Factors in Vs Tests

Torchbearer An Adventurer's Essentials
1

Hopefully a simple question.

I’ve always read that when something counts as a factor, it also counts in Vs Tests. That is, if a PC with a backpack gets into a Fighter vs Fighter test, their opponent would count as gaining an extra success above what they actually rolled.

Is this correct?

2

It’s more precise to count a factor as -1s.

3

Thanks, much appreciated.