MRAB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MRAB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A meter reader's route shows meters on the north side of Oak Street between 1st and 5th Avenue. Moving west to east, which meter comes LAST? → Meter at 5th Ave
2. Before entering a meter vault or pit, a meter reader should check for: → Presence of hazardous gases using a gas detector
3. Which condition would require a meter reader to flag a meter for further inspection? → The meter reading is lower than the previous recorded reading
4. A gas meter reading last month was 4,789 CCF and this month is 4,832 CCF. What is the monthly consumption in CCF? → 43 CCF
5. A route has 180 meters split equally across 6 streets. How many meters are on each street? → 30
6. A water meter shows a small leak indicator (red triangle) spinning continuously even when no water is in use. What should the reader do? → Note it on the read card and report a potential leak to the customer or office
7. Which of the following is an example of a 'special instruction' that should be noted in meter reading documentation? → An instruction to read the meter from the front gate only due to a guard dog
8. A customer becomes verbally aggressive and threatening toward a meter reader. The correct response is to: → Calmly disengage, leave the property safely, and report the incident to a supervisor
9. A 'Danger: High Voltage' sign on a meter enclosure means a meter reader should: → Contact a qualified electrician or utility technician before accessing the enclosure
10. Meter readers in the US must typically comply with which agency's safety standards when working near electrical equipment? → OSHA
11. A water meter rolled over from 99,950 to 00,025 since last month's reading of 99,950. What is the actual consumption? → 75 gallons
12. If a CCF (hundred cubic feet) of gas contains approximately 1,020 BTUs per cubic foot, how many BTUs are in 1 CCF? → 102,000
13. A meter reading of 09987 is followed next month by 00053. This most likely indicates: → The meter rolled over from its maximum reading to zero
14. You are filing the following meter readings numerically: 76890, 87654, 76543. Which one should be filed second? → 76890
15. You need to transcribe the following address correctly: "1234 Elm St, Apt 56, Anytown, OH 43001." Which of the following is correct? → 1234 Elm St, Apt. 56, Anytown, OH 43001
16. A customer is elderly and has difficulty understanding where their meter is located. A meter reader should: → Patiently explain where the meter is and note any accessibility concerns for future reads
17. A meter reader smells a strong odor of rotten eggs near a gas meter. They should: → Immediately leave the area and call emergency services from a safe distance
18. What does it mean when a meter's dials alternate in direction of rotation? → This is normal — adjacent dials rotate in opposite directions
19. A meter reader documents that a meter appears to have been tampered with. Which detail is LEAST important to include in the report? → The reader's personal opinion on who may have caused it
20. Which of the following should a meter reader always carry for customer identification purposes? → An official company ID badge or identification credential
21. A meter reader reads 125 meters in the morning and 78 meters in the afternoon. How many meters did they read in total? → 193
22. A meter reader walks north 4 blocks, east 3 blocks, south 4 blocks, and west 3 blocks. Where are they relative to their starting point? → Back at the starting point
23. Which of the following is the MOST important safety rule when approaching an unfamiliar property? → Knock and announce your presence before entering to alert residents and animals
24. Which of the following is an appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item for a meter reader working near electrical meters? → Insulated rubber gloves rated for electrical work
25. Which of the following best describes why meter readings should be documented immediately after taking them? → To avoid memory errors and ensure accurate data entry
26. A meter reader encounters a dog on a property. The safest first action is to: → Back away slowly and not turn your back on the dog
27. Proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy meter vault cover include: → Squatting down, keeping your back straight, and lifting with your legs
28. Under OSHA regulations, employers are required to provide meter readers with safety training: → Before beginning work and whenever new hazards are introduced
29. When a gas meter is located in an enclosed pit, a meter reader should: → Use a flashlight to read through the lid without entering
30. A meter reader notices the meter seal has been broken. This should be: → Noted and reported to the utility as possible tampering