Transit Railcar Maintenance Technician – Mechanical and
Electrical Aptitude Exam | Questions and Answers with
Rationales | 2026/2027 Update
Questions 1–25: Mechanical Fundamentals
1. Which force resists motion between two surfaces in contact?
A. Gravity
B. Friction
C. Voltage
D. Pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Friction is the force that opposes relative motion between
contacting surfaces.
2. A technician uses a lever primarily to:
A. Increase mechanical advantage
B. Reduce voltage
C. Measure pressure
D. Increase electrical resistance
Answer: A
Rationale: A lever allows a force to move or lift a load with mechanical
advantage.
3. Torque is best described as:
A. Electrical energy
B. Rotational force
C. Linear speed
D. Air pressure
,Answer: B
Rationale: Torque is the turning effect of a force acting around an axis.
4. If the length of a wrench handle is increased while applying the
same force, the torque will:
A. Decrease
B. Stay the same
C. Increase
D. Become zero
Answer: C
Rationale: Torque equals force multiplied by the distance from the
pivot point.
5. Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a fastener to a
specified torque?
A. Adjustable wrench
B. Torque wrench
C. Pry bar
D. Hammer
Answer: B
Rationale: A torque wrench is designed to apply a specified amount of
torque.
6. A gear system with a small driving gear turning a larger driven gear
generally produces:
A. Higher output speed and lower torque
B. Lower output speed and higher torque
C. No change in torque
D. No mechanical advantage
,Answer: B
Rationale: A larger driven gear generally reduces speed while
increasing torque.
7. Which component is commonly used to reduce friction between
rotating parts?
A. Bearing
B. Fuse
C. Relay
D. Insulator
Answer: A
Rationale: Bearings support moving parts and reduce friction.
8. Excessive bearing wear may cause:
A. Noise and vibration
B. Increased insulation resistance
C. Higher battery capacity
D. Reduced voltage drop
Answer: A
Rationale: Worn bearings often create noise, heat, vibration, or
excessive movement.
9. Lubrication primarily helps:
A. Increase friction
B. Reduce friction and wear
C. Increase electrical resistance
D. Eliminate mechanical movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Lubricants reduce friction and help protect moving surfaces
from wear.
, 10. A component subjected repeatedly to alternating loads may
eventually experience:
A. Metal fatigue
B. Increased conductivity
C. Reduced pressure
D. Improved hardness
Answer: A
Rationale: Repeated loading and unloading can cause fatigue failure
over time.
11. A crack that continues to grow under repeated stress is most likely
associated with:
A. Fatigue
B. Lubrication
C. Insulation
D. Conductivity
Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue cracks can grow as a component experiences
repeated stress cycles.
12. What is the primary purpose of a key in a shaft-and-hub
assembly?
A. To provide electrical insulation
B. To prevent relative rotation
C. To increase air pressure
D. To measure alignment
Answer: B
Rationale: A key helps transmit torque between a shaft and mounted
component.
Electrical Aptitude Exam | Questions and Answers with
Rationales | 2026/2027 Update
Questions 1–25: Mechanical Fundamentals
1. Which force resists motion between two surfaces in contact?
A. Gravity
B. Friction
C. Voltage
D. Pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Friction is the force that opposes relative motion between
contacting surfaces.
2. A technician uses a lever primarily to:
A. Increase mechanical advantage
B. Reduce voltage
C. Measure pressure
D. Increase electrical resistance
Answer: A
Rationale: A lever allows a force to move or lift a load with mechanical
advantage.
3. Torque is best described as:
A. Electrical energy
B. Rotational force
C. Linear speed
D. Air pressure
,Answer: B
Rationale: Torque is the turning effect of a force acting around an axis.
4. If the length of a wrench handle is increased while applying the
same force, the torque will:
A. Decrease
B. Stay the same
C. Increase
D. Become zero
Answer: C
Rationale: Torque equals force multiplied by the distance from the
pivot point.
5. Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a fastener to a
specified torque?
A. Adjustable wrench
B. Torque wrench
C. Pry bar
D. Hammer
Answer: B
Rationale: A torque wrench is designed to apply a specified amount of
torque.
6. A gear system with a small driving gear turning a larger driven gear
generally produces:
A. Higher output speed and lower torque
B. Lower output speed and higher torque
C. No change in torque
D. No mechanical advantage
,Answer: B
Rationale: A larger driven gear generally reduces speed while
increasing torque.
7. Which component is commonly used to reduce friction between
rotating parts?
A. Bearing
B. Fuse
C. Relay
D. Insulator
Answer: A
Rationale: Bearings support moving parts and reduce friction.
8. Excessive bearing wear may cause:
A. Noise and vibration
B. Increased insulation resistance
C. Higher battery capacity
D. Reduced voltage drop
Answer: A
Rationale: Worn bearings often create noise, heat, vibration, or
excessive movement.
9. Lubrication primarily helps:
A. Increase friction
B. Reduce friction and wear
C. Increase electrical resistance
D. Eliminate mechanical movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Lubricants reduce friction and help protect moving surfaces
from wear.
, 10. A component subjected repeatedly to alternating loads may
eventually experience:
A. Metal fatigue
B. Increased conductivity
C. Reduced pressure
D. Improved hardness
Answer: A
Rationale: Repeated loading and unloading can cause fatigue failure
over time.
11. A crack that continues to grow under repeated stress is most likely
associated with:
A. Fatigue
B. Lubrication
C. Insulation
D. Conductivity
Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue cracks can grow as a component experiences
repeated stress cycles.
12. What is the primary purpose of a key in a shaft-and-hub
assembly?
A. To provide electrical insulation
B. To prevent relative rotation
C. To increase air pressure
D. To measure alignment
Answer: B
Rationale: A key helps transmit torque between a shaft and mounted
component.
