In the year 2008, postal exam services began diverting their exam tests from paper and pencil to electronic exams. By 2009 after this guide was made public, almost all exam tests except postal exam 710 had been converted. Exam 710 was done by paper and pencil as of the publish date of this direction.

USPS exam 710 consists of two major sections, which are the clerical and verbal abilities section. In this article, we will unpack the details about what you expect on exam day, so get yourself a drink and read through the post.

What is USPS exam 710?

What is the postal exam 710 assessment, and why should you care about it? This exam is a test by the United States Postal Services used to evaluate entry-level candidates’ positions. It includes roles like mail handler, mail carrier, clerk, etc.

You might probably be wondering what’s so special about this exam. Well, this postal exam is a bit different from the normal exams. It is specifically designed to measure your ability to handle specific duties as a postal worker.

These duties include sorting and delivering mail, processing mail packages, and dealing with customers. For anyone dreaming of landing a job in postal services, it’s important to ace this exam and improve your chances.

Keep in mind that this exam by USPS consists of four sections which are;

• Address Checking
• Forms Completion
• Coding and Memory
• Personal Characteristics and experience

Each section has a designed role to test for a specific test and skills and abilities; therefore, you must have an initial idea. Each section is discussed below.

Understanding the USPS Exam 710 Sections

The postal exam 710 is used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to examine candidates for entry-level postal jobs. It consists of four segments described below;

• Personal Character and Experience (PCE)

This portion is used by United States Postal Services to examine your personal work experience, education, and characteristics. This section consists of 80 multiple-choice queries that cover topics such as the ability to follow set instructions, your work habit, and interpersonal skills.

This portion of the USPS exam 710 is unique since it doesn't have a time limit. Instead, it's a self-assessment tool that asks you to describe your personal experiences and characteristics.

PCE Tips and Strategies

To perform well in this section, you need to communicate your personal experiences and characteristics effectively. Here are some tips that can help;

Being honest. Personal character and experience is a self-assessment mechanism to assess your personal character and experiences. It is important to be truthful in your responses and share accurate information.

Use specific examples. While describing your personal character and experience, use specific examples to show your points. It can make your answers more memorable and compelling.

Be concise. This section of the postal exam 710 assessment doesn’t have a time limit, though it’s important to be concise in your responses. Make sure your answers are bold and clear to the point. Avoid going off-topic or rambling.

Focus on your strengths. While giving a description of your personal characteristics and experiences, try to focus on your accomplishments and strengths. Feature your skills and experiences that are relevant to the kind of job you’re applying for.

Proofread the responses. Make sure to proofread for errors and typos before submitting your responses. This ensures that your responses are professional and clear.

You can convey your personal experiences and characteristics effectively and give yourself the best chance to succeed on the exams.

• Address Checking (AC)

The address checking section is used by USPS to test your ability to compare two different addresses to determine if they’re the same or different. This section usually comprises 60 multiple-choice questions, and it’s timed at around 11 minutes.

You’ll be presented with two addresses on the screen board, and you’re required to check if they differ in zip only or code in another way. Choose the appropriate answer from the possible options and take your time to handle it.

Address Checking Tips and Strategies

The trick to performing well on AC is to work accurately and quickly. Below are some tips and strategies that can help;

a)Use process of elimination. In case you’re not sure which answer is correct or not, use the elimination process to narrow down your options. Do away with wrong answers and focus on the remaining options.

b)Practice, practice, and practice. You need to practice as much as possible to get faster and more accurate addresses. Practice tests and use sample questions to improve your skills and get used to the timing and format of this section.

c)Proper management of time. You have 11 minutes to complete 60 questions making it so crucial. Ensure you’re working at a steady pace and not taking much time on a single question.

d)Stay focused. Avoid divided attention and stay focused on the task. Maintain your concentration throughout the process to minimize errors and maximize your accuracy.

e)Don’t second guess. Move on to the next question once you’ve chosen an answer, and don’t second guess yourself. Trust in your instincts.

By preparing and using the tips mentioned above and strategies, you can improve your performance on your postal exam 710 address-checking section.

• Forms Completion (FC)

Forms completion tests your ability to use information from a set of given guidelines to complete a form accurately, and it's used to access candidates for entry-level postal jobs. This section comprises 30 multiple choices, and it's timed at around 15 minutes.

Image alt text: USPS exam 710. Postal exams delivery trucks in front of the exam center.

Author credit: By GK tramrunner RU - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122292142

You’ll be given a set of guidelines and a form that you need to complete based on those instructions. Follow the instructions precisely and complete the form correctly.

Forms Completion Tips and Tricks

To perform well in this section, you need to understand instructions and use them quickly and accurately to complete the form. Here are some tips and tricks;

a)Use scratch paper. In case there is any mathematics involved, use scratch paper to handle your calculations. This can help you avoid errors and ensure your response are accurate.

b)Follow the instructions carefully. Make sure you read the instruction carefully before you start filling out the form. Pay attention to every single detail and requirement that may be needed on the form.

c)Practice filling out forms. Improve your performance in this section by filling out different types of forms. Familiarize yourself with the sample forms and instructions and improve your speed and accuracy.

d)Time management. Remember you only have 15 minutes to complete 30 questions, so time is definitely very crucial. Don’t spend too much time on one question if you’re stuck. Continue to the next question and come back to it later when you have time.

e)Cross-check your work. Go back and double-check your work after filling out the form. Ensure you've filled in all the required fields and that your answers are legible and accurate.

By following these tips and tricks, you will improve your performance and give yourself the best opportunity to succeed on the postal exam 710 assessment test.

• Coding and Memory (CM)

The coding and memory section is used to test your ability to code and decode addresses and other postal information and also your memory skills. It has 90 multiple-choice queries, and it’s normally timed at 30 minutes.

You’ll be given set codes and their corresponding locations. Memorize these codes, and their locations, then answer the questions that test your ability to match given codes with their corresponding locations.

CM Tips and Tricks

To complete the coding and memory section of portal exam 710 by United States Postal Services (USPS), you need to memorize codes and march them accurately to their locations. Below are a few tips and tricks for this section;

a.Use sample quizzes and practice tests. Use sample questions and take practice tests to know the format and requirements. This will improve your performance in the code and memory section. Do this as many times as possible to improve your speed and accuracy.

b.Implement memorization techniques. Use different methods to improve your memory and memorize the code as fast as possible. You can, for example, use visual imagery, repeat the codes, or create mnemonic devices for yourself.

c.Focus on accuracy. This section is timed, and therefore it’s important to focus on the accuracy to speed. Match the codes with the relevant locations and make sure to minimize mistakes.

d.Stay calm. This section of portal exam 710 might be the most stressful, but it’s important to stay focused and calm. Take a deep breath as you relax your mind and give each question a different approach with a clear head.

e.Use elimination process. Narrow down your options when you're not sure which answers are correct. Eliminate all answers that are definitely wrong and shift your focus to the remaining choices.

By applying these tips and tricks, you will eventually improve your performance and stand a chance to pass the exam.

Note that Postal exam 710 is a timed test, and therefore, you are required to manage your time properly to complete all the sections within the allocated time. Make adequate preparation for the exam by reviewing sample questions and practicing the tests. This can make you become familiar with the exam 710 test format and improve your accuracy and speed.

Tips for studying and preparing

It’s crucial you understand that postal exam 710 is designed to assess your capability to perform specific duties as a postal worker. Keep this in mind prepare for the exam.

• Know the exam format

The first thing to do while preparing for this exam is to understand the exam format. Make the four sections familiar to you, and the types of questions asked, and even the time allocated for each of the four sections. This helps you identify which section should be your priority.

• Practice with sample test

Practicing with sample tests is the best way to prepare for postal exam 710. You can purchase the guides with practice tests or find free practice tests online. Ensure you’ve timed yourself while handling the tests to get a sense of how much time you have per question.

• Focus on your weakness

Give priority to the type of questions or sections that you're struggling to handle the most. Focus on improving in those areas by practicing more or studying relevant materials; you can as well seek help from study groups or tutors.

• Use study guides

Studying guides can be helpful while preparing for the postal exam. Seek the guide that covers all four sections of the exam with examples and explanations of the type of questions asked.

• Utilize additional resources

There are additional resources that are available to help you in preparation for this postal exam. They include; tutoring services, study groups, and online forums. Get tips from other test-takers to get additional help for specific sections.

By giving the exam these approaches, you’ll definitely be on your to success. So, try not to let the exam stress out. Stay focused.

Common challenges and how to overcome them

1. Time management. Time management is one of the biggest challenges, but to overcome this challenge, you need to keep practicing with sample tests as you time yourself.

2. Memorization. Memorizing every detail quickly and accurately is important though it proves to be difficult for a few individuals. Try to use memorization techniques like visualization and acronyms to overcome this challenge.

3. Attention details. Paying attention is another common challenge, and overcoming it needs you to read the task guidelines multiple times before beginning the task and also double your answers before moving to the next questions.

4 Stress and anxiety. This is a major challenge while taking postal exam 710, and it can be dealt with by having enough sleep and eating well, as well as taking breaks to recharge and relax.

Wrapping it up

In conclusion, the postal exam is a challenging test that requires a lot of study and preparation to succeed. On the test day, take a deep breath and stay focused on your preparation and hard work. You’ll eventually pass your USPS exam 710 and begin your career as a United States Postal Service employee. Good Luck!