CQM – Close Quarters Marksmanship (Military
Tactical Operations) | Updated Fall 2025/2026
Exam Prep Pack | 280+ Verified Combat Training &
Firearms Handling Questions with Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales | U.S. Army & Special Forces
Training Study Guide for Short-Range Engagement
and Accuracy Control
Question 1
What is the primary goal of Close Quarters Marksmanship (CQM)?
A) To engage targets at long distances
B) To effectively engage threats at close range while ensuring accuracy and control.
C) To practice shooting in a standing position
D) To enhance sniper capabilities
Rationale: The primary goal of CQM is to effectively engage threats at close range,
focusing on accuracy and control to neutralize threats quickly and safely, which is
critical in combat situations.
Question 2
Which stance is generally recommended for close quarters engagements?
A) Prone stance
B) Isosceles stance.
C) Sitting stance
D) Support stance
Rationale: The isosceles stance provides a stable platform for quick target acquisition
and effective recoil management, making it ideal for close quarters engagements.
Question 3
What is the importance of trigger control in CQM?
A) It is not significant.
B) It allows for accurate shots without disturbing the sight alignment.
C) It only affects rapid fire.
D) It is irrelevant in combat situations.
Rationale: Trigger control is crucial in CQM as it ensures that the shooter can fire
accurately without disturbing their sight alignment, which is vital for hitting targets
quickly and effectively.
,Question 4
What does the term "sight picture" refer to?
A) The distance between the shooter and the target
B) The alignment of the front and rear sights with the target.
C) The type of ammunition used
D) The position of the shooter
Rationale: Sight picture refers to the alignment of the front and rear sights with the
target, which is essential for accurate shooting in any marksmanship scenario,
especially in close quarters.
Question 5
What is the recommended method for reloading in CQM?
A) Tactical reload, allowing the shooter to maintain awareness of the environment.
B) Emergency reload
C) Slow reload
D) Unplanned reload
Rationale: The tactical reload allows the shooter to keep their firearm operational while
maintaining situational awareness, which is critical in close quarters where threats may
still be present.
Question 6
Why is it important to maintain a low profile in CQM?
A) To minimize visibility and reduce the risk of being targeted.
B) To increase speed
C) To enhance communication
D) To improve marksmanship skills
Rationale: Maintaining a low profile reduces visibility to potential threats, increasing
the shooter’s chance of survival and effectiveness in a high-stress environment.
Question 7
What is the primary advantage of using a reflex sight in CQM?
A) It is lighter than traditional sights
B) It allows for faster target acquisition in close quarters.
C) It is easier to calibrate
D) It is less expensive
Rationale: Reflex sights provide a clear sight picture and allow for quicker target
acquisition, which is crucial in close quarters where engagements happen rapidly.
,Question 8
What role does situational awareness play in CQM?
A) It is not important.
B) It allows the shooter to assess threats and make informed decisions during
engagements.
C) It solely affects movement
D) It is irrelevant in marksmanship
Rationale: Situational awareness is vital in CQM as it helps the shooter recognize
threats, understand the environment, and react appropriately, which can be the
difference between life and death.
Question 9
What is the purpose of "dry fire" practice in CQM?
A) To test ammunition
B) To enhance trigger control and sight alignment without live ammunition.
C) To practice reloads
D) To improve speed
Rationale: Dry fire practice allows shooters to focus on developing trigger control and
sight alignment, crucial skills that can be refined without the risks associated with live
fire exercises.
Question 10
Why is target identification critical in CQM?
A) It is not significant.
B) To ensure that the shooter engages only valid threats, minimizing collateral
damage.
C) It only affects speed
D) It is a tactical choice
Rationale: Target identification is essential in CQM to ensure that the shooter engages
valid threats only, which is crucial in environments where civilians may be present to
avoid unnecessary harm.
Question 11
What is the significance of controlled breathing in marksmanship?
A) It is not important.
B) It helps to stabilize the shooter’s aim and reduce heart rate.
, C) It affects only speed
D) It is irrelevant in combat
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps stabilize aim and reduce anxiety, leading to more
accurate shots, especially in high-pressure situations like CQM.
Question 12
What does "cover and concealment" mean in a CQM context?
A) Using barriers to protect oneself while hiding from view.
B) Wearing camouflage
C) Moving quickly
D) Shooting from any position
Rationale: Cover and concealment are critical in CQM as they provide physical
protection from incoming fire and hide the shooter’s position, increasing survival
chances during engagements.
Question 13
Why is it important to practice shooting from different positions in CQM?
A) To prepare for various combat scenarios and improve adaptability.
B) To increase physical fitness
C) To enhance speed
D) To focus solely on one technique
Rationale: Practicing shooting from different positions prepares shooters for the
unpredictability of combat scenarios, enhancing their adaptability and effectiveness in
various situations.
Question 14
What is the primary function of a tactical flashlight in CQM?
A) To illuminate targets while maintaining the shooter’s tactical advantage.
B) To signal for help
C) To act as a weapon
D) To distract the enemy
Rationale: A tactical flashlight allows shooters to illuminate targets without giving away
their position, maintaining the element of surprise in close quarters engagements.
Question 15
What does the term "point shooting" mean?
Tactical Operations) | Updated Fall 2025/2026
Exam Prep Pack | 280+ Verified Combat Training &
Firearms Handling Questions with Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales | U.S. Army & Special Forces
Training Study Guide for Short-Range Engagement
and Accuracy Control
Question 1
What is the primary goal of Close Quarters Marksmanship (CQM)?
A) To engage targets at long distances
B) To effectively engage threats at close range while ensuring accuracy and control.
C) To practice shooting in a standing position
D) To enhance sniper capabilities
Rationale: The primary goal of CQM is to effectively engage threats at close range,
focusing on accuracy and control to neutralize threats quickly and safely, which is
critical in combat situations.
Question 2
Which stance is generally recommended for close quarters engagements?
A) Prone stance
B) Isosceles stance.
C) Sitting stance
D) Support stance
Rationale: The isosceles stance provides a stable platform for quick target acquisition
and effective recoil management, making it ideal for close quarters engagements.
Question 3
What is the importance of trigger control in CQM?
A) It is not significant.
B) It allows for accurate shots without disturbing the sight alignment.
C) It only affects rapid fire.
D) It is irrelevant in combat situations.
Rationale: Trigger control is crucial in CQM as it ensures that the shooter can fire
accurately without disturbing their sight alignment, which is vital for hitting targets
quickly and effectively.
,Question 4
What does the term "sight picture" refer to?
A) The distance between the shooter and the target
B) The alignment of the front and rear sights with the target.
C) The type of ammunition used
D) The position of the shooter
Rationale: Sight picture refers to the alignment of the front and rear sights with the
target, which is essential for accurate shooting in any marksmanship scenario,
especially in close quarters.
Question 5
What is the recommended method for reloading in CQM?
A) Tactical reload, allowing the shooter to maintain awareness of the environment.
B) Emergency reload
C) Slow reload
D) Unplanned reload
Rationale: The tactical reload allows the shooter to keep their firearm operational while
maintaining situational awareness, which is critical in close quarters where threats may
still be present.
Question 6
Why is it important to maintain a low profile in CQM?
A) To minimize visibility and reduce the risk of being targeted.
B) To increase speed
C) To enhance communication
D) To improve marksmanship skills
Rationale: Maintaining a low profile reduces visibility to potential threats, increasing
the shooter’s chance of survival and effectiveness in a high-stress environment.
Question 7
What is the primary advantage of using a reflex sight in CQM?
A) It is lighter than traditional sights
B) It allows for faster target acquisition in close quarters.
C) It is easier to calibrate
D) It is less expensive
Rationale: Reflex sights provide a clear sight picture and allow for quicker target
acquisition, which is crucial in close quarters where engagements happen rapidly.
,Question 8
What role does situational awareness play in CQM?
A) It is not important.
B) It allows the shooter to assess threats and make informed decisions during
engagements.
C) It solely affects movement
D) It is irrelevant in marksmanship
Rationale: Situational awareness is vital in CQM as it helps the shooter recognize
threats, understand the environment, and react appropriately, which can be the
difference between life and death.
Question 9
What is the purpose of "dry fire" practice in CQM?
A) To test ammunition
B) To enhance trigger control and sight alignment without live ammunition.
C) To practice reloads
D) To improve speed
Rationale: Dry fire practice allows shooters to focus on developing trigger control and
sight alignment, crucial skills that can be refined without the risks associated with live
fire exercises.
Question 10
Why is target identification critical in CQM?
A) It is not significant.
B) To ensure that the shooter engages only valid threats, minimizing collateral
damage.
C) It only affects speed
D) It is a tactical choice
Rationale: Target identification is essential in CQM to ensure that the shooter engages
valid threats only, which is crucial in environments where civilians may be present to
avoid unnecessary harm.
Question 11
What is the significance of controlled breathing in marksmanship?
A) It is not important.
B) It helps to stabilize the shooter’s aim and reduce heart rate.
, C) It affects only speed
D) It is irrelevant in combat
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps stabilize aim and reduce anxiety, leading to more
accurate shots, especially in high-pressure situations like CQM.
Question 12
What does "cover and concealment" mean in a CQM context?
A) Using barriers to protect oneself while hiding from view.
B) Wearing camouflage
C) Moving quickly
D) Shooting from any position
Rationale: Cover and concealment are critical in CQM as they provide physical
protection from incoming fire and hide the shooter’s position, increasing survival
chances during engagements.
Question 13
Why is it important to practice shooting from different positions in CQM?
A) To prepare for various combat scenarios and improve adaptability.
B) To increase physical fitness
C) To enhance speed
D) To focus solely on one technique
Rationale: Practicing shooting from different positions prepares shooters for the
unpredictability of combat scenarios, enhancing their adaptability and effectiveness in
various situations.
Question 14
What is the primary function of a tactical flashlight in CQM?
A) To illuminate targets while maintaining the shooter’s tactical advantage.
B) To signal for help
C) To act as a weapon
D) To distract the enemy
Rationale: A tactical flashlight allows shooters to illuminate targets without giving away
their position, maintaining the element of surprise in close quarters engagements.
Question 15
What does the term "point shooting" mean?
