In order to get a local post office job, you will need to pass a postal exam. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a couple of different postal exams. One of the best ways to pass the exams is by taking postal exam practice tests. Studying with actual postal exam questions and answers will let you know how well you are prepared for the actual postal test.
- Post Office General Knowledge In Hindi
- Post Office General Knowledge In Tamil
- Post Office General Knowledge Questions In Marathi
Check out our list of free postal exam practice tests along with our other recommended resources. Please note that the USPS has discontinued the postal exam 473. We have provided resources for postal exams 474, 475, 476, 477, and 955.
Issues with your day-to-day mail delivery (what time it arrives, arriving late, etc.) should be handled by speaking to your local post office. Postmaster general’s official government site has a list of what counts as having enough merit to file an official complaint.
- Welcome to USPS.com. Find information on our most convenient and affordable shipping and mailing services. Use our quick tools to find locations, calculate prices, look.
- Please take a minute and read the following before filing a complaint with our office. If you are having a problem with the delivery of your mail (late arrival, tracking, attempted delivery, misdelivery, etc.) or an employee/customer service issue, please contact your local Post Office or USPS Customer Service instead of completing the form below.
Recommended Postal Exam Prep Courses
| Resource | Position | Provider |
| Postal Exam 474 | City and Rural Mail Carrier Positions | JobTestPrep |
| Postal Exam 475 | Mail Handler and Mail Handler Assistant Positions | JobTestPrep |
| Postal Exam 476 | Mail Processor Positions | JobTestPrep |
| Postal Exam 477 | Customer Service Clerk Positions | JobTestPrep |
| Postal Exam 955 | Mechanic and Technician Positions | JobTestPrep |
How to Study for Postal Exams
Postal Exam preparation requires you to study smart – not hard! To pass your postal exams, you need to:
- Study when you are the most alert
- Understand what’s on the Postal Exam
- Focus on the material that you don’t know
- Develop a flexible study schedule
Professional postal exam prep products are the best way to prepare for your postal exam. Taking postal practice exams help you get used to what will be on the actual exam.
To obtain a local post office job, you first need to apply for a job with the US Post Office.
USPS Jobs That Require Postal Exams
Many jobs at the USPS require candidates to take and pass postal exams. The type of postal exam you take will depend on the type of job you are applying for. Below are some common jobs that require a postal exam.
Applicants will not know if they need to take a postal exam until they apply for a position – if they are selected to take a postal exam, they will be notified via email. Applicants will be sent an email with a link to complete the postal exam and will have 72 hours to complete the exam, with the exception for postal exam 955.
| USPS Job | Postal Exam |
| City and Rural Mail Carrier Positions | Postal Exam 474 |
| Mail Handler and Mail Handler Assistant Positions | Postal Exam 475 |
| Mail Processor Positions | Postal Exam 476 |
| Customer Service Clerk Positions | Postal Exam 477 |
| Mechanic and Technician Positions | Postal Exam 955 |
- City Carrier: This is what the public thinks of when they say 'mail man'. The city carrier delivers (and collects) mail by foot or vehicle. The city carrier is given an assigned area and must deliver in all types of weather. The city carrier may be required to carry a 35 pound mailbag on their shoulder. Additionally, carriers are expected to handle mail containers weighing up to 70 pounds. Carriers spend extended periods of time standing, walking and reaching. Applicants are required to have a valid driver's license, including a safe driving record and two or more years of driving experience.
- Mail Processing Clerk: Mail processing involves operating automated mail process equipment or manually sorting mail. Mail processing clerks organize and move processed mail from one area to another. These clearks are required to lift and transport heavy containers.
- Mail Handler: Mail handlers move mail containers and equipment throughout postal facilities. Mail handlers also open and empty containers of mail. Mail handlers are required to handle containers weighing up to 70 pounds.
- Sales, Services, and Distribution Associate: These retail associates work at local post offices and provide customer service to USPS customers.
What is on the Postal Exam?
There are 5 main postal exams offered by the USPS. Each postal exam is taken by candidates who are applying for different positions within the USPS. The content on the postal exam varies, but postal exam 474, 475, 476, and 477 all contain the same 3 sections:
Post Office General Knowledge In Hindi
- Work Scenarios – These questions will give you different scenarios and will see how you react to each different scenario.
- Tell Us Your Story – These questions will go into your background and work experience.
- Describe Your Approach – These questions will find out how you approach everyday tasks.
Some of these sections contain additional testing sections and the postal exam 955 is completely different from these other 4 exams. While there is no time limit, they do encourage you to work quickly, which may or may not improve your test scores. Read below for a breakdown of each postal exam.
Post Office Jobs
If you are serious about getting a Post Office Job, try our recommended Postal Exam Prep Course
Postal Exam 474
Please note that this exam is also referred to as the Virtual Entry Assessment MC 474.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit (Recommended) |
| Work Scenarios | 8 | 7 mins |
| Tell Us Your Story | 20 | 2 mins |
| Describe Your Approach | 56 | 6 mins |
POSTAL EXAM 475
Please note that this exam is also referred to as the Virtual Entry Assessment MH 475.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit (Recommended) |
| Work Scenarios | 9 | 11 mins |
| Tell Us Your Story | 22 | 3 mins |
| Describe Your Approach | 79 | 8 mins |
| Check for Errors | 12 | 2 mins |
POSTAL EXAM 476
Please note that this exam is also referred to as the Virtual Entry Assessment MP 476.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit (Recommended) |
| Work Scenarios | 9 | 11 mins |
| Tell Us Your Story | 22 | 3 mins |
| Describe Your Approach | 79 | 8 mins |
| Check for Errors | 12 | 2 mins |
POSTAL EXAM 477
Please note that this exam is also referred to as the Virtual Entry Assessment CS 477.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit (Recommended) |
| Work Scenarios | 10 | 8 mins |
| Tell Us Your Story | 21 | 2 mins |
| Describe Your Approach | 56 | 6 mins |
| Check for Errors | 3 | 2 mins |
POSTAL EXAM 955
Please note that this exam has replaced postal exams 931, 932, and 933.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit (Recommended) |
| Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory | 120 | 75 mins |
| Multi-Craft | 60 | 60 mins |
| Spatial Reasoning | - | - |
The personal characteristics and experience inventory portion of the exam is self-administered and is taken before the multi-craft and spatial reasoning portions of postal exam 955. Multi-craft and spatial reasoning are online electronic tests but must be taken at a testing site. The spatial reasoning portion of the exam has various questions on visualization problems.
Postal Exam 473
Please note that postal exam 473 has been discontinued by the USPS and has been replaced by postal exams 474, 475, 476, and 477.
| Test Topic | Description | Number of Questions | Time Limit |
| Part A: Address Checking | Decide whether two addresses are identical | 60 | 11 mins |
| Part B: Forms Completion | Determine how to correctly fill out forms | 30 | 15 mins |
| Part C: Coding | Assign the correct code to an address | 36 | 7 mins |
| Part C: Memory | Recall codes assigned to addresses | 36 | 7 mins |
| Part D: Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory | Job-related experiences and characteristics | 236 | 90 mins |
Postal Exam Scores
The passing score for all postal exams is 70. Candidates who score below a 70 will be ineligible for the position at the USPS. Candidates will not be allowed to take the test for 12 months, so it is important to pass the exam the first time.
The postal exams are unique because candidates are ranked based on their exam scores. Someone who scored an 80 will be higher up on the list versus someone who scored a 70. The candidate who scored an 80 might get an interview right away while the candidate who scored a 70 might have to wait a little longer.
Postal Exam Test Dates
The postal exams are not scheduled on specific test dates. Applicants schedule their own exams.
After you submit an application for a job with the post office, you will receive an assessment invitation e-mail. Some jobs have a pre-determined maximum number of applicants. If the job's limit has been reached, you will not be invited to take the USPS exam. During the online application process, you will be given an onscreen notification whether you will receive an invitation to take the postal exam. You will have 72 hours to complete the exam.
For mechanic and technician positions that require the postal exam 955, applicants will have to take and pass two exams. The first USPS exam is an online assessment that will take a maximum of 75 minutes.
If you pass the online postal exam, you will then need to take an exam at an approved location. This on-site exam will be proctored (i.e., monitored) by trained personnel.
Postal Exam Faqs
How do you prepare for the postal exam?
What are the main postal exams?
1. Postal Exam 474
2. Postal Exam 475
3. Postal Exam 476
4. Postal Exam 477
5. Postal Exam 955
Which postal exam will I have to take?
Last Updated: 9/25/2020
473 / 473 E Postal Exam | Post Office Exam | USPS Exam
The Postal Service recruits through their eCareer online recruiting service. All Post Office job vacancies are listed on their online service. Entrance tests including the 473 / 473E Postal Exam are still required for most jobs; however, you now apply online for post office job vacancies and complete an initial assessment when you apply. Applicants take proctored 473 Postal Exams and other related post office exams at designated testing facilities on computers instead of lengthy written tests. This site, along with our Post Office Jobs study guide, features the Postal Service's recruiting programs.
Positions Requiring Written Examinations
The Postal Service uses the USPS exam titled Test 473 for Major Entry-Level Jobs. The exam is also referred to as the 473 Battery Exam.This new exam replaced the 470 Battery Exam and covers the following:
| Test Unit | Number of Questions | Time Allowed | Covered Subjects |
| Part A Address Checking | 60 | 11 minutes | Determine if two addresses are identical |
| Part B Forms Completion | 30 | 15 minutes | information identification for completing forms correctly |
| Part C Section 1 - Coding | 36 | 6 minutes | Use the proper code to assign to addresses |
| Part C Section 2 - Memory | 36 | 7 minutes | Memorize assigned codes for addresses ranges |
| Part D Inventory of Personal Experience and Characteristics | 236 | 90 minutes | Experience and characteristics which are job-related |
Comprehensive practice post office exams are available in the new 6th edition ofPost Office Jobs to prepare for the forms checking, address checking, memory and coding Parts A through C of the new exam. Part D is related to your personal work experience and unique characteristics. For example, you will be asked your likes and dislikes and whether you have experience in certain areas. You really can't prepare for Part D, it's your personal profile and if you answer the questions honestly the Postal Service will be able to identify the job that is best suited to your characteristics.
- Study for the 473 Postal exam.
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To apply for postal positions use ourinstructional guide and then click on the link at the end of the guide to go direct to the Postal Services' official online employment site. You can also look for openings at your local Post Office, Management Sectional Center (MSC), General Mail Facilities or a Customer Service District Office in your area. Job opportunities are also advertised at local post offices, in national and local newspapers, journals and periodicals.
A passing score of 70 percent or better on a postal exam will place the applicant's name on an eligible register for that job vacancy and you can use the same test and application information to apply for multiple jobs. To improve your 473 postal exam score and for complete information on this process pick up a copy of the 7th edition ofPost Office Jobs.
Positions That Don’t Require a Written Exam
Vacancies in these positions — generally professional and administrative — are announced (advertised) first within the Postal Service. Postal employees who have the knowledge, education, credentials, and skills may apply for these openings. If there aren’t any qualified internal applicants (called bidders in the federal sector), then the postal service will advertise the vacancies to the general public and accept resumes and applications for rating. All applicants must pass an entrance post office exam and/or an evaluation process to be placed on a register in numerical score order.
Realistically, many professional jobs won’t be filled internally. Few postal clerks and non professional employees will have law degrees, engineering credentials, or doctorates for example.
These post office jobs will generally be advertised in local papers and on the USPS web site. You should also contact local (CSSD) Customer Service & Sales District personnel offices to identify upcoming job vacancies for your specialty. You can also call the local CSSD office's Human Resource Department to check on the status of your application or to follow up on interviews.
Post Office General Knowledge In Tamil
You will be rated on a point system (maximum of 100 points) even without a written test. Therefore, your resume and Application For Employment (PS Form 2591) must be thoroughly completed and include all key information such as degrees, training, credentials, and detailed work experience. Only the top three candidates will generally be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Also, explore and apply for all job vacancies in the government and private sectors to improve you chance of employment.
Post Office General Knowledge Questions In Marathi
Post office job applicants seeking entry level professional and administrative positions can apply for mail handling positions and take the 473 Battery Exam to get their foot in the door. Once hired, as vacancies open in their specialty such as accounting, budget, and other occupations, the Postal Service often advertises these positions first to current postal employees through internal job announcements. Once you get your foot in the door you can bid on these restricted announcements and the experience that you will gain from the entry level mail handling position will help you to better understand the postal system.