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Free Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A soybean grower sees yellowing leaves after a cold night and also finds a few insects on the plants. What should the applicator do before selecting a pesticide?

    1. A. Confirm that an identified pest, rather than weather or another cause, produced the damage
    2. B. Classify the insects as the cause because they were present on injured plants
    3. C. Choose a broad-spectrum product before the injury pattern changes
    4. D. Treat the field once the visible injury exceeds the undamaged foliage

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The manual directs applicators not to classify an organism as a pest until that status is clearly established. Cold and other environmental factors can mimic pest injury, so diagnosis must precede product selection. Source states, “is to accurately identify the pest.”

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

  2. 2A pesticide is registered for outdoor use on apples. May an applicator use it on grapes at the same rate because both are fruit crops?

    1. A. No, the registered use site must include grapes
    2. B. Yes, because the rate is unchanged
    3. C. Yes, if the target insect appears on both crops
    4. D. No, unless the manufacturer has the same establishment number for both crops

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA explains that a product registered only for apples may not legally be used on grapes. Registration is tied to specific sites and limitations. Source states, “a product registered for use only on apples may not be used legally on grapes”

    Reference: Certification Standards for Pesticide Applicators | US EPA — Which pesticides are included under the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule?

  3. 3A calibrated sprayer applies 20 gallons per acre. How much finished spray is needed for 12 acres?

    1. A. 240 gallons
    2. B. 120 gallons
    3. C. 32 gallons
    4. D. 600 gallons

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The calculation is application volume per acre multiplied by acres: 20 × 12 = 240 gallons. EPA's tank-volume formula applies gallons per acre to the number of acres treated. Source states, “Gallons per acre X acres to be treated”

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Appendix C, p. 190, Mixing Liquid Formulations

  4. 4A pesticide previously controlled a field pest, but repeated applications now give poor results. Before blaming resistance, what should the applicator check?

    1. A. Whether identification, timing, coverage, equipment, weather, storage, or label use caused the failure
    2. B. Whether the pest has become larger than specimens pictured in the manual
    3. C. Whether every neighboring farm used the same active ingredient that season
    4. D. Whether increasing the rate above the label maximum restores control

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA lists several causes of failure besides resistance, including misidentification, incorrect use or timing, poor coverage, faulty equipment, unfavorable conditions, and pesticide degradation. Source states, “pest was not identified correctly.”

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 1, pp. 13-15, Why Pesticide Applications Fail

  5. 5Before each day of pesticide handling, what should be done with reusable PPE?

    1. A. Inspect it for leaks, holes, tears, and worn areas and repair or discard damaged items
    2. B. Assume it is protective if it was clean when purchased
    3. C. Wear it first and inspect it only after the application
    4. D. Replace every item regardless of condition or manufacturer instructions

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA requires inspecting PPE before each day of use for “leaks, holes, tears, or worn places” and repairing or discarding damaged equipment.

    Reference: Personal Protective Equipment for Pesticide Handlers | US EPA — Duties Related to Personal Protective Equipment

  6. 6Where should pesticides be stored to reduce accidental poisoning and preserve label information?

    1. A. In original labeled containers in a secured pesticide storage area
    2. B. In beverage bottles inside a farm refrigerator
    3. C. In unlabeled buckets beside animal feed
    4. D. In open measuring cups near the mixing pad

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA directs users to store pesticides in original containers with labels and never transfer them to drink or other food-associated containers. Source states, “Always store pesticides in their original containers with the label”

    Reference: Storing Pesticides Safely | US EPA — How to Safely Store Pesticides

  7. 7A pesticide must be placed in a narrow strip over crop rows rather than across the entire field. Which application method fits that placement?

    1. A. Band application
    2. B. Broadcast application
    3. C. Space treatment
    4. D. Total-release treatment

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA distinguishes band application, which treats a strip, from broadcast application, which covers an entire area. Source states, “Band application”

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 11, p. 157, Application Methods

  8. 8Which spray droplets are generally most prone to off-target drift?

    1. A. Small droplets
    2. B. Large droplets
    3. C. Coarse droplets
    4. D. Very coarse droplets

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA explains that smaller droplets fall more slowly and are carried more easily by air currents, increasing drift. Source states, “smaller droplets”

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 7, pp. 108-110, Spray Drift

  9. 9Which storage practice best limits unauthorized access to pesticides?

    1. A. Keep the storage area locked and restrict keys or access to trained personnel
    2. B. Leave the door open so leaks are noticed quickly
    3. C. Post the product inventory outside with the lock combination
    4. D. Store keys permanently in the storage-room lock

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA's manual directs applicators to secure pesticide storage and control access as part of site security. Source states, “Secure the Site”

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Chapter 8, pp. 126, 129-130, Secure the Site and Site Security

  10. 10Before treating livestock with a pesticide, an applicator finds that several animals are overheated and stressed after transport. What is the appropriate decision?

    1. A. Delay treatment until the animals have rested and the label permits treatment
    2. B. Double the dose so treatment can be completed quickly
    3. C. Treat only the stressed animals before they drink water
    4. D. Switch to an unlabeled formulation with a stronger odor

    Answer: A

    Explanation: EPA animal-pest-control guidance directs applicators not to treat animals that are under stress or about to undergo stress.

    Reference: National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual — Pesticide Safety, Pesticide Toxicity, p. 7

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • The recognition of common agricultural pests, damage caused by these pests, the importance of selecting proper pesticide products for effective control, and the importance of verifying that the label does not prohibit the use of the product to control the target pest(s) or use site;
  • Reading and understanding the label and labeling information, including general format and terminology, the common name of the pesticide, the pest to be controlled, timing and methods of application of the pesticide, signal words, symbols, safety precautions, pre-harvest intervals, reentry intervals, and disposal procedures for pesticides and pesticide containers;
  • All use restrictions and directions for use found on the label and labeling, certification requirements in the appropriate category to use restricted use pesticides, and state and federal pesticide laws requiring the use of any registered pesticide in a manner consistent with its labeling;
  • The meaning of product classification, the difference between mandatory and advisory labeling language, and understanding and complying with product-specific notification requirements;
  • The application of pesticides in accordance with label and labeling instructions and warnings, including the ability to prepare the proper concentration of the pesticides to be used under particular circumstances, taking into account factors such as the area to be covered, speed in which application equipment will be driven, and the quantity to dispense in a given period of operation;
  • The characteristics of pesticides, including types of pesticides, types of formulations, compatibility, synergism, persistence, animal and plant toxicity, hazards and residues associated with use, factors influencing effectiveness or leading to problems such as pesticide resistance, and dilution procedures;
  • The recognition of local environmental situations that must be considered during application to avoid contamination and potential environmental consequences of the use and misuse of pesticides, including weather and other climatic conditions, types of terrain, soil, or other substrate, presence of fish, wildlife, and nontarget organisms, and drainage patterns;
  • Measures to avoid or minimize adverse health effects, common types and causes of pesticide mishaps, needs for and proper use of personal protective clothing and equipment, and precautions to prevent injury to applicators and other individuals in or near treated areas;
  • Likely ways pesticide exposure may occur, symptoms of pesticide poisoning, the difference between acute toxicity and chronic toxicity and their long-term effects, understanding that a pesticide’s risk is a function of exposure and the pesticide’s toxicity, and first aid and other procedures to be followed in case of a pesticide mishap;
  • Proper identification, storage, transport, handling, mixing procedures, and disposal methods for pesticides and used pesticide containers, including precautions to be taken to prevent children from having access to pesticides and pesticide containers;
  • Application equipment, including types of equipment and the advantages and limitations of each, uses, maintenance, and calibration procedures;
  • Selecting appropriate application methods including methods used to apply various forms and formulations of pesticides, which application method to use in a given situation, that use of a fumigant or aerial application requires additional certification, and how the selection of application method and use of a pesticide may result in unnecessary, ineffective use and misuse;
  • The prevention of pesticide drift and pesticide loss into the environment;
  • The state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, including the Worker Protection Standard in 40 CFR Part 170;
  • The importance of maintaining secure storage for pesticides and other chemicals and how to communicate information about pesticide exposures and risks with agricultural workers and handlers and other persons;
  • Agricultural pest control, including specific pests of relevant agricultural commodities and the control of such pests with pesticides, how to avoid contamination of ground and surface waters, understanding pre-harvest and restricted entry intervals and entry-restricted periods and areas, and understanding specific pesticide toxicity and residue potential when pesticides are applied to animal or animal product agricultural commodities; and
  • Hazards associated with using pesticides on animals or places in which animals are confined based on formulation, application technique, age of animal, stress, and extent of treatment.

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view Category 20–General Agricultural Pest Control details.