NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker Exam
Practice Test Questions and Answers
Updated 2026 | Verified Solutions with
Rationales Instant Download PDF Study
Guide
• This 200-question practice exam mirrors the format and content of the NYC
NYCHA Maintenance Worker Exam, covering all core technical and procedural
domains tested on the actual assessment.
• Work through each question independently before checking the correct answer
and EXPERT RATIONALE to maximize retention and build test-day confidence.
1. What does NYCHA stand for?
A. New York City Housing Assistance
B. New York City Health Authority
C. New York City Housing Accommodation
D. New York City Human Affairs
E. New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA stands for New York City Housing Authority, the largest public housing
authority in North America, responsible for managing affordable housing for low-
and moderate-income residents.
2. A maintenance worker notices a water leak coming from a pipe joint. What
is the first step?
A. Apply pipe sealant immediately
B. Call a plumber without inspection
C. Ignore it if the leak is small
D. Replace the entire pipe section
E. Shut off the water supply to that section
,Before any repair work begins, the water supply must be shut off to prevent further
water damage and to allow safe access to the leaking joint.
3. Which tool is used to tighten or loosen hexagonal bolts and nuts?
A. Flathead screwdriver
B. Needle-nose pliers
C. Pipe wrench
D. Torque screwdriver
E. Socket wrench
A socket wrench is designed specifically to fit over hexagonal bolts and nuts,
providing effective torque for tightening or loosening fasteners in maintenance
tasks.
4. What type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for electrical fires?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class D
D. Class K
E. Class C
Class C fire extinguishers are rated for electrical fires. They use non-conductive
agents that will not conduct electricity back to the operator, making them safe for
energized electrical equipment.
5. A GFCI outlet is used primarily to protect against:
A. Power surges
,B. Voltage drops
C. Overloading circuits
D. Short circuits in appliances
E. Electrical shock from ground faults
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets detect imbalances in electrical
current and trip instantly to prevent electric shock, especially in wet locations like
bathrooms and kitchens.
6. What does PSI stand for in plumbing?
A. Pipe System Integration
B. Pressure Supply Indicator
C. Plumbing Safety Inspection
D. Primary Supply Installation
E. Pounds per Square Inch
PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch, a unit of measurement used to describe
water or gas pressure in plumbing systems.
7. Which material is most commonly used for modern water supply pipes in
residential buildings?
A. Lead
B. Cast iron
C. Galvanized steel
D. Clay
E. Copper or PVC
, Copper and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are the most common materials for residential
water supply pipes due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of
installation.
8. What is the purpose of a P-trap in plumbing?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To filter sediment from water
C. To connect pipes of different sizes
D. To shut off water flow
E. To prevent sewer gases from entering the building
A P-trap holds a small amount of water that acts as a seal, blocking sewer gases and
odors from rising up through drain pipes and into occupied spaces.
9. When should a maintenance worker wear a hard hat?
A. Only when working in basements
B. Only when using power tools
C. Only outdoors
D. Only when directed by a resident
E. When there is a risk of falling objects or head injury
Hard hats must be worn whenever there is a potential for head injury from falling
objects, bumping into fixed objects, or other overhead hazards, regardless of
location.
10. What is the standard voltage for most residential electrical outlets in the
United States?
A. 110V DC
Practice Test Questions and Answers
Updated 2026 | Verified Solutions with
Rationales Instant Download PDF Study
Guide
• This 200-question practice exam mirrors the format and content of the NYC
NYCHA Maintenance Worker Exam, covering all core technical and procedural
domains tested on the actual assessment.
• Work through each question independently before checking the correct answer
and EXPERT RATIONALE to maximize retention and build test-day confidence.
1. What does NYCHA stand for?
A. New York City Housing Assistance
B. New York City Health Authority
C. New York City Housing Accommodation
D. New York City Human Affairs
E. New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA stands for New York City Housing Authority, the largest public housing
authority in North America, responsible for managing affordable housing for low-
and moderate-income residents.
2. A maintenance worker notices a water leak coming from a pipe joint. What
is the first step?
A. Apply pipe sealant immediately
B. Call a plumber without inspection
C. Ignore it if the leak is small
D. Replace the entire pipe section
E. Shut off the water supply to that section
,Before any repair work begins, the water supply must be shut off to prevent further
water damage and to allow safe access to the leaking joint.
3. Which tool is used to tighten or loosen hexagonal bolts and nuts?
A. Flathead screwdriver
B. Needle-nose pliers
C. Pipe wrench
D. Torque screwdriver
E. Socket wrench
A socket wrench is designed specifically to fit over hexagonal bolts and nuts,
providing effective torque for tightening or loosening fasteners in maintenance
tasks.
4. What type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for electrical fires?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class D
D. Class K
E. Class C
Class C fire extinguishers are rated for electrical fires. They use non-conductive
agents that will not conduct electricity back to the operator, making them safe for
energized electrical equipment.
5. A GFCI outlet is used primarily to protect against:
A. Power surges
,B. Voltage drops
C. Overloading circuits
D. Short circuits in appliances
E. Electrical shock from ground faults
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets detect imbalances in electrical
current and trip instantly to prevent electric shock, especially in wet locations like
bathrooms and kitchens.
6. What does PSI stand for in plumbing?
A. Pipe System Integration
B. Pressure Supply Indicator
C. Plumbing Safety Inspection
D. Primary Supply Installation
E. Pounds per Square Inch
PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch, a unit of measurement used to describe
water or gas pressure in plumbing systems.
7. Which material is most commonly used for modern water supply pipes in
residential buildings?
A. Lead
B. Cast iron
C. Galvanized steel
D. Clay
E. Copper or PVC
, Copper and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are the most common materials for residential
water supply pipes due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of
installation.
8. What is the purpose of a P-trap in plumbing?
A. To increase water pressure
B. To filter sediment from water
C. To connect pipes of different sizes
D. To shut off water flow
E. To prevent sewer gases from entering the building
A P-trap holds a small amount of water that acts as a seal, blocking sewer gases and
odors from rising up through drain pipes and into occupied spaces.
9. When should a maintenance worker wear a hard hat?
A. Only when working in basements
B. Only when using power tools
C. Only outdoors
D. Only when directed by a resident
E. When there is a risk of falling objects or head injury
Hard hats must be worn whenever there is a potential for head injury from falling
objects, bumping into fixed objects, or other overhead hazards, regardless of
location.
10. What is the standard voltage for most residential electrical outlets in the
United States?
A. 110V DC
