1
NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice Test – 100 Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales (2026)
Section 1: Tools & Equipment (Questions 1-20)
Question 1: Which tool is best for cutting a 2-inch PVC pipe straight?
A) Hacksaw
B) Coping saw
C) PVC ratchet cutter
D) Reciprocating saw with wood blade
Answer: C — A PVC ratchet cutter provides a clean, straight cut for plastic pipes up to 2
inches. Hacksaws work but may not be as straight without a miter box.
Question 2: To drive a nail into concrete, you should use a:
A) Claw hammer
B) Ball-peen hammer
C) Masonry hammer
D) Sledgehammer
Answer: C — A masonry hammer (bricklayer's hammer) has a chisel end for scoring and a
flat face for driving nails into concrete using masonry nails.
Question 3: Which wrench is used to tighten a compression fitting on a water line?
A) Pipe wrench
B) Adjustable crescent wrench
C) Basin wrench
D) Open-end wrench
Answer: B — An adjustable crescent wrench allows proper grip on compression nuts
without damaging the soft brass; pipe wrenches are for galvanized pipe.
Question 4: The correct tool to remove a stripped Phillips screw is:
A) Flathead screwdriver
B) Screw extractor
C) Drill with left-hand bit
D) Pliers
Answer: B — A screw extractor bites into the damaged head and removes the screw without
further damage.
Question 5: Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose faucet nut in a confined
space?
, 2
A) Sledgehammer
B) Pry bar
C) Basin wrench
D) Wire brush
Answer: C — A basin wrench is designed for plumbing fasteners in tight locations under
sinks.
Question 6: A multimeter measures:
A) Voltage, current, resistance
B) Only voltage
C) Wattage and power factor
D) Frequency
Answer: A — A multimeter measures volts (AC/DC), amps, and ohms.
Question 7: To remove a broken light bulb from a socket safely, use:
A) Needle-nose pliers
B) Bulb extractor or potato
C) Rubber gloves and twist
D) Hammer and chisel
Answer: B — A potato or bulb extractor grips the glass/metal base without breaking the
socket.
Question 8: Pipe thread sealant (pipe dope) is used to:
A) Lubricate threads
B) Prevent galvanic corrosion
C) Seal threads against leaks
D) Speed up assembly
Answer: C — Pipe dope or Teflon tape fills thread gaps to prevent gas/water leaks.
Question 9: Which ladder is best for changing a ceiling light fixture in a 10-foot ceiling?
A) 4-foot step ladder
B) 6-foot step ladder
C) 8-foot A-frame
D) 10-foot extension ladder
Answer: B — A 6-foot step ladder allows a tall person to reach 10 feet safely; 8-foot is too
tall for indoor room use.
Question 10: A torpedo level is primarily used for:
, 3
A) Long walls
B) Tight spaces and small pipe
C) Setting foundations
D) Roof pitch
Answer: B — A torpedo level is compact and designed for leveling pipes and working in tight
spaces.
Question 11: Which tool cuts conduit without burrs?
A) Hacksaw
B) Conduit cutter with reamer
C) Angle grinder
D) Band saw
Answer: B — Conduit cutters have a built-in reamer to remove interior burrs.
Question 12: Powder-actuated tools are used for:
A) Cutting wood
B) Attaching materials to concrete/masonry
C) Removing tile
D) Soldering copper
Answer: B — Powder-actuated tools (Hilti) are fast for attaching conduit straps to
concrete/masonry.
Question 13: 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
Answer: B — A voltage tester verifies whether electrical power is present.
Question 14: Which fastener provides the highest holding power in hollow drywall where no
studs are accessible?
A) Plastic drywall anchor
B) Toggle bolt
C) Self-tapping screw
D) Nail
Answer: B — Toggle bolts distribute weight across a larger area behind the drywall,
providing superior holding power.
Question 15: A pipe wrench is designed to:
NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice Test – 100 Questions with Verified
Answers & Rationales (2026)
Section 1: Tools & Equipment (Questions 1-20)
Question 1: Which tool is best for cutting a 2-inch PVC pipe straight?
A) Hacksaw
B) Coping saw
C) PVC ratchet cutter
D) Reciprocating saw with wood blade
Answer: C — A PVC ratchet cutter provides a clean, straight cut for plastic pipes up to 2
inches. Hacksaws work but may not be as straight without a miter box.
Question 2: To drive a nail into concrete, you should use a:
A) Claw hammer
B) Ball-peen hammer
C) Masonry hammer
D) Sledgehammer
Answer: C — A masonry hammer (bricklayer's hammer) has a chisel end for scoring and a
flat face for driving nails into concrete using masonry nails.
Question 3: Which wrench is used to tighten a compression fitting on a water line?
A) Pipe wrench
B) Adjustable crescent wrench
C) Basin wrench
D) Open-end wrench
Answer: B — An adjustable crescent wrench allows proper grip on compression nuts
without damaging the soft brass; pipe wrenches are for galvanized pipe.
Question 4: The correct tool to remove a stripped Phillips screw is:
A) Flathead screwdriver
B) Screw extractor
C) Drill with left-hand bit
D) Pliers
Answer: B — A screw extractor bites into the damaged head and removes the screw without
further damage.
Question 5: Which tool is most appropriate for tightening a loose faucet nut in a confined
space?
, 2
A) Sledgehammer
B) Pry bar
C) Basin wrench
D) Wire brush
Answer: C — A basin wrench is designed for plumbing fasteners in tight locations under
sinks.
Question 6: A multimeter measures:
A) Voltage, current, resistance
B) Only voltage
C) Wattage and power factor
D) Frequency
Answer: A — A multimeter measures volts (AC/DC), amps, and ohms.
Question 7: To remove a broken light bulb from a socket safely, use:
A) Needle-nose pliers
B) Bulb extractor or potato
C) Rubber gloves and twist
D) Hammer and chisel
Answer: B — A potato or bulb extractor grips the glass/metal base without breaking the
socket.
Question 8: Pipe thread sealant (pipe dope) is used to:
A) Lubricate threads
B) Prevent galvanic corrosion
C) Seal threads against leaks
D) Speed up assembly
Answer: C — Pipe dope or Teflon tape fills thread gaps to prevent gas/water leaks.
Question 9: Which ladder is best for changing a ceiling light fixture in a 10-foot ceiling?
A) 4-foot step ladder
B) 6-foot step ladder
C) 8-foot A-frame
D) 10-foot extension ladder
Answer: B — A 6-foot step ladder allows a tall person to reach 10 feet safely; 8-foot is too
tall for indoor room use.
Question 10: A torpedo level is primarily used for:
, 3
A) Long walls
B) Tight spaces and small pipe
C) Setting foundations
D) Roof pitch
Answer: B — A torpedo level is compact and designed for leveling pipes and working in tight
spaces.
Question 11: Which tool cuts conduit without burrs?
A) Hacksaw
B) Conduit cutter with reamer
C) Angle grinder
D) Band saw
Answer: B — Conduit cutters have a built-in reamer to remove interior burrs.
Question 12: Powder-actuated tools are used for:
A) Cutting wood
B) Attaching materials to concrete/masonry
C) Removing tile
D) Soldering copper
Answer: B — Powder-actuated tools (Hilti) are fast for attaching conduit straps to
concrete/masonry.
Question 13: 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
Answer: B — A voltage tester verifies whether electrical power is present.
Question 14: Which fastener provides the highest holding power in hollow drywall where no
studs are accessible?
A) Plastic drywall anchor
B) Toggle bolt
C) Self-tapping screw
D) Nail
Answer: B — Toggle bolts distribute weight across a larger area behind the drywall,
providing superior holding power.
Question 15: A pipe wrench is designed to:
