: Last Updated: 12 February 2024

Plant Operator Selection System Exam

Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) test is a test designed by Edison Energy Institute (EEI) to evaluate applicants for supervisory positions or technicians at utility companies dealing in nuclear, hydropower, or fossil fuels. The standard used by power plants is provided by EEI and no dictionaries or calculators are allowed. POSS takes 80 minutes, with multichoice questions assessment with pencil and paper for test of cognitive skills required of jobs like turbines, control rooms, and boilers operators. The POSS examination is a condition for employment in these utility companies but not in any way a guarantee that passing it will land one the job.

Eligibility for POSS Exam

Prospective applicants for supervisory and technical operator positions in energy utilities. More specifically, those dealing in nuclear, hydropower, or fossil fuels.

Syllabus for POSS Exam

The POSS covers; - Mathematical usage, reading comprehension, tables and graphs, figural reasoning, and mechanical concepts.

Mathematical usage: Involves basic mathematical conversion concepts e.g conversion of ounces to grams, feet to meters, and similar standard measures.
Reading comprehension: Covers scientific and technical topics and is aimed at helping a candidate understand the technical information in the training materials.
Tables and graphs: Helps a candidate understand numerical relationships as in the case of the understanding temperature of water to convector length as well as understanding comparison of various variables.
Figural reasoning: Also called Spatial Ability Test, helps a candidate understand the assembling of objects. The candidate visualizes assembled device and selects the correct representation of it.
Mechanical concept : Helps candidates understand the use of mechanical devices in the workplace. Involves line drawing of different mechanical devices like gears, levers, ramps, fulcrums, and pulleys.

Format of the POSS Exam

Mathematical section

Contains two versions where applicants for operator positions take only 18 questions and for supervisory positions taking 28 questions
Takes 7 minutes for operator applicants and 10 minutes for supervisory applicants

Reading section

Consists of five paragraphs
Has 36 questions
Completed in 30 minutes

Tables and graphs

Tables have 60 multichoice questions to be answered in 5 minutes
Graphs have 24 multichoice questions to be answered within 4 minutes
Candidates interpret data provided in tabular form and pick the correct answer

Figural reasoning section

Contains 20 multichoice questions
10 minutes to complete
Per question, a drawing of a disassembled device appears with parts labeled, next, 5 drawing from different perspectives appear. Candidates are required to visualize the assembled device and select the correct representation

Mechanical concept section

Has 44 multichoice questions
20 minutes to complete