The Handgun Aptitude Test
The Handgun Aptitude Test (HAT) consists of 10 handgun skill drills to help you evaluate your progress as a shooter and your rank among other pistoleers.
The test was created by Mike & Erin Pettengill of Personal Protection Academy. The 10 shooting drills are to be performed in one calendar day with a pistol. The goal of the test is to develop a well rounded shooter.
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Some of the drills are familiar to experienced shooters. Other drills were invented specifically for the HAT test. The 10 drills include:
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1) 3x5 by 3x5
Target: 3”x5” Rectangle
Distance: Three Yards, Five Yards, Seven Yards, Ten Yards, Fifteen Yards
Start Position: From Low Ready
Start Signal: None
Number of Shots: 15
Time: No Time Pressure
Focus: Precision Shooting at Increased Distance
2) 3x3 Patriot
Target: Nine Numbered Shapes on Edges
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Holster, Hands Below Waist
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Nine
Time: Three Timed Strings
Focus: Draw on Multiple Targets
3) 4x1
Target: Four 1”x1” Squares
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Low Ready
Start Signal: None
Number of Shots: Four
Time: No Time Pressure
Focus: Precision Shooting
4) 2 x Bill Drill
Target: Large Vertical Rectangle in the Chest
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Holster, Hands Above Ears
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: 12
Time: Two Timed Strings
Focus: Defensive Shooting
5) Save the Hostage
Target: Horizontal Rectangle in the Head
Distance: 15 Yards
Start Position: From Low Ready
Start Signal: None
Number of Shots: Three
Time: No Time Pressure
Focus: Precision Shooting
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6) 3 x Mozambique
Target: Large vertical rectangle in the chest and small vertical rectangle in the head
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Holster, Hands Below Waist
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Nine
Time: Three Timed Strings
Focus: Failure to Stop
7) Support Side 7s
Target: Large Vertical Rectangle in the Chest
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Low Ready, Gun in Support Hand
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Seven
Time: Par Time of Seven Seconds
Focus: Support Hand Shooting
8) Hateful 8
Target: B8
Distance: Eight Yards
Start Position: From Holster, hands below waist, one magazine in the gun with four rounds and two magazines on the belt with two rounds each.
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Eight
Time: Timed
Focus: Emergency Reloads
9) As Easy As 1, 2, 3
Target: B8
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: Pointed in on Target
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Three
Time: Three Timed Strings
Focus: Clearing Malfunctions
10) The Final Countdown
Target: Nine Numbered Shapes on Edges
Distance: Seven Yards
Start Position: From Holster, Hands Below Waist
Start Signal: Beep from Timer
Number of Shots: Nine
Time: Timed
Focus: Random Target Acquisition
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