It has 3 pins and no security I believe. We use the same at our school and they are ridiculously easy to pick. Don't bother using it for practice. Its fun to laugh at once and a while though. They all have the same keying so once you pick one its the same picking motion for all (for the most part).
Single pin picking can be a pain in the @ss on these for a few reasons:
1. It is a very small tumbler so fitting your tools in their without moving is enough of an accomplishment.
2. The lock are often gummed up making it even more fun.
3. Once again everything is small so trying to move one pin isn't a cakewalk.
4. I never got grade feedback from one.
I'm actually going to go try to SPP one I have now to verify my claims. In the mean time though, a form of raking can do wonders. Its a form I have no name for and has worked for an old kwickset of mine. It is really dependent on the keying though. Basically you just insert a pick all the way to the back and make a full tilt in both directions like a seesaw. You use the head of the pick to hit the back pins and the shaft for the front. In my case the bogota half diamond opens this thing in less than a second, literally. For my kwicket I use to open it in less than a second with any flat surface (tension tool, pick back). However, it is really dependent on the keying.
Just try raking it, mostly with a rocking motion. Once you find a motion that works, you've created a key of sorts for everyone's lock. Do be careful of your pick getting stuck on something in the lock or your tensioner, due to the small size. A few times my lock failed to open because of this. Sometimes, it can also cause the plug to stop turning halfway through. These locks are cheap so things get jammed and messed up easily. It may require some extra tension while turning to engage the spring latch and open the shackle.
All in all it is a waste of time though, for practicing. It is fun though to be a sort of locksmith helping people facing lockouts. The whole "You can do that!?" look is priceless. However, watch your self. If you brag about picking, take your picks out constantly, or tell a crap load of people word can eventually get to deans, principles etc. Though it may be perfectly legal to have picks they won't think twice to punish you for them and or try to confiscate them (I say try because they can't. I would walk out of the school, expelled, grasping them. No way their throwing out my stuff). Most importantly, NEVER pick anyone's lock without them being there, giving you permission, and being 100% sure its their lock. Bad mojo will follow bad pickers, beware. Uphold the standards of this site and you"ll have a good time
