What is the most likely cause if acrylic dots are becoming oval?

Correct answer: The brush was dragged instead of lifted vertically

The governing technique for a round dot is to press the loaded brush onto the surface and lift it vertically. If the brush is dragged before lifting, the wet paint is pulled in one direction, stretching the circular mark into an oval; therefore option D is correct. Excess water can cause spreading, but it does not explain a consistently pulled shape as directly as dragging does.