NYC Custodian Engineer (BOE) Exam 2026 Original Practice
Questions, Answers & Rationales LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR.
JUST RELEASED
These are original NYC Custodian Engineer (Board of Education) practice questions,
not The current DCAS Notice of Examination is Exam No. 6042. It describes the job as
supervising and performing building operation, maintenance, repair, custodial upkeep,
boiler/heating work, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire/life-safety systems, painting, records,
purchasing, staff supervision, and emergency response.
PART 1 — TOOLS, MAINTENANCE & BUILDING OPERATIONS
Questions 1–30
1.
Which hand tool is most appropriate for tightening a standard hex-head bolt?
A. Pipe cutter
B. Adjustable or combination wrench
C. Hacksaw
D. Putty knife
Answer: B
Rationale: A wrench is designed to grip and turn hexagonal fasteners.
2.
Which tool is commonly used to drive a slotted screw?
,A. Phillips screwdriver
B. Flat-head screwdriver
C. Pipe wrench
D. Allen key
Answer: B
Rationale: A flat-head screwdriver has a straight blade designed for slotted screw heads.
3.
A Phillips screwdriver is identified by:
A. A cross-shaped tip
B. A square cutting edge
C. A circular blade
D. A hook-shaped tip
Answer: A
Rationale: Phillips screws have a cross-shaped recess.
4.
A voltage meter is used primarily to:
A. Measure electrical potential difference
B. Measure pipe diameter
C. Measure water flow
D. Measure paint thickness
Answer: A
Rationale: A voltmeter measures electrical voltage between two points.
5.
,Before using a power drill, the custodian engineer should inspect:
A. Cord, plug, guard, chuck, and general condition
B. Building paint color
C. Boiler pressure only
D. Floor finish
Answer: A
Rationale: Tool inspection helps identify electrical and mechanical hazards before use.
6.
A damaged power-tool cord should be:
A. Removed from service until properly repaired or replaced
B. Wrapped with paper
C. Used only at low speed
D. Placed under a mat
Answer: A
Rationale: Damaged cords can present shock and fire hazards.
7.
Which tool is best suited for cutting a metal pipe manually?
A. Hacksaw
B. Screwdriver
C. Paint roller
D. Chisel only
Answer: A
Rationale: A hacksaw is designed for cutting metal and other appropriate materials.
, 8.
A torque wrench is primarily used to:
A. Tighten fasteners to a specified torque
B. Measure voltage
C. Cut pipe
D. Remove paint
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct torque helps achieve proper clamping force without over-tightening.
9.
A pipe wrench should generally be used on:
A. Threaded pipe and compatible fittings
B. Electrical conductors
C. Precision bearing races
D. Glass windows
Answer: A
Rationale: Pipe wrenches provide strong gripping force for pipe fittings.
10.
Which tool is most appropriate for measuring a room's length?
A. Tape measure
B. Voltage meter
C. Pipe wrench
D. Multimeter clamp
Questions, Answers & Rationales LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR.
JUST RELEASED
These are original NYC Custodian Engineer (Board of Education) practice questions,
not The current DCAS Notice of Examination is Exam No. 6042. It describes the job as
supervising and performing building operation, maintenance, repair, custodial upkeep,
boiler/heating work, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire/life-safety systems, painting, records,
purchasing, staff supervision, and emergency response.
PART 1 — TOOLS, MAINTENANCE & BUILDING OPERATIONS
Questions 1–30
1.
Which hand tool is most appropriate for tightening a standard hex-head bolt?
A. Pipe cutter
B. Adjustable or combination wrench
C. Hacksaw
D. Putty knife
Answer: B
Rationale: A wrench is designed to grip and turn hexagonal fasteners.
2.
Which tool is commonly used to drive a slotted screw?
,A. Phillips screwdriver
B. Flat-head screwdriver
C. Pipe wrench
D. Allen key
Answer: B
Rationale: A flat-head screwdriver has a straight blade designed for slotted screw heads.
3.
A Phillips screwdriver is identified by:
A. A cross-shaped tip
B. A square cutting edge
C. A circular blade
D. A hook-shaped tip
Answer: A
Rationale: Phillips screws have a cross-shaped recess.
4.
A voltage meter is used primarily to:
A. Measure electrical potential difference
B. Measure pipe diameter
C. Measure water flow
D. Measure paint thickness
Answer: A
Rationale: A voltmeter measures electrical voltage between two points.
5.
,Before using a power drill, the custodian engineer should inspect:
A. Cord, plug, guard, chuck, and general condition
B. Building paint color
C. Boiler pressure only
D. Floor finish
Answer: A
Rationale: Tool inspection helps identify electrical and mechanical hazards before use.
6.
A damaged power-tool cord should be:
A. Removed from service until properly repaired or replaced
B. Wrapped with paper
C. Used only at low speed
D. Placed under a mat
Answer: A
Rationale: Damaged cords can present shock and fire hazards.
7.
Which tool is best suited for cutting a metal pipe manually?
A. Hacksaw
B. Screwdriver
C. Paint roller
D. Chisel only
Answer: A
Rationale: A hacksaw is designed for cutting metal and other appropriate materials.
, 8.
A torque wrench is primarily used to:
A. Tighten fasteners to a specified torque
B. Measure voltage
C. Cut pipe
D. Remove paint
Answer: A
Rationale: Correct torque helps achieve proper clamping force without over-tightening.
9.
A pipe wrench should generally be used on:
A. Threaded pipe and compatible fittings
B. Electrical conductors
C. Precision bearing races
D. Glass windows
Answer: A
Rationale: Pipe wrenches provide strong gripping force for pipe fittings.
10.
Which tool is most appropriate for measuring a room's length?
A. Tape measure
B. Voltage meter
C. Pipe wrench
D. Multimeter clamp
