Take an Exam  Important Exam 473 Warning Exam 473 was recently retired and replaced by four new tests - exams 474, 475, 476, and 477. This is part of their new Virtual Entry Assessment program. Details on these new exams are provided in this chapter.

Exam 473 was used for many years to fill most Postal jobs - all processing, delivery, and customer service jobs. But exam 473 no longer exists. All those jobs are now filled from the four new exams.

The problem is that virtually all test prep products now available on the web or in stores are for exam 473. That means that the vast majority of test prep materials offered anywhere are obsolete. Attempting to prepare with an obsolete guide will lead to sure failure.

Our recently published USPS Virtual Entry Assessment Test Prep Guide is literally the only up-to-date guide on the market to our knowledge. If you will be taking any of these four new exams, click here for effective test preparation.

Exam Notification Toward the end of the application process you are advised if an exam is required, and most jobs do require an exam. Following are the various possible scenarios depending upon your circumstances.

For exams 474, 475, 476, and 477

• If you have never taken the exam and are not presently scheduled to take it,

you will receive instructions for taking the exam.

• If you are already scheduled to take the same test due to an earlier

application, you are advised that, once you take the scheduled exam, that

score will be used for the new application.

• If you have taken the same exam within the last year, you are advised that you

do not need to take an exam at this time and that your existing score will be

used for this application.  This is true even if you failed the previous exam.

• If you took the same exam more than a year ago, you will be asked if you would

like to retake the exam or to use your existing score.

For exams 230/238/240, 943/945, 916, and 955

• If you have never taken the exam and are not presently scheduled to take it, you will receive instructions for taking the exam.

• If you are already scheduled to take the same test due to an earlier

application, you are advised that, once you take the scheduled exam, that

score will be used for the new application.

• If you have taken the same exam within the last 120 days, you are advised that

you do not need to take an exam at this time and that your existing score will

be used for this application. This is true even if you failed the previous exam.

• If you took the same exam over 120 days ago, you will be asked if you would

like to retake the exam or to use your existing score.

Postal Exams  Exams 474, 475, 476 & 477 Exams 474, 475, 476, and 477 are the new tests that replaced exam 473. They are often called other names as given below.

These four new exams are now used to fill all processing, delivery, and customer service jobs as listed below.  (See Chapter 1 for details on these jobs.)

These four new exams are both very similar and quite different. They all share three sections with the same titles. Exam 474 has only those three sections. Exams 475 and 476 have those three sections plus one additional different section. Exam 477 has those three sections plus yet another different section. Even though these four exams share sections with the same names, the questions in those sections differ from one test to another. And even though the sections carry the same name, the number of questions per section varies from one test to another. The following table shows what tests have which sections.

Questions in the Work Scenarios, Tell Us Your Story, and Describe Your Approach sections are not objective like math questions with definitive correct and incorrect answers. Questions in those sections are subjective. You choose answers that best fit you, your opinions, your experience, etc. But the Postal Service does indeed score those sections by creating a profile of you based upon your answers and comparing your profile to a theoretical profile of a theoretical perfect employee.  And their theoretical profile of a theoretical perfect employee varies from one type job to another.

Questions in the Work Scenarios section ask about how you would respond to a variety of work situations. Questions in the Tell Us Your Story ask about your background and experience. Questions in the Describe Your Approach ask about your preferred style of work and approach to work.

Questions in the Check for Errors and Work Your Register sections are objective. There are right and wrong answers to these questions, and you are scored based upon accuracy. Questions in the Check for Errors section have you compare a series of numbers to see if they are exactly alike or different in any way. Questions in the Work Your Register section have you select the smallest number of bills and coins for giving a customer change from a purchase. 

Why Preparation for these Exams Is So Essential

The highest possible score on these tests is 100. And as explained in Chapter 6, only the top three scoring applicants are invited for an interview. The bottom line is that you must have one of the top three scores for any chance whatsoever.

You absolutely must make the highest possible score the first time around because it will be twelve months before you can try again. You are only allowed to take each of these tests once a year. Other Postal exams can be retaken every 120 days.

There are various types of test preparation needed for different kinds of exams.  Preparation for this exam is critical so that you know exactly what to expect and so that you will not be blown away by the bizarre questions and the odd way they are to be answered.  It is not unusual for applicants to fail because they never really understand the questions or how to answer them. 

Preparation is also important to overcome test-taking anxiety, a very real problem that causes applicants to perform below their potential and to score poorly.  Test-taking anxiety can only be overcome by becoming familiar and comfortable with exam content.  That is especially true on a strange exam like this one. 

You take these online exams on your own with a computer, tablet, or smart phone, and you are required to take them within 72 hours of applying. So do not wait until after you apply to start preparing. Get our study guide and start preparing now!

As mentioned earlier, our recently published USPS Virtual Entry Assessment Test Prep Guide is literally the only up-to-date test prep guide available for these new exams to our knowledge. If you will be taking exams 474, 475, 476 or 477, click here for effective test preparation.

Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory Test

When taking any exam other than the four new tests (474, 475, 476 & 477) discussed above, you are first instructed to complete an online Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test on your own without supervision. You take this self-administered section at home or wherever you can get access to a computer and the internet. The Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test supposedly assists in identifying the most qualified applicants and avoiding problematic employees.

This test consists of 150 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. You are given 90 minutes because each question calls for lengthy deliberation. This test, however, does not demand that you work at inhuman speeds like most other exam sections. The timing is actually quite generous, and most applicants finish before 90 minutes is up.

The questions are both simple and confusing at the same time. They are simple in that you read a question and then respond by stating how it applies to you. They are confusing in that both the questions and the answers can seem ambiguous.

Following are a few sample questions. (These are actual questions from the real test, by the way.)

You prefer a job that offers challenges more than a job that is routine.A) Strongly Agree B) Agree C) Disagree D) Strongly Disagree

How frequently do you establish personal goals or objectives that are virtually unachievable?A) Very OftenB) OftenC) SometimesD) Rarely or Never

Which of these job situations bothers you the most? A) Being asked to begin additional assignments before current ones are completed B) Having to revise a project repeatedly before it is approvedC) Helping disrespectful or rude people D) Being overwhelmed with more assignments than one person should be expected to handle

This section is scored, but the Postal Service will release no info on how the score is calculated. If you fail this section, you automatically fail the entire exam, and you are not invited to take the balance of the exam you applied for. If you pass this section, you are scheduled to take the balance of the exam on a later date and at a supervised testing site. (Exam 230/238/240 is an exception to this rule. After taking and passing the Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test, your take the balance of exam 230/238/240 at home or wherever you can get access to a computer and the internet, not at a supervised testing site.)

Exam 230/238/240 Exam 230/238/240 is used to fill the following jobs whether they are posted as career or entry level positions. (See Chapter 1 for details on these jobs.)

The Postal Service, however, frequently uses these exam titles interchangeably and in random combinations. For instance, you may see the 230 exam associated with a Tractor Trailer Operator job when it is really assigned to Motor Vehicle Operator jobs. Or you may see the title “230/240” associated with any of the above jobs. This is completely irrelevant since they are all identical as detailed below.

If you are applying for truck driving job, you will be told that assessment 230, 238, or 240 must be completed by a certain date, and you will be given a link for taking it online. Unlike other exams, after passing the Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test, you take the balance of exam 230/238/240 at home or wherever you can get access to a computer and the internet. You will not take the balance at a supervised testing site.

The reason you do not take the balance of exam 230/238/240 at a supervised site after passing the Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test is because it is not really an exam. The balance of exam 230/238/240 is a self-administered questionnaire about your professional driving experience and history. And the questionnaire is identical whether it is called the 230, the 238, or the 240. After completing this questionnaire, you will be sent an email advising your eligibility and/or telling you to login to your assessment account to view your score.

They will not disclose their formula for converting your answers into a score, but obviously the better your driving experience and record, the better your score. Do not even think about exaggerating to assure a high score, however, because you will be required to document your answers if you are called in for an interview.

Following are the topics addressed whether the questionnaire is called exam 230, 238, or 240. We suggest you use the following as a checklist for gathering needed info so you will not have to leave the exam/questionnaire inactive while searching for information and documents. It would be tragic to fail for being timed out due to inactivity

• Number of drug, alcohol, or other controlled substance driving offense

convictions in the past 5 years.

• Number of hit and run convictions in the last 5 years.

• Number of reckless or careless driving convictions in the past 5 years.

• Number of fatal accidents judged to be your fault. (Note: There is not a stated

number of years for this topic. They want to know about all such accidents no

matter when they happened.)

• Number of drivers license suspensions in the last 3 years.

• Number of drivers license revocations in the last 5 years.

• Number of accidents judged to be your fault in the last 5 years.

• Number of traffic/driving offenses (moving violations) in the past 3 years.

• Number of traffic/driving offenses (moving violations) in the last year.

• Years of driving experience with passenger cars or larger vehicles.

• Months of fulltime experience driving a 7 or more ton truck, a tractor-trailer, or

a 16 or more passenger bus. (Note: This item asks for months of experience, not years.)

• Months of fulltime experience driving a 7 or more ton truck, a tractor-trailer, or

a 16 or more passenger bus within the past 7 years. (Note: This item is identical to the one above except that it asks for months of experience within

the past 7 years.)

• Months of fulltime experience driving a tractor-trailer. (Note: This item asks for

months of experience, not years.)

• Months of fulltime experience driving a tractor-trailer within the past 7 years.

(Note: This item is identical to the one above except that it asks for months of

experience within the past 7 years.)

Exam 943/944 Whether they are posted as career or entry level positions, exam 943 is used fill Automotive Mechanic jobs, and exam 944 is used to fill Automotive Technician jobs. (See Chapter 1 for details on these jobs.)

These two exams are so closely linked that we must discuss them together. Exams 943 and 944 are technical exams that deal exclusively with automotive maintenance, diagnostics, and repair. Exam 943 covers basic automotive mechanical issues. Exam 944 covers more complex issues. Automotive Mechanic applicants take exam 943. Automotive Technician applicants take exam 943 and exam 944. If you pass exam 943/944 and are invited to an interview, part of the process is taking a

supervised bench test called exam 941 where you are to satisfactorily diagnose and repair actual problems.

Applicants who have taken exam 943/944 consistently state that years of experience and training are required to pass these tests and that, if you do not have such a knowledgeable background, you probably cannot make up for it by trying to study or prepare before the exam. Professional auto mechanics find these tests to be challenging.

There are a few 943/944 test prep guides sold online. In addition, there are study guides for auto mechanic certification tests that may be of benefit. We do not publish a guide for these tests and cannot comment on those that might be available.

Exam 916 Exam 916 is used to fill Custodial Maintenance jobs whether they are posted as career or entry level positions. (See Chapter 1 for details on these jobs.)

Exam 916 consists of four sections as detailed below:

The Vocabulary & Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to read and understand written materials such as product label instructions and warnings, material safety data sheets (MSDS), equipment operating instructions, and cleaning route sheets. As the title suggests, this section is divided into two parts … Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension… described below.

Each Vocabulary question is a sentence with a particular word highlighted. Under this sentence is a list of five words labeled A, B, C, D, and E. You are to choose which of the five listed words most nearly means the same as the highlighted word in the sentence. Here is a sample question.

Safety gloves are mandatory when handling caustic products. Mandatory most

nearly means:

A) EssentialB) DiscouragedC) Encouraged D) Unnecessary E) Optional

The correct answer is A.

Each Reading Comprehension question is a paragraph followed by five sentences labeled A, B, C, D, and E. You are to choose which sentence best supports or summarizes the paragraph. Here is a sample question.

“Bleach is a strong oxidizer. Flush drains before and after using bleach. Do not use or mix bleach with other chemicals, cleaners, rust removers, acids, or ammonia containing products. Using or mixing bleach with such products may release hazardous gases. Prolonged contact with bleach may cause metals to pit or become discolored.”

This quotation best supports the statement that: A) Bleach should not be used indoors.B) Bleach should only be mixed with non-acidic solutions.C) Bleach should not be stored in metal containers. D) Bleach should be used with caution due to its caustic nature. E) Bleach should be mixed with other chemicals only in a well ventilated area.

The correct answer is D.

The Basic Safety section tests your knowledge of basic safety principles and practices such as proper lifting techniques, use of personal protective equipment, and awareness of electrical, chemical, and other health hazards in the area of cleaning and building maintenance. In this section, each question asks about a particular safety issue. Under each question is a list of five answer choices labeled A, B, C, D, and E.

Extension cords should not be placed where?A) Across areas where there is vehicle and personnel traffic.

B) Above and over heavily traveled vehicle and personnel routes.C) Across non-metal supports. D) Across moving machinery.E) Both A and D

The correct answer is E.

The General Cleaning section tests your knowledge of general cleaning and disinfecting materials, techniques, equipment, and tools commonly used by custodians. In this section, each question asks about a particular cleaning practice. Under each question is a list of five answer choices labeled A, B, C, D, and E. Here is a sample question.

Which of these is used to clean splattered residue off a finished surface such as a

wall or a floor?A) Sponge B) Spatula C) ScraperD) Wire brush E) Drop cloth

The correct answer is B.

The Postal Service claims that the Following Written Instructions section tests your ability to understand instructions similar to those you might receive on the job. However, we cannot believe that any sane human being would ever give you instructions as strange, convoluted, and confusing as these questions. In order to answer a question correctly, you must accomplish two steps:

1. First you must create a preliminary answer based upon the wording of the question. The preliminary answer will be a letter-number combination like this: “T 5”

2. Then, you must look up the preliminary answer on a provided table to find its correlating answer choice (A, B, C, D, or E).

Here is a sample question.

Draw a line under each letter that appears only once below. Write the letter “R” and the number of lines you drew here: ___ ___

S   T   R   Q   P   Q   T   P   T

Since “S” and “R” are the only letters that appear only once, we draw lines under the one “S” and the one “R”. Then, as instructed, we write the letter “R” and the number of lines we drew (2 lines - 1 under the “S” and 1 under the “R”) in the blanks like this:  R   2 . We have our letter-number combination … R2. Next we go to the Look-Up Table to find our R2 letter-number combination. We look across the top of the table to find the letter “R”, and then we follow the “R” column down to the “2” row. Answer choice “D” appears where the “R” column and the “2” row meet. This is our answer … “D”. (The “R” column and the “2” row are highlighted in our LOOK-UP TABLE so you can see exactly how to use it.)

Applicants who have taken exam 916 often say that it is not necessary or perhaps even possible to prepare for it because it is basically a common sense test. A few study guides for exam 916 can, however, be found on the web. We do not publish a guide for exam 916 and cannot offer any comments on those that are available.

Exam 955 Exam 955 is used to fill the following jobs whether they are posted as career or entry level positions. (See Chapter 1 for details on these jobs.)

Area Maintenance TechnicianBuilding Equipment MechanicElectronic TechnicianMail Processing Equipment Maintenance MechanicMaintenance Mechanic

Exam 955 is an extremely challenging test. Failure rates can exceed 95%. According to the Postal Service, it covers the following 21 major topics and 131 subtopics.

Basic AC/DC Theory Capacitance Current Calculation Inductance Ohms LawRC NetworksResistance CalculationSimple Circuits

CombustionAnalyzersControl SystemsFurnaces, Boilers & Heating Systems

Computer & PLCAddressing Input/Output Keyboard RegistersSymbols

ControlsAC DC Devices

Digital ElectronicsAddersAnd/orCounters Exclusive/orNand/nor Shift Registers

Electrical MaintenanceFailure AnalysisPreventionTroubleshooting

Hydraulics Control Valves FiltersFluidsHydraulic Actuators Piping & SealingPressure Regulation PumpsServo Valves

Power DistributionFusesKilovarsKilowattsMeteringOil & Air Circuit BreakersOverloadOvervoltage Phase Loss RelaysTransformersVoltage Loss

Power SupplyBasic Transformer TheoryFilteringGating RectifiersSCRsZener Diode

Power Transmission Alignment BearingsBelt DrivesBrakesCables & SheavesChains & SprocketsClutches, Cams & CouplingsGears Motors Speed Changers / Reducers

PumpsAlignment Centrifugal

Horizontal Positive DisplacementSealsThrust Vertical

LubricationDry Lubricants Grease Oils Principles

Mechanical MaintenanceBulk Storage PreventionRecordingTroubleshooting

MotorsAC Control DC Generator Maintenance

Piping AccessoriesHeat ExchangerMetallic Non-metallic Specialized ValvesSteam Strainers, Filters & TrapsTubing, Hoses & Fittings

PneumaticsAir CompressorsAir DryersAir LubricatorsAir MotorsAir Supply SystemsCylindersRegulation & ControlSystem Maintenance Valves

Rigging Cranes & Hoists Fiber Rope & KnotsLevers, Jacks & ScrewsScaffolds & LaddersWire Rope & Chains

Schematics & Print Reading Assembly DrawingsElectrical SymbolsMechanical DrawingRelay Logic Schematics - BasicSchematics - Complex PipingSchematics - Complex WeldingSolid State Logic

Shop Machines, Tools & Equipment BreaksDrill Press Flame ToolsGrinderPipe Cutting & Threading MachinesPneumatic Tools

PressesSaws

Test InstrumentsAmmeterBasic Analyzer (VOM)Brush RecorderHigh Voltage Test Equipment MeggerOscilloscope Voltmeter

WeldingAir-arcing Arc Welding Brazing & Gas WeldingCutting Torch Electrodes

For additional topics covered on the test, review the KSAs for the jobs filled from exam 955. The KSAs can be found in our Ace Your Postal Employment Interview guide.

After passing the self-administered Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory test, the balance of exam 955 is taken at a supervised testing site. The balance consists of two sections … the Multicraft section and the Spatial Relations section which in turn consists of two segments - Matching Parts & Figures and Spatial Visualization.

The Multicraft section, the technical part of the test, consists of 60 multiple choice questions. Note, however, that we just listed over 150 technical topics covered on this exam. How can they cover over 150 topics with only 60 questions? They cannot and do not. There are numerous versions of exam 955. Each version has different questions, and no version covers all 150 plus topics. Since you do not know exactly

which version to expect or exactly which topics will be included when you take the exam, you must be prepared to answer questions about all the topics.

When you take this exam, even though you only took one test, you get multiple scores. There is one score for each technical job filled from exam 955, each score is different, and it is possible that some of scores will be great while others are terrible. Different jobs call for different skills. For instance, an Electronic Technician is expected to have more expertise in electronics than heating systems, and just the opposite is true for a Building Equipment Mechanic. There is a different scoring formula for each job, and the different formulas are weighted to place more emphasis on the skills needed for that particular job. So, the Electronic Technician formula places more emphasis on electronic questions, the Building Equipment Mechanic formula emphasizes heating system questions more, and so on. Although all 150 plus topics cannot be covered by 60 questions, there will definitely be some questions directly related to each of the jobs filled from exam 955.

The Spatial Relations section is broken down into two segments - Matching Parts & Figures and Spatial Visualization. This section of exam 955 is an aptitude test, not a knowledge test. It tests your inherent ability to visualize how parts and pieces come together to form the “big picture” … to visualize the end product represented by a drawing or schematic … to visualize the assembly of a piece of equipment using illustrated instructions … etc. Spatial ability is essential for success in a job that deals with mechanics and maintenance, so the Postal Service views the Spatial Relations test as an important tool when recruiting for the jobs filled from exam 955. We will discuss the two segments of the Spatial Relations section individually below.

In the Matching Parts & Figures segment, you are to visualize what shape would result from fitting two or more 2D flat pieces together. Each question gives you drawings of two or more 2D flat pieces. For answer choices, you are given drawings of four larger shapes, each

consisting of multiple pieces. Your job is to figure out which of these four options shows how the original two or more pieces can be fitted together without gaps or overlapping. You will usually have to turn the original pieces around, over, etc. in your mind in order to see how they might fit together to form one of the answer options. The below sample question may help you understand better.

Which of the following shapes (A, B, C or D) can be created by fitting these three pieces together?

This sample question gives us three triangles. Looking at the answer options, do any of them seem to include all three of our triangles fitted perfectly together? Option A has three triangles, but they are definitely not shaped like our original ones. Option C cannot be right because it has two triangles and a rectangle. Option D has three triangles, but two of them do not look like our originals. If you turn one of our original triangles upside-down, Option B looks like all three of our original triangles fitted perfectly together. That is our answer … Option B.

In the Spatial Visualization segment, each question gives you the top, front, and right side views of an object. Then you are given four figures (A, B, C & D), one of which is the object represented by the original three views. You are to choose which of the four objects is indeed the one represented by the original three views. See the below sample for a better understanding …

The correct answer is C. Option C is the only one that fits our three original views.

Do you have the background necessary to succeed on this test? Nobody can answer that but you. This decision should be based upon your knowledge and experience in the technical fields covered on the exam. To succeed, you must have extensive technical education, training, and/or experience.

We have interviewed experts in many of the technical fields covered on exam 955. These experts unanimously agreed that an applicant who has a strong background in most of these fields and who only needed to brush up on a few topics may be able to prepare for exam 955.  But if the applicant does not already have a background in most these fields … if the applicant needs to bone up on all of these different topics … that is virtually impossible. The experts also agreed that creating a guide that adequately touched on all the technical fields covered on this exam would be difficult if not impossible.

There are some exam 955 study guides sold on the web. We do not publish a guide for exam 955 and cannot offer any comments on those that are available.