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NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice
Exam Coverage Areas
1. Safety Procedures & PPE
Lockout/tagout protocols for de-energizing equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): rubber-insulated gloves, safety glasses, hard hats
Asbestos and lead safety: report suspected materials, never disturb
GFCI requirements and electrical safety
Fire extinguisher classes: Class C for electrical fires, Class A for ordinary combustibles
Carbon monoxide limits: ≤9 ppm in residential settings
Proper lifting technique: bend knees, keep back straight, lift with legs
Ladder safety: never stand on top cap, maintain 3-foot extension above landing
2. Plumbing Systems
P-trap function: traps water to prevent sewer gases from entering building
Drain cleaning methods: plunging, snaking, chemical-free mechanical clearing
Water hammer causes: sudden stoppage of water flow, loose pipes
Pressure relief valves: safety devices on water heaters
Leak detection: visible stains, peeling paint, musty odors
Main water shut-off procedures and fixture shut-off valves
Pipe materials: PVC, copper, PEX, cast iron
Fixtures: toilets, sinks, faucets, aerators
Vent systems: prevent siphoning of traps and sewer gas buildup
3. Electrical Systems
Circuit breaker function: stops electrical flow during overload or short circuit
GFCI protection: shuts off power when ground fault detected
Power supply disconnection before repairs (lockout/tagout)
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Three-way switches: operate lights from two locations
Multimeters: measure voltage, current, resistance
Safe handling of electrical hazards: rubber-insulated gloves, de-energize first
Overload prevention and circuit protection
4. Carpentry & Building Repairs
Sticking doors: hinge alignment, strike plate adjustment, paint scoring
Baseboard and trim installation
Drywall repair: clean crack, remove loose plaster, apply patching compound
Window repair: paint buildup in track, warped frames
Hinge installation and adjustment
Concrete curing and patching
Fire blocking installation
5. Painting & Surface Preparation
Water stain treatment: stop leak, dry thoroughly, prime, paint entire surface
Paint types: latex (water-thinable), oil-based (turpentine/mineral spirits cleanup)
Surface preparation: sanding, cleaning chalked surfaces, priming
Mold prevention: dry thoroughly, clean with bleach solution
Proper ventilation during painting
6. Heating, Ventilation & Mechanical Systems
Thermostat troubleshooting and short cycling
Pilot light checks on gas heaters
Steam radiator vents and maintenance
HVAC filter replacement (4 times per year recommended)
Condensate line blockage and drainage
Refrigerant leak protocols
Hot water heater safety devices (pressure relief valve, T&P valve)
7. Tools & Equipment
Pipe wrenches: grip and turn threaded pipe
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Multimeters: measure voltage, current, resistance
Levels: check horizontal/vertical surfaces
Reamers: remove internal burrs after cutting pipe
Pipe cutters: cleanly cut PVC and copper pipe
Basin wrenches: reach nuts under sinks
Utility knives: score and snap drywall
Stud finders: locate framing members behind walls
8. NYCHA Administrative Procedures
TSAP (Tenant Selection & Application Program)
TTLS (Turnover Tracking Log System)
Key issuance after lease signing
EIV Deceased Tenant Report deficiencies
Rental assistance eligibility: U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status
Affidavit of Income (AOI) with verification steps
Certified IRS Tax Transcript Form (4506-C) requirements
Third-party verification consent forms
Notice of Intent to Vacate for co-tenants permanently leaving
Rent grievance procedures
9. Tenant Relations & Workplace Conduct
Listening to complaints and acknowledging concerns
Follow-up after repairs
Apartment entry protocols
Sexual harassment prevention: penalties up to $250,000 under NYC Human Rights Law
Discrimination reporting to DEO within one year
Retaliation prohibitions
Workplace violence prevention
10. Emergency Response
Gas leak reporting: report immediately to supervisor/utility, never create sparks
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After-hours emergency protocols
Water shut-off procedures
Frozen pipe prevention and thawing
Emergency maintenance importance: protect resident safety, prevent property damage
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY & PPE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A tenant reports a strong smell of natural gas in their kitchen. What is the proper immediate
response?
A) Light a match to locate the source of the leak
B) Open windows and use fans to ventilate the apartment
C) Report the gas smell immediately to the supervisor and/or utility company
D) Attempt to locate and tighten the gas line fitting yourself
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and must be reported immediately to the proper
authorities; you should never create sparks or attempt DIY repairs on gas lines . Emergency
protocols require immediate supervisor notification.
Question 2
Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on electrical fires?
NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker (CUNY) Exam Practice
Exam Coverage Areas
1. Safety Procedures & PPE
Lockout/tagout protocols for de-energizing equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): rubber-insulated gloves, safety glasses, hard hats
Asbestos and lead safety: report suspected materials, never disturb
GFCI requirements and electrical safety
Fire extinguisher classes: Class C for electrical fires, Class A for ordinary combustibles
Carbon monoxide limits: ≤9 ppm in residential settings
Proper lifting technique: bend knees, keep back straight, lift with legs
Ladder safety: never stand on top cap, maintain 3-foot extension above landing
2. Plumbing Systems
P-trap function: traps water to prevent sewer gases from entering building
Drain cleaning methods: plunging, snaking, chemical-free mechanical clearing
Water hammer causes: sudden stoppage of water flow, loose pipes
Pressure relief valves: safety devices on water heaters
Leak detection: visible stains, peeling paint, musty odors
Main water shut-off procedures and fixture shut-off valves
Pipe materials: PVC, copper, PEX, cast iron
Fixtures: toilets, sinks, faucets, aerators
Vent systems: prevent siphoning of traps and sewer gas buildup
3. Electrical Systems
Circuit breaker function: stops electrical flow during overload or short circuit
GFCI protection: shuts off power when ground fault detected
Power supply disconnection before repairs (lockout/tagout)
, Page 2 of 106
Three-way switches: operate lights from two locations
Multimeters: measure voltage, current, resistance
Safe handling of electrical hazards: rubber-insulated gloves, de-energize first
Overload prevention and circuit protection
4. Carpentry & Building Repairs
Sticking doors: hinge alignment, strike plate adjustment, paint scoring
Baseboard and trim installation
Drywall repair: clean crack, remove loose plaster, apply patching compound
Window repair: paint buildup in track, warped frames
Hinge installation and adjustment
Concrete curing and patching
Fire blocking installation
5. Painting & Surface Preparation
Water stain treatment: stop leak, dry thoroughly, prime, paint entire surface
Paint types: latex (water-thinable), oil-based (turpentine/mineral spirits cleanup)
Surface preparation: sanding, cleaning chalked surfaces, priming
Mold prevention: dry thoroughly, clean with bleach solution
Proper ventilation during painting
6. Heating, Ventilation & Mechanical Systems
Thermostat troubleshooting and short cycling
Pilot light checks on gas heaters
Steam radiator vents and maintenance
HVAC filter replacement (4 times per year recommended)
Condensate line blockage and drainage
Refrigerant leak protocols
Hot water heater safety devices (pressure relief valve, T&P valve)
7. Tools & Equipment
Pipe wrenches: grip and turn threaded pipe
, Page 3 of 106
Multimeters: measure voltage, current, resistance
Levels: check horizontal/vertical surfaces
Reamers: remove internal burrs after cutting pipe
Pipe cutters: cleanly cut PVC and copper pipe
Basin wrenches: reach nuts under sinks
Utility knives: score and snap drywall
Stud finders: locate framing members behind walls
8. NYCHA Administrative Procedures
TSAP (Tenant Selection & Application Program)
TTLS (Turnover Tracking Log System)
Key issuance after lease signing
EIV Deceased Tenant Report deficiencies
Rental assistance eligibility: U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status
Affidavit of Income (AOI) with verification steps
Certified IRS Tax Transcript Form (4506-C) requirements
Third-party verification consent forms
Notice of Intent to Vacate for co-tenants permanently leaving
Rent grievance procedures
9. Tenant Relations & Workplace Conduct
Listening to complaints and acknowledging concerns
Follow-up after repairs
Apartment entry protocols
Sexual harassment prevention: penalties up to $250,000 under NYC Human Rights Law
Discrimination reporting to DEO within one year
Retaliation prohibitions
Workplace violence prevention
10. Emergency Response
Gas leak reporting: report immediately to supervisor/utility, never create sparks
, Page 4 of 106
After-hours emergency protocols
Water shut-off procedures
Frozen pipe prevention and thawing
Emergency maintenance importance: protect resident safety, prevent property damage
200 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY & PPE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A tenant reports a strong smell of natural gas in their kitchen. What is the proper immediate
response?
A) Light a match to locate the source of the leak
B) Open windows and use fans to ventilate the apartment
C) Report the gas smell immediately to the supervisor and/or utility company
D) Attempt to locate and tighten the gas line fitting yourself
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and must be reported immediately to the proper
authorities; you should never create sparks or attempt DIY repairs on gas lines . Emergency
protocols require immediate supervisor notification.
Question 2
Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on electrical fires?
