Each practice test question includes full answers and explanations
- 15 Checking for Accuracy Tests
- 'What Motivates You' Test + Guide
- 2 Work Situation Tests
- 'Tell Us Your Story' Test + Guide
- 'Describe Your Approach' Test + Guide
- USPS Professional Profile Guide
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Here you’ll find a free virtual entry assessment MH 475 practice test along with information on the format and score of the exam. Let’s begin
What Is the Virtual Entry Assessment MH 475?
The Virtual Entry Assessment MH 475 is an exam that anyone who wishes to become a USPS Mail Handler has to pass. It is one of the four new USPS assessments used since April 2019, following the retirement of the old 473 USPS Postal Exam. As of October 2021, two new sections were added to the assessment.
The test consists of a Behavioral section, a 'Check for Accuracy' Section, and a Personality section.
You have only 72 hours to complete the test from the moment you received the invitation email.
Interested in finding out whether you have the necessary skills to pass the exam with flying colors? Here are some free postal exam 475 practice test questions you can try.
Free USPS 475 Practice Test
In this free USPS 475 practice test, you’ll find example questions covering both Personality and Accuracy questions.
Note: Press the green button below the first practice question and a second question will appear.
Accuracy - Check for Errors Practice Question
1. For each item below, select Match or Error based on the location information.
The mistakes are bold and underlined in the table below.
Accuracy - Move the Mail Practice Question
2. Envelopes are sorted into mailboxes according to the house number on the envelope. Packages are sorted into boxes according to the last three digits of the package ZIP code.
Sort the envelope or package into the correct mailbox or box.
Choose the correct answer from the following options:
Work Situation Practice Question
3. You are doing a big task that is urgent. One of your colleagues proposes a work method that will shorten the time, but you think it may be unsafe.
From the following options, what would you be most and least likely to do?
A. Don’t change your method since it might be unsafe. Inform your supervisor if you see that you'll have a delay with finishing the task.
B. Share your thoughts with the colleague and explain why you think it might be unsafe. Make sure she doesn’t endanger herself.
C. Give the colleague's idea a try, but resume with your previous method if it seems unsafe.
D. Consult with your supervisor. He may have an idea of how to do the job safely.
Most likely: C
Least likely: A
There are two contradicting values in this question: meeting deadlines and working safely. Safety should always be your top priority; however, in the presented situation, you are not 100% sure that the suggested method is unsafe, and therefore it is something you should probe.
Let’s review each answer separately.
Option A: This response is careful, maybe even too careful. It shows that you are not flexible and cannot adjust to situations like those in which you must deal with a lot of work quickly. In such a situation, fixation might harm your performance, while being open to new ideas can progress you.
Option B: This response is very caring and careful, but it does not help you achieve your goal of completing the task.
Option C: This response is both flexible and careful. Before trying your colleague's idea, you only think that it might be unsafe, but you don’t know for sure. Trying it sounds like a perfect solution – if it turns out to be unsafe, you won't use it, but if it turns out to be just fine, you will be able to complete the big task much faster. This kind of behavior shows you are open to change and have a flexible working style. In addition, it shows your judgment skills, as you are only testing the idea to judge it yourself later.
Option D: This response is also active but currently irrelevant. You are expected to use your own judgment and critical thinking. Besides, you already have two possible methods, so it is more reasonable to choose one and not waste more expensive time consulting.
What Motivates You Practice Question
4. I'd like to work where..
A. There is a clear definition of my role and responsibilities.
B. I am not likely to sit around and do nothing.
There's a clear definition of my role and responsibilities - INFLEXIBILITY
I am not likely to sit around and do nothing – AMBITION & WORKLOAD.
Given USPS's preference for ambitious and engaged employees, we advise selecting the statement that aligns with these values. The other statement indicates that you are unwilling to accept new tasks and extra responsibilities, making you inflexible. Flexibility is a necessary trait in USPS; therefore, we don’t recommend choosing the statement dealing with INFLEXIBILITY.
What Motivates You (AKA 'What Drives You') is a motivation test that is designed to reveal what fulfills you in the workplace. Each question is meant to assess the level you relate to two different sources of motivation; therefore, you may encounter the same sources in various questions.
JobTestPrep includes a detailed guide and practice test that will help you understand the 'drivers;' behind the 'what drives you' test.
USPS 475 Assessment Answers
- Answer 1 - Match, Error, Match, Error.
- Answer 2 - Mailbox 661.
- Answer 3 - Most likely option C. Least Likely option A.
- Answer 4 - Option B Ambition.
JobTestPrep's practice questions are designed to help you familiarize yourself with every question type that appears on the real exam.
Moreover, the solutions to the questions (provided in the pack) will help you understand the logic behind each question and enable you to choose the best answer every time.
What Does the Postal Exam 475 Consist Of?
The Postal Exam 475, (AKA the Mail Handler Test), consists of six sections split into 3 main categories.
Here’s a full breakdown of the assessment:
Behavioral Section
- Work Situations - This section asks you to react to job-related situations. You’ll be presented with job-related situations and four options. For each situation, you are asked to choose the option you are most likely to take and the option you are least likely to take.
'Check for Accuracy' Section
- Check for Errors – In this part, you'll need to verify information accuracy between tables.
- Move the Mail - This test is designed to measure your ability to notice details to sort packages and letters correctly. In every question, you will be provided with an address written on an envelope or a package, and then requested to sort the envelope/package to the relevant mailbox/box, according to specific rules.
Personality
- What Motivates You - This is a motivation test that is designed to reveal what fulfills you in your workplace. Each question is meant to assess the level you relate to two different sources of motivation.
- Tell Us Your Story - In this Biodata questionnaire, you'll answer questions about your background and work experiences.
- Describe Your Approach - This personality test is intended to assess your unique work style, teamwork and management habits, and occupational approach.
Passing the Postal Exam 475
The passing score for the Virtual Entry Assessment - MH (475) for mail handlers, as with all the USPS VEA exams, is quite high.
It is essential to achieve a minimum score of 70 out of 100 points to advance to the subsequent hiring phase. Failure to meet this threshold will result in disqualification, with a one-year waiting period before being eligible to reattempt the test.
In addition to the passing score, there’s another crucial point to consider:
The USPS ranks each of its candidates based on their score, and these rankings affect how fast you're going to get an interview.
In short, it means that a candidate who scored 80 will be placed ahead of someone who got 70, and the former will likely get invited for an interview much faster.
To surpass the minimal passing score, you have to master every question type on the test, including tricky personality and Work Situation questions.
FAQs
Postal Exams 474, 475, 476 477 What’s the Difference?
The USPS built different exams for different service providers, here are the main differences:
- Postal exam 474 is an assessment exam for mail carriers.
- Postal exam 475 is an assessment exam for mail handlers.
- Postal exam 476 is an assessment exam for mail processing.
- Postal exam 477 is an assessment exam for customer service clerks.
What Does a Mail Handler Do?
Mail Handlers are responsible for activities such as moving mail and packages to and from sorting machines, onto conveyor belts, and on and off trucks. Some Mail Handlers are trained to operate large machines or may earn special certification as forklift operators.
What Is the Difference Between a Mail Handler Exam and A Mail Handler Assistant Exam?
The mail handler assessment test is the same for Mail Handlers and Mail Handler Assistants. The exam is offered at various locations throughout the country with an initial application required in advance.
What Is a Good Score on the USPS Assessment 475?
The passing score for the USPS Virtual Entry Assessment 475 is 70, and any score above that is considered good. Yet, the higher your USPS 475 assessment score, the higher your chances to get an interview invitation as soon as possible.
How Do You Become a USPS Mail Handler?
To become a Mail Handler at USPS, you must be 18 years old, have a U.S. citizenship, pass the Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475), and go through a background check. Additionally, you must be able to handle mail and parcels weighing up to 70 pounds.
What is the postal exam 475 study guide?
The postal exam 475 study guide also called the Virtual Entry Assessment (VEA)
Candidate Guide is a PDF created by USPS to help candidates learn more about exam requirements, format, and scores.
Press the following link to see the guide.
Helpful Links
- Postal Exam 474 for Mail Carriers
- Postal Exam 476 for Mail Processors
- Postal Exam 477 for Customer Service Clerks
- Free USPS practice test
If you are looking for a different test, or are not sure which test is relevant for your position, please contact us at c.serv@jobtestprep.com and we will do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming assessment.
