Plant Operator Selection System Test Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. 2 miles equals? yards. → 3520
2. Which of the following cannot be the result of rotating a rectangle (that is not a square)? → A square
3. If a formula uses T = (R₁ + R₂)/2 and R₁ = 80 and R₂ = 60, what is T? → 70
4. A threaded bolt with more threads per inch (finer thread) compared to a coarser thread will: → Require more turns to advance the same distance
5. A pump delivers 50 gallons per minute against a head of 100 feet. If efficiency is 75%, what is the approximate input power required? → 2.52 hp
6. In the formula W = F × d, if W = 200 ft·lbs and d = 8 ft, what is F? → 25 lbs
7. Which of these three pulleys, numbered 1, 2, or 3, rotates the fastest? → three
8. Which of the following best describes the term 'specific gravity'? → The ratio of a substance's density to the density of water
9. A pressure transmitter has a range of 0-100 psig and a 4-20 mA output. What current signal corresponds to 50 psig? → 12 mA
10. Which of the following statements is untrue in light of the information in the passage? → Static electricity is caused by friction.
11. A valve handle is currently pointing straight up (12 o'clock position). If it is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, where does the handle point? → 3 o'clock position
12. A fixed pulley system with one movable pulley supports a 300 lb load. Approximately how much effort force is required (ignoring friction)? → 150 lb
13. A pipe with an outside diameter of 4 inches and a wall thickness of 0.5 inches has an inside diameter of: → 3 inches
14. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pressure relief valve in a piping system? → To prevent system pressure from exceeding a safe limit
15. On a Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID), a dashed line connecting an instrument to a control element typically represents: → An electrical or pneumatic signal
16. A temperature drops from 212°F to 98.6°F. By how many degrees did it drop? → 113.4°F
17. In process control, 'cascade control' means: → Two controllers where the output of the primary sets the setpoint of the secondary
18. A pressure gauge on a storage tank reads 50 PSIG. The local atmospheric pressure is 14.7 PSIA. What is the absolute pressure inside the tank? → 64.7 PSIA
19. Which type of heat transfer does NOT require a medium and can occur through a vacuum? → Radiation
20. If a pump operates at 75% efficiency and uses 40 hp input, what is the output horsepower? → 30 hp
21. How common is static electricity, according to the passage? → It is very common.
22. A worker earns $18.50 per hour and works 9 hours in one shift. What is the total pay for that shift? → $166.50
23. Evaluate: 5(x + 3) − 2x when x = 4 → 27
24. An operator faces north and makes a 90-degree turn to the right, then another 90-degree turn to the right. What direction is the operator now facing? → South
25. Heat flows from a hotter object to a cooler object until: → Thermal equilibrium is reached between the two objects
26. A wheel with a diameter of 2 feet has a mark painted at the very top. After the wheel rolls forward one full revolution, where is the painted mark? → At the top of the wheel again
27. A rectangular settling pond is 200 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. What is the volume in cubic feet? → 96,000 cu ft
28. A level transmitter in a tank reads higher than the actual level. The most likely cause is: → A plugged or blocked impulse line on the low-pressure side
29. Which value of x satisfies 2x + 5 = x − 3? → x = −8
30. Two gears mesh together. Gear A has 20 teeth and turns at 600 RPM. Gear B has 40 teeth. What is Gear B's speed? → 300 RPM