The United States Postal Service is America's second-largest federal employer, providing thousands of job opportunities every year. What's more, their employees enjoy handsome pay with many benefits and better working conditions.

The US postal jobs are extremely sought after and need an online assessment test, which takes place in their online portal as a requirement of the application process. This helps the agency to select only the most suitable candidates.

While there are several assessment tests, this article will only focus on how to pass USPS exam 475 in 2023. So hang on as we unpack everything you should about this and many more.

What is the USPS exam 475 in 2023?

This is one of the four postal assessment tests that were introduced in 2019 after the retirement of USPS exam 473. The US postal agency uses this exam to test people who have applied for the position of Mail handler or Mail Handling Assistant.

As opposed to other postal assessment tests, exam 475 measures cognitive abilities more than intelligence. It assesses a person’s psychometric ability to see if they fit the role of a mail handler.

The hiring panel will use the results from this test to determine if you qualify to proceed to the next hiring phase.

Since the Postal Agency receives a large amount of job application, there is usually more candidates than the positions. Passing the USPS exam 475 in 2023 is vital; with the minimum pass mark of 70 and getting a higher score is crucial to put your name at the top and boost your chances of being successful.

Although getting a higher test score is essential to being successful, it does not guarantee instant job absorption. The top three highest scores will be given the first priority to proceed to the subsequent job application processes. This is why scoring as high as possible is essential.

With adequate knowledge and preparation for the USPS exam 475 in 2023, you stand a high chance of getting a higher score. And knowing the processes of this test is an excellent place to start with.

Any entry-level position in the postal agency can lead to a lifetime career, and mail handling is a popular choice among them because it entails working with various teams within the company.

The primary duties of mail handlers include;

• Loading and unloading trucks.
• Sorting mail using manual and automated systems.
• Handing mail to various carriers.
• Preparing large batches of mail for delivery.
• Operating forklifts and various machinery.
• Ensure mails are delivered on time.

The average salary expectation of a mail handler is between $17.28 to $19.24 per hour. The variation can be attributed to the difference in experience or the current postal pay policies.

Furthermore, mail handlers are eligible for health insurance under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program after being in the service for at least one year. Most postal agency stores and post offices have mail room supervisors tasked with overseeing the efficiencies of their team, including mail handlers.

Mail handlers report to the supervisor for the assignment of their daily tasks and consult in case they are experiencing challenges, as well as receive training from them.

The process of the USPS exam 475 in 2023

To qualify for this exam, you need to apply for the job post online through the USPS website first.

Besides the different USPS virtual entry assessments, you need the following to be eligible for any position with the agency;

• Have at least 18 years or 16 years with a high school diploma.
• Pass medical and criminal checks or background checks.
• Pass the physical test, i.e., be able to lift at least a load of 70 lbs.

If your application is accepted, you'll receive a link that redirects you to the postal assessment test 475, where you are assigned 72 hours to complete the 45-minute exam. You'll have to wait for at least 12 months to retake the test if you fail to submit your answers within 72 hours.

Considering the short timeframe allowed for the test and the need to get as high marks as possible, it is extremely important to be fully prepared. And it is strongly advised to start preparing earlier or before applying for the job if you know in advance you want to start a career with the USPS.

However, if you just saw the advert and decided to apply, you should start preparations as soon as you tender your application. This is true, especially because it usually takes a few days for the postal services to process the initial application stage.

 Also, it is vital to remember that there is less amount of time to complete the test, and it does not test intelligence; it is still essential to practice seriously.

Overview of the postal exam 475.

This exam usually takes 45 minutes to finish. However, there is no one-size-fits-all time set for completing each section. As part of your preparation, it is important to know about every section and the questions contained in each.

Image alt text: USPS exam 475 in 2023. A group of applicants taking their postal assessment test.

Author credit: By KF - English Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Test.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=594188

The test is self-administered, and the answers can be accessed on the company website where it takes place. However, you can only access the answers after finishing the test. Remember, you cannot go back and change the answer once you have submitted them, so having confidence in your answers is important.

The following are the four sections of the postal exam 475;

• Work scenario.

This section contains nine questions that are either written statements or potential fictional scenarios. The section tests your understanding of the US Postal Service, i.e., knowing what the company and its customers need and your common sense.

It is advisable to read the questions several times, understand them, and provide your answer with the utmost confidence that it is what the agency requires.

• Tell us your story.

The section has 22 questions that the USPS use to know your work experience, skills, and qualifications and find out how they can be helpful to the position.

These questions will ask for the transferable skills you have from your previous roles that can be shifted to postal mail handling roles. Ensure the answers you provide in this section are aligned with whatever you state in your resume.

This is important as the panel will examine your CV for any inconsistency, which can lead to disqualification if there is any.

Revising your resume and the knowledge of its content inside out will help pass this section. Know the names of your former coworkers, employment dates, and skills acquired, among others.

This section is primarily to help the agency find out why you can be an asset to them.

• Your approach to work.

This part can always be tricky and arguably the section that applicants struggle with. With at least 79 questions, your approach to work is the longest section and checks for your personality traits if they are suitable for mail handling roles.

Exam 475 tests your aptitude ability, personality, and attitude in some cases. One of the reasons applicants find this section challenging is because they are divided on whether to answer what they think the organization wants them to or what they believe is true.

It is often advisable to answer this section with utmost truth, but it won’t hurt to research the outlook and ethos of the organization and align your answers to them. The section mixes comparative questions, scenarios, and listed options you can choose from based on the question.

• Check for errors.

This section checks the applicants' ability to review data and identify inconsistencies effectively. It is crucial to have the dates, addresses, labels, and relevant information correctly when handling mail to allow mail carriers to deliver mail to the right destinations.

Although it is slightly different from the previous sections, this part also tests your skills and personality since it tests your abilities to concentrate and pay attention to detail.

How to pass the USPS exam 475 in 2023.

After knowing what exam 475 contains and how you can prepare and qualify, it is important to find ways you can follow to ace it. The following are the steps to pass the USPS exam 475 in 2023.

• Research the USPS values and ethos.
• Practice past papers and exams.
• Learn the different formats of each section.

Conclusion

Although the USPS exam 475 in 2023 is a highly popular and competitive test, it is possible to pass it and boost your chances of getting a job with the American postal services by having a sound understanding of the company and preparing well for the assessment.

It is essential to know what is covered in every section and what the agency needs, as this will let you provide relevant answers. Follow the steps discussed above, including taking advantage of test and preparation guides, researching the postal service's ethos, and learning the different formats of each section.