CGM Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CGM facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is a key principle of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as it relates to environmental policy compliance? → Employing economic thresholds to determine when treatment is necessary
2. What is the most important principle in professional Certified Grounds Manager practice? → Maintaining competence through continuous learning and adherence to standards
3. Which cost is typically classified as a fixed cost in a grounds operations budget? → Building lease for the maintenance facility
4. A grounds manager discovers lead contamination in a children's play area. What is the MOST immediate remediation priority? → Install a clean soil cap and restrict access
5. Which OSHA standard specifically requires employers to provide workers with access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals in the workplace? → 29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication Standard
6. During a heat advisory, which symptom indicates heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion in a grounds worker? → Hot, red, dry or damp skin with confusion or loss of consciousness
7. Why is staying current with industry developments important for Certified Grounds Manager professionals? → To provide the best possible service using current knowledge and practices
8. What is a safe practice when refueling gas-powered equipment? → With the engine turned off and in a ventilated area
9. When applying pesticides near a water body, which label requirement takes precedence over all other application decisions? → The pesticide label as a legal document
10. When winterizing an irrigation system in a cold US climate, what is the primary reason for blowing out the system with compressed air? → To remove water from pipes and components to prevent freeze damage and pipe bursting
11. Under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework, which step must occur before any control tactic is selected? → Identify the pest and assess population levels against an action threshold
12. What is the primary purpose of core aerification in sports turf management? → To relieve soil compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient movement
13. When operating a wood chipper, which action poses the greatest risk of a pull-in injury? → Pushing material into the feed chute while reaching forward over the opening
14. Which regulatory framework most directly governs the cleanup of contaminated sites in the United States? → Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund)
15. Which financial metric measures the number of months or years required for an investment to pay for itself through savings? → Payback period
16. What benefit do native plants provide in landscape management? → They thrive in local climates with minimal upkeep
17. What does the term 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) determine in grounds management? → Which water bodies are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act
18. What is the purpose of a 'muster point' in a grounds department emergency plan? → A designated assembly area where workers report after an evacuation
19. What does the term 'xeriscaping' refer to? → Creating water-efficient landscapes
20. Which nutrient primarily supports leaf growth in plants? → Nitrogen
21. A grounds facility has chronic bare soil areas under dense tree canopy. Which long-term mitigation strategy is most sustainable? → Applying mulch and establishing shade-tolerant groundcovers
22. Which soil texture classification drains fastest and holds the least plant-available water? → Sand
23. The EPA's 'Green Infrastructure' approach to stormwater management emphasizes which of the following over traditional gray infrastructure? → Natural systems that infiltrate, evapotranspire, or reuse stormwater on-site
24. What is the most important principle in professional Certified Grounds Manager practice? → Maintaining competence through continuous learning and adherence to standards
25. A grounds manager receives a bid that is 40% below all other bids. What should be the first course of action? → Investigate the bid for errors, omissions, or unrealistic assumptions
26. What is the recommended practice for managing clippings on a healthy, well-fertilized lawn? → Mulch clippings back into the turf to return nutrients
27. How often should a practitioner review applicable regulations and standards? → Regularly, as regulations are updated frequently and compliance is ongoing
28. Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), employees who work with hazardous chemicals must be trained: → Before working with hazardous chemicals and when new hazards are introduced
29. State water quality standards established under the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) create lists of 'impaired water bodies' that require development of: → Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
30. Why is pruning important in horticulture? → It enhances health and structure