For a good coil test, you need special equipment and a good preheat prior to testing. All you can do without a coil tester is check the primary and secondary coils with a volt/ohm tester then do a function check. A coil tester will tell if it's breaking down under different conditions. An oscilloscope can also be used for a function check. These types of equipment aren't seen much in auto shops any more.
Like the guys say, the divers helmet distributor would be a b!tch to work on in the confines of an engine compartment.