USPS Error Detection Identifying Data Entry Errors Questions and Answers

Question 1

A data entry operator is processing a change of address form. The original street number is '981', but it is entered into the system as '891'. Which specific type of data entry error does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Transposition error

Answer

A transposition error occurs when two adjacent digits or characters are swapped. In this case, the '9' and '8' have been reversed, changing '981' to '891', which is a classic example of this error type.

Question 2

While verifying a list of ZIP codes, you encounter the following pair: Original ZIP: 44107, Entered ZIP: 4410. What kind of error has been made during data entry?

Accepted Answer

Omission error

Answer

An omission error happens when data is left out. In this scenario, the final digit '7' from the original ZIP code '44107' was not entered, resulting in an incomplete and incorrect number '4410'.

Question 3

A mail handler is keying in tracking numbers. The correct number is '9405 5036 9930 0349 1245 67'. The number is entered as '9405 5036 9930 0349 1245 6O'. Which of the following best describes this error?

Accepted Answer

Substitution error

Answer

A substitution error occurs when one character is replaced with another. Here, the number '7' at the end of the tracking number was incorrectly replaced with the letter 'O', which is a common substitution mistake during manual data entry.

Question 4

During a quality check, an auditor compares a manually entered address with the source document. Source: '1300 Wilson BLVD STE 150'. Entered: '1300 Wilson BLVD, Suite 150'. According to USPS Publication 28, why would the entered version be flagged as an error?

Accepted Answer

The use of a comma and spelling out 'Suite' deviates from standard format.

Answer

USPS Publication 28 recommends omitting most punctuation and using standard abbreviations like 'STE' for 'Suite' to ensure consistency for automated processing. The entered address uses a comma and spells out 'Suite', which is contrary to these standardization guidelines.

Question 5

A clerk is entering a list of package weights and dimensions. For one package, the weight is correctly entered, but the length '12.5 inches' is keyed into the field designated for 'Width'. This is an example of what type of error?

Accepted Answer

Misclassification error

Answer

A misclassification error, also known as a wrong field error, happens when correct data is placed in the wrong data field. Entering the length measurement into the width field is a classic example of this, compromising data integrity.

USPS Error Detection Test Practice Test

USPS Error Detection Test Practice Test

USPS Error Detection Identifying Data Entry Errors Questions and Answers