Postal Exam Test 2026 September

What are US postal service jobs under the USPS postal battery exam or 473?

Postal Service Career Opportunities

• City Carriers – They are the ones who collect and deliver mail either on foot or by vehicle in a certain location. They may also be required to carry mails that weigh up to 35 pounds in their shoulder satchels and load and unload mail that weighs up to 70 pounds.

         There are three categories for this position: City Carrier Assistant 1, City Carrier Assistant 2, and Casual City              Carrier.

• Mail Processing Clerks – They are the ones who work in Postal facilities by processing mail (incoming or outgoing) either manually or through automated mail processing equipment.  They are also the ones who collect or transfer mail that weighs up to 70 pounds.

         There are two other categories for this position: PSE Mail Processing Clerk (PSE MPC), Casual Mail                              Processing Clerk. 

• Mail handler – They are the ones who load and unload containers, open and empty sacks or lift and transport mail in postal facilities. They carry mails that weigh up to 70 pounds, and they push rolling containers that weigh up to 1, 500 pounds. 

          There are two other categories for this position: Mail Handler Assistant and Casual Mail Handler.

• Sales, Services (Svcs), and Distribution Associate – They are the ones who work in retail. They offer customer service related functions at the Post Office in the front counter.

           There are two other categories for this position: Postal Support Employee (PSE) Sales/Svcs/Distribution                      Associate, and Casual Sales/Svcs/Distribution Associate.

• Rural Carrier – They are the ones who deliver mail in a fixed route. They may be required to manage containers of mail that weigh up to 70 pounds.

         There are two other categories for this position: Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) and Assistant Rural Carrier                    (ARC). 

Government and public-sector job candidates can also prepare with our Postal Exam 473 practice test 2026, which covers the same reasoning, reading comprehension, and situational judgment sections used in official exams.

Administrative job applicants can prepare with our free civil service clerical exam practice test — covering typing speed, data entry accuracy, filing, and reading comprehension used in government and corporate hiring.

Candidates studying for the NYC Civil Service exam often also use our LASD practice test 2026, as both evaluate law enforcement aptitude and government service readiness.

What is on the USPS Postal Exam 473?

Postal Exam 473

The test type would be multiple choice. It is divided into four sections, and one of the sections is further divided into two. You can take the “Personal Inventory” section on your own online while the other sections have to be taken at testing facilities. 

What is the USPS scoring?

What is a Passing Score for 473 Postal Exam?

The USPS exam 473 average scores are those that are 70 and up. But since it is an exam that is highly competitive, the best score would be the ones that will get you in the top three such as scores from 85 and above.

Part A: For this part, the partial score is based on how many items you have answered correctly, minus one-third of the number of wrong items. The key is to answer many items as accurately as possible in the limited time that you have.       

Part B: The scoring is almost similar to Part A. The number of correct answers is your score. The thing about this part is that it’s alright to guess. There will be no penalty for wrong answers. It’s best to answer every question if possible.  

Part C: Your scoring for this part is the same as Part A. It is based on all your correct answers and minus one-third of your wrong answers. You need to code as many items as possible accurately. 

Part D: This part is different from the others, and it makes up the bulk of the exam. You need to answer honestly based on your own experiences. The scoring is based on your responses so it’s best to answer honestly rather than giving the “correct” answer. Your answers will also remain confidential. The point is to figure out whether you have the right personality, characteristics, and experiences for the job.

Virtual Entry Assessment Mail Carrier (MC)

Postal Exam 474

The Postal Exam 474 is the exam for people who want to apply for these US post office careers: City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant 1, City Carrier Assistant 2, Casual City Carrier, Rural Carrier, Rural Carrier Associate, and Assistant Rural Carrier.

What is on the USPS Postal Exam 474?

The USPS exam is divided into four sections:

Virtual Entry Assessment Mail Handler (MH)

Postal Exam 475

The Postal Exam 475 is the exam for people who want to apply for these US postal careers: Mail Handler, Mail Handler Assistant, and Casual Mail Handler.

What is on the USPS Postal Exam 475?

the USPS Exam 475 is almost the same as 474. The difference is that it a fifth section. 

Virtual Entry Assessment Mail Processor (MP)

Postal Exam 476

The Virtual Entry Assessment MP 476 is the exam for people who want to apply for these postal careers: Mail Processing Clerk, PSE Mail Processing Clerk, Casual Mail Processing Clerk, Data Conversion Operator, PSE Data Conversion Operator, and Casual Data Conversion Operator.

What is on the USPS Postal Exam 476?

The USPS Exam 476 is similar to 475.

Virtual Entry Assessment Customer Service (CS)

Postal Exam 477

The Postal Exam 477 is the exam for people who want to apply for these positions: Sales/Svcs/Distribution Associate, PSE Sales/Svcs/Distribution Associate, and Casual Sales/Svcs/Distribution Associate.

What is on the USPS Postal Exam 477?

The USPS exam is divided into five sections. The fifth one is different from the other exams.

How to apply for USPS postal exams?

Postal Jobs Guide

Step 1: The first thing you should do is the USPS exam registration. You need to register an account on the USPS website and set up your career profile.

Step 2: Search for job postings on the official website using your USPS careers login. You can see the announcements for US postal jobs now hiring. (www.usps.com/employment)

Step 3: The USPS will contact you, so you’ll have to wait for them. They will inform you of the test date, time, and location. They often tell you about it a week before the USPS exam. 

Step 4: You can take the exam based on the information given to you.

Step 5: After taking the USPS exam, you’ll have to wait for the results. The National Test Center Administration will be the one to score the test.

Step 6: Depending on whether you will pass, the USPS will get in touch with you for the interview date and time.

Step 7: If you do get hired, you’ll have to undergo a suitability assessment such as criminal conviction and employment history. 

Postal Jobs Qualification

• You must be 18 years old at the time of appointment or 16 years old with a high school diploma.
• You must be a permanent resident of the U.S. or a citizen of any U.S. territory. 
• You must submit your recent employment history.
• You must pass documents such as criminal background checks, drug screenings, and medical assessments.
• You must pass your driving records. This depends on the position you’re applying for. 
• You must also be registered with Selective Serve (if applicable).  

Postal Exam Study Guide

• You should know more about the format of the exam.

The post office exam caters to different job positions. The tests are different, and they depend on the kind of job that you would want to apply for. That is why being familiar with the format will help you a lot. You would know the topics that you should focus on and more importantly, you’ll be able to know the test type.

• You should schedule your study time.

The post office tests require your focus and time. Because of this, it is vital that you plan the topics and how you will be able to maximize your schedule. Each section of the exam is different. It is said that the majority of the applicants for the U.S. Postal Service fail because they do not know how to answer the questions for lack of preparation.

• You should make use of study guides, practice exams, and practice tests.

Preparation is needed for you to pass the exam. There is a lot of competition, so you have to get the highest scores. Only the top three scorers can be interviewed, and there won’t even be an assurance that you will get hired. What makes the exam particularly tricky is that it makes use of hypothetical questions. Thus, you should make use of USPS practice postal exams, study guides, and postal office practice tests.