- What is PA1?
- PA1 is the foundation unit for people who use pesticides professionally in the UK. It is a theory test about the safe use of pesticides: the law, product labels, protecting yourself, storage and transport, waste, records and the environment. It is awarded by City & Guilds, and most people take it alongside a unit for the equipment they use.
- How does the PA1 assessment work?
- The published test specification (the unit handbook, version 1.1 of May 2026) describes an online multiple-choice test of 30 questions in 60 minutes. The pass mark is 70% (21 of 30) plus at least one mark in each of the seven topic areas. These details can change, so check the current handbook or ask your training provider before you book.
- What is PA2?
- PA2 is the City & Guilds unit for applying pesticides with horizontal boom sprayers: self-propelled, mounted or trailed. You take it after PA1. There are variants of the unit for kerb, band, twin-fluid, air-assisted and wick or brush application.
- How is PA2 assessed?
- The City & Guilds assessment is a practical observation with oral questions, one to one with an independent assessor. There is no written test. That is from the published unit handbook (version 1.0, December 2025), which can change, so check the current one or ask your training provider.
- Is there a PA2 mock exam?
- No, and we say so on purpose. PA2 is not a written test, so there is nothing to mock and no pass mark to aim for. Acrestep PA2 gives you practice questions on the knowledge behind the oral questions, and calibration and quantities maths with new numbers every time, each worked through step by step. It does not replace practice on a real sprayer with your trainer.
- What happens after PA1?
- PA1 is the theory foundation. You then take one or more units for the type of application equipment you use, such as PA2 for boom sprayers or PA6 for hand-held applicators. Which ones you need depends on your work, so check with your training provider.
- Do I need to buy both?
- No. Each unit is bought separately, once, and you only need the ones you are taking. Most people start with PA1.
- Is Acrestep the real test?
- No. Acrestep is an independent revision aid. It is not the real assessment, it is not affiliated with or endorsed by City & Guilds, NPTC or Lantra, and it does not use their questions. The PA1 mock exam is modelled on the published test specification, and the real assessment can differ.
- Where do the questions come from?
- Every question is written by us from public sources such as legislation, HSE guidance and the National Sprayer Testing Scheme, and each one is checked against its source. They are not past papers and they are not copied from anywhere. Calculation questions use numbers we invent, with formulas from published guidance.
- What do I get for £9.99 (PA1)?
- A single payment with no subscription. You get all the PA1 practice questions with explanations, practice by topic, timed mock exams, weak-topic practice and your results history, for as long as the service runs.
- What do I get for £7.99 (PA2)?
- A single payment with no subscription. You get the PA2 practice questions with a plain-English reason for each answer, calibration and quantities maths, practice by topic, weak-topic practice, a tracker that shows what you have covered, and your results history, for as long as the service runs.
- Can I try it first?
- Yes. Both units have free questions that need no account, and you see the answer and the reason after each one.
- Does it work on my phone?
- Yes. It is designed for phones first: large buttons, clear text, one question at a time and no time pressure in practice mode.
- Will I pass if I use it?
- We cannot promise that. Good revision helps, but passing depends on you and on the real assessment on the day. Always follow the product label and the law when you actually use pesticides.
- What if I want a refund?
- Tell us within 14 days and we will refund you. The refund policy has the details.
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