The way I always think of it when not marked or noted as to which way to go:
When you check any oil level it's normally performed by taking the cold and level machine's dip stick and removing it from its normal setting (screwed in or pushed in) and pull it out to measure the level. It doesn't make sense to me to partially re-install the dip stick and measure it at that level. Think of your car or truck engine oil. If you change your oil, do you just drop the dip stick down until it stops (not in its seated position) to check the oil or do you push it in all the way?