• Positions Requiring Written Examinations

• 473 Exam Outline

• Examination List and Sample Tests

  • Sample 473 Exam Questions

  • Other Exams

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Positions Requiring Written Examinations

Clerk, carrier, mail handlers, and distribution associates must pass the 473 Postal Exam. Other job applicants such as mechanic, electronic technician, motor vehicle operators, machinist, clerical, and trades must also pass a written test. The overall rating is based on the test results and your qualifying work experience and education. Certain occupations, including many corporate and professionals, don't require a written test. These groups are evaluated under the Postal Service’s Rated-Application Examinations process. They are rated and hired strictly on their prior work experience, education, and how well they do on the interview.

To improve your options consider additional online educational opportunities to open more doors for you in all sectors. For education data on online degrees, or course outlines for online certification courses please visit Education Center for class details.

473 Exam Outline

The Postal Service has developed a new entrance exam titled Test 473 for Major Entry-Level Jobs. The new exam is also referred to as the 473 Battery Exam. This new exam replaces the 470 Battery Exam and covers:

Use the full length practice exams in the book Post Office Jobs and the sample exam questions available on this site to prepare for the forms checking, address checking, memory and coding Parts A, B, and C of the new exam. Part D is related to your personal work experience and unique characteristics. For example, in Part D,  you will be asked your likes and dislikes, whether you have experience in certain areas. You really can't prepare for this section, it's your personal profile and if you answer the questions honestly the Postal Service will be able to identify the job that is best suited to your characteristics. 

Part D of the 473 exam is now administered online when you first apply for a job vacancy. If you pass the exam with a score of 70 or better, you will be added to the register and ranked with all other applicants for this job vacancy. Exam results can be used to apply for other jobs for a specific time period as noted on your notification of results.

The 473 exam covers:

• City Carrier
• Mail Processing Clerks
• Mail handler
• Sales, Distribution Associate, and Services
• Rural Carrier (This group previously took the 460 exam)

Examination List & Sample Tests

• 473 Battery Exams (Sample questions for each exam section)
• Other Exams

A full length sample 473 practice exam is in the book Post Office Jobs. To locate jobs on the Postal Service's web site follow the guide that we developed on this site to help you navigate their new application process.

Direct links to the Postal Service's online exam schedules and jobs hotline phone number is available on our RESOURCES page.

The 473 Battery Examination covers the majority of entry level hiring although some offices also maintain custodial registers, which by law, are reserved for veteran preference eligibles. The USPS also tests for motor vehicle and tractor trailer registers and some highly skilled maintenance positions such as Building Equipment Mechanic, Engineman, Electronics Technician, and General Mechanic. All of the skilled maintenance positions require examination 931. A separate announcement, examination number 932, is required for Electronics Technician positions.

Click here for more information about the 473 Postal Exam.

Comprehensive sample 473 practice exams with answer keys are included in Post Office Jobs. 

You can also visit your local Library's Reference Department to review this informative book, call 1-800-782-7424 to order a copy by phone or order on-line.

Also, explore and apply for all job vacancies in the government and private sectors to improve you chance of employment. You can post your resume online at no cost to expand your job search. FREE OFFER: Click on the following banner to post your resume.