You’ve passed postal exam 473.
Congratulations!

You are among the lucky 10-20% of candidates who pass the exam. But don’t think that you’ve already secured a job with the USPS just because you’ve passed this exam. In fact, there are other steps to pass through as well. Not sure what to expect after you’ve passed postal exam 473? We have answers to all your questions here.

Other Eligibility Criteria to Meet

There are other eligibility criteria that you must meet if you want to be eligible for postal service jobs. Passing the exam doesn’t mean that you will get a job right away. You must meet the following eligibility criteria as well:

• You must be 18 years or older
• Must be a US citizen or a valid green card holder
• Must be able to speak, read, and understand English

The best thing is that you don’t need to meet some requirements that other federal jobs require. For example:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Prior experience of working with the USPS

In addition, any military service you may have done is also counted as experience which can help you get a job with the USPS.

The Drug Test

Once you’ve cleared the postal exam 473, you will have to undergo a drug test. You must clear this test if you wish to be employed by the USPS. You may be disqualified for employment if your drug test comes back positive.
You can also reapply for the drug test three months after the initial test. These drug tests are conducted for drugs that are termed illegal in the state. If you clear the drug test, you will move on to the next steps of the USPS hiring process.

Your Score Determines Your Placement

The total score of the postal exam 473 is 100 points, and you need to score at least 70 points to pass the test. Since a number of candidates appear for this test, many of them may score higher than you. Therefore, just because you have passed the test doesn’t mean that you will surely get a job. In fact, candidates are placed as per their score in the test.
This means that if you have scored 80 points and someone else has scored 85, they will be preferred over you. Of course, this is just one step to pass. You and all the other candidates will have to go through other hiring processes before finally being selected for any position.

Conclusion

Securing a job with the USPS is a dream come true for many. If you are applying for a postal service job, you must prepare well for the postal exams. This is your first step towards securing a job with the USPS, and you must do well in it if you wish to move on to the next step.
Remember, you can always apply for another job with the USPS if you didn’t get selected for one. A good score in the test gives you an edge over other candidates.