PGA LEVEL 3 CORE EXAM MANUAL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 ALL GRADED A+
✔✔What is the recommended guideline a manager should use if an employee's actual
performance differs from expected performance?
-Provide an input amplifier
-Reduce the complexity of the task-Reassess the relationship
-Close the gap through mutual agreement - ✔✔Close the gap through mutual
agreement
✔✔A team member who set the hole locations accurately and efficiently is assigned to
routinely complete this maintenance task. What is the potential result of this situation?
-Negative consequence for negative behavior
-Negative consequence for positive behavior
-Positive consequence for positive behavior
-Positive consequence for negative behavior - ✔✔Negative consequence for positive
behavior
✔✔What interpersonal skill should a manager use when discussing agreed-upon
expectations?
-Reframing difficult situations
-Inviting and giving specific feedback
-Encouraging open expression
-Providing a compelling rationale - ✔✔Inviting and giving specific feedback
✔✔Which element of the performance system is being utilized when managers
communicate the information needed for a performer to complete a task?
-Input
-Resources
-Feedback
-Expectations - ✔✔Resources
✔✔A member attempts to return a golf shirt and demands a cash refund. The assistant
professional insists on following the established policy for exchange. The member
complains to the head professional, who then reprimands the assistant. Which element
of the performance system is misaligned in this situation?
-Consequences
-Input
-Feedback
-Resources - ✔✔Consequences
✔✔What should a manager do when a performer has difficulty recognizing when to take
action on a specific task?
-Make the task less difficult
-Demonstrate the correct response
,-Amplify the input
-Mandate a course of action - ✔✔Amplify the input
✔✔Which principle of motivating work is involved when a manager delegates
responsibility for completion of a task from beginning to end?
-Whole task
-Autonomy
-Significant work
-Skill variety - ✔✔Whole task
✔✔A motivated performer will succeed in any working environment.
T/F - ✔✔False
✔✔How should the PGA General Manager utilize the principle of significant work when
directing the Merchandiser to conduct spot audits due to high shrinkage in golf club
equipment?
-Assign responsibility for the entire task
-Provide recognition for accomplishments
-Communicate financial impact of managing inventory
-Allow the employee discretion in making decisions - ✔✔Communicate financial impact
of managing inventory
✔✔Which principle of motivating work is best represented when a PGA General
Manager decides to cross-train employees?
-Autonomy
-Feedback
-Skill variety
-Whole task - ✔✔Skill variety
✔✔How can managers communicate that they want to work with the performer to
ensure success in accomplishing the task?
-Recognize and commend achievements
-Let them implement the details
-Trust their decision-making abilities
-Set up regular feedback sessions - ✔✔Set up regular feedback sessions
✔✔What principle of motivating work is being used when the head professional gives
the assistant professional the freedom to decide how to manage the entire member-
guest tournament?
-Significant work
-Whole task
-Autonomy
-Skill variety - ✔✔Autonomy
, ✔✔Which stage of the Four-Stage Problem Solving Sequence gives the performer the
opportunity to take ownership of the solution to the problem?
-Joint Problem Solving
-Termination of the Employment Relationship
-Final Decision Making
-Reinforced Problem Solving - ✔✔Joint Problem Solving
✔✔What is one of the manager's goals during a joint-problem solving discussion?
-Avoid the impulse to place blame
-Establish supervisor authority
-Provide a convincing rationale
-Eliminate external factors - ✔✔Avoid the impulse to place blame
✔✔How can a manager identify if a performance problem continues to exist after an
agreed upon course of action?
-Strive for agreement on appropriate goals
-Invite mutual problem solving
-Establish a timetable for follow up
-Diagnose before taking action - ✔✔Establish a timetable for follow up
✔✔What action increases the chances of finding a quick solution that satisfies all
parties?
-Address problems early
-Agree on appropriate goals
-Establish a timetable for follow up
-Provide support for improvement - ✔✔Address problems early
✔✔In the termination stage of correcting performance problems, it is important to
determine if the performer was unwilling or was unable to meet agreed upon
performance expectations.
True/False - ✔✔False
✔✔Which interaction strategy would a manager use during the final decision-making
stage?
-Convincing
-Supporting
-Directing
-Involving - ✔✔directing
✔✔The Head Golf Professional has already held a joint problem-solving meeting and
the staff member continues to arrive late for work. Which best explains the need for
reinforced problem-solving?
-Discuss management frustrations
-Express greater sense of urgency
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 ALL GRADED A+
✔✔What is the recommended guideline a manager should use if an employee's actual
performance differs from expected performance?
-Provide an input amplifier
-Reduce the complexity of the task-Reassess the relationship
-Close the gap through mutual agreement - ✔✔Close the gap through mutual
agreement
✔✔A team member who set the hole locations accurately and efficiently is assigned to
routinely complete this maintenance task. What is the potential result of this situation?
-Negative consequence for negative behavior
-Negative consequence for positive behavior
-Positive consequence for positive behavior
-Positive consequence for negative behavior - ✔✔Negative consequence for positive
behavior
✔✔What interpersonal skill should a manager use when discussing agreed-upon
expectations?
-Reframing difficult situations
-Inviting and giving specific feedback
-Encouraging open expression
-Providing a compelling rationale - ✔✔Inviting and giving specific feedback
✔✔Which element of the performance system is being utilized when managers
communicate the information needed for a performer to complete a task?
-Input
-Resources
-Feedback
-Expectations - ✔✔Resources
✔✔A member attempts to return a golf shirt and demands a cash refund. The assistant
professional insists on following the established policy for exchange. The member
complains to the head professional, who then reprimands the assistant. Which element
of the performance system is misaligned in this situation?
-Consequences
-Input
-Feedback
-Resources - ✔✔Consequences
✔✔What should a manager do when a performer has difficulty recognizing when to take
action on a specific task?
-Make the task less difficult
-Demonstrate the correct response
,-Amplify the input
-Mandate a course of action - ✔✔Amplify the input
✔✔Which principle of motivating work is involved when a manager delegates
responsibility for completion of a task from beginning to end?
-Whole task
-Autonomy
-Significant work
-Skill variety - ✔✔Whole task
✔✔A motivated performer will succeed in any working environment.
T/F - ✔✔False
✔✔How should the PGA General Manager utilize the principle of significant work when
directing the Merchandiser to conduct spot audits due to high shrinkage in golf club
equipment?
-Assign responsibility for the entire task
-Provide recognition for accomplishments
-Communicate financial impact of managing inventory
-Allow the employee discretion in making decisions - ✔✔Communicate financial impact
of managing inventory
✔✔Which principle of motivating work is best represented when a PGA General
Manager decides to cross-train employees?
-Autonomy
-Feedback
-Skill variety
-Whole task - ✔✔Skill variety
✔✔How can managers communicate that they want to work with the performer to
ensure success in accomplishing the task?
-Recognize and commend achievements
-Let them implement the details
-Trust their decision-making abilities
-Set up regular feedback sessions - ✔✔Set up regular feedback sessions
✔✔What principle of motivating work is being used when the head professional gives
the assistant professional the freedom to decide how to manage the entire member-
guest tournament?
-Significant work
-Whole task
-Autonomy
-Skill variety - ✔✔Autonomy
, ✔✔Which stage of the Four-Stage Problem Solving Sequence gives the performer the
opportunity to take ownership of the solution to the problem?
-Joint Problem Solving
-Termination of the Employment Relationship
-Final Decision Making
-Reinforced Problem Solving - ✔✔Joint Problem Solving
✔✔What is one of the manager's goals during a joint-problem solving discussion?
-Avoid the impulse to place blame
-Establish supervisor authority
-Provide a convincing rationale
-Eliminate external factors - ✔✔Avoid the impulse to place blame
✔✔How can a manager identify if a performance problem continues to exist after an
agreed upon course of action?
-Strive for agreement on appropriate goals
-Invite mutual problem solving
-Establish a timetable for follow up
-Diagnose before taking action - ✔✔Establish a timetable for follow up
✔✔What action increases the chances of finding a quick solution that satisfies all
parties?
-Address problems early
-Agree on appropriate goals
-Establish a timetable for follow up
-Provide support for improvement - ✔✔Address problems early
✔✔In the termination stage of correcting performance problems, it is important to
determine if the performer was unwilling or was unable to meet agreed upon
performance expectations.
True/False - ✔✔False
✔✔Which interaction strategy would a manager use during the final decision-making
stage?
-Convincing
-Supporting
-Directing
-Involving - ✔✔directing
✔✔The Head Golf Professional has already held a joint problem-solving meeting and
the staff member continues to arrive late for work. Which best explains the need for
reinforced problem-solving?
-Discuss management frustrations
-Express greater sense of urgency
