Too be honest I am sorta looking forward/wanting to pull the head anyway, I want to learn/have hands on experience with making specific measurements that are needed to make modifications to these engines.
You said above ..........Compression is in deed normally tested on each cylinder one at a time, with that cylinder's piston at TDC...........
Did you mean to say a leak down test.
As far as I know a compression check is done with engine spinning over until highest reading on gauge is attained?