I just started doing hunt tests last August, Now my dog has competed in APLA hunt tests and AKC hunt tests, I will get to see my first APLA (American Pointing Lab Association) hunt test in May. As for AKC hunt test and hunt? The biggest hurdle is judges, if they want to see a standard and your dog doesn't have it, they will mark the dog down, even though you and and dog did everything in acceptance. You are basically showing your dog can be under control, mark falls, be steady, handle to a blind in a realatively straight line. Hunting is pretty close to all that. In AKC all the shots are done from the throwing stations not at the line.
If you train for hunt tests, you will or should have a good working dog in the field. if the other way, then make sure you are more stringent on the dogs lines to marks and blinds.