Hi Coleen
If you have been taught to do the tests that way, then go ahead. I personally don't apply the oils neat though, I dilute them with a small amount of carrier oil. The general advice given is that lavender and ti tree are the only ones that are gentle enough to be used neat and you would never do a massage using neat oils, so it makes sense (to me anyway ), to try it out in the medium in which you intend to apply it. I would also apply it to the elbow crease rather than the back of the hand because the skins more sensitive there. Hope this helps.
Stephanie [sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]