No, I think that a test record is what is used to calibrate vertical tracking force, anti-skate, etc. without damaging an important record. It's got different sounds on it and stuff to make sure that your sound isn't being distorted.
Since 180g records are thicker, I think that he's concerned about setting his needle and tonearm to be too high above a standard-weight record.
I think that most records actually weigh between 110 and 140 or 150 grams, so 120 is not necessarily a standard weight.
