MTA CONDUCTOR EXAM
120 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. What is the primary responsibility of a Conductor during train operation?
A. Operating the train's controls from the cab
B. Ensuring the safe entry and exit of passengers and controlling the doors
C. Selling fare cards to passengers
D. Cleaning the train interior between trips
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Conductor's core duty is passenger safety at the doors and platform
interface, including observing the platform, operating doors, and giving the signal to
proceed once boarding/alighting is complete.
2. Before a train departs a terminal, the Conductor should primarily verify that:
A. The train is running ahead of schedule
B. All doors are closed and the train is safe to move, per the required terminal
checks
C. The motorman has eaten breakfast
D. The public address system volume is set to maximum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Terminal departure checks exist to confirm the train is mechanically and
operationally safe to enter service, not to check crew schedules or comfort.
,3. If a Conductor discovers a discrepancy between the working timetable and an
actual condition on the road, the correct action is to:
A. Ignore it since timetables are rarely wrong
B. Report it through the proper chain of command/control center as soon as
practical
C. Change the timetable themselves
D. Wait until the end of the tour of duty to mention it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discrepancies affecting safety or schedule integrity must be reported
promptly to the rail control center or supervision so the information can be verified and
disseminated.
4. A Conductor's rulebook and special instructions bulletins should be:
A. Left at home since they are rarely used
B. Carried and readily available while on duty
C. Only reviewed once per year
D. Optional if the Conductor has memorized the rules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Operating employees are required to carry current rules and bulletins so
they can reference them immediately if a question arises during a tour of duty.
5. When a Conductor receives a verbal instruction from a supervisor that
conflicts with a written rule, the Conductor should:
A. Always follow the verbal instruction because supervisors outrank the rulebook
B. Follow the safer course and seek clarification/confirmation, since safety rules are
not waived verbally
C. Ignore both and do what feels right
D. Refuse to operate the train for the rest of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verbal instructions cannot lawfully override a safety rule; employees should
seek clarification and default to the safe course of action, escalating if necessary.
,6. Which of the following best describes 'fitness for duty' requirements for a
Conductor?
A. Being physically present at the crew room
B. Being free from the influence of alcohol/drugs and mentally and physically able to
perform safety-sensitive duties
C. Having completed five years of service
D. Owning a personal radio
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fitness for duty rules require that safety-sensitive employees be alert,
unimpaired, and capable of safely performing their duties for the entire tour.
7. A Conductor arriving late for a scheduled tour of duty should:
A. Not report it and simply start work when they arrive
B. Notify crew dispatch/control as required by procedure
C. Ask a coworker to sign in for them
D. Take the next scheduled run instead without telling anyone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Timely notification allows dispatch to arrange coverage and maintain
service, and falsifying attendance records is a serious violation.
8. The chain of command for reporting an unsafe condition on a train is
generally:
A. Directly to the media
B. Through the appropriate supervisor or Rail Control Center, following the reporting
procedure
C. Posted on social media for visibility
D. Left for the next crew to discover
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unsafe conditions must go through the operational chain (Rail Control
Center/supervision) so a timely, coordinated response can occur.
, 9. What is the purpose of a 'Special Instruction Bulletin' issued to Conductors?
A. To advertise new employee benefits
B. To communicate temporary or updated operating conditions not yet in the
general rulebook
C. To schedule vacations
D. To replace the rulebook entirely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bulletins convey time-sensitive changes (e.g., temporary speed restrictions,
track work, revised procedures) that supplement the standing rulebook.
10. A Conductor who is unsure whether a rule applies to a specific situation
should:
A. Guess and proceed
B. Take the safest course of action and, when possible, request clarification from
Rail Control/supervision
C. Skip the step in question
D. Wait for a passenger to advise them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When in doubt, the safe course prevails; rules exist to protect against
uncertainty, and clarification should be sought when time allows.
11. Falsifying a required report (e.g., an incident report) is:
A. Acceptable if no one was hurt
B. A serious violation of the rules of conduct that can result in discipline up to
termination
C. Only a problem if discovered within 24 hours
D. Permitted for minor incidents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate documentation is critical to safety investigations and
accountability; falsification undermines the integrity of the safety system and is a major
violation.
120 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. What is the primary responsibility of a Conductor during train operation?
A. Operating the train's controls from the cab
B. Ensuring the safe entry and exit of passengers and controlling the doors
C. Selling fare cards to passengers
D. Cleaning the train interior between trips
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Conductor's core duty is passenger safety at the doors and platform
interface, including observing the platform, operating doors, and giving the signal to
proceed once boarding/alighting is complete.
2. Before a train departs a terminal, the Conductor should primarily verify that:
A. The train is running ahead of schedule
B. All doors are closed and the train is safe to move, per the required terminal
checks
C. The motorman has eaten breakfast
D. The public address system volume is set to maximum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Terminal departure checks exist to confirm the train is mechanically and
operationally safe to enter service, not to check crew schedules or comfort.
,3. If a Conductor discovers a discrepancy between the working timetable and an
actual condition on the road, the correct action is to:
A. Ignore it since timetables are rarely wrong
B. Report it through the proper chain of command/control center as soon as
practical
C. Change the timetable themselves
D. Wait until the end of the tour of duty to mention it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discrepancies affecting safety or schedule integrity must be reported
promptly to the rail control center or supervision so the information can be verified and
disseminated.
4. A Conductor's rulebook and special instructions bulletins should be:
A. Left at home since they are rarely used
B. Carried and readily available while on duty
C. Only reviewed once per year
D. Optional if the Conductor has memorized the rules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Operating employees are required to carry current rules and bulletins so
they can reference them immediately if a question arises during a tour of duty.
5. When a Conductor receives a verbal instruction from a supervisor that
conflicts with a written rule, the Conductor should:
A. Always follow the verbal instruction because supervisors outrank the rulebook
B. Follow the safer course and seek clarification/confirmation, since safety rules are
not waived verbally
C. Ignore both and do what feels right
D. Refuse to operate the train for the rest of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verbal instructions cannot lawfully override a safety rule; employees should
seek clarification and default to the safe course of action, escalating if necessary.
,6. Which of the following best describes 'fitness for duty' requirements for a
Conductor?
A. Being physically present at the crew room
B. Being free from the influence of alcohol/drugs and mentally and physically able to
perform safety-sensitive duties
C. Having completed five years of service
D. Owning a personal radio
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fitness for duty rules require that safety-sensitive employees be alert,
unimpaired, and capable of safely performing their duties for the entire tour.
7. A Conductor arriving late for a scheduled tour of duty should:
A. Not report it and simply start work when they arrive
B. Notify crew dispatch/control as required by procedure
C. Ask a coworker to sign in for them
D. Take the next scheduled run instead without telling anyone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Timely notification allows dispatch to arrange coverage and maintain
service, and falsifying attendance records is a serious violation.
8. The chain of command for reporting an unsafe condition on a train is
generally:
A. Directly to the media
B. Through the appropriate supervisor or Rail Control Center, following the reporting
procedure
C. Posted on social media for visibility
D. Left for the next crew to discover
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unsafe conditions must go through the operational chain (Rail Control
Center/supervision) so a timely, coordinated response can occur.
, 9. What is the purpose of a 'Special Instruction Bulletin' issued to Conductors?
A. To advertise new employee benefits
B. To communicate temporary or updated operating conditions not yet in the
general rulebook
C. To schedule vacations
D. To replace the rulebook entirely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bulletins convey time-sensitive changes (e.g., temporary speed restrictions,
track work, revised procedures) that supplement the standing rulebook.
10. A Conductor who is unsure whether a rule applies to a specific situation
should:
A. Guess and proceed
B. Take the safest course of action and, when possible, request clarification from
Rail Control/supervision
C. Skip the step in question
D. Wait for a passenger to advise them
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When in doubt, the safe course prevails; rules exist to protect against
uncertainty, and clarification should be sought when time allows.
11. Falsifying a required report (e.g., an incident report) is:
A. Acceptable if no one was hurt
B. A serious violation of the rules of conduct that can result in discipline up to
termination
C. Only a problem if discovered within 24 hours
D. Permitted for minor incidents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate documentation is critical to safety investigations and
accountability; falsification undermines the integrity of the safety system and is a major
violation.
