CIT Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. When installing pop-up spray heads in a lawn area, the top of the sprinkler body should be set: → Flush with or slightly below finished grade (approximately 1/4 inch)
2. Which controller type uses local weather data to automatically adjust irrigation run times? → ET-based (SMART) controller
3. What is the purpose of a pressure regulator installed in a drip irrigation zone? → Reduce and stabilize pressure to protect drip tubing and emitters
4. What is the function of a filter (screen or disc type) in a drip irrigation system? → To remove particulate matter that could clog the small orifices in drip emitters
5. A grounding rod for an irrigation controller should be installed within what maximum distance of the controller? → 20 feet
6. A maintenance log for an irrigation system should be updated: → After every service visit to record changes, repairs, and system performance
7. What is the best way to prevent system damage due to freezing? → Drain the system and store components
8. When using PVC primer and solvent cement, what personal protective equipment (PPE) should a technician wear? → Safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and work in a ventilated area
9. What is the primary reason for installing an irrigation system on a slope? → To evenly distribute water and prevent runoff
10. What is the purpose of using wireless controllers in irrigation systems? → To provide remote control and easy access
11. The National Electrical Code classifies irrigation controller wiring (24 VAC field wiring) as: → Class 2, low-voltage wiring that can be directly buried
12. When performing a field test on an RPZ assembly, what is the correct order of testing? → First check, relief valve, second check
13. When a technician needs to make a threaded connection on a galvanized steel pipe, the correct tool to use is a: → Pipe wrench sized appropriately for the fitting
14. What is a bubbler emitter best suited for? → Delivering high flow directly to the base of trees or large shrubs
15. A backflow preventer on an irrigation system is dripping from the relief valve port during normal operation. This most commonly indicates: → A worn or fouled check valve seat inside the backflow preventer
16. On the USDA soil texture triangle, a soil with 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay is classified as: → Loam
17. The soil infiltration rate determines: → The maximum rate at which water can be applied without causing surface runoff
18. How should drip lateral lines be oriented when installed on a slope? → Horizontally across the slope (on contour)
19. Which EPA program labels water-efficient irrigation products and encourages conservation through utility rebates? → WaterSense
20. When sizing a lateral irrigation pipe, which two factors directly determine water velocity inside the pipe? → Flow rate (GPM) and the pipe's internal diameter
21. A sprinkler head is not retracting fully after the zone turns off. The most likely cause is: → Dirt, debris, or a worn spring in the sprinkler body preventing the riser from retracting
22. Which soil type has the highest water-holding capacity? → Clay soil
23. A technician discovers that an RPZ assembly's relief valve is continuously discharging water. What is the most likely cause of this condition? → The first check valve is fouled or not seating properly
24. How should an irrigation system be tested for leaks? → By visually inspecting for leaks while pressurized
25. What minimum distribution uniformity does the Irrigation Association recommend for turfgrass irrigation systems? → 0.75 (75%)
26. Pushing a screwdriver or soil probe into the ground is a simple field method to quickly estimate: → Soil compaction and moisture level
27. A rotary sprinkler head is most appropriate for which type of irrigation application? → Large turf areas over 25 feet in any direction
28. What is the importance of a backflow preventer in an irrigation system? → To prevent water contamination from backflow
29. What type of sensor is commonly used in irrigation systems to measure soil moisture? → Soil moisture sensor
30. What minimum mesh size filter is recommended upstream of drip emitters? → 120-mesh