CPA Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. How does crop sanitation support IPM goals? → It removes crop debris that pests use for overwintering or reproduction
2. Chronic pesticide toxicity refers to adverse health effects that result from: → Repeated or prolonged exposures over an extended period of time
3. Which of the following best describes the 'economic injury level' (EIL) in IPM? → The lowest pest population that will cause economic damage equal to the cost of control
4. Which pesticide use strategy is MOST consistent with IPM principles? → Using selective pesticides only when monitoring indicates thresholds have been exceeded
5. Which of the following is the most critical first step in developing an effective and safe pest management program? → Accurately identifying the pest.
6. Which organization publishes resistance management guidelines for insecticides, divided into numbered MOA groups? → IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee)
7. Which term describes the unintended killing of beneficial insects, fish, or other non-target organisms by a pesticide application? → Non-target impact
8. Glyphosate herbicide kills plants by inhibiting which enzyme critical to amino acid biosynthesis? → EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase)
9. Which EPA toxicity category requires both the signal word 'DANGER' and the word 'POISON' printed on the pesticide label? → Category I
10. IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) group numbers on pesticide labels help applicators: → Identify the mode of action and rotate between different groups to manage resistance
11. Which of the following is a physical/mechanical control method used in IPM? → Installing insect-proof screens or row covers
12. Neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid act primarily on which receptor in insects? → Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
13. Which signal word appears on a pesticide label when the product falls into EPA Toxicity Category II (moderately toxic)? → WARNING
14. Which of the following is a sign that a pest population may have developed resistance to a pesticide? → Normal application rates fail to provide expected levels of control over time
15. What does 'pest-free entry' or exclusion mean in the context of IPM for structural pests? → Sealing cracks, gaps, and entry points to prevent pests from entering a structure
16. What is the purpose of keeping detailed pest monitoring records in an IPM program? → To track pest population trends over time and improve future management decisions
17. Which herbicide resistance classification group system do applicators use to guide MOA rotation decisions? → WSSA (Weed Science Society of America) MOA group numbers
18. Which of the following best illustrates the IPM concept of 'least-risk pesticide selection'? → Choosing a targeted, low-toxicity pesticide that minimizes effects on beneficial organisms
19. In the context of pyrethroid insecticides, what does the term 'knockdown effect' describe? → Rapid immobilization of insects shortly after exposure
20. Which pest management practice is MOST effective at slowing the development of pesticide resistance? → Rotating pesticide mode-of-action (MOA) classes
21. Which of the following pieces of information is found in the 'Directions for Use' section of a pesticide label? → The target pests and application rates.
22. Which type of toxicity results from a single or short-term exposure to a high dose of a pesticide? → Acute toxicity
23. What is the correct order of IPM decision-making steps? → Identify pest → set threshold → monitor → apply control if threshold is reached
24. A 'systemic' pesticide is one that: → Is absorbed by the plant and translocated throughout its tissues
25. What is a 'mode of action' (MOA) in pesticide terminology? → The specific biochemical or physiological process in a pest that a pesticide disrupts
26. Bioaccumulation of pesticides in the food chain primarily occurs with compounds that are: → Lipophilic (fat-soluble) and environmentally persistent
27. In pesticide toxicology, what does the term 'dermal absorption' specifically refer to? → Pesticide penetrating through the skin and entering the bloodstream
28. What is 'refuge' strategy in resistance management for Bt transgenic crops? → Planting non-Bt crop areas near Bt crops to maintain a population of susceptible insects
29. Pheromone traps are primarily used in IPM to: → Monitor pest population levels and time control measures appropriately
30. Which of the following is a critical safety requirement when transporting pesticides in a service vehicle? → Ensuring all containers are firmly secured and braced to prevent shifting and puncturing.