The postal exam, explained
Most entry-level postal jobs are filled through an online Virtual Entry Assessment (Exams 474, 475, 476 and 477); maintenance and custodial jobs use their own exams. These guides cover what each section asks, the two deadlines that cost applicants a year, how scores are used, and free practice in the real section styles.
PostalPath is an independent company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the United States Postal Service. Applying for USPS jobs is free at usps.com. Applying and taking the assessment are free.
Section types and rules
- Work Situations on the postal exam: what it asks and how to answer
What the Work Situations (formerly Work Scenarios) section on postal Exams 474–477 asks, how to pick the most and least likely response, and a free practice item with our reasoning.
- Checking for Accuracy on the postal exam: the one section with right answers
How the Checking for Accuracy (Check for Errors) section on postal Exams 475 and 476 works, the three traps it uses, and a free practice pair.
- Tell Us Your Story: the work-history section of the postal exam
What the Tell Us Your Story section on postal Exams 474–477 asks about your work history, how to prepare in ten minutes, and why honest answers are the strategy.
- Describe Your Work Style and What Motivates You: the paired-statement sections
How the Describe Your Work Style and What Motivates You sections on postal Exams 474–477 work (choose which of two statements is more like you), and why honesty beats strategy.
- The 72-hour window and the one-year rule: the two postal exam deadlines that cost applicants a year
How the 72-hour invitation window on postal Exams 474–477 works, what happens if you miss it, and the one-year wait after a failed Virtual Entry Assessment.
- Got your postal exam invitation email? What it is and what to do first
Who sends the postal Virtual Entry Assessment invitation (the official testing vendor), why it lands in spam, what's in it, the 72-hour clock, and what to do if it never arrives.
- Failed the postal exam? What the one-year rule really means, and what you can do now
If you don't pass a postal Virtual Entry Assessment, you can't retake that same exam for a year, but other exams stay open. How it works, examples, and how 955 and 960 retests differ.
- Exam 474 Work Situations practice: 6 carrier questions with answers explained
Six original Exam 474 (Mail Carrier) Work Situations practice questions with most/least likely answers and the reasoning for every option. Free, no account needed.
- Exam 475 Checking for Accuracy: free 12-pair timed drill
A free timed Checking for Accuracy drill for postal Exam 475 (Mail Handler): 12 number pairs, Match or Error, scored instantly with where each error hides.
- Exam 477 Work Your Register practice: 8 make-change problems with answers
Free make-change practice for postal Exam 477 (customer service / window clerk): 8 problems, enter the change due, then see the fewest bills and coins.
Guides by exam
- Exam 474: Mail Carrier
City Carrier Assistant (CCA), Rural Carrier Associate (RCA), Assistant Rural Carrier (ARC)
- Exam 475: Mail Handler
Mail Handler Assistant (MHA), Mail Handler
- Exam 476: Mail Processing
PSE Mail Processing Clerk, Mail Processing Clerk
- Exam 477: Customer Service
PSE Sales & Services/Distribution Associate (SSDA), Sales & Services Associate (career)
- Exam 955: Maintenance
Maintenance Mechanic, Mail Processing Equipment Mechanic, Electronic Technician, Building Equipment Mechanic, Area Maintenance Technician, Building Maintenance Custodian
- Exam 960: Custodian
Laborer Custodial, Custodian, Group Leader Custodial