Vertical leap testing tests how high you jump off the ground.
Two things wrong with what he did:
1. He got a running start - not allowed.
2. He bent his knees to lift his feet over an object.
He basically jumped over something using any means necessary.
Official vertical leap testing for all major scouting combines in all sports is done using a Vertec (google it if interested).
Vertec is raised until players arm is extended and fingertips flush with the starting mark on the pole to account for height differences. From a standstill, feet planted, the player will jump straight up and reach as high as he can arms extended. Whatever he can "touch" or "hit" is his vertical leap.