Postal exams – Apply to work for the USPS (2024)

FAQs

Can you take the postal exam before applying for a job? ›

Not everyone who applies will be invited to take the exam. If you are not invited to take the exam, you may be able to take it in the future or through other job applications.

The Postal Exam 474, also called the Virtual Entry Assessment – MC (474), is used for evaluating candidates applying for both city and rural mail carrier positions. To try sample questions, get practice tips, and access the full preparation pack for the 474 exam, visit our USPS 474 Sample Questions Practice.

With a failure rate between 80% and 90%, you'll want to study as much as you possibly can for the postal exam. Create a studying schedule well in advance and stick to it all the way until the day before your exam.

Immediately. An e-mail message will be sent to the e-mail address listed in your Candidate Profile following completion of the assessment at the testing center. How long is my score good?

You must score at least 70% to pass the VEA. If you do not pass the VEA, then you cannot be considered for the position (or any other positions in that job group) and you will not be able to retake that version of the VEA for one year.

A non-proctored assessment is one that you can take on your own, at any location of your choosing (for example, using a computer at home or at the library). A proctored assessment is one that you must take at a specified test center.

It usually takes two to four weeks to get hired at USPS, but in some cases, the process can take even longer if there are issues with the background checks or a low number of available positions. If you are really interested in a position with USPS, it is important to be patient and persevering.

The 1st part of the 473 exam is fairly easy but is timed so you need to work quick and be accurate. The memory part is generally considered the hardest for most people unless you have a photographic memory.

Post Office Jobs is the only post office career guide that includes a comprehensive 473/473E exam study guide, sample exam questions for 7 other careers, and job descriptions for the top 24 occupations.

What happens if you fail the USPS exam? ›

Can I Retake the 474 Postal Exam? If you fail the 474 Postal Exam and get an ineligible status, you'll be allowed to retake the test only after one year. If you've passed the exam and want to retake it to improve your score, you'll have to wait 24 months before you can do so.

USPS Postal Exam 474

This is a 45 minutes long self-administered test given to those who are applying for city and rural mail carrier positions. After you submit your application for an open position, if you are deemed a good fit you will be sent an email inviting you to take a Virtual Entry Assessment - MC 474.

3 months to a year. You have to work for one year after that you can be considered for a full time position but that doesn't mean there will be one available. It depends on if people are retiring or get fired and also if there are others in the office who have seniority that are not yet full time.

USPS is the second largest federal employer (Department of Defense is the largest) with approximately 603,911 employees working nationwide. USPS is actively hiring new people for civil service jobs at locations across the United States. Civil service job opportunities exist across a broad spectrum of skills and duties.

To become a mail carrier, a high school diploma or GED is necessary.

After you have logged in, click on the “Active Assessments” tab and look under the “Proctored Assessments” section. There you will see a list of all proctored exams for which you are authorized to schedule testing at a designated test center. To proceed to schedule your assessment, click on the “Schedule Test” button.

The exact Postal Exam 474 failure rate is unknown, but appears to be as high as 80% percent. Don't leave your fate up to chance, familiarize yourself with the content, practice sample questions, and study relevant materials.

A good score on the USPS 474 Exam is anything from 70 and above. However, some job openings are more competitive or look for a very small number of candidates. In these cases, the cut-off scores are high and applicants who get the highest scores will be the first ones invited for an interview.

To pass it, you must reach a minimum score of 70. The higher you score above 70, the higher your chances of getting hired fast.