EIAT - Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (NEIEP) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which way does the grey wheel rotate? (Mark C if neither.)

A (Correct answer)
C
B

Correct answer: A

Explanation: A linear velocity changes to an angular velocity when the rack (toothed belt) comes into contact with the cogwheels. The point of contact's location is crucial. The lower portion of the red cogwheel is where it comes into contact with the rack. The linear velocity to the right is induced by the counterclockwise angular velocity. The upper portion of the grey cogwheel is where it comes into contact with the rack. The rack-determined linear velocity to the right causes a clockwise-moving angular velocity.

Question 2: In motor control terminology, what does 'JOG' mode refer to?

Briefly energizing the motor to inch it to a specific position (Correct answer)
Gradually ramping up motor speed over several minutes
Running the motor at reduced voltage for extended periods
A method of reversing motor direction at full speed

Correct answer: Briefly energizing the motor to inch it to a specific position

Jogging (or inching) briefly energizes the motor for precise positioning by bypassing the holding contact so the motor only runs while the jog button is held.

Question 3: What must be done before drilling through a wall in an existing structure?

Turn off all nearby circuits only
Contact the architect
Apply for a permit first
Check for hidden wiring, pipes, and structural members (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Check for hidden wiring, pipes, and structural members

Before drilling, workers must locate hidden wiring, plumbing, and structural elements using stud finders or detectors to prevent damage and injury.

Question 4: If a conduit fill is 40% with two #12 AWG conductors (each 0.0133 sq in), what is the minimum conduit area required?

0.0798 sq in
0.0532 sq in
0.0266 sq in
0.0665 sq in (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.0665 sq in

Total conductor area = 2 × 0.0133 = 0.0266 sq in. At 40% fill: minimum conduit area = 0.0266 ÷ 0.40 = 0.0665 sq in.

Question 5: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are used to:

Secure tool storage
Prevent unexpected energization of equipment during maintenance (Correct answer)
Log out of building access systems
Lock electrical panels from unauthorized use

Correct answer: Prevent unexpected energization of equipment during maintenance

LOTO procedures ensure equipment is properly shut off and cannot be re-energized while workers perform service or maintenance.

Question 6: A conduit run requires 3 sections measuring 4.75 ft, 6.5 ft, and 8.25 ft. What is the total length in feet?

18.5 ft
19 ft
20 ft
19.5 ft (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 19.5 ft

4.75 + 6.5 + 8.25 = 19.5 ft.

Question 7: What is the function of a control transformer in a motor control panel?

To step down the line voltage to a lower, safer control circuit voltage such as 120V (Correct answer)
To convert three-phase power into single-phase for small control devices
To step up the voltage from the utility feed to the motor rated voltage
To isolate the motor windings from the power supply during safety testing

Correct answer: To step down the line voltage to a lower, safer control circuit voltage such as 120V

The control transformer steps down the high line voltage (e.g., 480V) to a safer, lower voltage (typically 120V) dedicated to powering the control components.

Question 8: An electrical worker discovers a circuit breaker that trips repeatedly. The safest first action is to:

Ignore it and use another circuit
Investigate the cause of the overload or fault (Correct answer)
Tape the breaker in the ON position
Replace the breaker with a larger one

Correct answer: Investigate the cause of the overload or fault

A repeatedly tripping breaker indicates an overload, short circuit, or ground fault that must be identified and corrected before restoring power.

Question 9: What is the purpose of a ground wire in an electrical system?

To provide a safe path for fault current back to the source (Correct answer)
To regulate voltage levels
To return neutral current to the panel
To carry current to loads

Correct answer: To provide a safe path for fault current back to the source

The ground wire (equipment grounding conductor) provides a low-resistance path for fault current, causing protective devices to trip.

Question 10: What color combination is typically used for safety warning signs indicating electrical hazards?

Orange and black
Blue and white
Yellow and black (Correct answer)
Red and white

Correct answer: Yellow and black

Yellow and black is the standard ANSI color combination for electrical caution and warning signs.

Question 11: Tool A is used before Tool B. Tool B is used before Tool C. Tool D is used after Tool C. Which tool is used second?

Tool D
Tool B (Correct answer)
Tool A
Tool C

Correct answer: Tool B

The order is A → B → C → D, so Tool B is used second.

Question 12: What is the missing number? 1, 4, 9, 16, __, 36

24
30
20
25 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 25

The sequence consists of perfect squares: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5², 6² — so the missing number is 5² = 25.

Question 13: What is 'plugging' in the context of motor control?

Inserting a plug-in contactor module into a motor control center
Testing motor circuit continuity with a plug-type test instrument
Connecting additional loads to a motor control panel bus
Stopping a motor quickly by momentarily reversing the phase connections while the motor is still running (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stopping a motor quickly by momentarily reversing the phase connections while the motor is still running

Plugging stops a motor quickly by briefly applying reversed phase sequence while the motor is still rotating, which creates a strong braking torque opposing the rotation.

Question 14: Read the sentence: 'The foreman, along with his two assistants, are responsible for daily site inspections.' What grammatical error does this sentence contain?

Subject-verb disagreement (Correct answer)
Misplaced modifier
Redundant phrasing
Incorrect verb tense

Correct answer: Subject-verb disagreement

The subject 'foreman' is singular, so the verb should be 'is,' not 'are.'

Question 15: What is the primary purpose of a magnetic motor starter?

To manually disconnect power from the motor
To convert AC power to DC power for motor use
To automatically start and stop a motor while providing overload protection (Correct answer)
To regulate the speed of a motor during operation

Correct answer: To automatically start and stop a motor while providing overload protection

A magnetic motor starter combines a contactor for switching with an overload relay for protection, allowing automatic control of a motor.

Question 16: Which of the following best describes a contactor as used in motor control?

A mechanical governor that limits motor speed under varying load conditions
A manually operated disconnect for isolating the motor from the supply
An electromagnetically operated switch designed for making and breaking high-current load circuits (Correct answer)
A solid-state device that regulates motor current through phase angle control

Correct answer: An electromagnetically operated switch designed for making and breaking high-current load circuits

A contactor is an electromagnetically actuated switch designed to repeatedly make and break motor load currents under the control of a low-power coil signal.

Question 17: Apprentice A works 40 hours/week. Apprentice B works 35 hours/week. After 4 weeks, how many more hours has Apprentice A worked?

25 hours
15 hours
10 hours
20 hours (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 20 hours

Difference per week = 40 - 35 = 5 hours; over 4 weeks = 5 × 4 = 20 hours more for Apprentice A.

Question 18: A grid has 3 rows and 3 columns. Each row contains 1, 2, 3 in some order, and so does each column. If Row 1 is 1,2,3 and Row 2 starts with 2, what is Row 2?

2, 3, 1 (Correct answer)
2, 2, 2
2, 1, 3
3, 2, 1

Correct answer: 2, 3, 1

Column 2 already has 2, so Row 2's second element must be 3, and the third must be 1: Row 2 = 2, 3, 1.

Question 19: In NFPA 70E, an 'arc flash boundary' is defined as the distance at which:

Equipment must be de-energized
Voltage drops to zero
PPE is no longer required
A worker would receive a second-degree burn from an arc flash (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A worker would receive a second-degree burn from an arc flash

The arc flash boundary is the distance from an arc source at which a worker could receive a second-degree burn (1.2 cal/cm²) without protection.

Question 20: A blueprint shows a rectangular room that is 12 feet wide and 18 feet long. If the scale is 1 inch = 3 feet, what are the blueprint dimensions?

3 inches × 5 inches
6 inches × 9 inches
2 inches × 4 inches
4 inches × 6 inches (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4 inches × 6 inches

At a scale of 1 inch = 3 feet, divide each dimension by 3: 12/3 = 4 inches wide and 18/3 = 6 inches long.

Question 21: If the pattern is ○●○○●○○○●, what is the next symbol?

○ (Correct answer)
△
●
□

Correct answer: ○

The filled circle appears after 1, then 2, then 3 open circles; the next sequence adds 4 open circles, starting with ○.

Question 22: In a 3-wire control circuit, the purpose of the holding (seal-in) contact is to:

Prevent the motor from starting without a valid start signal
Provide a second path for the overload relay current
Limit the inrush current during motor starting
Maintain the motor starter coil energized after the start button is released (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintain the motor starter coil energized after the start button is released

The holding contact (a NO auxiliary contact wired in parallel with the start button) seals in the circuit so the motor continues to run after the momentary start button is released.

Question 23: What does 'bonding' mean in electrical work?

Securing conduit to the wall
Attaching wires to a panel bus
Connecting metal parts together to ensure electrical continuity and reduce shock risk (Correct answer)
Connecting neutral and ground at a subpanel

Correct answer: Connecting metal parts together to ensure electrical continuity and reduce shock risk

Bonding connects conductive parts together so they are at the same electrical potential, preventing dangerous voltage differences between metal surfaces.

Question 24: A belt connects a 4-inch drive pulley spinning at 1,200 RPM to a 12-inch driven pulley. What is the speed of the driven pulley?

900 RPM
300 RPM
3,600 RPM
400 RPM (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 400 RPM

Speed ratio = drive diameter / driven diameter = 4/12 = 1/3, so 1,200 × (4/12) = 400 RPM.

Question 25: Which material is the best electrical conductor?

Aluminum
Iron
Copper
Silver (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Silver

Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals, though copper is more commonly used due to cost.

Question 26: The sequence is: A1, B2, C3, D4, _. What comes next?

F5
E5 (Correct answer)
E4
D5

Correct answer: E5

Each term advances one letter in the alphabet and increments the number by one, so the next term is E5.

Question 27: The NEC requires that all 15A and 20A 125V receptacles in dwelling unit bathrooms be:

On a dedicated circuit
GFCI protected (Correct answer)
Arc Fault protected
Tamper resistant only

Correct answer: GFCI protected

NEC Section 210.8 requires GFCI protection for all 15A and 20A 125V receptacles in bathroom areas of dwelling units.

Question 28: What does 'RTI' stand for in apprenticeship training?

Registered Training Initiative
Regional Training Incorporation
Required Trade Information
Related Technical Instruction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Related Technical Instruction

RTI (Related Technical Instruction) refers to the classroom-based learning component of an apprenticeship program, complementing on-the-job training.

Question 29: What is the purpose of an equipment grounding conductor (EGC)?

To carry normal load current
To bond neutral to ground at every outlet
To reduce voltage drop
To provide a safe path for fault current back to the source (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To provide a safe path for fault current back to the source

The EGC provides a low-impedance path for fault current to return to the source so the overcurrent device will operate and clear the fault.

Question 30: A piece of conduit is bent at a 45-degree angle. If the two straight sections are each 5 feet long, what is the total length of conduit used?

7.07 feet
12 feet
8.5 feet
10 feet (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 10 feet

The total conduit length is the sum of both straight sections: 5 + 5 = 10 feet.

Question 31: What word pairs are the opposites of "predominant"?

Dormant
Paramount
Principal
Subsidiary (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Subsidiary

"Predominant" means main, strongest, or most important, so its opposite is "subsidiary," meaning secondary or of lesser importance. "Principal" and "paramount" are synonyms of predominant, not opposites, and "dormant" (inactive) is unrelated to dominance.

EIAT - Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (NEIEP)

The Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT), developed by NEIEP for the IUEC, screens candidates for elevator mechanic apprenticeships by assessing spatial reasoning, electrical theory, safety and code knowledge, and motor controls proficiency.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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