The big point about ABS is that you can still steer the car with the brakes on full and ABS massaging your foot.

If you lock up the wheels with conventional brakes you are no longer a driver; you have become a passenger. The car slides wherever it wants to.

Yes, if you are very good and very, very practiced, you may be able to keep the wheels on the edge of lockup, but it is unlikely in an emergency situation.

For a test, go out on a straight, smooth, DRY road, preferably highway. 40 MPH for the first test. Check that there is no one behind you for a half mile. Put your foot in it--HARD--and leave it there. Second time do the same and steer a little.

This is good experience in general. You do not want to be in a life threatening situation and be checking your car's capability for the first time.