1|Page
NYC NYCHA MAINTENANCE WORKER ACTUAL
EXAM PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
|CURRENTLY REVISED
1. A Maintenance Worker arrives at an apartment where a tenant
reports a leaking sink trap. What is the best first action?
A. Replace the entire sink cabinet
B. Inspect the leak source and tighten or replace the trap
connections as needed
C. Shut off water to the entire building immediately
D. Ignore it because it is not an emergency
Rationale: A leak should be assessed at the source so the worker
can make a minor repair safely and avoid unnecessary
disruption.
2. Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose faucet nut in
a confined space?
A. Sledgehammer
B. Pry bar
C. Basin wrench
D. Wire brush
Rationale: A basin wrench is designed for plumbing fasteners in
tight locations under sinks.
3. When inspecting a hallway light fixture that does not work, the
safest initial step is to:
A. Replace the bulb without checking anything else
B. Verify power is off and inspect for a tripped breaker, loose
bulb, or damaged fixture
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C. Cut and reconnect all wires
D. Install a higher-wattage bulb
Rationale: Electrical troubleshooting begins with de-energizing
the circuit and checking the simplest likely causes.
4. A tenant reports that a bathroom floor is wet after shower use.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Roof leak
B. Failing tub caulking or shower curtain gap
C. Gas leak
D. Main drain collapse in all cases
Rationale: Water on a bathroom floor after shower use
commonly comes from splash or deteriorated sealing.
5. Which personal protective equipment is most appropriate when
sweeping debris from a dusty basement?
A. Dress shoes only
B. Gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask or respirator as
required
C. Hearing aid only
D. No PPE is needed
Rationale: Dust and debris can injure eyes, hands, and lungs;
proper PPE reduces exposure.
6. If a door closer slams a door too hard, the most appropriate
adjustment is usually to:
A. Remove the closer
B. Adjust the closer speed or latch setting
C. Replace the whole wall frame
D. Nail the door open
Rationale: Door closers commonly need speed/latch adjustment
rather than replacement.
7. A working knowledge of lockout/tagout is important because it:
A. Improves paint color matching
B. Prevents accidental energizing of equipment during
maintenance
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C. Makes doors open faster
D. Eliminates the need for supervision
Rationale: Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy during
service or repair.
8. Which condition most clearly requires immediate escalation rather
than a routine work order?
A. A loose closet hinge
B. A stained ceiling tile with no active drip
C. The smell of natural gas near a boiler room
D. A cracked tile in a lobby
Rationale: Gas odor may indicate a life-safety emergency and
must be reported immediately.
9. What is the best use of a voltage tester before working on an
outlet?
A. Measuring room temperature
B. Confirming whether the circuit is energized
C. Tightening pipe fittings
D. Checking paint dryness
Rationale: A voltage tester verifies whether electrical power is
present.
10. Which repair is most likely considered a minor maintenance
task for a Maintenance Worker?
A. Replacing an entire roof system
B. Rehanging a cabinet door and tightening hardware
C. Rebuilding an elevator motor
D. Replacing the building steam boiler
Rationale: Minor maintenance includes common hardware and
fixture repairs.
11. A clogged sink drains slowly but does not overflow. The best
first response is to:
A. Break the pipe open
B. Use appropriate basic clearing methods and inspect the trap
C. Replace the building sewer line
, 4|Page
D. Pour hazardous chemicals without guidance
Rationale: Minor clogs are addressed with simple clearing
methods before more invasive work.
12. Which action is most important before using a ladder?
A. Paint it
B. Inspect it for damage and place it on stable, level ground
C. Carry extra tools in both hands
D. Use it only if it leans slightly
Rationale: Ladder safety starts with inspection and correct
placement.
13. A broken windowpane in a common area should be handled
by:
A. Covering it with paper only
B. Securing the area and arranging for safe replacement or
temporary board-up
C. Ignoring it until next month
D. Pushing the shards into the frame
Rationale: Broken glass creates an injury hazard and must be
made safe promptly.
14. Which fastener is best suited for masonry anchors in concrete
blocks?
A. Wood screw only
B. Masonry screw or anchor designed for concrete
C. Upholstery staple
D. Drywall joint tape
Rationale: Masonry requires fasteners made for hard surfaces
like block or concrete.
15. When reporting a completed repair, the worker should
primarily include:
A. Personal opinions about the tenant
B. What was found, what was done, and any follow-up needed
C. A guess about future issues only
D. Nothing if the repair was simple
NYC NYCHA MAINTENANCE WORKER ACTUAL
EXAM PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
|CURRENTLY REVISED
1. A Maintenance Worker arrives at an apartment where a tenant
reports a leaking sink trap. What is the best first action?
A. Replace the entire sink cabinet
B. Inspect the leak source and tighten or replace the trap
connections as needed
C. Shut off water to the entire building immediately
D. Ignore it because it is not an emergency
Rationale: A leak should be assessed at the source so the worker
can make a minor repair safely and avoid unnecessary
disruption.
2. Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose faucet nut in
a confined space?
A. Sledgehammer
B. Pry bar
C. Basin wrench
D. Wire brush
Rationale: A basin wrench is designed for plumbing fasteners in
tight locations under sinks.
3. When inspecting a hallway light fixture that does not work, the
safest initial step is to:
A. Replace the bulb without checking anything else
B. Verify power is off and inspect for a tripped breaker, loose
bulb, or damaged fixture
,2|Page
C. Cut and reconnect all wires
D. Install a higher-wattage bulb
Rationale: Electrical troubleshooting begins with de-energizing
the circuit and checking the simplest likely causes.
4. A tenant reports that a bathroom floor is wet after shower use.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Roof leak
B. Failing tub caulking or shower curtain gap
C. Gas leak
D. Main drain collapse in all cases
Rationale: Water on a bathroom floor after shower use
commonly comes from splash or deteriorated sealing.
5. Which personal protective equipment is most appropriate when
sweeping debris from a dusty basement?
A. Dress shoes only
B. Gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask or respirator as
required
C. Hearing aid only
D. No PPE is needed
Rationale: Dust and debris can injure eyes, hands, and lungs;
proper PPE reduces exposure.
6. If a door closer slams a door too hard, the most appropriate
adjustment is usually to:
A. Remove the closer
B. Adjust the closer speed or latch setting
C. Replace the whole wall frame
D. Nail the door open
Rationale: Door closers commonly need speed/latch adjustment
rather than replacement.
7. A working knowledge of lockout/tagout is important because it:
A. Improves paint color matching
B. Prevents accidental energizing of equipment during
maintenance
,3|Page
C. Makes doors open faster
D. Eliminates the need for supervision
Rationale: Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy during
service or repair.
8. Which condition most clearly requires immediate escalation rather
than a routine work order?
A. A loose closet hinge
B. A stained ceiling tile with no active drip
C. The smell of natural gas near a boiler room
D. A cracked tile in a lobby
Rationale: Gas odor may indicate a life-safety emergency and
must be reported immediately.
9. What is the best use of a voltage tester before working on an
outlet?
A. Measuring room temperature
B. Confirming whether the circuit is energized
C. Tightening pipe fittings
D. Checking paint dryness
Rationale: A voltage tester verifies whether electrical power is
present.
10. Which repair is most likely considered a minor maintenance
task for a Maintenance Worker?
A. Replacing an entire roof system
B. Rehanging a cabinet door and tightening hardware
C. Rebuilding an elevator motor
D. Replacing the building steam boiler
Rationale: Minor maintenance includes common hardware and
fixture repairs.
11. A clogged sink drains slowly but does not overflow. The best
first response is to:
A. Break the pipe open
B. Use appropriate basic clearing methods and inspect the trap
C. Replace the building sewer line
, 4|Page
D. Pour hazardous chemicals without guidance
Rationale: Minor clogs are addressed with simple clearing
methods before more invasive work.
12. Which action is most important before using a ladder?
A. Paint it
B. Inspect it for damage and place it on stable, level ground
C. Carry extra tools in both hands
D. Use it only if it leans slightly
Rationale: Ladder safety starts with inspection and correct
placement.
13. A broken windowpane in a common area should be handled
by:
A. Covering it with paper only
B. Securing the area and arranging for safe replacement or
temporary board-up
C. Ignoring it until next month
D. Pushing the shards into the frame
Rationale: Broken glass creates an injury hazard and must be
made safe promptly.
14. Which fastener is best suited for masonry anchors in concrete
blocks?
A. Wood screw only
B. Masonry screw or anchor designed for concrete
C. Upholstery staple
D. Drywall joint tape
Rationale: Masonry requires fasteners made for hard surfaces
like block or concrete.
15. When reporting a completed repair, the worker should
primarily include:
A. Personal opinions about the tenant
B. What was found, what was done, and any follow-up needed
C. A guess about future issues only
D. Nothing if the repair was simple
