Type of questions on the PAL/RPAL tests?

BladeTheThrower

BladeTheThrower

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I called the CFO here and found out that it's $40 to challenge the RPAL and $65 to take the course here in Fredericton, NB. I think I'm going to challenge the test.

Is there any questions on the test that are unexpected or sort of "trick" questions to make it actually difficult? So far from reading the RPAL/PAL training book and watching the training videos(PAL/RPAL) the only surprise I see so far is how extensive they talk about the history of firearms and how older models function. (flintlocks, ect) Is that kind of stuff actually on the test? Or is it just like one question?

So far from watching the training videos I haven't learned a single new thing, I was already aware of everything the video states. Should I be good to challenge the test then? I personally feel confident to challenge the test, but like I said before, I'm not sure if there's any sort or "trick" questions on the test or not.
 
The worst "trick" you will face is double negative on a true/false question.

If you have basic firearm safety knowledge and half a brain you should pass.

I had "The law does not apply to the holder of a PAL. True or false?" Seriously.

There may be one question or two about muzzleloaders, as they have slightly different transport rules, or if it's ok to substitute smokeless for black powder, but that's about it. People who intend on shooting flintlocks follow the same course so it has to be at least somewhat covered.
 
Thanks for the info. I'm confident in myself but I just wasn't sure what kind of stuff they'd pull on the test.

So I gather that on the handling part of the test that they'll have a few guns on a table, ask you to pickup a specific type, you then identify it yourself, pick it up, see that it's unarmed and "PROVE" it safe?
 
That's the written test. it is indeed easy if you have read the study guide. There maybe a couple historical questions.

But what about the practical? Do you have any prior hands on experience on all the actions? Fumbling at the actions in front of an examiner who may not appreciate you wanting to challenge it might not be good. Everyone is different. Maybe you can glean enough from the videos.

Yes the practical is basically as you said it. On mine they asked me to PROVE two different actions and then asked me to identify what ammo fits a different action. Of course one of them will be restricted and one of them will be non-restricted. Then I was asked a couple verbal questions. If you know the material, you should have no problem.

Only twenty-five dollars difference? Take the course if you have the time to take it. It's not a waste of time.
 
Silveragent said:
That's the written test. it is indeed easy if you have read the study guide. There maybe a couple historical questions.

But what about the practical? Do you have any prior hands on experience on all the actions? Fumbling at the actions in front of an examiner who may not appreciate you wanting to challenge it might not be good. Everyone is different. Maybe you can glean enough from the videos.

Yes the practical is basically as you said it. On mine they asked me to PROVE two different actions and then asked me to identify what ammo fits a different action. Of course one of them will be restricted and one of them will be non-restricted. Then I was asked a couple verbal questions. If you know the material, you should have no problem.

Only twenty-five dollars difference? Take the course if you have the time to take it. It's not a waste of time.
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On my practical, we had to identify various cartridges (based on bullet or headstamp), PROVE all weapons we picked up, load/unload weapons, show a kneeling firing stance, and also show what you had to do crossing an obsticle (prove/unload, lay gun in safe direction, cross, then prove again).
 
The course would also mean myself missing 3 days of work so it would cost me a lot more than the $25 price difference.

I've been shooting guns for about 8 years. I've just never bothered to own any yet because I've always heard it was too much trouble to obtain your license. I've never been hunting, other than being an idiot and shooting a squirrel or two when I was younger. But I do know how to safely operate and care for a firearm.

As far as fumbling goes, are you saying that if I'm not flawless with ever gun model I'll fail? I've mostly only shot rifles, and a few handguns. No shotguns, but I understand how they operate just as well. But it's not like all gun models have the safety/slidelock/bolt release in the exact same spot. If it's a gun model I've never used before, and I take a second to look the gun over will I lose points?
 
you dont have to be flawless, but you do have to demonstrate a knowledge, and proper handling technique. the instructors understand that people can be new to firearms will bea little understanding (so long as you're not doing some dumb-ass shenanigan). if you've been around firearms for 8 years, know your ammo, actions, and PROVE, you should be fine.

that being said, taking the course, even if you are experienced can be a valuable tool later in life.... you dont know what you dont know; make sense?
 
I challenged my restricted. Had my PAL for years and decided to upgrade. I found my instructor very helpful. He was there to help me, any questions I had, he answered, as he said "the only stupid question is the question not asked".

You should have no problems, IMO...
 
It's the usual multiple choice test. Some tricky questions really have to watch how they word them. I feel for a few on both tests. But really I had no experence with guns and ammo besides just going to the range to shoot. I learned alot. If you want to challange the biggest part of the test is the practical and as long as you don't point the barrel at yourself or the instructor you'll be fine.
 
Both are very easy. I think one of the questions was about bullet diameter or shell gauge... "Which of these two is larger?" Another one I remember was "if you have a gun in a locked display cabinet, can you display ammunition with the firearm?" Just know your rules and you'll be ok.

The hands on portion is dead simple. I got 100% on the hand gun and 96% on the long-gun portion (I lost 1 mark for forgetting to check the head stamp on the 12 gauge shot shell before loading it / I lost the other mark for not putting my cheek on the stock of the gun when demonstrating the standing fire position).
 
Silveragent said:
... On mine they asked me to PROVE two different actions and then asked me to identify what ammo fits a different action. Of course one of them will be restricted and one of them will be non-restricted. Then I was asked a couple verbal questions. If you know the material, you should have no problem...
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Looks like there's another examiner asking to be decertified! If what you describe is accurate, your examiner was cheating on your behalf. For each of the practical tests you have to handle three different firearms, NOT one. After the ammo questions, you don't have to say a word. If the examiner is asking you how you would do something, he's skipping the exam parts where you're supposed to actually demonstrate something with the firearms. It's hard to make mistakes handling a gun that you only talk about using!

You need to take peoples' comments on CGN about how simple the practical exam is with a grain of salt because some of them didn't do a full and honest exam process. If you know your stuff it is easy, but if you don't it's easy to fail a correctly administered exam.
 
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You will not lose points if you ask questions due to your not being familiar with a particular firearm. For instance when asked to pick up the semi-auto handgun and you begin your ACTS and PROVE, if you say "I'm not familiar with this firearm and I would like to engage the safety". You won't be deducted marks as you know what you're supposed to do, you're just not familiar with how to do it on the firearm.

I would also suggest you talk, say what you are doing. If you prove a firearm safe and the safety was on when you picked it up, the examiner won't know if you knew the saftey was on or if you forgot to engage the safety and got lucky as it was already on. If you said, I would normally engage the safety at this time, but is already on, then there is no doubt in the examiners mind.
 
dHb said:
For each of the practical tests you have to handle three different firearms, NOT one.
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+1
I handled 3 different long-guns (a semi-auto rifle, a bolt action rifle and a pump-action shot gun). The instructor layed a bunch of playing cards on the table and I was asked to filp three over... these were the three long-guns I was tested on.

I also handled three different hand guns (a single action revolver, a dual action revolver and a semi-auto).
 
Yansee said:
+1
I handled 3 different long-guns (a semi-auto rifle, a bolt action rifle and a pump-action shot gun). The instructor layed a bunch of playing cards on the table and I was asked to filp three over... these were the three long-guns I was tested on.

I also handled three different hand guns (a single action revolver, a dual action revolver and a semi-auto).
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Yup, me to, on the restricted end.
 
Ioncannon said:
On my practical, we had to identify various cartridges (based on bullet or headstamp), PROVE all weapons we picked up, load/unload weapons, show a kneeling firing stance, and also show what you had to do crossing an obsticle (prove/unload, lay gun in safe direction, cross, then prove again).
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I don't remember the showing how to cross an obstacle but I did all the rest of what you said in my test.
 
dHb said:
Looks like there's another examiner asking to be decertified! If what you describe is accurate, your examiner was cheating on your behalf. For each of the practical tests you have to handle three different firearms, NOT one. After the ammo questions, you don't have to say a word. If the examiner is asking you how you would do something, he's skipping the exam parts where you're supposed to actually demonstrate something with the firearms.
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My memory probably isn't as clear as it should be but I certainly proved more than one firearm in each class.

And the examiner did ask me to demonstrate a carrying position so I was demonstrating it physically with the weapon. As for the verbal question, I don't know what that was about.

I'm not going to give up my examiner to the exam police but it didn't seem as shady as you allege and so far I've had no problem proving any gun in front of me.

If you are making a point that the practical test is actually more difficult than what my memory says. Okay, then. To the OP, get as much experience as you can. You could be asked to PROVE all of the actions multiple times. I had no idea how many times I would be asked to prove any weapon in the test ahead of time.
 
Silveragent said:
My memory probably isn't as clear as it should be but I certainly proved more than one firearm in each class... it didn't seem as shady as you allege...
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I'm not alleging. I put in the provision that my comments were based upon your reporting being accurate. You said you handled one gun in each test. If you actually handled three guns per test, then they could have been proper tests.
 
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