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Question 1Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, on which part of the opponent's body may a touch be scored?

  1. The torso, including the groin and back, but not the arms or mask Correct answer.
  2. The entire body above the waist
  3. Any part of the body except the hands
  4. The torso and the arms, but not the legs

Explanation

Foil is a thrusting weapon whose valid target is the trunk: the torso front and back, including the groin area, but excluding the arms, legs, and mask. Hits landing off this target are not scored as touches.

Question 2Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

Which weapon awards a touch when the point lands on the opponent's mask?

  1. Foil only
  2. All three weapons Correct answer.
  3. Epee and sabre only
  4. Foil and epee only

Explanation

The mask is valid target in all three weapons: it is part of the head, which is valid in epee and sabre, and in foil the bib of the mask counts as part of the metallic target area. A hit on the mask can therefore score in every weapon.

Question 3Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer scores a touch by landing the point on the opponent. Which statement describes epee target?

  1. The torso and head only
  2. The torso and legs but not the arms
  3. The whole body, including the mask, hands, and feet Correct answer.
  4. The torso, arms, and head but not the legs

Explanation

Epee has the entire body as valid target, from head to toe, including the hands, feet, and mask. There is no off-target area in epee.

Question 4Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

Which part of the body is off-target in sabre?

  1. The torso
  2. The legs and feet Correct answer.
  3. The arms above the elbow
  4. The head

Explanation

Sabre target is everything above the waist, including the head, arms, and hands, but excluding the legs and feet. A hit to the legs is off-target and does not score.

Question 5Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, what happens when a fencer lands a hit on the opponent's leg during a phrase?

  1. It scores as a normal touch
  2. It scores only if the opponent also hit off-target
  3. It scores only if the fencer had right of way
  4. It is off-target and play continues without a touch being awarded Correct answer.

Explanation

The leg is outside the foil target area, so a hit there is off-target. Off-target hits in foil do not stop the phrase for scoring purposes and no touch is awarded for them.

Question 6Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer delivers a cut that lands flat against the opponent's side of the torso. How is this judged?

  1. It counts only if the referee hears the electric signal
  2. It counts as off-target
  3. It does not count because sabre requires the cutting edge or point to land Correct answer.
  4. It counts as a valid touch because the torso is target

Explanation

Sabre scoring requires a hit with the cutting edge, the flat, or the point, but a flat hit does not register on the electric apparatus and is not awarded. The referee awards touches based on valid hits indicated by the scoring machine.

Question 7Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, two fencers hit each other within the same scoring interval. What is the result?

  1. Only the first hit to register is awarded
  2. Neither touch is awarded
  3. The referee decides which fencer had priority
  4. Both touches are awarded Correct answer.

Explanation

Epee has no right-of-way convention; when both fencers register a hit within the tolerance window of the apparatus, both touches are awarded. This is the basis of the double touch.

Question 8Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, both fencers land valid hits, but one fencer had established right of way. What does the referee award?

  1. A double touch to both fencers
  2. A touch to the fencer who hit lower on the torso
  3. No touch to either fencer
  4. A touch only to the fencer with right of way Correct answer.

Explanation

Foil uses right of way to resolve simultaneous valid hits. The fencer who established priority (by initiating the attack or correctly taking over) receives the touch, and the opponent receives nothing.

Question 9Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

Which action best describes how right of way is initially established in sabre?

  1. Being the first to extend the arm and threaten the opponent with the blade Correct answer.
  2. Parrying the opponent's blade and then counter-attacking
  3. Standing still and waiting for the opponent to attack
  4. Retreating while keeping the blade pointed at the opponent

Explanation

In sabre, the attack is established by extending the arm and continuously threatening the opponent with the blade. The fencer who first creates this threat gains priority.

Question 10Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

A fencer's weapon fails the pre-bout equipment check for insufficient blade flexibility. What is the standard consequence?

  1. The fencer receives a yellow card
  2. The fencer is disqualified from the tournament
  3. The fencer must replace the weapon before fencing Correct answer.
  4. The fencer fences but cannot score with that weapon

Explanation

Equipment must meet the required specifications before the bout. A weapon that fails the check must be replaced or corrected before the fencer may fence; failure to comply can lead to penalties, but the immediate remedy is replacement.

Question 11Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, what does a white (off-target) light on the scoring apparatus indicate?

  1. A hit delivered with the flat of the blade
  2. A broken weapon
  3. A valid hit on the torso
  4. A hit that landed off the valid target area Correct answer.

Explanation

The white light in foil signals a hit that landed outside the valid target area. Such hits do not score, and the phrase continues unless a valid hit also registered.

Question 12Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, which actions can legitimately score a touch?

  1. Only thrusts with the point
  2. Only flat hits that depress the tip
  3. Only cuts with the cutting edge
  4. Cuts with the edge and thrusts with the point Correct answer.

Explanation

Sabre is both a cutting and thrusting weapon; a touch may be scored with the cutting edge or with the point. Flat hits do not register and are not awarded.

Question 13Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer depresses the tip against the opponent's weapon arm. How is this scored?

  1. It is valid only if it was the first hit of the bout
  2. It is valid only if the opponent was attacking
  3. It is off-target and no touch is awarded
  4. It is a valid touch because the arm is part of the epee target Correct answer.

Explanation

Epee target is the entire body, which includes the arms and hands. A hit on the weapon arm is therefore a valid touch.

Question 14Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

During a foil bout, a fencer's lamé (metallic vest) develops a hole that exposes non-conductive material. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Continue fencing because lamé condition does not affect scoring
  2. Replace the damaged lamé before continuing Correct answer.
  3. Award the opponent a touch
  4. Switch to epee equipment

Explanation

The conductive lamé defines the valid target area for the apparatus. Damage that exposes non-conductive material can cause valid hits to register as off-target, so the lamé must be replaced.

Question 15Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, a fencer attacks, the opponent parries and ripostes, and the original attacker's remise lands after the riposte. Assuming the riposte landed validly, who is awarded the touch?

  1. Both fencers, because both landed valid hits
  2. The defender, because the riposte has priority over the remise Correct answer.
  3. The original attacker, because the attack began first
  4. Neither, because the actions were simultaneous

Explanation

A correctly executed parry transfers priority to the defender, whose riposte becomes the priority action. The original attacker's remise, landing after the riposte, is a counter-action without priority and does not score over a valid riposte.

Question 16Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, the attacker begins a forward attack, the defender makes a successful parry, and the attacker immediately continues with a remise as the defender ripostes. If both land, how does the referee resolve it?

  1. Award a double touch
  2. Award the touch to the attacker for initiating the attack
  3. Award no touch because the actions overlapped
  4. Award the touch to the defender for the parry-riposte Correct answer.

Explanation

The parry grants priority to the defender, and the riposte from that parry is the priority action. The attacker's remise, made after being parried, lacks priority and does not score over a valid riposte.

Question 17Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer's hit registers on the opponent, but the referee observes that the fencer's tip was depressed against the floor immediately before. What is the correct ruling?

  1. The bout is halted and both fencers receive a card
  2. The touch is annulled because a floor hit invalidates the subsequent action Correct answer.
  3. The touch is awarded to the opponent instead
  4. The touch stands because it registered on the apparatus

Explanation

Hits registered against the floor (or other non-target surfaces that are grounded) can cause the apparatus to register falsely. The referee annuls a touch that resulted from such a floor hit rather than a genuine hit on the opponent.

Question 18Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, when is a fencer permitted to score a touch with the point while the referee has called a halt?

  1. Always, if the tip was already in motion
  2. Only if the opponent was retreating
  3. Never; actions after 'halt' do not count Correct answer.
  4. Only during the final minute of the bout

Explanation

The referee's call of 'halt' ends the phrase. Any action taken after the halt is not counted, even if a hit registers.

Question 19Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, which of the following best describes the purpose of the guard on the weapon?

  1. To signal a touch to the referee
  2. To measure blade flexibility
  3. To protect the hand and define the boundary of the weapon's electrical circuit Correct answer.
  4. To indicate valid target area

Explanation

The guard protects the fencer's hand and is part of the weapon's electrical configuration. In epee, the guard is grounded so that hits to the guard do not register as touches.

Question 20Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer makes a cut to the opponent's wrist. The wrist is above the waist. How is this scored?

  1. Valid only if the cut lands with the point
  2. Valid, because the arm and hand are part of the sabre target Correct answer.
  3. Off-target, because the hand is never valid
  4. Off-target, because only the torso and head count

Explanation

Sabre target includes everything above the waist, which encompasses the arms and hands as well as the head and torso. A cut to the wrist is therefore a valid touch.

Question 21Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

A fencer in foil deliberately turns the back to the opponent to avoid being hit. How does the referee treat this?

  1. As an off-target action with no consequence
  2. As a legitimate defensive tactic
  3. As a violation that can result in a penalty card Correct answer.
  4. As an automatic touch for the fencer who turned

Explanation

Turning the back to the opponent is prohibited because it is unsafe and evades the target area. The referee may penalize such conduct with a card depending on the circumstances.

Question 22Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer hits the opponent's bell guard with the tip. What is the expected result?

  1. No touch is registered because the guard is grounded Correct answer.
  2. An off-target light appears
  3. The referee awards a touch to the defender
  4. A valid touch is registered

Explanation

The epee guard is part of the grounded circuit, so a hit on the guard does not register as a touch. Only hits on the opponent's body produce a scoring signal.

Question 23Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, which combination correctly pairs a valid target area with the reason it counts?

  1. The bib of the mask, because it is conductive and part of the target Correct answer.
  2. The knee, because it is below the waist
  3. The upper arm, because it is above the elbow
  4. The glove, because it covers the hand

Explanation

The conductive bib of the foil mask is treated as part of the valid target area, which is why hits there register as valid touches. Other listed areas are not foil target.

Question 24Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer crosses the rear limit of the piste with both feet during the bout. What is the standard result?

  1. A warning with no touch awarded
  2. The fencer loses right of way for the next phrase
  3. The bout is restarted at the center
  4. A touch awarded to the opponent Correct answer.

Explanation

Crossing the rear limit of the piste with both feet results in a touch being awarded to the opponent. This penalizes retreating off the end of the strip.

Question 25Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

Which statement accurately distinguishes the target areas of the three weapons?

  1. Foil targets the torso, sabre targets above the waist, and epee targets the whole body Correct answer.
  2. Epee and foil share the torso target, while sabre targets the whole body
  3. All three weapons target the whole body but differ only in blade type
  4. Foil and sabre share the same target, while epee uses the whole body

Explanation

Each weapon has a distinct target: foil the torso (including the groin and back), sabre everything above the waist, and epee the entire body. These differences drive the different scoring conventions.

Question 26Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, which part of the opponent's body is valid target?

  1. The entire body from head to toe
  2. Only the arms and hands
  3. The torso including the back and groin, covered by the metallic vest Correct answer.
  4. Only the head and neck

Explanation

Foil target is limited to the trunk, including the back and groin, as covered by the conductive lamé. Limbs and head are off-target and register as white lights.

Question 27Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, which part of the body counts as valid target?

  1. The torso and head only
  2. The upper body above the waist
  3. The torso only
  4. The entire body, including hands, feet, and head Correct answer.

Explanation

Epee has no restricted target area; the whole body is valid, including the hands, arms, legs, feet, and head. There are no off-target lights in epee.

Question 28Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, which area is valid target?

  1. The entire body including the legs
  2. The torso only
  3. The head and torso only, excluding the arms
  4. The whole body above the waist, including the head and arms Correct answer.

Explanation

Sabre target is everything above the waist, including the head, arms, and hands, when hit with the cutting edge, flat, or point. The legs are off-target.

Question 29Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, how is a touch scored when the tip contacts the opponent's arm?

  1. It counts as a touch against the fencer who was hit
  2. It counts as a valid touch
  3. It registers as off-target and no touch is awarded Correct answer.
  4. It counts only if the arm is above the waist

Explanation

The arms are outside foil's valid target area, so a hit there registers as off-target (white light) and no touch is scored. Only hits on the metallic vest count.

Question 30Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

Which weapon uses a bell guard that is small and round, with no conductive scoring distinction between on- and off-target lights?

  1. All three weapons score identically
  2. Sabre
  3. Foil
  4. Epee Correct answer.

Explanation

Epee scoring treats the whole body as target, so there are no off-target lights; the epee guard is large and bell-shaped. Foil and sabre use conductive target areas that produce off-target signals.

Question 31Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, which part of the blade may legally score a touch?

  1. Only the point
  2. Only the forte near the guard
  3. The entire blade including the flat Correct answer.
  4. Only the cutting edge

Explanation

Sabre scores with the cutting edge, the flat, and the point; the whole blade is scoring surface. This distinguishes sabre from foil and epee, which score only with the point.

Question 32Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, which action gives a fencer priority (right of way) to be awarded a touch when both lights show?

  1. Being the fencer who scores the lower hit
  2. Being the fencer with the longer blade
  3. Being the fencer who retreats the most
  4. Being the fencer who is attacking and threatening valid target Correct answer.

Explanation

Foil uses right of way: the attacker who threatens valid target and maintains the attack holds priority. If both fencers hit, priority determines who receives the touch.

Question 33Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, when both fencers register a valid hit within the same scoring interval, how is the phrase resolved?

  1. The fencer with priority receives the touch
  2. Neither touch counts
  3. Both fencers are awarded a touch Correct answer.
  4. Only the first hit counts

Explanation

Epee has no right of way; simultaneous valid hits are both scored, one touch to each fencer. This is why epee bouts can end in double touches.

Question 34Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, a fencer attacks, the defender parries, and the defender's immediate riposte lands on valid target while the attacker's blade is still displaced. Who is awarded the touch?

  1. Neither fencer
  2. The defender, because the riposte follows a successful parry Correct answer.
  3. Both fencers
  4. The attacker, because the attack started first

Explanation

A successful parry transfers priority to the defender, whose immediate riposte scores if it lands before the attacker re-establishes an attack. The original attack loses priority once parried.

Question 35Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, the attacker makes a forward cut, the defender parries, and the attacker immediately continues with a second cut that lands before the defender ripostes. How is this judged?

  1. The defender scores for the parry
  2. No touch is awarded
  3. The action is halted and restarted with no score
  4. The attacker scores with a remise Correct answer.

Explanation

If the attacker's continuation (remise) lands before the defender's riposte, the attacker may score despite the parry. Timing of the landing hit governs the outcome.

Question 36Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer's tip contacts the opponent's weapon and the opponent's apparatus registers a hit at the same moment as the fencer's own hit. How is this typically treated?

  1. Only the fencer's touch counts
  2. Both touches count Correct answer.
  3. The phrase is annulled and fencers restart
  4. The weapon contact cancels the opponent's touch

Explanation

In epee, blade contact does not prevent a valid hit from registering; if both fencers register valid hits in the same interval, both touches are awarded.

Question 37Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, a fencer steps off the side of the piste with one foot during an action and then returns. What is the standard penalty progression?

  1. Immediate black card
  2. No consequence at all
  3. Loss of the bout
  4. A warning for the first offense, then penalty touches for repeat offenses Correct answer.

Explanation

Leaving the piste laterally is a group-one offense: the first occurrence draws a yellow card, and repeats draw penalty touches. It is not an immediate disqualification.

Question 38Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer crosses the rear limit of the piste with both feet while retreating. What is the result?

  1. A warning only
  2. The fencer is moved forward one meter with no penalty
  3. The fencer is disqualified
  4. A touch awarded to the opponent Correct answer.

Explanation

Crossing the rear limit with both feet results in a touch against the fencer who crossed. This is a penalty touch, distinct from a warning.

Question 39Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, a fencer turns the back to the opponent to avoid being hit during an attack. How does the referee treat this?

  1. As a penalty offense that can escalate to a card Correct answer.
  2. As an off-target action with no consequence
  3. As a legal defensive maneuver
  4. As an automatic touch for the fencer who turned

Explanation

Turning the back to the opponent is prohibited because it creates a dangerous and unfair situation. The referee penalizes it, escalating from warning to penalty touch and potentially further.

Question 40Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer's point presses against the opponent's bell guard and no valid hit registers. What is the expected outcome?

  1. The referee issues a penalty card
  2. A touch is awarded to the opponent
  3. No touch is scored because the guard is not valid scoring surface for that contact Correct answer.
  4. A touch is awarded to the pressing fencer

Explanation

Contact with the opponent's guard is not a valid hit; the guard is not part of the scoring surface in the way a body hit is. No touch registers from guard contact alone.

Question 41Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, which combination correctly describes a valid scoring action?

  1. A point touch to the opponent's foot
  2. A cut with the edge to the opponent's flank above the waist Correct answer.
  3. A cut with the edge to the opponent's leg
  4. A flat hit to the opponent's knee

Explanation

Sabre target is everything above the waist, and the edge, flat, and point all score. A cut to the flank above the waist is therefore valid.

Question 42Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, a fencer's lamé has a hole exposing non-conductive material over the chest. How is this handled?

  1. The opponent receives a penalty touch
  2. The equipment is defective and must be corrected before the bout continues Correct answer.
  3. The fencer may continue and any hit through the hole counts
  4. The hole is ignored because the chest is off-target

Explanation

The lamé must fully cover valid target with conductive material; a hole creates a false off-target signal. Defective equipment must be repaired or replaced before fencing continues.

Question 43Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, what is the primary purpose of the bell guard?

  1. To protect the hand and help deflect the opponent's blade Correct answer.
  2. To indicate priority to the referee
  3. To register off-target hits
  4. To define the valid target area

Explanation

The guard shields the hand and helps deflect incoming blades; in epee the hand is valid target, so protection matters greatly. The guard does not define target or indicate priority.

Question 44Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, which statement about a hit landing after the referee calls halt is correct?

  1. Hits landing after halt do not count Correct answer.
  2. Hits after halt count against the fencer who caused the halt
  3. Any hit after halt counts if it lands within one second
  4. Hits after halt count only if on valid target

Explanation

Once the referee calls halt, fencing stops and subsequent hits are not scored. Only actions completed before the halt are considered.

Question 45Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer attacks, the defender makes a parry, and both fencers hit after the parry with the attacker's hit landing first. How does the referee likely rule?

  1. Both score
  2. The attacker scores because the hit landed first after the parry Correct answer.
  3. The defender scores because the parry occurred
  4. Neither scores

Explanation

In sabre, when the attacker's remise lands before the defender's riposte, the attacker may be awarded the touch based on timing. The parry alone does not score.

Question 46Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, an attacker's blade misses and the attacker continues forward while the defender counter-attacks and lands on valid target. How is the phrase judged?

  1. The attacker scores because the attack was initiated first
  2. The defender scores because the attack missed and the counter-attack landed Correct answer.
  3. Both score
  4. Neither scores

Explanation

An attack that misses loses priority; a counter-attack that lands after the miss can score. Priority follows the fencer whose action is valid at the moment of the hit.

Question 47Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer deliberately covers the valid target with the non-weapon hand during an action. What is the standard consequence?

  1. No consequence because epee has no target restrictions
  2. A warning that never escalates
  3. An automatic touch for the covering fencer
  4. A penalty for covering target Correct answer.

Explanation

Covering valid target with the non-weapon hand is prohibited in epee and is penalized. The referee applies the appropriate card progression.

Question 48Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In sabre, a fencer makes a cut that lands on the opponent's mask. How is this scored?

  1. It counts only if the point was used
  2. It counts only if the cut was with the flat
  3. It is off-target because the mask is not valid
  4. It is a valid touch because the head is part of sabre target Correct answer.

Explanation

The head, including the mask, is valid sabre target, and the edge, flat, and point all score. A cut to the mask is therefore a valid touch.

Question 49Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In foil, which pairing of a valid target region with the correct reason is accurate?

  1. The arm counts because it is above the waist
  2. The head counts because it is above the collar
  3. The leg counts because it is below the waist
  4. The back counts because it is covered by the lamé Correct answer.

Explanation

Foil valid target is the trunk covered by the conductive lamé, which includes the back and groin. Regions outside the lamé are off-target.

Question 50Rules of the weapon (foil, epee, sabre)

In epee, a fencer's weapon fails to register a hit because the tip spring is too stiff, and the fencer's opponent then scores. How is the equipment failure handled?

  1. The failed hit is awarded retroactively
  2. The bout continues and the equipment must be corrected at the next break Correct answer.
  3. The fencer with the faulty weapon is disqualified immediately
  4. The opponent's touch is annulled

Explanation

Equipment failures are addressed by correcting the gear, typically at the next break or when the referee halts for it; a hit that failed to register is not awarded retroactively. Disqualification is not automatic for a spring failure.