CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q&A (Guaranteed Pass) **2026/2027** -
2026/2027 Official Exam
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification
Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q&A
(Guaranteed Pass) **2026/2027**
- 2026/2027 Official Exam
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Turf & Ornamental Pest Management Tennessee State Regulations
Pesticide Application Techniques Environmental Protection & Compliance
Safety & Personal Protective Equipment
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Turf & Ornamental Pest Management | Q1-Q20 | CAT 3 Pesticide Certification
Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q&A; (Guaranteed Pass) **2026/2027** - 2026/2027 Official Exam
2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A golf course superintendent in Nashville inspects the putting greens and finds irregular brown
patches that are roughly circular and range from two to six inches in diameter. Upon closer
examination, the grass blades at the margins of the patches have tan-colored lesions with dark brown
borders. The symptoms appeared following a week of warm, humid nights with temperatures around
75 degrees Fahrenheit.
A. Apply a broad-spectrum fungicide immediately since the symptoms indicate dollar spot caused by
Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, which thrives under warm, humid conditions on closely mowed turf
B. Collect a turf sample and submit it to the University of Tennessee Extension diagnostic lab
before making any treatment decision, since multiple diseases can produce similar patch
symptoms
C. Increase the nitrogen fertilization rate to help the turf outgrow the damage, since the symptoms are
more likely caused by nutrient deficiency than a pathogen
D. Aerate the soil aggressively to improve drainage, as the circular pattern indicates a root disease caused
by excessive soil moisture retention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Several turf diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, and pythium can produce similar circular patch symptoms.
The diagnostic lab can culture the pathogen and provide a definitive identification. Applying a fungicide without
confirmation risks selecting for resistant strains and wasting money on the wrong product.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A landscape maintenance crew in Memphis is treating a row of boxwood shrubs that are infested with
boxwood leafminer. The larvae are actively feeding inside the leaf tissue, creating visible blister-like
mines on the lower surface of the leaves. The treatment window is narrowing because the adult
moths are expected to emerge within the next ten days.
A. Spray a contact insecticide on the leaf surfaces, since the larvae will emerge to pupate soon and be
exposed on the plant surface
B. Apply a systemic insecticide with translaminar activity that can penetrate the leaf tissue and
reach the feeding larvae inside the mines
C. Remove and destroy all infested leaves by hand, since no insecticide can effectively reach larvae
feeding within the leaf tissue
D. Apply a horticultural oil spray to smother the larvae, as oil treatments are the most effective control for
leaf-mining pests at this stage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
, Translaminar systemic insecticides, such as those containing acephate or spinosad, can move through the leaf
tissue to reach larvae feeding inside the mines. Contact insecticides are ineffective against protected leafminer
larvae. Oil sprays have limited efficacy once mining is well underway. The key is to use a product that penetrates
the leaf.
Q3 Question 3 of 100
A homeowner in Knoxville notices that their fescue lawn has developed large, roughly circular areas
of yellowish-green turf that appear water-soaked in the early morning. By midday, the grass in these
areas turns a dull brown color, and a dark grayish-purple smoke-like ring is visible at the advancing
edge of the patch. The weather has been hot and humid with daytime temperatures in the upper 80s
and nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees.
A. The symptoms are characteristic of brown patch caused by Rhizoctonia solani, and treatment
should include improving air circulation, reducing nitrogen levels, and applying a preventive
fungicide
B. The smoke-like ring indicates pythium blight, and the turf should be treated with a targeted
pythium-specific fungicide such as mefenoxam while also reducing irrigation frequency
C. The circular pattern and water-soaked appearance suggest fairy ring, which requires deep soil aeration
and heavy watering to break up the fungal mycelium in the root zone
D. The symptoms point to summer patch caused by Magnaporthiopsis poae, which requires a fall
application of a systemic fungicide to protect the crowns and roots during the next growing season
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The description of a dark grayish-purple smoke-like ring (also called a smoky ring) at the advancing edge of
patches, combined with hot humid weather, is the classic diagnostic sign of brown patch caused by Rhizoctonia
solani. While pythium blight can also occur in hot humid conditions, it produces a cottony mycelium rather than a
smoky ring. Cultural controls and targeted fungicides are the standard management approach.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A nursery operator in Middle Tennessee is growing azaleas in containers and notices that the leaves
are becoming pale green with darker green veins, a condition known as interveinal chlorosis. The
new growth is most severely affected, and the older leaves at the base of the plant remain relatively
green. The growing medium has a pH of 6.8.
A. Apply iron sulfate to the soil to correct the iron deficiency, since the elevated pH is making iron
unavailable to the plant despite its presence in the growing medium
B. Apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer to promote root development, since the chlorosis pattern indicates
phosphorus uptake is being inhibited by the high pH
C. Apply magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) as a foliar spray, since the interveinal chlorosis on new growth is
the classic symptom of magnesium deficiency in broadleaf evergreens
D. Reduce the irrigation frequency to allow the soil pH to drop naturally, since the symptoms are caused by
overwatering rather than a nutrient availability issue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Interveinal chlorosis on new growth is the classic symptom of iron deficiency, which is commonly caused by
elevated soil pH. At pH 6.8, iron becomes less available to the plant. Azaleas are acid-loving plants that prefer a pH
of 4.5-6.0. Iron sulfate provides both iron and a soil acidifying effect. Magnesium deficiency typically affects older
leaves first, making iron deficiency the more likely diagnosis.
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A commercial lawn care technician in Chattanooga is called to a property where the homeowner
reports that their Bermuda grass lawn has been declining over the past three weeks. Upon
inspection, the technician finds that the grass can be easily pulled up from the soil, revealing that the
roots and rhizomes are shortened, dark brown, and rotten. A foul odor is present in the affected
areas. The lawn was heavily irrigated during a period of heavy rainfall two weeks ago.
A. The symptoms indicate take-all root rot, and the technician should recommend improving soil drainage,
reducing irrigation, and applying a fungicide containing azoxystrobin or triadimefon
B. The foul odor and root rot suggest pythium root rot, and the treatment should include drenching
the root zone with mefenoxam and reducing the thatch layer to improve soil aeration
C. The ease of pulling up the grass and the darkened roots point to spring dead spot, which requires
aerification and a preventive fungicide application in the fall before dormancy
D. The root decay pattern indicates nematode damage, and a soil sample should be submitted for
nematode assay to identify the specific species before selecting a nematicide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The combination of easily pulled turf, dark rotten roots, foul odor, and the history of excessive moisture strongly
suggests pythium root rot. Take-all root rot typically does not produce a foul odor, and spring dead spot occurs
during spring greenup on dormant grass. While nematodes can cause root damage, the rapid decline following
excessive moisture and the characteristic odor point to a pythium root rot event.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
An arborist in Nashville is treating mature oak trees for a severe infestation of oak leaf roller
caterpillars. The caterpillars are feeding on the leaves and rolling them into tight tubes with silk
webbing. The trees are located along a residential street, and the homeowner is concerned about
pesticide drift affecting adjacent vegetable gardens. The arborist needs to select a product that
minimizes drift risk while providing effective control.
A. Apply carbaryl as a foliar spray in the early morning when wind speeds are lowest, since carbaryl is the
most cost-effective broad-spectrum insecticide for leaf-feeding caterpillars
B. Use a soil injection or trunk injection of a systemic insecticide such as emamectin benzoate, which
eliminates foliar drift and provides season-long control of leaf-feeding caterpillars
C. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a spray, targeting the young caterpillars before they roll the
leaves, since Bt is a biological control that poses minimal risk to the vegetable gardens
D. Apply a pyrethroid insecticide with a drift-reducing nozzle, since pyrethroids provide rapid knockdown of
caterpillars and modern application equipment can eliminate drift concerns
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
2026/2027 Official Exam
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification
Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q&A
(Guaranteed Pass) **2026/2027**
- 2026/2027 Official Exam
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Turf & Ornamental Pest Management Tennessee State Regulations
Pesticide Application Techniques Environmental Protection & Compliance
Safety & Personal Protective Equipment
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Turf & Ornamental Pest Management | Q1-Q20 | CAT 3 Pesticide Certification
Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q&A; (Guaranteed Pass) **2026/2027** - 2026/2027 Official Exam
2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A golf course superintendent in Nashville inspects the putting greens and finds irregular brown
patches that are roughly circular and range from two to six inches in diameter. Upon closer
examination, the grass blades at the margins of the patches have tan-colored lesions with dark brown
borders. The symptoms appeared following a week of warm, humid nights with temperatures around
75 degrees Fahrenheit.
A. Apply a broad-spectrum fungicide immediately since the symptoms indicate dollar spot caused by
Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, which thrives under warm, humid conditions on closely mowed turf
B. Collect a turf sample and submit it to the University of Tennessee Extension diagnostic lab
before making any treatment decision, since multiple diseases can produce similar patch
symptoms
C. Increase the nitrogen fertilization rate to help the turf outgrow the damage, since the symptoms are
more likely caused by nutrient deficiency than a pathogen
D. Aerate the soil aggressively to improve drainage, as the circular pattern indicates a root disease caused
by excessive soil moisture retention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Several turf diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, and pythium can produce similar circular patch symptoms.
The diagnostic lab can culture the pathogen and provide a definitive identification. Applying a fungicide without
confirmation risks selecting for resistant strains and wasting money on the wrong product.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A landscape maintenance crew in Memphis is treating a row of boxwood shrubs that are infested with
boxwood leafminer. The larvae are actively feeding inside the leaf tissue, creating visible blister-like
mines on the lower surface of the leaves. The treatment window is narrowing because the adult
moths are expected to emerge within the next ten days.
A. Spray a contact insecticide on the leaf surfaces, since the larvae will emerge to pupate soon and be
exposed on the plant surface
B. Apply a systemic insecticide with translaminar activity that can penetrate the leaf tissue and
reach the feeding larvae inside the mines
C. Remove and destroy all infested leaves by hand, since no insecticide can effectively reach larvae
feeding within the leaf tissue
D. Apply a horticultural oil spray to smother the larvae, as oil treatments are the most effective control for
leaf-mining pests at this stage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
, Translaminar systemic insecticides, such as those containing acephate or spinosad, can move through the leaf
tissue to reach larvae feeding inside the mines. Contact insecticides are ineffective against protected leafminer
larvae. Oil sprays have limited efficacy once mining is well underway. The key is to use a product that penetrates
the leaf.
Q3 Question 3 of 100
A homeowner in Knoxville notices that their fescue lawn has developed large, roughly circular areas
of yellowish-green turf that appear water-soaked in the early morning. By midday, the grass in these
areas turns a dull brown color, and a dark grayish-purple smoke-like ring is visible at the advancing
edge of the patch. The weather has been hot and humid with daytime temperatures in the upper 80s
and nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees.
A. The symptoms are characteristic of brown patch caused by Rhizoctonia solani, and treatment
should include improving air circulation, reducing nitrogen levels, and applying a preventive
fungicide
B. The smoke-like ring indicates pythium blight, and the turf should be treated with a targeted
pythium-specific fungicide such as mefenoxam while also reducing irrigation frequency
C. The circular pattern and water-soaked appearance suggest fairy ring, which requires deep soil aeration
and heavy watering to break up the fungal mycelium in the root zone
D. The symptoms point to summer patch caused by Magnaporthiopsis poae, which requires a fall
application of a systemic fungicide to protect the crowns and roots during the next growing season
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The description of a dark grayish-purple smoke-like ring (also called a smoky ring) at the advancing edge of
patches, combined with hot humid weather, is the classic diagnostic sign of brown patch caused by Rhizoctonia
solani. While pythium blight can also occur in hot humid conditions, it produces a cottony mycelium rather than a
smoky ring. Cultural controls and targeted fungicides are the standard management approach.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A nursery operator in Middle Tennessee is growing azaleas in containers and notices that the leaves
are becoming pale green with darker green veins, a condition known as interveinal chlorosis. The
new growth is most severely affected, and the older leaves at the base of the plant remain relatively
green. The growing medium has a pH of 6.8.
A. Apply iron sulfate to the soil to correct the iron deficiency, since the elevated pH is making iron
unavailable to the plant despite its presence in the growing medium
B. Apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer to promote root development, since the chlorosis pattern indicates
phosphorus uptake is being inhibited by the high pH
C. Apply magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) as a foliar spray, since the interveinal chlorosis on new growth is
the classic symptom of magnesium deficiency in broadleaf evergreens
D. Reduce the irrigation frequency to allow the soil pH to drop naturally, since the symptoms are caused by
overwatering rather than a nutrient availability issue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Interveinal chlorosis on new growth is the classic symptom of iron deficiency, which is commonly caused by
elevated soil pH. At pH 6.8, iron becomes less available to the plant. Azaleas are acid-loving plants that prefer a pH
of 4.5-6.0. Iron sulfate provides both iron and a soil acidifying effect. Magnesium deficiency typically affects older
leaves first, making iron deficiency the more likely diagnosis.
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A commercial lawn care technician in Chattanooga is called to a property where the homeowner
reports that their Bermuda grass lawn has been declining over the past three weeks. Upon
inspection, the technician finds that the grass can be easily pulled up from the soil, revealing that the
roots and rhizomes are shortened, dark brown, and rotten. A foul odor is present in the affected
areas. The lawn was heavily irrigated during a period of heavy rainfall two weeks ago.
A. The symptoms indicate take-all root rot, and the technician should recommend improving soil drainage,
reducing irrigation, and applying a fungicide containing azoxystrobin or triadimefon
B. The foul odor and root rot suggest pythium root rot, and the treatment should include drenching
the root zone with mefenoxam and reducing the thatch layer to improve soil aeration
C. The ease of pulling up the grass and the darkened roots point to spring dead spot, which requires
aerification and a preventive fungicide application in the fall before dormancy
D. The root decay pattern indicates nematode damage, and a soil sample should be submitted for
nematode assay to identify the specific species before selecting a nematicide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The combination of easily pulled turf, dark rotten roots, foul odor, and the history of excessive moisture strongly
suggests pythium root rot. Take-all root rot typically does not produce a foul odor, and spring dead spot occurs
during spring greenup on dormant grass. While nematodes can cause root damage, the rapid decline following
excessive moisture and the characteristic odor point to a pythium root rot event.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
An arborist in Nashville is treating mature oak trees for a severe infestation of oak leaf roller
caterpillars. The caterpillars are feeding on the leaves and rolling them into tight tubes with silk
webbing. The trees are located along a residential street, and the homeowner is concerned about
pesticide drift affecting adjacent vegetable gardens. The arborist needs to select a product that
minimizes drift risk while providing effective control.
A. Apply carbaryl as a foliar spray in the early morning when wind speeds are lowest, since carbaryl is the
most cost-effective broad-spectrum insecticide for leaf-feeding caterpillars
B. Use a soil injection or trunk injection of a systemic insecticide such as emamectin benzoate, which
eliminates foliar drift and provides season-long control of leaf-feeding caterpillars
C. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a spray, targeting the young caterpillars before they roll the
leaves, since Bt is a biological control that poses minimal risk to the vegetable gardens
D. Apply a pyrethroid insecticide with a drift-reducing nozzle, since pyrethroids provide rapid knockdown of
caterpillars and modern application equipment can eliminate drift concerns
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
CAT 3 Pesticide Certification Exam Prep 2026/2027: TN Q... - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
