Candidates applying for utility positions that require reading meters and recording data take the Meter Reader Aptitude Battery. This page provides free practice questions, worked problem explanations, and clear details on the battery format. Use these materials to review basic test skills, understand how hiring electric companies evaluate results, and prepare before taking the assessment administered by your prospective employer.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (Coding) | 18 items, 72 problems[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Number of questions (Using Tables) | 85 items[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Time limit | Under 20 minutes (2 tests)[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Time limit (Coding) | 5 minutes[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Time limit (Using Tables) | 6 minutes[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Passing score | Combined overall score; no published cut score[1] | corporate.pseg.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Validity | Prior scores may carry over; tell the new employer[2] | Edison Electric Institute · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Delivery | Given by the hiring utility, not EEI[2] | Edison Electric Institute · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Applicants for meter reading jobs[3] | Edison Electric Institute · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Score release | Results come from the hiring employer, not EEI[2] | Edison Electric Institute · Oct 21, 2026 |
According to Edison Electric Institute, “The test consists of 18 items that each have four problems to answer, for a total of 72 problems.”[1]
The Meter Reader Aptitude Battery is used by electric companies for job applicants seeking positions that require reading meters and recording data. The test battery is administered directly by the hiring utility rather than Edison Electric Institute. Edison Electric Institute develops the testing materials but does not administer tests or provide score results directly to candidates.
Administration takes less than 20 minutes across 2 aptitude tests: Using Tables and Coding. Using Tables includes 85 items with a 6-minute time limit, measuring how quickly and accurately you locate numbers within a table. Coding consists of 18 items, totaling 72 problems, with a 5-minute time limit.
Scores from the tests are combined into an overall score. Edison Electric Institute does not publish a universal cut score, and specific qualification standards or retake policies vary by hiring company. Candidates receive their results directly from the employer. If you have taken an Edison Electric Institute test with another utility, notify the hiring company, as prior scores may carry over. Check with your prospective employer for company-specific testing schedules and procedures.
The content areas below are copied from the official MRAB content outline published by Edison Electric Institute. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Coding[1] | MRAB Clerical Skills Practise converting and recording coded data quickly and accurately under timed conditions. |
| Using Tables[1] | MRAB Number Facility Practise locating numerical values rapidly within complex data tables. |
Prepare for the MRAB - Meter Reader Aptitude Battery Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: Proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy meter vault cover include:
Answer: B. Squatting down, keeping your back straight, and lifting with your legs
Explanation:
Option B is correct because squatting with a straight back recruits strong leg muscles and protects the spine from strain. Option A is incorrect because bending at the waist places excessive stress directly onto lower back ligaments and spinal discs. Option C is incorrect because twisting while pulling increases shear forces on the spine and causes acute injuries. Option D is incorrect because lifting with one hand creates uneven strain and destabilizes posture. The general rule for handling heavy utility equipment is to maintain a neutral spine, keep loads close, and power the lift through the legs.
Question: When completing a meter reading route sheet at the end of the day, why is it important to record both the start time and the end time of the route?
Answer: B. To provide an accountability record and help verify that all stops were visited within the expected window
Explanation:
Option B is correct because documenting route start and end times establishes a verifiable operational record, confirming that meter stops occurred within designated utility service windows. Option A is incorrect because route logs serve broader audit purposes rather than solely measuring worker speed for reviews. Option C is incorrect because physical meters record consumption continuously, meaning route hours do not influence measurement accuracy. Option D is incorrect because payroll calculations depend on formal timekeeping systems rather than route logs. The general rule is that field documentation primarily provides operational verification and an audit trail for customer billing disputes.
Question: When reading an analog dial meter with 5 dials, you should read the dials in which order?
Answer: B. Left to right
Explanation:
Option B is correct because standard utility procedure requires reading analog dials from left to right, beginning with the dial representing the largest place value. Option A is incorrect because reading from right to left reverses the numerical sequence, creating erroneous consumption data. Option C is incorrect because the 5 dials are positioned horizontally across the face rather than stacked vertically. Option D is incorrect because the dials do not follow a vertical bottom-to-top alignment. The general rule for reading analog dial meters is to record dials from left to right, noting the numeral each pointer has most recently passed.
To prepare effectively for the battery, focus on speed and perceptual accuracy across the official testing areas. Start by reviewing official sample materials from your prospective utility to familiarize yourself with the format. The battery consists of 2 aptitude tests administered in under 20 minutes, making pacing important.
Structure your preparation by targeting core competencies:
Review mistakes immediately to identify error patterns, such as misreading table headings or rushing code transcription. Timed practice helps maintain accuracy under short deadlines.
The hiring utility administers the MRAB directly to job applicants. Edison Electric Institute develops the test battery but does not administer employment tests or provide results to candidates. If you have questions regarding test scheduling or employment testing requirements, you must contact the hiring company directly.
The test battery can be administered in less than 20 minutes. It includes 2 aptitude tests: Using Tables, which has a 6-minute time limit for 85 items, and Coding, which has a 5-minute time limit for 18 items totaling 72 problems. Time is strictly controlled during administration.
Edison Electric Institute does not publish a passing cut score for the MRAB. An examinee receives a combined overall score based on the tests in the battery. Individual hiring electric companies determine their own scoring thresholds and qualification criteria, so you should check with the employer to learn their specific standards.
Your score results come directly from the hiring employer, not from Edison Electric Institute. Edison Electric Institute does not release test results to applicants under any circumstances. The utility company handling your application will notify you about your performance and any next steps in their hiring process.
Prior scores may carry over if you have previously taken an Edison Electric Institute test with another company. You must notify the new hiring utility that you have already taken the test elsewhere. The prospective employer will verify whether your prior test records satisfy their current employment requirements.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.