NYC NYCHA MAINTENANCE WORKER
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Covered Exam Areas — Short Summary
1. General Building Maintenance — Basic repair techniques, common building components,
preventive maintenance, and safe work practices.
2. Plumbing Systems — Faucets, toilets, drains, valves, water supply, leaks, and basic
troubleshooting.
3. Electrical Safety and Basics — Electrical hazards, switches, outlets, circuit protection,
lockout/tagout, and safe maintenance practices.
4. Carpentry and Wood Repairs — Doors, frames, trim, cabinets, hardware, measuring, cutting,
fastening, and basic repairs.
5. Painting and Surface Preparation — Preparation, primers, coatings, tools, cleanup, and proper
application techniques.
6. Masonry and Concrete — Mortar, brick, concrete defects, patching, cracks, and safe repair
procedures.
7. Heating, Ventilation, and Building Systems — Radiators, ventilation, thermostats, filters, and
basic HVAC-related maintenance.
8. Tools and Equipment — Proper selection, inspection, operation, storage, and maintenance of
hand and power tools.
9. Workplace Safety and Hazard Recognition — PPE, ladders, slips and falls, fire safety, hazardous
materials, and emergency procedures.
10. NYCHA Maintenance Operations and Resident Service — Work orders, inspections,
documentation, professionalism, communication, and maintaining safe residential
environments.
1. When a maintenance worker receives a work order describing a leaking
bathroom faucet, what should be done first?
A. Immediately replace the entire faucet
B. Inspect the faucet and determine the source of the leak
,C. Shut off electricity to the apartment
D. Remove the bathroom sink
Answer: B. Inspect the faucet and determine the source of the leak.
Rationale: Proper troubleshooting begins by identifying the actual source and
cause of the leak before selecting a repair.
2. Which personal protective equipment provides the most appropriate
protection when a maintenance worker handles potentially hazardous cleaning
chemicals?
A. Safety glasses and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves
B. Cotton work gloves only
C. Baseball cap and safety shoes
D. Hearing protection only
Answer: A. Safety glasses and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves.
Rationale: Chemical-resistant gloves protect skin while safety glasses help
prevent splashes from reaching the eyes.
3. Before using a portable power tool, which inspection should a maintenance
worker perform to reduce the likelihood of electrical injury?
A. Check whether the tool is the newest available model
B. Inspect the cord, plug, housing, and safety features for damage
C. Determine whether another worker prefers the tool
D. Remove the grounding connection
Answer: B. Inspect the cord, plug, housing, and safety features for damage.
Rationale: Damaged electrical components can expose workers to shocks, burns,
or other serious hazards.
4. A toilet continues running after being flushed, and water constantly enters
the bowl. What component should be inspected first?
A. Roof drain
B. Flush valve or flapper assembly
,C. Electrical circuit breaker
D. Heating radiator
Answer: B. Flush valve or flapper assembly.
Rationale: A defective flapper or flush valve commonly allows continuous water
flow into the toilet bowl.
5. Why should a maintenance worker inspect a ladder before climbing it to
perform work at an elevated location?
A. To make the ladder heavier
B. To identify defects that could cause a fall or collapse
C. To determine its paint color
D. To reduce the worker's need for footwear
Answer: B. To identify defects that could cause a fall or collapse.
Rationale: Damaged steps, rails, feet, or locking mechanisms can make a ladder
unsafe for use.
6. What is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker in a residential electrical
system?
A. Increase water pressure
B. Protect electrical circuits from excessive current
C. Improve paint adhesion
D. Control radiator temperature
Answer: B. Protect electrical circuits from excessive current.
Rationale: Circuit breakers interrupt electrical flow when current exceeds safe
limits, helping prevent overheating and fires.
7. When repairing a damaged wall before painting, why is surface preparation
considered essential?
A. It eliminates the need for primer
B. It improves adhesion and produces a more uniform finished surface
C. It makes paint dry instantly
D. It prevents all future wall damage
, Answer: B. It improves adhesion and produces a more uniform finished surface.
Rationale: Cleaning, patching, sanding, and priming help the coating adhere
properly and improve appearance.
8. If a floor has been recently mopped and remains wet, what action best
protects residents and workers?
A. Leave the area without notification
B. Place appropriate warning signage or barriers around the wet area
C. Turn off all building electricity
D. Cover the wet floor with loose paper
Answer: B. Place appropriate warning signage or barriers around the wet area.
Rationale: Clearly marking wet surfaces helps prevent slips and falls until the floor
becomes safe.
9. A maintenance worker discovers water leaking from a pipe above an
electrical panel. What should receive immediate attention?
A. Painting the nearby wall
B. Controlling the water hazard and protecting against electrical danger
C. Replacing the door hinges
D. Cleaning the hallway
Answer: B. Controlling the water hazard and protecting against electrical
danger.
Rationale: Water near energized electrical equipment creates a potentially severe
shock and fire hazard requiring prompt action.
10. Which tool is generally most appropriate for tightening or loosening a
standard hexagonal nut?
A. Adjustable or appropriately sized wrench
B. Paint scraper
C. Wood chisel
D. Pipe brush
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Covered Exam Areas — Short Summary
1. General Building Maintenance — Basic repair techniques, common building components,
preventive maintenance, and safe work practices.
2. Plumbing Systems — Faucets, toilets, drains, valves, water supply, leaks, and basic
troubleshooting.
3. Electrical Safety and Basics — Electrical hazards, switches, outlets, circuit protection,
lockout/tagout, and safe maintenance practices.
4. Carpentry and Wood Repairs — Doors, frames, trim, cabinets, hardware, measuring, cutting,
fastening, and basic repairs.
5. Painting and Surface Preparation — Preparation, primers, coatings, tools, cleanup, and proper
application techniques.
6. Masonry and Concrete — Mortar, brick, concrete defects, patching, cracks, and safe repair
procedures.
7. Heating, Ventilation, and Building Systems — Radiators, ventilation, thermostats, filters, and
basic HVAC-related maintenance.
8. Tools and Equipment — Proper selection, inspection, operation, storage, and maintenance of
hand and power tools.
9. Workplace Safety and Hazard Recognition — PPE, ladders, slips and falls, fire safety, hazardous
materials, and emergency procedures.
10. NYCHA Maintenance Operations and Resident Service — Work orders, inspections,
documentation, professionalism, communication, and maintaining safe residential
environments.
1. When a maintenance worker receives a work order describing a leaking
bathroom faucet, what should be done first?
A. Immediately replace the entire faucet
B. Inspect the faucet and determine the source of the leak
,C. Shut off electricity to the apartment
D. Remove the bathroom sink
Answer: B. Inspect the faucet and determine the source of the leak.
Rationale: Proper troubleshooting begins by identifying the actual source and
cause of the leak before selecting a repair.
2. Which personal protective equipment provides the most appropriate
protection when a maintenance worker handles potentially hazardous cleaning
chemicals?
A. Safety glasses and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves
B. Cotton work gloves only
C. Baseball cap and safety shoes
D. Hearing protection only
Answer: A. Safety glasses and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves.
Rationale: Chemical-resistant gloves protect skin while safety glasses help
prevent splashes from reaching the eyes.
3. Before using a portable power tool, which inspection should a maintenance
worker perform to reduce the likelihood of electrical injury?
A. Check whether the tool is the newest available model
B. Inspect the cord, plug, housing, and safety features for damage
C. Determine whether another worker prefers the tool
D. Remove the grounding connection
Answer: B. Inspect the cord, plug, housing, and safety features for damage.
Rationale: Damaged electrical components can expose workers to shocks, burns,
or other serious hazards.
4. A toilet continues running after being flushed, and water constantly enters
the bowl. What component should be inspected first?
A. Roof drain
B. Flush valve or flapper assembly
,C. Electrical circuit breaker
D. Heating radiator
Answer: B. Flush valve or flapper assembly.
Rationale: A defective flapper or flush valve commonly allows continuous water
flow into the toilet bowl.
5. Why should a maintenance worker inspect a ladder before climbing it to
perform work at an elevated location?
A. To make the ladder heavier
B. To identify defects that could cause a fall or collapse
C. To determine its paint color
D. To reduce the worker's need for footwear
Answer: B. To identify defects that could cause a fall or collapse.
Rationale: Damaged steps, rails, feet, or locking mechanisms can make a ladder
unsafe for use.
6. What is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker in a residential electrical
system?
A. Increase water pressure
B. Protect electrical circuits from excessive current
C. Improve paint adhesion
D. Control radiator temperature
Answer: B. Protect electrical circuits from excessive current.
Rationale: Circuit breakers interrupt electrical flow when current exceeds safe
limits, helping prevent overheating and fires.
7. When repairing a damaged wall before painting, why is surface preparation
considered essential?
A. It eliminates the need for primer
B. It improves adhesion and produces a more uniform finished surface
C. It makes paint dry instantly
D. It prevents all future wall damage
, Answer: B. It improves adhesion and produces a more uniform finished surface.
Rationale: Cleaning, patching, sanding, and priming help the coating adhere
properly and improve appearance.
8. If a floor has been recently mopped and remains wet, what action best
protects residents and workers?
A. Leave the area without notification
B. Place appropriate warning signage or barriers around the wet area
C. Turn off all building electricity
D. Cover the wet floor with loose paper
Answer: B. Place appropriate warning signage or barriers around the wet area.
Rationale: Clearly marking wet surfaces helps prevent slips and falls until the floor
becomes safe.
9. A maintenance worker discovers water leaking from a pipe above an
electrical panel. What should receive immediate attention?
A. Painting the nearby wall
B. Controlling the water hazard and protecting against electrical danger
C. Replacing the door hinges
D. Cleaning the hallway
Answer: B. Controlling the water hazard and protecting against electrical
danger.
Rationale: Water near energized electrical equipment creates a potentially severe
shock and fire hazard requiring prompt action.
10. Which tool is generally most appropriate for tightening or loosening a
standard hexagonal nut?
A. Adjustable or appropriately sized wrench
B. Paint scraper
C. Wood chisel
D. Pipe brush
