IPSC Rules Quiz

This quiz is based on the current edition of the International Practical Shooting Confederation Handgun
Competition Rules. Some questions will require you to write in an answer, while some will ask you to
select one (or possibly more than one) response from among those provided. You should know the
relevant rule number for all your answers. A 75% mark or better is a good result. You may use the rule
book to research your answers. Good luck!

1. List the 7 general principles of course design.

Rule #

2. What are the three elements of IPSC shooting?

Rule #

3. Which of the above three elements is the most important?

Rule #

4. IPSC matches are ……….Competitors must be permitted to solve the challenge in the manner they consider to be
best.
Rule #

5. IPSC Level III (and higher) shooting matches may contain the following general courses of fire.
Rule #

6. While a competitor is shooting a course of fire, the Range Officer notices that a paper target has moved from the
original position as a result of some of the staples falling out. What should the Range Officer do?
Rule #

7. Course design shall not require more than …… scoring hits from any single position and not more than …..
rounds to complete a “Long Course”.
Rule #

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8. What is the minimum distance allowed for the engagement of metal targets?
Rule #

9. What are the responsibilities of a Range Officer?

Rule #

10. What are the responsibilities of a Chief Range Officer?

Rule #

11. A competitor's handgun jams during a course of fire. Is the competitor allowed to correct the malfunction using a
knife from their pocket?
Rule #

12. How many rounds are selected for the chronograph test?
Rule #

13. If a competitor’s ammunition fails the chronograph test, may the competitor demand a test of additional rounds
because the ammo always "makes it at home?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

14. Is it permissible to use all three types of metal targets in any single handgun course of fire (stage)?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

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15. When standing relaxed, the muzzle of a holstered gun must point downward to within what distance from the
competitor’s feet?
A [ ] 2 meters
B [ ] 1.5 meters
C [ ] 1 meter
D [ ] 0.5 meter
Rule #

16. Does the trigger of a holstered handgun have to be covered?

A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

17. Are there any exceptions to the above [Q16]? If so, please explain:
Rule #

18. Competitor movement should preferably be restricted by the use of physical barriers, but may also be restricted
by the use of …?
Rule #

19. What is the minimum height above the ground of fault lines?
A [ ] 10 cm
B [ ] 7 cm
C [ ] 2 cm
D [ ] 3 cm
Rule #

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20. May a competitor challenge the score on any particular target?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

21. If so, how far may the competitor take such a challenge?
Rule #

22. Is any penalty assessed if a competitor steps across a fault line but does not fire any shots while doing so?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

23. How much time does a competitor have to submit a written protest?
A [ ] 2 hours
B [ ] Until scores are posted
C [ ] 30 minutes
D [ ] 1 hour
Rule #

24. Dropping a gun loaded or not during a course of fire will result in?
A [ ] Disqualification from that stage.
B [ ] A safety warning if the gun is unloaded and disqualification from the match if it is loaded.
C [ ] Forfeiture of all score for that stage.
D [ ] Disqualification from the match.
Rule #

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25. What is the minimum cartridge dimension and bullet diameter permitted in IPSC handgun matches?
A [ ] .38 Special
B [ ] No minimum calibre specified.
C [ ] .380 Automatic
D [ ] 9x19mm / 9mm (.354 inches)
Rule #

26. May a competitor retrieve dropped magazines or speed loaders?

A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

27. What is the maximum height for an obstacle or climbing barrier?

A [ ] 3 meters
B [ ] 1.5 meters
C [ ] 2 meters
D [ ] 2.5 meters
Rule #

28. A competitor's handgun malfunctions during a strong hand only stage. In order to clear the malfunction, the
competitor removes the magazine and racks the slide. After clearing the jam the competitor inserts a magazine from
their belt and continues the stage shooting strong hand only. Should the official assess a penalty?
Rule #

29. A Range Officer is disqualified for safety reasons while competing. Is the official still eligible to act as a Range
Officer in that same match?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

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30. During a course of fire a competitor notices that a target has not been restored/patched. He stops and claims a
reshoot. What is your answer?
Rule #

31. No-shoots must be clearly marked with an “X” or be of a single unique colour different from scoring targets.
A [ ] True
B [ ] False
Rule #
32. The maximum length for a magazine in Open Division is:
Rule #

33. Two types of “Popper” targets are used in IPSC matches. They are known as:
Rule #

34. Is it permissible to use these types of Poppers together in the same course of fire (stage)?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

35. A written request for arbitration must be submitted to?

A [ ] The CRO of the stage concerned.
B [ ] The Range Master.
C [ ] The Chairman of the Arbitration Committee.
Rule #

36. Once specified, must weak hand shooting be used exclusively for the remainder of the string or stage?
A [ ] True
B [ ] False
Rule #

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37. Are competitors responsible to keep a record of their own scores?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

38. Must the competitor be given the higher score if the bullet diameter of a hit on a target touches the scoring line
of a higher scoring area?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

39. What are the scoring values on an IPSC target?

Major Scoring Area Minor
A
C
D

Rule #

40. A bullet striking the ground less than ……meter(s) from the competitor will be considered an “Accidental
Discharge” and will result in disqualification from the match:
A [ ] True
B [ ] False
Rule #

41. List the handgun divisions.

Rule #

42. While scoring targets, the Range Officer finds that a turning and disappearing target has an oblong bullet hole
running from the "C" zone for a distance of 38 mm (1.5 inches) into the "A" zone. How is this hit scored?
Rule #

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43. What three methods may be used to simulate “hard” cover on or near a target?
Rule #

44. Are radial tears on a target considered for scoring purposes?

A [ ] No. Only the outer edge of the bullet hole will be considered.
B [ ] Yes. A tear entering a higher scoring area will earn the competitor the higher score.
Rule #

45. A competitor comes to the line with a magazine inserted in the handgun. What should the Range Officer do?
A [ ] Issue a procedural.
B [ ] Disqualify the competitor.
C [ ] Require the competitor to unload and show clear and proceed with the stage if there is no live round in either
the gun or the inserted magazine.
Rule #

46. A competitor steps over a fault line and fires 6 rounds at 4 Poppers, gaining a significant advantage for all 4
targets. How many procedural penalties should be assessed?
Rule #

47. During a course of fire, the competitor hits a Popper and the Popper remains standing. The competitor sees this
and shoots at the Popper a second time and the Popper falls. After the course of fire the competitor claims that the
Popper is not calibrated properly and requests a calibration. What should the officials do?
A [ ] Nothing
B [ ] Give him a reshoot
C [ ] Calibrate the Popper
Rule #

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48. Must the trigger finger be outside the trigger guard at all times when moving, if the gun is taken off aim from the
targets?

A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

49. When must an Arbitration Committee reach its decision?

A [ ] The same day.
B [ ] Within 24 hours or before scores are posted.
C [ ] Before the awarding of prizes.
D [ ] Within 6 hours.
Rule #

50. Any hit on the scoring area of a no-shoot will receive a penalty:
A [ ] True
B [ ] True, to a maximum of two hits per no-shoot.
C [ ] False. Paper no-shoots must have a full diameter hit and metal no-shoots must fall before penalties are
assessed.
Rule #

51. The belt carrying a competitor’s equipment must pass through the belt loops at waist level.
A [ ] True
B [ ] False. A competitor may wear as many gun belts as he wishes.
C [ ] False. The belt must only be tight around the waist.
D [ ] False. Either the belt or the inner belt or both must be permanently sewn at the waist or secured with a
minimum of three belt loops to shorts or trousers.
Rule #

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52. What is the minimum distance between competitors on a common firing line?
A [ ] 2 meters
B [ ] 1 meter
C [ ] 1.5 meters
D [ ] 3 meters
Rule #

53. During the walkthrough, a competitor uses an empty magazine as a sighting aid while inspecting the course of
fire. What should you do?
A [ ] Issue a procedural penalty to the competitor.
B [ ] Nothing
C [ ] Give him a warning.
Rule #

54. Following the command “If clear, hammer down, holster”, a competitor’s handgun discharges and the bullet
strikes a target 5 meters downrange. What should you do?
Rule #

55. Can a competitor appeal a safety violation disqualification to the arbitration committee? Under which
circumstances?
Rule #

56. May the decisions of the Arbitration Committee be appealed to the Regional Director or the IPSC President?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

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57. Any discharge prior to commencement or while loading, reloading, unloading or during remedial action or while
transferring the firearm from one hand to the other, shall result in?
A [ ] Disqualification from the stage.
B [ ] A procedural penalty.
C [ ] Disqualification from the match.
Rule #

58. If a course of fire requires that a self-loading pistol be prepared with an empty chamber, must the slide be fully
forward and the hammer, if fitted, fully down or decocked?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
C [ ] It depends on the stage briefing.
Rule #

59. What is the minimum trigger pull for the first round fired from a Production Division handgun?
Rule #

60. May any factory handgun be used in Production Division?

A [ ] Yes. As long as the handgun is not modified.
B [ ] No. Only handguns listed by IPSC are permissible in Production Division.
Rule #

61. During a course of fire a competitor’s glasses accidentally fall off. What action does the Range Officer take?
A [ ] None, it’s their fault.
B [ ] Continue the stage.
C [ ] Stop the competitor and order a re-shoot.
D [ ] The competitor is scored zero for the stage.
Rule #

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62. If a tie results between two competitors in a match, how is their final position decided?
A [ ] The one with the fastest times shall place first.
B [ ] They must both shoot another stage or stages nominated by the Match Director.
C [ ] By the toss of a coin.
D [ ] By comparing their hits in descending order of value and awarding the first position to the one with the best
hits.
Rule #

63. Can a competitor have a negative score in a stage?

A [ ] Yes, if penalty values exceed hit values.
B [ ] No
Rule #

64. May a competitor practice drawing in a safety area?

A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

65. May a competitor approach targets closer than ….. during the scoring process?
A [ ] 2 meters
B [ ] One arm's length.
C [ ] 1 meter
D [ ] Does not matter as long as he does not touch the target.
Rule #

66. A competitor's gun breaks during a stage or string. Is the competitor entitled to a re-shoot on the grounds of
equipment failure?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

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67. During remedial action, must the competitor remove the trigger finger from the trigger guard if the handgun is
clearly moved off aim on the targets?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

68. Can extended magazines be used in Standard Division?

A [ ] No
B [ ] Yes, provided the gun with the magazine inserted fits in the “box”
C [ ] Only if it is the accepted factory standard
Rule #

69. You as a competitor have just arrived at the range. When you get out of the car you realise that your firearm is
still loaded, what do you do?
Rule #

70. May the use of a "duty holster" be prohibited in handgun matches?

A [ ] No
B [ ] Yes, if the Range Master declares the holster unsafe.
Rule #

71. Match Officials are

A [ ] Range Officers
B [ ] Personnel who have been officially appointed by match organisers.
C [ ] Personnel who actually serve in an official capacity at a match.
D [ ] Only those people who serve at the match but who aren’t Range Officers.
Rule #

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72. A score sheet is received with no time on it. A re-shoot is impossible. What action is taken?
A [ ] Ask the Range Officer to estimate the time.
B [ ] Give the competitor an ‘average’ score.
C [ ] Give the competitor zero for that stage
Rule #

73. Must all moving targets present at least a portion of the highest scoring zone after coming to a stop?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

74. A competitor is found to be handling live ammunition in a safety area. What procedure do you follow?
A [ ] Disqualify him from the match.
B [ ] Warn him and report the warning to the Range Master or Match Director.
C [ ] Disqualify him from that stage.
Rule #

75. Must Production and Revolver Division handguns fit “the box”?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

76. At a Level III match how many competitors are required in each category to ensure that the category is
recognized?
A[ ]5
B [ ] 10%
C [ ] 10
D [ ] 20
Rule #

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77. When does the Course of Fire start?
Rule #

78. When does the Course of Fire end?

Rule #

79. May female competitors wear their belts and holsters at hip bone level?
A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
C [ ] Only in Open Division.
Rule #

80. A competitor’s gun breaks during a course of fire with 4 targets left to engage. After ensuring that the gun is
safely cleared and holstered, what action do you take?
A [ ] Score and patch only the targets that the competitor hit.
B [ ] Issue a DNF.
C [ ] Score and patch normally including misses and "failure to engage" penalties.
Rule #

81. The course of fire requires the competitor to perform a task that is too physically demanding or impossible due
to a disability. After checking with the Range Master the competitor is allowed to deviate from the course
requirement and a penalty is issued as follows:
A [ ] The competitor must start with an empty gun.
B [ ] After the competitor has finished, deduct up to a maximum of 20% of the score as shot.
C [ ] Add 20 seconds to the competitors time.
Rule #

82. Are all props “soft” cover?

A [ ] Yes
B [ ] No
Rule #

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83. Course designers may not design a course of fire that requires the competitor to re-holster, however a competitor
may choose to re-holster during a course of fire as long as it is done safely.
A [ ] True
B [ ] False
Rule #

84. While a competitor is opening a port in a barrier, the gun accidentally points directly at the competitor’s weak-
side arm. What action do you take?
A [ ] Following the course of fire, you issue a warning to the competitor for sweeping and make a notation on the
score sheet.
B [ ] No action is required.
C [ ] Stop the competitor and issue a match disqualification for sweeping.
Rule #

85. The start position for a weak hand course of fire requires the gun to be loaded and placed on a table facing
downrange. At the start signal, the competitor uses both hands to pick the gun up but does not fire any shots before
removing the strong hand from the gun. As the Range Officer, what action do you take?
Rule #

86. During a course of fire, a competitor approaches a port to engage a Popper. Unfortunately, the wind has knocked
the Popper down. The competitor hesitates and then fires two rounds downrange in the general area of the Popper
and continues on through the course. What action should you take?
Rule #

87. While running through a course of fire, a competitor accidentally knocks his ear protectors off. What action do
you take?
Rule #

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88. Is the intentional removal of eye or ear protection in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage unsportsmanlike
conduct?
A [ ] Yes. This action will result in a match disqualification.
B [ ] No
Rule #

89. A fault line is used to limit a competitor from approaching closer than 7 meters from a metal target. The fault
line must be placed no closer than ….. meters from the target. Why?
Rule #

90. List the minimum power ratings for each handgun division.

Minor Factor Division Major Factor

Open
Standard
Classic
Production
Revolver

Rule #

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