If you want to join the United States Postal Service, you need to pass the Postal Exam.Most people don't pass the exam in a given session if they have never taken it before.Staying calm and pacing yourself during the test is one of the ways you can successfully study for the exam.
Step 1: It's a good idea to start studying several months in advance.
If you fail the postal exam, you'll want to study as much as possible.You should create a studying schedule well in advance and stick to it until the day before your exam.If you've taken the exam before and failed, it's a good idea to focus most of your study efforts on the areas that were hard to get through the first try.
Step 2: There is an up-to-date study guide.
You should use every possible advantage to counter the difficulty of the postal exam because you may be able to develop the proper test-taking skills and strategies on your own.A recent study guide for exam 473E has study strategies, information on exam content, and lots of practice exams.Books for the postal exam can be found in many bookstores and online retailers.Practice exams are included in your study guide.The format of the postal exam can be intimidating for many people, and experiencing it in a stress-free environment will help you be less intimidated.
Step 3: Determine the differences between addresses quickly.
The first part of the exam will ask you to determine if two addresses are the same.It's a good idea to compare similar addresses to see if they have any discrepancies.You might be asked to determine if the two roads are different.The questions in Part A will ask you if the two addresses have the same street addresses, zip codes, or both.You will only have 10 seconds to answer each question in Part A, so train yourself to spot the differences between addresses.
Step 4: The forms used by the Postal Service are familiar to you.
Several questions about USPS forms will be shown to you in Part B of the exam.You may feel overwhelmed if you've never seen forms like these before.It's a good idea to study postal forms and how to fill them in.If you want to understand what type of information is asked for on USPS forms, look over the Domestic Claim or Registered Mail Inquiry form.Complicated wording is the most difficult aspect of these questions.Practice reading forms to understand how to input information.Get used to looking at the fine print.
Step 5: You can train yourself to memorize delivery routes.
The hardest part of the exam is Part C, where you're asked to memorize the address range for various delivery routes and then sort addresses into their proper routes.Improve your recall and memorize skills to best this section.Since mail routes are combinations of numbers and letters, you could try visualization.For example, if the 400 block of Jackson Boulevard was marked as Route A, you could say that 400 Jacksons is a lot of people.A delivery route may include a separate route for 400-699 Johnson Ave.Remember names and numbers correctly.If an address has a spelling mistake, it needs to be marked as undeliverable rather than categorized in the route it seems to belong to.
Step 6: There are steps you can take to improve concentration.
The postal exam will throw a lot of questions at you in a short amount of time, so it will help to have a good sense of concentration.You can improve your focus by doing daily activities in the months leading up to the exam.You should spend at least 30 minutes a day reading.Don't allow your mind to wander and only focus on reading during that 30 minutes.Don't distract yourself while you're reading.Try meditating to improve your concentration skills.
Step 7: You have to show up on time for the exam.
You should not attempt to study on the day of the test.You don't have to arrive late to the testing center if you get a full night's sleep the night before.It will take you 2 hours to take the test, and you should eat a breakfast that will give you enough energy.
Step 8: Stay calm during the exam.
The test has a reputation for being difficult, but remind yourself that you have studied very specifically for the exam and are well equipped to pass it.Don't let the exam distract you as you take it, keep your mind focused on the questions.Concentration and remembering are required in order to answer questions correctly on the exam.
Step 9: For each section, pace yourself accordingly.
You have to pace yourself in order to answer as many questions correctly as possible in the postal exam.Don't get hung up on individual questions, just spend a small amount of time on each one, then move on.You can answer 60 questions in 11 minutes, meaning you'll have 10 seconds for each question.30 seconds are given for each question, and you're allowed 15 minutes to answer them.36 questions are included in each section of Part C.
Step 10: You should be willing to guess in Part B.
There is no penalty for wrong answers in Part B.Your overall score for this section is based on all your correct answers.If you're stumped by a question in Part B, make an educated guess and then move on to the next question.13 of the questions are subtracted from your score.In these sections, accuracy is more important.
Step 11: In Part D, answer questions quickly and honestly.
Part D of the postal exam looks at your personality, characteristics, and experiences as they relate to the job of working for the U.S.The postal service.Don't feel stressed because there are no right or wrong answers in this section, answer each question honestly and in the allotted time.Don't try to answer the questions based on what the Postal Service wants you to say.If you answer misleadingly, you may end up in a position that isn't right for you.There are 236 questions in Part D and you have 90 minutes to answer them.The questions in Part D are wide-ranging, and can include questions like "Do you like to work independently?", or "What type of activities do you enjoy the most?"