Beginners obedience

The Beginners class is exactly like Pre-Beginners, with the addition of a retrieve. The atmosphere around the Beginners' ring is generally very upbeat and supportive, as this is where handlers are starting their Obedience careers, and they tend to encourage each other. Handlers and dogs are marked on faults, so a perfect score would be 0 so that for each test, the least number of points signifies the best performance.
The following is a description of the Beginners test, from the Kennel Club Year Book 2005/2006.

BEGINNERS

a To compete in Pre-Beginners a handler or dog must not have won a total of two or more First Prizes in Beginners Class, or one First Prize in any other Obedience Class (Pre-Beginners excepted).
b Handlers will not be penalised for encouragement or extra commands except in the Sit and Down tests. In these tests, at the discretion of the Judge, handlers may face their dogs, Judges or Stewards must not use the words "last command" except in the Sit and Down tests.
c The detailed tests will be:
(1) Heel on lead 15 points
(2) Heel free 20 points
(3) Recall from Sit or Down position at handler's choice. Dog to be recalled by handler when stationary and facing the dog. Dog to return smartly to handler, sit in front, go to heel- all on command of Judge or Steward to handler. Distance at discretion of Judge. Test commences when handler leaves dog. 10 points
(4) Retrieve any article. Handlers may use their own articles. 25 points
(5) Sit one minute, handler in sight 10 points
(6) Down 2 minutes, handler in sight 20 points
(7) TOTAL 75 points