Power plants help keep the lights on by producing the energy we need. Of course, the plants don’t run on their own. They need to be maintained, and it takes special skills to keep these important plants safely running. The Edison Electric Institute makes the Power Plant Maintenance Selection System exam available to utilities who want to use it to test potential employees seeking positions in electric utility power generation maintenance.
Does the Edison Electric Institute administer the Power Plant Maintenance Selection System exam?
No. The institute has the exam available as part of its battery of employment tests. Individual utilities decide whether to give the test as part of the application process. While the institute doesn’t administer the exam, it has member utilities in all 50 states, so it’s likely candidates for these jobs will be asked to take this exam.
What are the test policies?
Since individual utility companies give the exam you should check with them on their rules. There may be variations in test days, time and other policies.
How many questions are on the test?
There are 82 multiple choice questions and five reading passages with 36 total items on the Power Plant Maintenance Selection System exam.
How long do I have to complete the exam?
Candidates have about two hours to finish the test.
What’s on the Power Plant Maintenance Selection System exam?
The exam has four main components:
- Reading Comprehension measures whether candidates can comprehend the technical information found in power plant manuals. In this section, candidates will be asked to read five passages, with each passage followed by several multiple-choice questions. The test contains 36 question and candidates have 30 minutes to complete this section.
- Mechanical Concepts uses photos of mechanical situations to measure a candidate’s understanding of mechanical principles. Each situation has three possible answers. Candidates could be presented with a picture of a cylinder and piston and asked at which point air should enter to lower the piston. Or, candidates may be asked to look at a picture of a beam and a cable with a hook and determine where the beam should be hooked to maintain horizontal balance. This section has 44 questions and must be completed in 20 minutes.
- Assembling Objects has two types of problems that test the ability to visualize an object that has been correctly assembled. In one type, letters are used to label the parts. Candidates must correctly assemble the part by matching the correct letters. In the second problem type, candidates must assemble parts but this time, the parts are not labeled. There are 20 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 15-minutes to finish this section.
- Mathematical usage tests basic math knowledge. Questions could include basic mathematical conversion (yards to inches, acres to square chains, ounces to pounds, etc.). Candidates have seven minutes to complete 18 questions.
What job categories could this test be used to evaluate?
The exam tests the likelihood candidates will succeed in the following plant maintenance job categories in fossil, nuclear and hydro plants:
- Mechanic, machinist, electrician, welder, pipefitter, steelworker, rigger
- Instrument and control repairer
- Helper, painter, insulation worker
How is the test scored?
The test component scores are determined by the number of questions a candidate correctly answers. The component scores are then combined to form one index score. The index score provides a probability that an employee will be successful in this job.
What are the best study materials I can buy to prepare for the Power Plant Maintenance Selection System exam?
Mometrix has an excellent set of materials, prepared by test professionals, to help you prepare. Our study guide offers tips on how to deconstruct the toughest questions, the most effective way to choose the right answer, and several other important preparation tips.
