Is the post office test hard
Mia Lopez
Updated on April 20, 2026
USPS exams are fairly straightforward, but with a failure rate as high as 90 percent, it’s worth investing some time into your preparation. Get familiar with the types of questions you’ll be asked and take practice tests. With the right preparation, you’re sure to succeed!
Do you need to study for the postal exam?
Understanding the exam itself is an important part of doing well on the exam, but you also need to take time to study. … Mometrix’s Postal Exam Secrets Study Guide can be used for Postal Exam 474, 475, 476, and 477.
What is the postal service exam like?
Postal Service exams, like test 473, are opened to the public to meet local staffing needs. Entry-level tests examine general aptitude and/or characteristics, not knowledge of facts. The test provides a screening process on job-related criteria for job applicants and allows applicants to compete for positions.
What is a good score for USPS test?
Postal exams 474, 475, 476 & 477 are used to fill over 95% of all entry level jobs. The highest possible score on these exams is 100, and 70 is passing. Putting this altogether, you need a score as close to 100 as you can possibly manage.How many times can you take the 473 Postal Exam?
You may only take the assessment once per job application. If you already have an assessment score recent enough to be in the retest time period (e.g., for Exam 473 within the past 120 days), you will not be Page 5 allowed to take the assessment again; your existing score will be used for that application.
How much does the postal exam cost?
Tens of thousands apply each year for post office jobs and those who understand the hiring process and study for entrance exams — when required — will dramatically improve their chances of landing a career with the USPS. The Postal Service never charges fees to take an exam or to apply for jobs.
How do I prepare for the postal exam?
One of the best ways to prepare for the postal exam is by taking practice tests. Practice tests will help you get a gauge of where you are at and a feel for the material that will be on the test. Postal exam prep courses are also a great option to help you prepare.
Is 91 a good score on postal exam?
85-90 would be considered a good score.How many times can you take postal exam?
You can only take the four new tests that are now used to fill over 90% of all jobs either once every two years or once a year depending upon your score the first time around. You must wait two years if you pass but do not get the top score needed to get a job. If you fail, you must wait one year.
What kind of questions are on the postal exam?Exam SectionTime LimitQuestionsPart A Address Checking11 minutes60 Multiple ChoicePart B Forms Completion30 minutes30 Multiple ChoicePart C (Section 1) Coding 6 minutes6 minutes36 Multiple ChoicePart C (Section 2) Memory 7 minutes7 minutes36 Multiple Choice
Article first time published onIs being a mail carrier hard?
Being a mail carrier is hard. … An old college friend was working happily delivering mail, and making more than I ever did in newspapering: The benefits are good, you don’t take the job home with you, and there’s lots of overtime if you want it.
Do you take the postal exam online?
You take the Postal exam when you apply for a job, and you can apply for USPS jobs anytime. … You are scheduled for the exam as you apply for the job, and you take the exam online within several days. Everything is done online.
Can you fail USPS driving test?
If an employee fails the Initial Road Test, that employee is not eligible for consideration for the vacancy and must wait for the next open position to retake the examination. … Test results are stored by the National Test Administration Center.
How long does it take to be hired by USPS?
From applying to orientation it was about 5 weeks. About 3 weeks for the background check and fingerprinting to clear. If you know your past is good and you’ve done everything correctly, just try and trust in the process.
What's the next step after you pass the postal exam?
If you still wish to have a job at the USPS, you will have to re-appear for the postal exam 473 and go through the process of clearing it all over again. This can take an additional 4 to 6 months or even a year. Once you clear the drug test, you will be invited for an interview and an impromptu orientation session.
How much do postal workers make?
Annual SalaryHourly WageTop Earners$53,000$2575th Percentile$40,000$19Average$38,883$1925th Percentile$27,000$13
Is USPS a good career?
The USPS is known to be a great employer. Workers benefit from a variety of career opportunities, a clear career development pathway and an open and honest work culture. … USPS employees can also benefit from a wide range of employee benefits such as: Annual and sick leave days.
How long does it take USPS to call after exam?
2 answers. It varies, but it is typically not a few days. A few times I had waited almost 2 months just to receive a ‘notice of non-select’ email informing me that I was not selected for that particular job.
How long are USPS test scores good for?
The exam results are sent to the email address you submitted with your application as soon as you complete the test. Exam scores remain valid until the date on your notice of rating. Exam 473 scores remain valid for six years if you are not hired. Passing a postal exam does not mean you will be hired.
Is being a postal worker stressful?
It can be an aggressive atmosphere and no matter what you need to stick up for yourself or you will be crushed. My stressful part Is not getting recognized for my hard word but get put to work more and the lazy gets to come to work and be relaxed because supervisors let them be.
Is being a postman stressful?
Being a postman isn’t as easy as people may think there’s a lot to take on board and a lot to learn, but great for the rite person but can be really stressful at the same time with the work load each day, I’d recommend it for some but it’s a really hard graft for what you’re paid.
Do mail carriers work 6 days a week?
USPS working hours vary depending on the location and route, but most mail carriers work six days a week during regular business hours. Mailman hours can include overtime, especially during holidays.
How many hours a week do postal workers work?
Full-time postal employees work a 40-hour week over a 5-day period.
How long is USPS training?
Training with USPS is a two-week process which starts with general orientation, before moving into more specific job instruction.
Can you have tattoos at USPS?
You are allowed to have facial hair and tattoos at the postal service.
How should I dress for the USPS Academy?
For carrier academy wear anything. Only thing you aren’t supposed to wear is open toed shoes or flip flops.
What disqualifies you from working for USPS?
An applicant found ineligible in any one factor — age, Selective Service System registration, driving record, qualifying test, driver’s license review, drug screening, or English competence — is notified in writing that he or she is ineligible.
What happens USPS interview?
After your interview you are emailed a job offer. If you accept the offer you then return to fill out paperwork and do fingerprinting. Once everything is complete you then go through a week of paid training. If you are hired as an MHA (Mail Handlers Assistant) then you do OTJ (on the job) training next.
How long do you stay on pre hire list USPS?
What is this? But if you continue to each of the “next steps” in the process, you could be looking at as many as six months before receiving a job offer.