side of a triangle to be over one-third of an inch, or the centre of the triangle more than one-third of an inch from the instructor’s aim.
(ii) Trigger-Pressing.—Trigger-pressing will be tested by means of the aim-corrector.
(iii) Adjustment of Sights.—Several distances will be named and sights examined after three seconds [M.L.E. rifle, five seconds].