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. What is the most important principle in professional Certified Grounds Manager practice? → Maintaining competence through continuous learning and adherence to standards
2. Which cost is typically classified as a fixed cost in a grounds operations budget? → Building lease for the maintenance facility
3. Why is staying current with industry developments important for Certified Grounds Manager professionals? → To provide the best possible service using current knowledge and practices
4. What is a safe practice when refueling gas-powered equipment? → With the engine turned off and in a ventilated area
5. 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
6. What is the primary purpose of core aerification in sports turf management? → To relieve soil compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient movement
7. Which financial metric measures the number of months or years required for an investment to pay for itself through savings? → Payback period
8. What benefit do native plants provide in landscape management? → They thrive in local climates with minimal upkeep
9. What is the primary purpose of conducting a soil test before establishing or renovating a sports field? → To identify soil pH, nutrient levels, and texture to guide amendments
10. What does the term 'xeriscaping' refer to? → Creating water-efficient landscapes
11. Which nutrient primarily supports leaf growth in plants? → Nitrogen
12. What is the most important principle in professional Certified Grounds Manager practice? → Maintaining competence through continuous learning and adherence to standards
13. 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
14. How often should a practitioner review applicable regulations and standards? → Regularly, as regulations are updated frequently and compliance is ongoing
15. Why is pruning important in horticulture? → It enhances health and structure
16. Which type of herbicide is applied to prevent weed seed germination before weeds emerge from the soil? → Pre-emergent herbicide
17. What does a budget variance report primarily communicate to grounds management leadership? → The difference between budgeted and actual expenditures
18. What does the 'economic threshold' represent in pest management? → The pest population level at which control measures become economically justified
19. Which of the following is classified as a mechanical or physical pest control method in IPM? → Installing yellow sticky traps to monitor and capture flying insects
20. Which documentation practice best supports legal defensibility? → Objective, factual entries with specific measurements and timestamps
21. How can grounds teams conserve water in landscaping? → Install efficient irrigation systems and native plants
22. How does risk appetite influence management decisions? → It defines the level of risk an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of objectives
23. Why is staying current with industry developments important for Certified Grounds Manager professionals? → To provide the best possible service using current knowledge and practices
24. What is 'scalping' in turfgrass management? → Removing the green leaf tissue by mowing too low and exposing brown stems
25. How does maintaining proper credentials demonstrate regulatory compliance? → It proves the practitioner has met all requirements for legal practice
26. A grounds department wants to justify hiring an additional full-time employee. Which analysis best supports this request? → A workload analysis comparing labor hours needed versus available
27. Which warm-season turfgrass is most commonly used for sports fields in the southern United States? → Bermudagrass
28. What is residual risk? → The risk remaining after mitigation measures have been applied
29. Which pest is the larval stage of Japanese beetles and commonly causes root damage on sports turf? → White grubs
30. What is a key consideration when planting new trees? → Sunlight, soil quality, and space availability