Free Core Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Core Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An applicator finds unfamiliar leaf damage in a crop and is unsure which organism caused it. What should the applicator do first?

   1. A. Identify the organism and confirm that it caused the damage
   2. B. Set an action threshold from the current damage estimate
   3. C. Select a pesticide formulation suited to the crop
   4. D. Calibrate equipment for a broadcast treatment

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Core Manual states, “The first step in pest management is to accurately identify the pest.” Identification must also distinguish pest injury from weather, pollutants, or other causes.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 1, Pest Recognition, pp. 4–5

2. 2An Alaska applicator treats a neighbor's property without charging a fee. How is the application classified?

   1. A. Personal-use application
   2. B. Public-project application
   3. C. Custom, commercial, or contract application
   4. D. Regulatory pest-control application

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The Alaska Core Manual states, “If you apply pesticides on someone else’s property, this is considered a ‘custom, commercial, or contract’ application. This is true even if you are not paid.”

   Reference: Alaska Pesticide Applicators Core Manual — p. 4, Commercial Application (18 AAC 90.990)

3. 3Which label section tells an applicator the crops, animals, or sites on which a pesticide may legally be used?

   1. A. Agricultural Use Requirements
   2. B. Precautionary Statements
   3. C. Product Information
   4. D. Directions for Use

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The Core Manual states that the “Directions for Use” section lists the crops, animals, or sites on which the pesticide may legally be used.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 3, Directions for Use, p. 41

4. 4A crop problem is caused by a fungus. To which main pest group does the organism belong?

   1. A. Vertebrates
   2. B. Pathogens
   3. C. Invertebrates
   4. D. Weeds

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual describes the “four main groups of pest” organisms and identifies disease agents or pathogens—including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes—as one group.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 1, The Four Main Groups of Pests, p. 4

5. 5An employee applies a general-use pesticide on the employer's own nonpublic property, and the employer is not in the pesticide-application business. Which fact would make the Alaska certification exception unavailable?

   1. A. The application is part of the employee's duties
   2. B. The employer owns the treated property
   3. C. The pesticide is classified for general use
   4. D. The application area is a public place

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The exception requires all listed conditions, including that “the application area is not considered a public place.” A public-place site defeats the exception.

   Reference: Alaska Pesticide Applicators Core Manual — p. 4, Commercial Application exception (18 AAC 90.300 and 18 AAC 90.990)

6. 6Which number uniquely identifies a pesticide product registered with EPA?

   1. A. EPA registration number
   2. B. EPA establishment number
   3. C. restricted-entry interval
   4. D. product batch number

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The glossary defines the registration number as assigned “to a pesticide product by EPA.” It identifies the product, not its production facility.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 3, Registration Numbers, pp. 36–37

7. 7A grower releases a pest's tested natural enemy to reduce the pest population. Which control method is being used?

   1. A. Cultural control
   2. B. Genetic control
   3. C. Biological control
   4. D. Regulatory control

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The manual defines biological control as the “use of natural enemies,” including predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors, to control pests and their damage.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 1, Biological Control, p. 5

8. 8Compared with an Alaska general-use pesticide record, which additional information must a restricted-use pesticide record contain?

   1. A. The pesticide product name
   2. B. The name and address of the person for whom the pesticide is applied
   3. C. The EPA registration number
   4. D. The target pests

   Answer: B

   Explanation: For restricted-use pesticides, the manual adds “The name of the person for whom the pesticide is being applied” and that person's address. The other choices are already required for general-use records.

   Reference: Alaska Pesticide Applicators Core Manual — pp. 4–5, Record Keeping Requirements (18 AAC 90.615

9. 9Which label identifier shows where a pesticide product was produced?

   1. A. EPA registration number
   2. B. EPA establishment number
   3. C. active-ingredient percentage
   4. D. net-contents statement

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual says the establishment number identifies the “facility that produced the product.” The registration number instead identifies the product registration.

   Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 3, Establishment Number, p. 37

10. 10A farmer changes planting dates so a vulnerable crop stage does not coincide with peak pest activity. Which control method is this?

    1. A. Biological control
    2. B. Mechanical control
    3. C. Regulatory control
    4. D. Cultural control

    Answer: D

    Explanation: The manual says cultural practices “reduce pest establishment, reproduction,” dispersal, and survival. Changing planting time is therefore cultural control.

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 1, Cultural Control, p. 7