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

FAQs

What exam is required for USPS? ›

Most entry-level Postal Service jobs require you to pass the Virtual Entry Assessment (VEA). These exams include: VIRTUAL ENTRY ASSESSMENT – MC (474) for Mail Carrier jobs. VIRTUAL ENTRY ASSESSMENT – MH (475) for Mail Handler jobs.

Both the application and any exams are free – if you see any websites that are charging a fee they are not legitimate and should be reported to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The Postal Exam became an extremely difficult hurdle for USPS applicants when it was updated in 2023. Only 10-20% of applicants pass the exam's passing grade of 70% and go on to receive a job offer. Failing the Postal Exam isn't just a matter of not getting that one job and being able to apply for other USPS positions.

After completing the background check and drug screening, candidates who meet the requirements receive a conditional job offer. This offer is contingent upon successfully meeting any additional requirements, such as medical exams or driving record checks.

Postal Exam Scores - Important Information

There are three essential things to know about what is considered a good score in the USPS exams: You must pass it with a score of 70 and above. Failing to meet the minimal score will result in an ineligible status and you'll be allowed to retest only after 12 months.

At that test site, a proctor will sign you in, verify your identity, and provide you with instructions to take the assessment. Most of our un-proctored assessments are given online, using the computer. The proctored assessment may be given using a computer, or may be given using paper booklets and answer sheets.

Certain employees must wear prescribed uniforms in performing their duties. These employees are entitled to the following: A uniform allowance to purchase authorized uniform items; or. To be provided uniforms that meet Postal Service specifications.

The US Postal Service® does not charge for employment information. Job vacancy information may be found at www.usps.com/employment or click on “Careers” at the bottom of the www.usps.com home page.

From the date and time that the email invitation is sent, you will have three days (72 hours) to complete the VEA. The VEA generally takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. Start the test as soon as possible after receiving the email invitation.

What happens if you fail the USPS exam? ›

Candidates who do not receive a passing score are considered ineligible on a particular assessment. You may still apply to other jobs that require a different assessment. Candidates who do not complete the assessment within the time allowed are also listed as ineligible.

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.

So, what does all this mean in terms of the score you need to get a job? Postal exams 474, 475, 476 & 477 are used to fill over 95% of all entry level jobs. The highest possible score on these exams is 100, and 70 is passing. Putting this altogether, you need a score as close to 100 as you can possibly manage.

USPS positions are not traditional federal jobs since the USPS is not a federal agency (it is considered a quasi-government agency). There are more than 30,000 USPS facilitate across the country, 500,000+ employees, and good benefits such as health insurance, good pay, and a pension plan.

With a workforce of more than 635,000, USPS is one of the nation's largest employers with ongoing attrition needs. And combined with the ongoing nationwide challenges faced by most employers, we are hiring for the holidays -- and beyond.

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.

It is mandatory that all applicants for career, temporary, or casual employment undergo a medical assessment before job placement. Employees who are converted to positions with different physical requirements than their present positions may first undergo a medical assessment.

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.

On this page, you'll find a Free USPS Practice Test with sample questions and answers selected from our complete USPS Assessment Prep Course, which you can use to familiarize yourself with the most relevant postal exam test questions.