NYC NYCHA MAINTENANCE WORKER (CUNY) EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
CORE DOMAINS
1. Occupational Health and Safety
2. Hand and Power Tools
3. Basic Plumbing Maintenance
4. Electrical Safety and Maintenance
5. Carpentry and Building Repairs
6. Heating, Ventilation, and Building Systems
7. Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting
8. Work Orders, Prioritization, and Resident Service
9. Hazard Recognition and Safe Work Practices
10. Maintenance Procedures and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
The NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker examination focuses on practical knowledge and
judgment needed to perform routine building maintenance safely and effectively. Candidates
should understand basic repair methods, tools, building systems, workplace safety, preventive
maintenance, and appropriate responses to maintenance problems. This practice test combines
foundational knowledge with realistic maintenance situations to encourage practical application
rather than memorization alone. Scenario-based questions require candidates to identify
hazards, select appropriate procedures, prioritize work, and determine when a problem
requires specialized assistance. Use these questions as an exam-preparation study guide to
strengthen both technical understanding and decision-making skills relevant to maintenance
work in residential facilities.
SECTION ONE
QUESTIONS 1–50
1. Before beginning a maintenance task involving an unfamiliar piece of equipment, what
should the worker do first?
,A. Begin disassembly to determine how the equipment works
B. Ask another worker to complete the task
C. Review the applicable instructions, hazards, and required procedures
D. Remove all protective guards from the equipment
Rationale: Reviewing instructions and hazards before starting helps the worker understand the
correct procedure, identify risks, and determine what protective measures are required.
2. A maintenance worker notices that a power tool has a damaged electrical cord. What is
the safest response?
A. Wrap the damaged section with ordinary tape and continue working
B. Remove the tool from service and report or replace it according to procedure
C. Use the tool only while wearing gloves
D. Reduce the speed of the tool and continue
Rationale: A damaged cord can expose workers to electrical shock or fire. The defective tool
should not be used until it has been properly repaired or replaced.
3. Which tool is generally most appropriate for tightening or loosening a standard hex-head
bolt?
A. Wrench
B. Chisel
C. Pry bar
D. Utility knife
Rationale: A properly sized wrench is designed to grip hexagonal fasteners and apply controlled
turning force without damaging the fastener.
4. A resident reports water leaking from beneath a sink. What should the maintenance
worker do before attempting the repair?
A. Immediately remove the drain assembly
B. Tighten every visible fitting
C. Pour a chemical drain cleaner into the sink
D. Identify the source of the leak and control the water supply if necessary
Rationale: The source of the leak should be identified before repairs begin. Controlling the water
supply can also prevent additional property damage.
5. Why is preventive maintenance important in residential buildings?
, A. It eliminates the need for emergency repairs
B. It allows maintenance workers to avoid documenting their work
C. It helps identify developing problems before they become more serious
D. It guarantees that equipment will never fail
Rationale: Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected failures by identifying
wear, deterioration, and other developing problems early.
6. A worker must use a ladder to reach an elevated work area. Which practice is safest?
A. Stand on the top step if additional height is needed
B. Place the ladder on a wet floor
C. Lean the ladder against an unsecured movable object
D. Set the ladder on a stable surface and maintain proper positioning
Rationale: Stable placement and proper ladder positioning reduce the risk of slips, falls, and
ladder movement during work.
7. What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. To eliminate every workplace hazard
B. To reduce a worker's exposure to identified hazards
C. To replace safe work procedures
D. To allow hazardous work without training
Rationale: PPE is an important protective measure, but it does not eliminate hazards or replace
engineering controls, safe procedures, and appropriate training.
8. A maintenance worker discovers standing water near an electrical panel. What should
receive priority?
A. Cleaning the floor immediately
B. Moving nearby furniture
C. Keeping people away from the hazard and addressing the electrical and water risks safely
D. Opening the electrical panel to determine whether it is energized
Rationale: Water and electricity can create a serious shock hazard. The area should be
controlled and the electrical hazard addressed using appropriate procedures.
9. Which item is most appropriate for protecting the eyes when cutting or grinding
material?
A. Cotton cap
B. Hearing protection only
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
CORE DOMAINS
1. Occupational Health and Safety
2. Hand and Power Tools
3. Basic Plumbing Maintenance
4. Electrical Safety and Maintenance
5. Carpentry and Building Repairs
6. Heating, Ventilation, and Building Systems
7. Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting
8. Work Orders, Prioritization, and Resident Service
9. Hazard Recognition and Safe Work Practices
10. Maintenance Procedures and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
The NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker examination focuses on practical knowledge and
judgment needed to perform routine building maintenance safely and effectively. Candidates
should understand basic repair methods, tools, building systems, workplace safety, preventive
maintenance, and appropriate responses to maintenance problems. This practice test combines
foundational knowledge with realistic maintenance situations to encourage practical application
rather than memorization alone. Scenario-based questions require candidates to identify
hazards, select appropriate procedures, prioritize work, and determine when a problem
requires specialized assistance. Use these questions as an exam-preparation study guide to
strengthen both technical understanding and decision-making skills relevant to maintenance
work in residential facilities.
SECTION ONE
QUESTIONS 1–50
1. Before beginning a maintenance task involving an unfamiliar piece of equipment, what
should the worker do first?
,A. Begin disassembly to determine how the equipment works
B. Ask another worker to complete the task
C. Review the applicable instructions, hazards, and required procedures
D. Remove all protective guards from the equipment
Rationale: Reviewing instructions and hazards before starting helps the worker understand the
correct procedure, identify risks, and determine what protective measures are required.
2. A maintenance worker notices that a power tool has a damaged electrical cord. What is
the safest response?
A. Wrap the damaged section with ordinary tape and continue working
B. Remove the tool from service and report or replace it according to procedure
C. Use the tool only while wearing gloves
D. Reduce the speed of the tool and continue
Rationale: A damaged cord can expose workers to electrical shock or fire. The defective tool
should not be used until it has been properly repaired or replaced.
3. Which tool is generally most appropriate for tightening or loosening a standard hex-head
bolt?
A. Wrench
B. Chisel
C. Pry bar
D. Utility knife
Rationale: A properly sized wrench is designed to grip hexagonal fasteners and apply controlled
turning force without damaging the fastener.
4. A resident reports water leaking from beneath a sink. What should the maintenance
worker do before attempting the repair?
A. Immediately remove the drain assembly
B. Tighten every visible fitting
C. Pour a chemical drain cleaner into the sink
D. Identify the source of the leak and control the water supply if necessary
Rationale: The source of the leak should be identified before repairs begin. Controlling the water
supply can also prevent additional property damage.
5. Why is preventive maintenance important in residential buildings?
, A. It eliminates the need for emergency repairs
B. It allows maintenance workers to avoid documenting their work
C. It helps identify developing problems before they become more serious
D. It guarantees that equipment will never fail
Rationale: Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected failures by identifying
wear, deterioration, and other developing problems early.
6. A worker must use a ladder to reach an elevated work area. Which practice is safest?
A. Stand on the top step if additional height is needed
B. Place the ladder on a wet floor
C. Lean the ladder against an unsecured movable object
D. Set the ladder on a stable surface and maintain proper positioning
Rationale: Stable placement and proper ladder positioning reduce the risk of slips, falls, and
ladder movement during work.
7. What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. To eliminate every workplace hazard
B. To reduce a worker's exposure to identified hazards
C. To replace safe work procedures
D. To allow hazardous work without training
Rationale: PPE is an important protective measure, but it does not eliminate hazards or replace
engineering controls, safe procedures, and appropriate training.
8. A maintenance worker discovers standing water near an electrical panel. What should
receive priority?
A. Cleaning the floor immediately
B. Moving nearby furniture
C. Keeping people away from the hazard and addressing the electrical and water risks safely
D. Opening the electrical panel to determine whether it is energized
Rationale: Water and electricity can create a serious shock hazard. The area should be
controlled and the electrical hazard addressed using appropriate procedures.
9. Which item is most appropriate for protecting the eyes when cutting or grinding
material?
A. Cotton cap
B. Hearing protection only
