Preparing for a US Postal Service job? Here is how to tackle the exam
The US Postal Exam is very important and you must be keen when sitting for it because it’s the determinant of whether you will get employed or not. Prior preparation gives you an advantage and experience on the set of questions the service asks employment candidates.
The Postal Exam study materials available online helps you get a significant possibility of passing the exam. Before you apply for any position at the US Postal Service, these tips will help you get prepared to apply and handle the exam.
Applying for a job at US Postal Service
Before 2019, job applicants at the US Postal service used to take the 473 postal exams but after 2019, the test changed to the US Postal Exam. The new exam overshadowed all previous exams and all candidates must take the virtual assessment to get a job at the postal service.
All job applications are made online and not all applicants are invited for the exam. Each year, the postal service will have a specific number of candidates for job recruitment and if your online application goes through, you will be invited for the exam through a link.
The exam applies to different positions and the main positions tested are jobs for mail processors, mail carriers, handlers, and customer service. Applicants are tested in three main areas, which are work scenarios, personality competencies, and simple calculations.
Preparing for the test
There are different ways to prepare for the US Postal Exam and you should take each step seriously because it will significantly affect your performance and chances of landing a post office job.
Research and study
The web is full of resources that will help you get ready for the US Postal Exam. The Wonderlic samples tests are the perfect example of online resources to get high-quality sample tests and check your preparation level.
You need to prepare for Wonderlic Personnel test by setting aside a specific date to sit for the sample test. The sample test will help you get ready for the real US Postal Exam and you will have no fear setting for it.
Research and study the type of questions that are asked during the exam, the number of questions per section, pass mark targets, and the time frame given to complete the exam. Target your study at least three months before the exam so that you can take several sample exams before the due date.
Look for the latest guides
Before 2019, the US Postal exam was called Postal Exam 473 and after its name was changed, everything about the exam changed. All pre-2019 guides are no longer relevant because they were replaced by the new guidelines.
The nature of questions changed and the test is now taken virtually. You must look for the latest guide meaning the guides should be 2019 and newer. The 2021 guides are the latest and you will get the latest questions and other resources.
Do lots of practice
The US Postal Exam is different from other exams because you will be dealing with mail delivery and the most important aspect is to correctly identify addresses. You must quickly identify errors and direct the mail to the right address. Error identification is the first set of questions you will encounter.
Dome some test practice for all questions sections like the tell us your story section, describe your approach section and work scenarios section. Make sure you understand the nature of the questions in each section.
Search the postal service website
The postal service has different types of forms they use in their service delivery. Some of the forms used are bureaucratic forms and domestic claim forms. Understand how each form is filled and the purpose of each. During the exam, you might be presented with several forms that you will be required to read and interpret or to fill incorrectly.
Remember the basic test rules
You might fail the test even after spending three months preparing if you fail to observe the basic rules. The test must be submitted within 72 hours from the time you start and you must tackle every question. Each section is timed and section A is done within 11 minutes. Do not start a section until you feel you are ready.
Before the exam day, take ample rest and get ready with all the items you require like a pen, sheets of paper, some other basic stationery and laptop. You can leave it outside in your car or with your accompanying person if it is not allowed inside the test center.
