PAL/RPAL exam questions

Screamin-D

Screamin-D

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Hello,

I'm not taking the CFSC and CRFSC course till next month, but have already read through both sections of the manual and answered the questions after each chapter. I've gone online and found sample tests and have done those.

There are quite a few questions in those sample tests regarding types of ammo (ie: is the picture a .357 Magnum or 38 special or XYZ, will an 8MM Mouser cartridge fit in a .30-06 SPRG chambered rifle, etc). They just show the cartridges' side profile - no head data pictures. The manual doesn't go into anything specific except for some examples of bullet types (lead round nose, full metal jacket, metal jacket soft point, etc). And I remember that there was a small blurb about not being able to use ammo from one type to another (ie: .357 magnum vs .357 Ruger).

Does anyone recall if there are such questions on the exams? Who can memorize every type of ammo there is?

Thanks.
 
Sounds like you're well on your way to passing the exams, most people don't pre-read the manuals. As long as you pay attention during the class and have common sense you'll do fine.
 
You are absolutely right cyclops666. I've had my FAC since the 1970s but while in hospital from an industrial accident in late 1984 it expired. I had to retake PAL and the new RPAL. It was mostly common sense and safety. For an old guy like me (X army) it was a breeze I got 97% on PAL and 96% on RPAL. Sounds like your studying in advance with stand you in good stead at exam time. Good luck and good safe shooting and hunting Screaming-D.
BTW if you pay attention to the instructor(s), make notes on things that you are not to sure of and add that to you manual you'll pass with flying colours.
 
I did mine about 5 years ago and there were no questions that required you to identify cartridges calibers without seeing the head stamp, just the bullet types.
In my class students had the most difficulty with the practical, particularly those with limited or no exposure to handling guns so put your focus there.
If your lucky you'll get an instructor who is very hands on oriented with lots of demo guns. He'll review the book content but let you do the studying, which you are clearly ready for.
Our instructor was very hands on - but also a hard ass.
As for the paper test I got 97% on the CFSC (made a stupid mistake inferring a double negative about ricochets off water) and 100% on the CRFSC.
Practical I got dinged for not clearing all the chambers on a fixed cylinder revolver after using a single round for loading demo.
My class had 13 out 15 pass. One didn't finish and would have failed anyway, the other guy failed the practical. He was literally shaking he was so nervous and pointed a shotgun directly at the instructor!
All in all, not very difficult if you pay attention. If your new to guns, finding someone that will let you handle the different actions etc prior to class will be a big help.

Good luck, and get ready to $pend when the RPAL comes in!
 
If you can't see the stamp on the bullet, don't use it. Trick question. Always make sure to use the right ammo. If it can't be identified, don't use it....
 
jdmaks said:
Written part is easy peasy, the instructor will cover everything that's in the written exam.

It's the practical where I've seen class mates fail.
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Finger off the trigger and keep the gun pointed in the designated safe direction and u can’t fail unless u cram wrong ammo in firearm but if u can read that won’t happen
 
The written tests are easy, mainly common sense. I got 100% on the non restricted, and 98% on the restricted,..would have got 100% but changed one of the answers. I read the books ahead but even if I didn't would have passed. Common sense stuff.

The practical part is pretty easy. Got like 92 and 96% or something. Like someone said, don't put your finger in the trigger guard, always point the gun is the given direction, load, unload,..just listen to what is asked. Acts Prove everything. If you are just told to unload a gun,..Acts Prove it. Lots of people didn't.

You will be asked to identity calibre or gauge. You will be asked to identify jacketed, hollow point etc. Also you will be asked to pick out different guns,..lever, single shooter etc.

It was a lot easier that I expected. But the instructor I had was really good, cut to the chase. High energy, kept the ball rolling.

The only part I didn't really like was the muzzleloader stuff. Great to know the history but I really don't think most people are going to go the black powder route, or use flint locks. I guess it's a requirement so someone doesn't blow themselves up.

Good luck.
 
Hi there,

I did what you did before taking my classes and exams. I read the manual multiple times over, watched videos, watched the actual course videos, watched the PROVE videos on every class of firearms, etc. You'll find that the class is very easy in terms of the material. You won't be perfect with the hands on stuff if you're like me and haven't held a firearm before, but you get hours of time to work with the firearms. You'll find that everything in the class will be common sense to you while others are struggling (but that also gives the instructor the impression that you're well prepared). Also ask lots of questions, just to learn more or to get on better terms with the instructor (my instructor is a chair member of my local range and he was so impressed with me that he gave me a high recommendation before I even applied).

One thing to note, the questions on the test are very straight forward. Almost to the point that you start reading more into them. Don't read anything into them because you'll overthink yourself and get the question wrong. Let me explain one question I got wrong.

The question was about a double action only revolver. It was worded as if to imply that one pull of the trigger turns the cylinder a full 360 degrees, at least that's how I read it. But it simply said that a trigger pull rotates the cylinder one time to align the next chamber. I said false because in my head I thought "no, the cylinder doesn't rotate all the way around with one pull".

So, just listen carefully, be respectful, pay close attention to the hands on work and ask plenty of questions. Even during lunch break you can ask the instructor permission to handle the firearms to get better with it.

Best of luck to you.
 
As others have said, you'll do fine as long as you relax, pay attention and practice with the firearms when given the opportunity to do so. I went in without any experience apart from a couple recent trips to the range where it was only pulling the trigger after the RO prepared the guns. There were a couple "trick" questions but our instructor made sure to let us know what would be covered on the written portion and important things to consider.

The practical was easy as well, I found talking myself through the steps as I did them helped, although I almost forgot to remove the cylindrical magazine from a lever action rifle. The instructor just repeated "Pick up the lever action and prove it safe". Keeping it pointed in a safe direction and finger off the trigger are the most important things to remember.

Being an older guy with no firearms experience, I managed a 96% and 100% on the written for CFSC and CRFSC respectively and 100% on both practicals. No need to be nervous and make it harder on yourself.

That practice question you mentioned is strange. Could it be along the lines that a .357 firearm can use both a .357 and a .38 special cartridge but a .38 special firearm could not use a .357 cartridge? At least that's how I remember it.
 
TomExAF said:
And make sure the paperwork for the restricted transport is in the case.
Click to expand...


Many instructors will point out that this is not a good idea. You should not put yourself in a situation where you have to unlock and open your case to produce paperwork.
 
There are NO trick questions on the exams. Read the questions CAREFULLY and answer accordingly.
Ammo identification READ EVERYTHING ON THE HEAD STAMP.
Firearm identification READ EVERYTHING ON THE DATA STAMP.
For the purposes of the hands on test head stamp MUST match data stamp. The only real exception is 9mm as it has a few names.
Whatever else you do when the instructor says "please pick up ### firearm" don't just pick it up and stand there and stare at them waiting for the next instruction ACTS AND PROVE EVERY FIREARM AS SOON AS YOU TOUCH IT.
Take EVERY opportunity to handle EVERY firearm available. ACTS/PROVE and load/unload as much as possible and if you aren't sure FFS ask!
The only people I have had fail the hands on are the ones that were ho-hum about the handling practice.
FINGER OFF TRIGGER AND OUTSIDE TRIGGER GUARD AND POINTED IN SAFEST AVAILABLE DIRECTION practice moving yourself around the gun not the gun around yourself SPECIALLY with handguns as they are SUPER easy to get the muzzle pointed in an unsafe direction.
 
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