Old Guide Tests
from a book revised 1946

Tenderfoot : the Guide must

  • Know the Guide Law, the Threefold Promise, the Signs and the Salute
  • Understand the composition of the Union Jack, the right way to fly it and know some of the stories connected with it
  • Whip the end of a rope and tie three of the following knots and know their uses: Reef, sheet bend, clovehitch, double overhand, and fisherman's knot
  • Have at least one month's attendance

Second Class (needed before any interest badges may be taken): the Guide must

  • Have passed the Tenderfoot Test
  • Be able to receive and answer a message out of talking range in Semaphore or Morse Recognise 12 living things and discover by observation something of interest about each Or: Keep a short and interesting log book Or: Stay still alone for half an hour in the open and afterwards report on anything she has seen or heard or smelt
  • Know the stalking positions and have played stalking games.
  • Follow a trail of woodcraft signs for at least half a mile
  • Do square lashing and show practical use of six of the following knots:- Reef, sheetbend, clovehitch, timberhitch, bowline, sheepshank, fisherman's, round turn and two half hitches and packer's knot
  • Make a fire out of doors, using not more than two matches, and cook on it
  • Know how to be healthy and show what she is doing to keep the Rules of Health
  • Cover a mile at Scout's pace and arrive in good condition
  • Treat simple cuts, burns, shock, fainting and choking, and stop bleeding (with pad and bandage on the wound only); apply large arm sling and bandage a sprained ankle
  • Make some useful article
  • Strip and make a bed properly, and put her knowledge into practice at home
  • Be able to use a public telephone, and know the local bus routes


First Class : the Guide must

  • Be a Second Class Guide and have a good influence in her company
  • Have camped for at least a weekend in a Guide camp. (Where conditions make this impossible, the Commissioner and C.A. may give permission for the Guide to sleep in a hut.)
  • Read Scouting for Boys (Boy's Edition) or The Life of Baden-Powell (published by the Scouts), or The Wolf that Never Sleeps, (published by the Guides), and make a book showing the story of The Guide Movement, including its International aspect.
  • Understand the meaning of thrift and show she has endeavoured to prevent waste in six practical ways - three with regard to her own property, and three with regard to that of other people
  • (i) Cook's Test (a) Cook and serve unaided a two course dinner for a small number. (Indoors or out as chosen by the candidate) (b) Answer simple questions to show understanding of a balanced menu
  • (ii) Needlewoman's TestMake a simple garment, darn a stocking and patch a worn article
  • (iii) Child Nurse Test (a) Make at the test a timetable for the routine of a child for a day in summer or winter (b) Keep a child or group of children happily occupied for one hour. This test applies to children aged 3 to 5 years.Note: Holders of the Cook, Needlewoman and Child Nurse Badges are exempt from these clauses
  • Go on foot for an expedition of not less than six miles
  • Have done her best to achieve the standards of the Health Record Card, and discuss with her Captain its practical application
  • Swim 50 yards
  • Throw a rope 12 yards (as a life line or for other useful purposes) with reasonable accuracy and in good style
  • Have an intimate knowledge of the neighbourhood within a radius of half a mile from her home or Guide H.Q. (for country Guides one mile) and direct a stranger to the nearest doctor, fire ambulance, telephone, police or railway station or post or telegraph office, pillar box, garage, and nearest place for petrol, etc. from any point within that district. Be able to tell a stranger how long it will take to get there. Draw at the test a rough sketch map which would enable a stranger to find his way from one given point to another. The distance to be covered must be indicated. Know to what places the main roads lead
  • Use a compass and find the 16 points by the sun and stars. Read a map.
  • Take two Guides (not 1st Class) for a half-day's hike, where possible following a map. The tester, who may accompany or join them at any point, should judge them on their general turnout, programme, organisation, manner, care of other people's Property, clearing up, enjoyment, etc., type of food and its method of Cooking
  • Be prepared to: Treat for shock following accident; arrest bleeding; treat a patient unconscious from accident, fit or fainting; resuscitate the drowning, using Schäfer's method of artificial respiration. Know how to deal with fire and ice accidents
  • Prepare a bed for a stretcher case. Change the sheets on the bed with the patient in it. Show how to prevent bed sores. Use a clinical thermometer. Dress a wound.
  • Throughout the test the candidate's appearance, carriage, courtesy and common sense shall be taken into consideration


Green First Class
A lower grade 1st Class Badge has been instituted. The test is similar to the above with the exception of the swimming qualifications, and is only for those who cannot learn to swim through lack of facilities, in which case the County Commissioner's permission must be obtained through the usual channels, and only on the recommendation of the local 1st Class examiner. This does not qualify for All Round Cords or Queen's Guide Award

Blue First Class
This badge is awarded to Guides in Extension and ordinary companies, who for reasons of ill-health are unable to swim or take part in some other part of the First Class Test. If a doctor's certificate is given stating that the Guide is unable to swim, the Health Badge may be taken as an alternative. Guides in extension or ordinary companies, who for reasons of health are unable to take the ordinary First Class Test may use the alternatives given in the Extension Book. The Blue First Class Badge qualifies for Blue Cords, but not for All Round Cords or Queen's Guide Award.


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