Abstract: A front tap shoe for mounting on a test block which bridges telephone conductor pairs each terminating at one end at a subscriber's location and at the other end at a central office. The shoe comprises a generally rectangular housing having ends and having front and rear sides, and provided at its ends with clamps for engagement with the test block. The clamps are provided with two degrees of freedom relative to the housing of the shoe. The shoe is provided on the front side of its housing with two parallel rows of contact pins respectively engageable with the electrical contacts of two of the rows of such contacts on the test block. A retractable guide plate protects the ends of the contact pins when they are not in engagement with the electrical contacts on the test block.