Revision 232547379 of "U.S. Postal Exams" on enwiki

{{Expand|date=April 2007}}

The [[United States Postal Service]] administers a number of examinations for employee applicants to be considered for employment. Exams are administered as needed on a regional or service-area basis.

== Exams ==
=== Postal Exam 460 ===
This is the exam given to [[Rural Letter Carrier]]s, usually for part-time positions.  
The Postal Exam Battery 460 is broken down into the following categories:

'''Part A: Address Checking'''
You will be given 95 addresses to compare in 6 minutes. You will be expected to determine if the addresses are identical in every way or different in any way.

'''Part B: Memory for Addresses'''
You will be shown a table with 25 names and addresess divided into 5 columns.  You will expected to answer 88 questions in 5 minutes on correctly identifying which column a name/address belongs in.

'''Part C: Number Series'''
You will be shown a "number series" and expected to identify which two numbers would come next.  You will answer 24 questions in 20 minutes.

'''Part D: Following Oral Directions'''
You will be given oral directions and expected to follow the directions by writing in the test book.



=== Postal Exam 473 / 473-C ===
This exam is also known as the '''Battery 473''' and replaced the '''Battery 470''' in [[2004]]. It is given to potential [[letter carrier]]s and postal processing jobs. A score of 70 is required to pass, and applicants are considered for hire based on their scoring. Historically, point bonuses of 5-10 points were awarded to applicants based on military [[veteran]] / disabled veteran status.
The Postal Exam Battery 473 and 473-C exams are broken down into the following categories:

'''Part A: Address Checking'''
You will be given 60 addresses to compare in 11 minutes. You will be expected to determine if the addresses are identical, if the zip codes are different, or if the street/city addresses are different.

'''Part B: Forms Completion'''
You will be shown various forms and expected to answer 30 questions on correctly completing the forms in 15 minutes.

'''Part C-1: Coding'''
You will be shown a "coding guide" and expected to answer 36 questions in 6 minutes while looking at the guide.
'''Part C-2: Memory'''
Based on the same "coding guide" used in part C-1, you will be expected to answer 36 questions in 7 minutes.

'''Part D: Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory'''
You will be asked 236 questions in 90 minutes on your personal characteristics, tendencies, or experiences related to performing effectively as a Postal Service Employee.


=== Postal Exam 710 ===
This exam is given to temporary [[data entry]] workers. These staffers are known as '''Data Conversion Operators''', and are hired based on their scoring.

=== Postal Exam 916 ===
This exam is given to potential [[custodian]]s. Testing may be restricted to military veterans.

=== Postal Exam 931 ===
This exam is given to skilled maintenance workers. Inexperienced applicants are discouraged from testing.

=== Postal Exam 932 ===
This exam is given to potential [[Electronics|electronic]] [[technician]]s. Inexperienced applicants are discouraged from testing.

=== Postal Exam 933 ===
This exam is given to potential Mail Processing Equipment Mechanics. Inexperienced applicants are discouraged from testing.

=== Postal Exam 943/944 ===
This exam obsoleted the '''Battery 940''' and is given to experienced automotive [[mechanics]]. Inexperienced applicants are discouraged from testing.

== References ==
* [http://www.usps.com/employment/welcome.htm Employment welcome page at the USPS website]
<!-- Many other exams are described there -- expand this article if desired -->
[http://www.AceYourPostalExam.com  Practice Postal Exams]

[http://www.post-office-jobs.com  General Information on finding/applying for jobs, preparing for exams]

[[Category:Postal system]]
[[Category:Standardized tests in the United States]]