NYC NYCHA MAINTENANCE WORKER (CUNY) PRACTICE TEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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CORE DOMAINS
* Building Systems Maintenance
* Tool Safety and Equipment Operation
* Plumbing Repair and Troubleshooting
* Electrical Systems and Safety
* Painting and Surface Preparation
* Carpentry and Hardware Installation
* Workplace Safety and OSHA Compliance
* Tenant Relations and Professionalism
INTRODUCTION
*This assessment is designed to evaluate the technical knowledge,*
*problem-solving skills, and situational judgment of candidates*
*seeking a Maintenance Worker position with NYCHA. The exam*
*covers essential building trades, safety protocols, and daily*
*maintenance procedures. Candidates will face a series of*
*multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that test both*
*foundational theory and real-world application. Success requires*
, *a strong understanding of proper equipment handling, regulatory*
*compliance, and the ability to prioritize maintenance tasks in a*
*complex residential environment focused on safety and efficiency.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
When entering a tenant's apartment for a scheduled repair, what is the first professional action to
take?
A. Begin work immediately to save time.
B. Announce your presence and identify yourself as NYCHA maintenance staff.
C. Enter quietly to avoid disturbing the tenant.
D. Use your master key and enter without knocking.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standards require identifying yourself and announcing your presence
to ensure tenant security and maintain professional rapport.
Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose cabinet hinge screw?
A. Needle-nose pliers
B. Flat-head screwdriver
C. Phillips-head screwdriver
D. Adjustable wrench
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Most modern cabinet hinges utilize Phillips-head screws, making a Phillips-head
screwdriver the correct tool to prevent damage to the screw head.
If you encounter a frayed electrical cord on a piece of power equipment, you should:
A. Wrap it in electrical tape and continue working.
B. Continue using it but be careful not to touch the frayed area.
,C. Tag the equipment as "Out of Service" and report it to your supervisor immediately.
D. Cut the frayed section off and reconnect the wires.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Safety protocols mandate that damaged electrical equipment be removed from
service immediately to prevent electric shock or fire hazards.
What is the primary purpose of a P-trap under a sink?
A. To increase water pressure.
B. To prevent sewer gases from entering the apartment.
C. To catch lost jewelry.
D. To regulate the flow of cold water.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A P-trap holds a small amount of water that acts as a seal, blocking foul-smelling
and potentially dangerous sewer gases from entering the living space.
When painting a wall, what is the purpose of "cutting in"?
A. To speed up the drying time.
B. To apply paint to corners and edges where a roller cannot reach.
C. To mix different colors together.
D. To clean the brushes.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Cutting in is the technique of using a brush to paint edges and corners before
using a roller to cover the main surface area.
Which PPE is mandatory when working with caustic drain cleaners?
A. Safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves
B. A simple dust mask
C. Earplugs
, D. Standard cotton gloves
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Caustic chemicals can cause severe eye and skin burns; therefore, goggles and
appropriate gloves are essential for worker protection.
You discover a water leak causing floor damage. What is your first priority?
A. Repair the damaged floor.
B. Locate and shut off the water supply to the leaking fixture.
C. Paint over the water stains.
D. Ask the tenant to clean the water.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The immediate priority in any leak situation is to stop the water flow to prevent
further property damage.
When using a ladder, what is the "three-point contact" rule?
A. Keep three ladder legs on the ground at all times.
B. Always have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder.
C. Use the ladder with three other people.
D. Move the ladder three times during the job.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Maintaining three points of contact significantly reduces the risk of falling by
ensuring the worker is stable on the ladder.
Which type of fire extinguisher is best for electrical fires?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
* Building Systems Maintenance
* Tool Safety and Equipment Operation
* Plumbing Repair and Troubleshooting
* Electrical Systems and Safety
* Painting and Surface Preparation
* Carpentry and Hardware Installation
* Workplace Safety and OSHA Compliance
* Tenant Relations and Professionalism
INTRODUCTION
*This assessment is designed to evaluate the technical knowledge,*
*problem-solving skills, and situational judgment of candidates*
*seeking a Maintenance Worker position with NYCHA. The exam*
*covers essential building trades, safety protocols, and daily*
*maintenance procedures. Candidates will face a series of*
*multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that test both*
*foundational theory and real-world application. Success requires*
, *a strong understanding of proper equipment handling, regulatory*
*compliance, and the ability to prioritize maintenance tasks in a*
*complex residential environment focused on safety and efficiency.*
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
When entering a tenant's apartment for a scheduled repair, what is the first professional action to
take?
A. Begin work immediately to save time.
B. Announce your presence and identify yourself as NYCHA maintenance staff.
C. Enter quietly to avoid disturbing the tenant.
D. Use your master key and enter without knocking.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Professional standards require identifying yourself and announcing your presence
to ensure tenant security and maintain professional rapport.
Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose cabinet hinge screw?
A. Needle-nose pliers
B. Flat-head screwdriver
C. Phillips-head screwdriver
D. Adjustable wrench
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Most modern cabinet hinges utilize Phillips-head screws, making a Phillips-head
screwdriver the correct tool to prevent damage to the screw head.
If you encounter a frayed electrical cord on a piece of power equipment, you should:
A. Wrap it in electrical tape and continue working.
B. Continue using it but be careful not to touch the frayed area.
,C. Tag the equipment as "Out of Service" and report it to your supervisor immediately.
D. Cut the frayed section off and reconnect the wires.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Safety protocols mandate that damaged electrical equipment be removed from
service immediately to prevent electric shock or fire hazards.
What is the primary purpose of a P-trap under a sink?
A. To increase water pressure.
B. To prevent sewer gases from entering the apartment.
C. To catch lost jewelry.
D. To regulate the flow of cold water.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A P-trap holds a small amount of water that acts as a seal, blocking foul-smelling
and potentially dangerous sewer gases from entering the living space.
When painting a wall, what is the purpose of "cutting in"?
A. To speed up the drying time.
B. To apply paint to corners and edges where a roller cannot reach.
C. To mix different colors together.
D. To clean the brushes.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Cutting in is the technique of using a brush to paint edges and corners before
using a roller to cover the main surface area.
Which PPE is mandatory when working with caustic drain cleaners?
A. Safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves
B. A simple dust mask
C. Earplugs
, D. Standard cotton gloves
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Caustic chemicals can cause severe eye and skin burns; therefore, goggles and
appropriate gloves are essential for worker protection.
You discover a water leak causing floor damage. What is your first priority?
A. Repair the damaged floor.
B. Locate and shut off the water supply to the leaking fixture.
C. Paint over the water stains.
D. Ask the tenant to clean the water.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The immediate priority in any leak situation is to stop the water flow to prevent
further property damage.
When using a ladder, what is the "three-point contact" rule?
A. Keep three ladder legs on the ground at all times.
B. Always have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder.
C. Use the ladder with three other people.
D. Move the ladder three times during the job.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Maintaining three points of contact significantly reduces the risk of falling by
ensuring the worker is stable on the ladder.
Which type of fire extinguisher is best for electrical fires?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
