Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Test Prep - Free Practice Questions and Answers for 2026 Exams
Updated: March, 2026
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) tests are pre-employment assessments administered by utility companies to select candidates for roles in power generation, transmission, distribution, and customer service. Companies such as Duke Energy, Georgia Power, Entergy, and PG&E require EEI scores before extending job offers for positions including lineworker, plant operator, power dispatcher, and maintenance technician:
- Skilled trades and operations - CAST, POSS, MASS, and TECH assessments covering mechanical, mathematical, and technical reasoning
- Administrative and specialist roles - SASS, SOPD II, MRAB, and CSR assessments covering analytical thinking, multitasking, and customer service skills
Here you'll find free EEI practice test questions across all 8 EEI assessments.
Looking for a more dedicated practice of the EEI exams? Visit the following pages:
How to Approach This EEI Test Simulation
Here you'll find 8 free EEI practice questions - one drawn from each major assessment - covering the full range of skills tested across utility company pre-employment exams. Each question is followed by a detailed explanation and additional information about the test it comes from, including format, time limits, and what employers are measuring.
Work through each section strategically - Graphic Arithmetic for the CAST, Analytical Thinking for the SOPD II, Coding for the SASS, Reading Comprehension for the POSS, and so on - and don't just check the answer.
Study the explanation to understand the reasoning behind each correct choice, since the hiring utility companies use these scores as a hiring filter.
Question 1 - CAST Test - Graphic Arithmetic
Question 2 - SOPD Test - Analytical Thinking Skills
Five bears – Jinan🐻, Knot🐻, Lee🐻, Mushu🐻, and Nee-Hau🐻 – are kept in three adjacent rooms numbered 1-3 from left to right.
Important Facts:
- There is at least one bear in each room.
- Knot is in a room to the left of Lee's.
- Mushu and Nee-Hau are not kept in the same room.
- Either Mushu or Jinan, but not both, are kept in room 2.
- Nee-Hau is kept in room 3.
Which of the following pairs is a possible combination for two occupants in one of the rooms?
Since N is in room 3 and K must be left of L, K can be in room 1 or 2.
Place J and K in room 1.
Room 2 must contain M (because J is already placed).
L can then be placed to the right of K, creating a valid setup.
Example arrangement:
All rules are satisfied, so A is correct.
Analytical Thinking questions on the EEI SOPD II test are among the most demanding in the EEI assessment family. The SOPD II is designed for energy control center positions - system operators and power dispatchers - where managing multiple rules, constraints, and variables simultaneously is a core job requirement. The logic puzzle format directly simulates that cognitive demand.
Key concepts tested alongside constraint-based reasoning include:
- Working through elimination to rule out impossible combinations
- Tracking multiple conditions at once without losing earlier constraints
- Identifying which rules interact and in what order to apply them
- Distinguishing between what is stated, what is implied, and what is impossible
- Avoiding the common error of satisfying one rule while violating another
For this specific question, the critical move is anchoring on the one fixed fact - Nee-Hau is in room 3 - and building outward from there. Once that is set, the left-of rule for Knot and Lee narrows the options quickly. Candidates who get this wrong typically jump to answer choices before fully mapping the constraints, which is exactly the mistake a power dispatcher cannot afford to make when managing real-time grid conditions. A common follow-up concept tested on the SOPD II is sequencing under time pressure, where the same logical structure appears but with an added layer of prioritization between competing rules.
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Question 3 - SASS Test - Coding
Question 4 - CSR Test - Customer Service Representative
Need More Practice ? Check the Following EEI Guides ->
Question 5 - POSS Test - Reading Comprehension
Question 6 - TECH Test - Graphic Problem Solving
Take a look at the following graph to answer the question below.
Which product contains the highest amount of Calcium relative to the Net Weight?
Graphic Problem Solving questions on the EEI TECH test require more than reading a table - they require you to construct and compare ratios across multiple data points without a calculator, under time pressure. The TECH test is designed for technical occupations such as instrument and controls technicians and substation electricians, where interpreting data accurately and making quick comparative judgments is a daily requirement.
Key concepts tested alongside ratio and relative value comparisons include:
- Converting absolute values into ratios to enable meaningful comparison
- Simplifying fractions to a common numerator or denominator for direct comparison
- Avoiding the trap of comparing raw numbers instead of relative values
- Working efficiently through multiple calculations without losing track of earlier results
- Recognizing when two fractions need to be rewritten before they can be compared
For this specific question, the trap is answer C - Magic. It has the lowest net weight at 160g, which makes it feel like a strong candidate for the highest relative calcium content. But Salty's ratio of 6/100 outperforms it once both are simplified. The deeper trap is Cisco, with 10g of calcium - the highest raw number in the table - but a net weight of 200g that pulls its ratio down to 1/20, which still loses to Salty's 3/50 when compared correctly. This mirrors real TECH test demands, where candidates must resist the instinct to anchor on the largest absolute value and instead evaluate performance relative to a baseline. A common follow-up concept on the TECH test is comparing efficiency or concentration ratios across multiple variables in the same table, requiring the same disciplined ratio-building approach.
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Question 7 - MRAB Test - Interpreting Table and Graphs
Take a look at the following table to answer the question below.
The lab managers decided to put all of the Homozygous mice from all of the labs in the same cage with all of the knockout mice since they completed their parts in the different experiments.
How many mice are living in the same cage now?
Interpreting Tables and Graphs questions on the EEI MRAB test are designed to assess the core skill of a meter reader role - extracting specific data from structured tables quickly and accurately, then applying straightforward calculations without errors. Speed and precision together are what the MRAB measures, since meter readers work through large volumes of data in the field with minimal margin for mistake.
Key concepts tested alongside table-based addition and data extraction include:
- Identifying and isolating only the relevant rows or categories from a larger dataset
- Avoiding the trap of including rows that sound similar but serve a different function
- Performing multi-step addition across several values without losing track of the running total
- Distinguishing between categories with similar names - such as Homozygous Dominant and Heterozygous Dominant - under time pressure
- Verifying the final sum against answer choices that are close in value to catch arithmetic slips
For this specific question, the trap is over-counting. The question asks only for Homozygous mice and Knockout mice - but the table also contains Heterozygous Dominant and Heterozygous Recessive rows, which candidates under pressure can accidentally include. The correct approach is to filter first, then add - pulling only the Homozygous Dominant and Knockout values from all four labs before summing. This filtering-before-calculating discipline is exactly what meter readers apply when recording usage data from tables that contain multiple measurement types side by side. The MRAB is one of the shorter EEI assessments at under 20 minutes, which means accuracy under time pressure is the primary differentiator between passing and failing candidates.
Question 8 - MASS Test - Mathematical Usage
Please choose the correct answer. If none of the options is the correct answer please choose answer choice e, "N".
0.25 miles = ? fathoms
Mathematical Usage questions on the EEI MASS test require multi-step unit conversion - not just knowing formulas, but applying them in the correct sequence without a calculator. The MASS is used to screen candidates for power plant maintenance roles including electricians, welders, pipe fitters, and steelworkers, where working with precise measurements and unit conversions is a practical daily requirement.
Key concepts tested alongside unit conversion chains include:
- Breaking a multi-step conversion into a clear sequence rather than attempting it in one step
- Knowing when to divide and when to multiply at each stage of the conversion
- Working with unfamiliar units - such as fathoms - where candidates cannot rely on prior knowledge and must work purely from the given conversion factors
- Avoiding rounding errors by carrying full values through intermediate steps
- Recognizing distractor answers that result from common errors such as stopping one step early or inverting the conversion
For this specific question, the trap is answer B - 1,320. It is not a wrong number; it is simply the correct answer to the first step of a two-step problem. Candidates who convert miles to feet correctly but stop there select B and move on, missing the second conversion from feet to fathoms entirely. This is one of the most common error patterns on Mathematical Usage sections - partial completion mistaken for a finished solution. The MASS shares its Mathematical Usage section format with the CAST, SOPD II, and POSS tests, meaning this exact skill - chained unit conversion under time pressure - is tested across four of the eight major EEI assessments and is one of the highest-value areas to prepare for.
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Video - Introduction to the EEI Tests
The EEI Tests:
(Click the test that you are looking for)
- CAST - The Construction and Skilled Trades Selection System – The test assesses a range of skills, including mechanical reasoning, math skills, and spatial awareness, all of which are critical for success in the industry. It comprises four sections: Graphic Arithmetic, Mathematical Usage, Mechanical Concepts, and Reading Comprehension.
- SOPD II - The System Operator Power Dispatching Positions Selection System – The test consists of four sections: mathematical usage, analytic thinking skills, reading comprehension, and multitasking simulation.
- SASS - The System for the Assessment of Specialized Skills – The test battery used to streamline the selection of clerical and administrative support positions. It includes three tests: the Basic Competency Assessment Battery (BCAB), the Basic Keyboard Skills Battery (BKSB), and the Advanced Competency Assessment Batteries (ACAB).
- CSR - The Customer Service Representative – The test battery is designed to identify candidates who possess exceptional customer service skills. This four-hour test is split into two sections, the Job Skills Test and Interactive Test.
- POSS - Personnel Occupational Screening Survey – The test is made up of four separate tests: reading comprehension, mechanical concepts, mathematical usage, and figural reasoning.
- TECH -The Technician Occupations Selection System – The test battery consists of four sections, including Graphic Problem Solving, Interpreting Diagrams, Mechanical Concepts, and Reasoning from Rules
- MRAB - Multi-Rater Assessment of Behavior – The battery includes two tests: Using Tables, which assess the candidate's ability to obtain information quickly and accurately, and Coding, which assesses the candidate's ability to assign code numbers to data using an existing coding scheme.
- MASS - The Power Plant Maintenance Selection System – The test battery is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates skills in mechanical concepts, object assembly, mathematics, and reading comprehension through four tests.
Are EEI Tests Hard?
EEI are pre-employment tests that measure abilities in math, reading, spatial awareness, technical and mechanical comprehension, problem-solving, and even administrative skills. These topics require training, as you generally don't apply them on a daily basis in the same way they appear on a test, especially not with time restrictions.
While most energy companies refer job candidates to the EEI website for official sample materials, these materials are limited in amount and provide only a partial picture of the topics and difficulty levels found on the actual tests.
How to Prepare for the EEI Tests?
- Taking the EEI exam without practice or preparation can lead to anxiety and uncertainty during the test.
- Practice can help you become familiar with the types of questions and the time pressure of the actual exam.
- The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on areas that need improvement.
- The EEI Practice tests you use should simulate the actual exam, providing an experience that is as close to the real test as possible.
- When practicing take the time and really familiarize yourself with exam questions this can increase your chances of success and help you land your dream job in the electric power industry.
Below you'll find preparations of specific companies that use versions of the Edison electric institute test as part of their hiring process.
Companies That Use EEI Tests
- Dominion Power: A leading energy provider in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States.
- DTE Energy: A Detroit-based energy company that provides electricity and natural gas to millions of customers in Michigan and Ohio.
- Duke Energy: A leading energy provider in the Southeast United States.
- Entergy: A leading energy provider in the Gulf Coast region of the United States.
- Eversource: A publicly traded energy company based in Hartford, Connecticut. It serves customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The company provides electricity, natural gas, and other energy services to over 3 million customers.
- Exelon: A Fortune 100 energy company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the largest competitive energy providers in the United States, serving approximately 10 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
- PSEG: A publicly traded energy company based in Newark, New Jersey. It is one of the largest energy companies in the United States, providing electricity and natural gas to over three million customers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- Southern Company: an energy company based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States, serving customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
What is The Edison Electric Institute?
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is a dynamic trade association representing all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. As a leading advocate for the electric industry, EEI is committed to promoting its development and ensuring the affordability and reliability of electricity. In addition to advocacy, EEI offers its members valuable services including research, education, and expert analysis.
One of EEI's most important contributions is developing tests for the electric industry, including the EEI Pre-Employment Tests.
These tests are essential tools used by electric companies to evaluate the skills and knowledge of prospective employees such as engineers, electricians, and technicians. EEI also provides a range of performance tests to electric utilities to help them maintain their service quality and identify improvement areas.
EEI Assessment FAQs
Calculator policies vary by specific test battery, but for the most common technical and maintenance exams—including the CAST, POSS, MASS, and TECH—calculators are strictly prohibited. In these sessions, you must solve Graphic Arithmetic and Mathematical Usage questions entirely by hand. This makes time management your biggest hurdle; a static PDF cannot train the mental muscle memory needed to execute multi-step conversions quickly under pressure. JobTestPrep's PrepPacks simulate these exact no-calculator, timed environments to ensure your mental math is both sharp and accurate before test day.
Retake policies are set by each individual utility company, not by EEI centrally. Some companies require a minimum of 15 days between attempts, while others enforce a 30-day waiting period with a maximum of 2 attempts per year.
EEI scores are held by the individual utility company and policies vary by employer. There is no universal score expiry period published by EEI centrally. Some companies may accept scores from a previous application cycle while others require a fresh test for each new position. If you failed a previous attempt, the retake waiting period still applies regardless of how much time has passed. The safest approach is to treat every application as a fresh test and prepare accordingly.
There is no single universal passing score. Each employer sets its own cut-off threshold based on the role. Scores are reported on an index scale of 1 to 10, where 10 reflects the highest predicted probability of job success. You will typically be told whether you passed or failed, but you will not receive a breakdown of how you scored in each section or on individual questions.
Always guess. There is no penalty for wrong answers on EEI assessments - your score is based solely on the number of correct answers. Leaving a question blank is always worse than an educated guess. This applies across all eight major EEI tests.
The mechanical concepts sections - present on the CAST, POSS, MASS, and TECH tests - do not require prior trade experience to pass, but they do require genuine understanding of physical principles including levers, gears, pulleys, fluid mechanics, and electrical circuits. Many candidates with hands-on experience fail because the questions test conceptual reasoning, not practical memory. A PDF of diagrams will not train you to reason through an unfamiliar mechanical scenario in 20 seconds. JobTestPrep's PrepPacks include step-by-step explanations for every mechanical question so you build the reasoning skill, not just the answer recall.
Timing is arguably the most important variable in EEI test preparation. Each section is independently timed and you cannot borrow time from one section to use in another. The Mechanical Concepts section on the TECH test, for example, gives you just 20 minutes for 44 questions - under 30 seconds per question. Practicing untimed is the single biggest mistake EEI candidates make, because it builds false confidence. JobTestPrep's PrepPacks include both timed and untimed modes so you can learn the material first and then stress-test your speed before the real Edison Electric Institute test day.
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