2025 Edition

Postal Service Practice Test

Take this free practice test to see how prepared you are for the United States Postal Service Virtual Entry Assessment for the Postal Exams 474, 475, 476 and 477 for mail carriers, mail handlers, mail processors and customer service postal clerks. The test covers such subjects as Work Situations, Describe Your Work Style, Tell Us Your Story, Check for Errors and What Motivates You. Please note, Describe Your Work Style,Tell Us Your Story and What Motivates You are used by the Postal Service like a personality test to understand the test-taker and do not have right or wrong answers. We provide correct answer suggestions for Work Situations, based on character traits considered by the US Postal Service.

To score high and improve your chances to get the job, use this 800 question U.S. Postal Service Practice Exam.

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Work Situations

1.	One of the customers on your route moved to a different unit at the same apartment complex. You know he has moved but you have not received a change of address yet. He flags you down one day and wants to know why he is not getting his mail. What would you most likely do?
		a. Inform him that until you receive a change of address, you cannot deliver to the new address.
		b. Tell him that you have bundled the undeliverable mail and you are holding it at your case at the station until you receive the change of address which is postal service policy.
		c. Tell him his mail is at the station and you will bring it all to him tomorrow but if he has not submitted a change of address, he should do so now.
		d. Give him a change of address card that you keep in your truck and tell him he must submit it soon or they will send his mail back to the sender after a certain time.
By providing the customer with a change of address card and explaining why it needs to be submitted, you show empathy, understanding, and concern for the customer's situation. You demonstrate your willingness to help the customer resolve his issue efficiently and prevent further mail delivery issues. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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2.	One of the customers on your route moved to a different unit at the same apartment complex. You know he has moved but you have not received a change of address yet. He flags you down one day and wants to know why he is not getting his mail. What would you least likely do?
		a. Inform him that until you receive a change of address, you cannot deliver to the new address.
		b. Tell him that you have bundled the undeliverable mail and you are holding it at your case at the station until you receive the change of address which is postal service policy.
		c. Tell him his mail is at the station and you will bring it all to him tomorrow but if he has not submitted a change of address, he should do so now.
		d. Give him a change of address card that you keep in your truck and tell him he must submit it soon or they will send his mail back to the sender after a certain time.
You're telling the customer you cannot deliver to the new address without explaining why; it is not helpful and comes off unfriendly. This response lacks a positive mindset and social interaction skills that are important for maintaining good customer relations. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	It is time for your break, but there is still so much mail to process. What would you most likely do?
		a. Go to break.
		b. Stay to process the mail and miss your break.
		c. Tell your supervisor that it is your break time in case she wants to have someone work the mail while you are gone.
		d. Ask your supervisor what she wants you to do.
This response shows responsibility and communication skills. You have ensured that the supervisor is aware of the situation and allows management to decide how to handle the workload, maintaining a balance between following rules and addressing the current workload. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

4.	It is time for your break, but there is still so much mail to process. What would you least likely do?
		a. Go to break.
		b. Stay to process the mail and miss your break.
		c. Tell your supervisor that it is your break time in case she wants to have someone work the mail while you are gone.
		d. Ask your supervisor what she wants you to do.
Skipping breaks leads to burnout and will reduce overall productivity. It also demonstrates a lack of adherence to workplace policies that are in place to secure your well-being. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5.	You find a stamped letter on the ground next to the mail box that appears to be outgoing mail. The flag on the mail box is up. What would you most likely do?
		a. Leave the letter on the ground, as its outside the scope of your responsibility.
		b. Put the letter back in the mail box and leave the flag up to let the owner know the mail was not picked up, so she can examine it.
		c. Pick up the letter and process it as if it was posted to be mailed.
		d. Knock on the mail box owner's door and ask if it is her mail.
By treating the letter as outgoing mail, you uphold the integrity of the postal service and ensure that the letter is mailed. It demonstrates conscientiousness and a commitment to completing tasks. You also show a proactive approach to resolving the situation promptly. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

6.	You find a stamped letter on the ground next to the mail box that appears to be outgoing mail. The flag on the mail box is up. What would you least likely do?
		a. Leave the letter on the ground, as its outside the scope of your responsibility.
		b. Put the letter back in the mail box and leave the flag up to let the owner know the mail was not picked up, so she can examine it.
		c. Pick up the letter and process it as if it was posted to be mailed.
		d. Knock on the mail box owner's door and ask if it is her mail.
This action demonstrates a lack of responsibility and neglect of postal service duties. Ignoring the letter disregards the importance of mail security and can lead to the loss of correspondence. It also undermines the integrity and reliability expected from the postal service. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

7.	You are manually casing mail and you hear two co-workers gossiping about another co-worker who is close enough to hear them. What would you most likely do?
		a. Quietly tell the two gossiping co-workers that the person they are talking about can hear them.
		b. Mind your own business and keep it to yourself.
		c. Join the conversation and try to change the subject.
		d. Later tell the person that was being talked about that those two people gossip about everyone and not to let it bother her.
When you quietly tell the two gossiping co-workers that the person they are talking about can hear them, you demonstrate empathy towards the person being talked about. You show concern and conscientiousness in upholding a respectful work environment. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	You are manually casing mail and you hear two co-workers gossiping about another co-worker who is close enough to hear them. What would you least likely do?
		a. Quietly tell the two gossiping co-workers that the person they are talking about can hear them.
		b. Mind your own business and keep it to yourself.
		c. Join the conversation and try to change the subject.
		d. Later tell the person that was being talked about that those two people gossip about everyone and not to let it bother her.
Joining the conversation may be interpreted by the person who is the subject of the gossip as taking part in the gossip. It has a risk of not showing empathy and contributing to the gossiping atmosphere, potentially harming co-worker relationships. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	A container of mail from your machine has been taken to the dock to be loaded on a truck, and you realize you may have put a tub of mail in it which does not belong there. This means that it could go to the wrong postal station. What would you most likely do?
		a. Leave your station and run to the dock to see if the truck has left to fix your mistake.
		b. Ask your supervisor if you can run to the dock to see if you can rectify the mistake.
		c. Tell your supervisor what you suspect and ask if she can call the dock to find out if the truck is still there.
		d. There is no need to do anything. No one will know it was you that made the mistake.
You demonstrate conscientiousness and responsibility by promptly informing a supervisor about the potential mistake. You are actively trying to correct errors through proper channels, ensuring the correct mail handling and maintaining service standards. Here, you show commitment to following rules and taking responsibility for actions. Option C is a faster, more structured approach to resolving the issue than B because you are correcting any potential disruption in mail operations. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

10.	A container of mail from your machine has been taken to the dock to be loaded on a truck, and you realize you may have put a tub of mail in it which does not belong there. This means that it could go to the wrong postal station. What would you least likely do?
		a. Leave your station and run to the dock to see if the truck has left to fix your mistake.
		b. Ask your supervisor if you can run to the dock to see if you can rectify the mistake.
		c. Tell your supervisor what you suspect and ask if she can call the dock to find out if the truck is still there.
		d. There is no need to do anything. No one will know it was you that made the mistake.
Failing to act reflects a lack of integrity and trustworthiness. It disregards the potential consequences of the mistake on service delivery and customer satisfaction. It does not align with the values of responsibility and accountability expected in the postal service. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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11.	Two co-workers get into a heated argument on the workroom floor. One of them is a friend of yours. What would you most likely do?
		a. Take your friend's side and join the argument.
		b. Get a supervisor in case punches are thrown.
		c. You are there to do your job, so you avoid the situation.
		d. Approach the two and ask them to calm down.
You help de-escalate the situation by approaching the two individuals and asking them to calm down. This demonstrates empathy and team player qualities. Addressing the conflict directly and constructively shows you are r committed to maintaining a positive productive work environment. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12.	Two co-workers get into a heated argument on the workroom floor. One of them is a friend of yours. What would you least likely do?
		a. Take your friend's side and join the argument.
		b. Get a supervisor in case punches are thrown.
		c. You are there to do your job, so you avoid the situation.
		d. Approach the two and ask them to calm down.
Joining the argument and taking your friend's side would undermine your role as a team player and demonstrate a lack of conscientiousness. Such an action could escalate the situation further by showing poor judgment and a failure to uphold the integrity and professionalism expected in the postal service. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

13.	A customer wants to buy a book of stamps. After you scan the bar code on the book of stamps, and inform the customer of the cost, she tells you that she does not have enough money to pay for it. What would you most likely do?
		a. Cancel the transaction and call the next customer.
		b. Give her the money she needs to pay for it.
		c. Offer to sell her fewer stamps that are within the price of the amount of money she has.
		d. Give her the stamps and ask her to drop the money off later.
Option C would demonstrate problem-solving skills as well as empathy by meeting the customer's budget, allowing for a positive customer experience, and adhering to the postal service's rules and regulations. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14.	A customer wants to buy a book of stamps. After you scan the bar code on the book of stamps, and inform the customer of the cost, she tells you that she does not have enough money to pay for it. What would you least likely do?
		a. Cancel the transaction and call the next customer.
		b. Give her the money she needs to pay for it.
		c. Offer to sell her fewer stamps that are within the price of the amount of money she has.
		d. Give her the stamps and ask her to drop the money off later.
Option B is not advisable. While it is empathetic to want to help the customer, it can create unreasonable expectations for the customer and other customers and put you in a situation to lose your money. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15.	A customer complains to you about another clerk saying that the clerk was rude and uninformative. What would you most likely do?
		a. Apologize to the customer for the clerk's behavior and ask how you can assist her.
		b. Tell the customer that she must have been mistaken because the clerk is a nice person.
		c. Tell the clerk about the complaint and leave it at that.
		d. Tell the supervisor about the clerk's behavior.
When you apologize to the customer for the clerk's behavior and ask how to assist her, you display empathy and take responsibility for resolving the issue constructively. You show conscientiousness in addressing customer concerns promptly and positively. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

16.	A customer complains to you about another clerk saying that the clerk was rude and uninformative. What would you least likely do?
		a. Apologize to the customer for the clerk's behavior and ask how you can assist her.
		b. Tell the customer that she must have been mistaken because the clerk is a nice person.
		c. Tell the clerk about the complaint and leave it at that.
		d. Tell the supervisor about the clerk's behavior.
Taking the clerk's side would be dismissive of the customer's complaint, and would fail to address the issue or offer a resolution. It would not demonstrate empathy towards customers' feelings or taking responsibility for improving customer service. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17.	A customer presents a package in an old box with multiple addresses on it. It is not clear which is the delivery address and which is the sender's address. What would you most likely do?
		a. Offer the customer a marker to indicate the delivery address and sender address.
		b. Ask the customer to identify the delivery and return addresses and mark them yourself.
		c. Reject the package for not being in a condition to mail.
		d. Accept the package as is using the most distant address to calculate the postage.
Offering the customer a marker to indicate the delivery address and sender address, would show problem-solving skills and assist the customer in resolving the issue immediately. Option A is better than B because you would allow the customer to take responsibility and correct the address themselves. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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18.	A customer presents a package in an old box with multiple addresses on it. It is not clear which is the delivery address and which is the sender's address. What would you least likely do?
		a. Offer the customer a marker to indicate the delivery address and sender address.
		b. Ask the customer to identify the delivery and return addresses and mark them yourself.
		c. Reject the package for not being in a condition to mail.
		d. Accept the package as is using the most distant address to calculate the postage.
Rejecting the package would inconvenience the customer and show a lack of problem-solving skills. Such actions would not align with the positive customer service practices expected in the postal service. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Tell Us Your Story

19.	How many jobs have you left involuntarily in the past 5 years?
		a. 0
		b. 1
		c. 2 - 5
		d. Over 5
		e. Not applicable - this is my first job
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20.	Have you ever received discipline for being tardy?
		a. Yes
		b. No
		c. Not applicable - this is my first job
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

21.	What is the shortest time before you got a raise after you were hired at any of your former workplaces?
		a. Less than 6 months.
		b. 6 months to 1-year
		c. 2 - 3 years
		d. 4 - 5 years
		e. Not applicable - this is my first job
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

22.	How many times have you received discipline for not following rules?
		a. 0
		b. 1 - 2
		c. 3 - 4
		d. Over 5
		e. Not applicable - this is my first job
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

23.	How would your most recent supervisor rate your judgment or ability to make well-reasoned decisions?
		a. Excellent
		b. Good
		c. Average
		d. Poor
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

24.	If you had supervisory responsibilities at your most recent job, how would your supervisor rate your ability to help employees develop their skills?
		a. Excellent
		b. Good
		c. Fair
		d. Poor
		e. I did not have supervisory responsibilities.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Describe Your Work Style

25.	Which choice is most like you?
		a. I prefer to decide on a plan and stick to it.
		b. I like to be spontaneous.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

26.	Which choice is most like you?
		a. I usually go with the flow.
		b. I am my own boss.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

27.	Which choice is most like you?
		a. I like to hear different perspectives when making decisions.
		b. I prefer to decide matters for myself.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

28.	Which choice is most like you?
		a. I am a careful person.
		b. Taking risks is necessary to be efficient.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

29.	Which choice is most like you?
		a. I like to work fast.
		b. A slower pace allows me to check my work.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

What Motivates You

30.	I prefer a job where:
		a. I have to work quickly.
		b. I can set my own pace.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

31.	In work, I am motivated by:
		a. Competition with my peers.
		b. A relaxed atmosphere.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

32.	I prefer a job where:
		a. There is a set plan for me to follow.
		b. I can be creative.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

33.	In work, I am motivated by:
		a. A chance to make my own decisions.
		b. A leader telling me what to do.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

34.	I prefer a job where:
		a. I can make a lot of money at an entry level.
		b. I can get promoted with more responsibility.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Check for Errors

35.

Original Printed
09688432 09688432

a. Match

b. Error

36.

Original Printed
58490321 58470321

a. Match

b. Error

37.

Original Printed
47308653 47306653

a. Match

b. Error

38.

Original Printed
89765431 89765437

a. Match

b. Error

39.

Original Printed
66599017 66599017

a. Match

b. Error

40.

Original Printed
78754754 78754754

a. Match

b. Error

Quality starts with who wrote the material.

Our practice exam writer

Written by:
Mary Cowser,
Former Supervisor and
US Postal Service Expert

Mary worked for the U.S. Postal Service for fifteen years and is now a professional writer with a focus on postal service educational materials. She started out as a postal clerk and worked her way up through the ranks to become a supervisor of two different departments, the Customer Service Department and the Processing and Distribution Department. As a departmental supervisor, she was responsible for training postal service personnel. She has taken three postal service exams in her career and scored a passing grade on all of them. Having been there herself, starting as an entry level employee, and working her way up, she knows what it takes to get hired and promoted.

Our Practice Tests cover the Virtual Entry Assessment:
- Describe Your Work Style
- Work Situations
- Check for Errors
- Tell Us Your Story
- What Motivates You

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