Exclusive Prep That Matches the New Exam Format
Each practice test has full answers & explanations:
- Work Scenarios: 2 practice tests
- Check for Errors: 5 practice tests + 4 extra drills
- Move the Mail: 3 practice tests
- What Drives You: 1 practice test + guide
- Tell Us Your story: 1 practice test + guide
- Describe Your Approach: 1 practice test, 9 extra drills, 2 guides
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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 exam. As of October 2021, two new sections were added to the assessment.
You have only 72 hours to complete the test from the moment you received the invitation email.
Watch this short video to get some useful tips and insights on the test:
What Does the Postal Exam 475 Consist of?
The Postal Exam 475, also named the Mail Handler Test, consists of six sections.
Two of the sections are brand new and were added only in late 2021. JobTestPrep is the only site that offers accurate practice for these additional new sections.
Here’s a breakdown of the assessment:
|
Section Name |
Number of Questions |
|
Work Scenarios |
18 |
| Check for Errors | 3 |
| Move the Mail | 18 |
| What Drives You | 25 |
| Tell Us Your Story | 40 |
| Describe Your Approach | 139 |
Let’s expand on each of the test sections a little bit:
- Work Situations – In this section, you'll get a feel for the types of situations regularly encountered by Mail Handlers and choose how you would respond to them.
- Check for Errors – In this part, you'll get to verify information in a manner similar to what is done on the job.
- Move the Mail: Measures your ability to notice details to sort packages and letters correctly.
- What Drives You: 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 section, which is a Biodata questionnaire, you'll answer questions about your background and work experiences.
- Describe Your Approach – A personality test designed to assess your unique work style, teamwork and management habits, and occupational approach.
Virtual Entry Assessment MH 475 Sample Question
The following is a Check for Errors sample question (taken from the complete PrepPack™). Give it a try:
For each item, decide if it's Match or Error based on the location information.
| Original ID | Computer ID | |
| Location A | 96380273 | 96830273 |
| Location B | 63984201 | 63984201 |
| Location C | 68326741 | 68326741 |
| Location D | 96357514 | 96367514 |
- Location A - Match/Error
- Location B - Match/Error
- Location C - Match/Error
- Location D - Match/Error
Did you manage to spot the matching and unmatching IDs?
Here are some useful tips to help you answer such questions quickly and accurately.
Since long sequences of numbers are hard to remember, we recommend that you “break up” each sequence when comparing it to the other. Try comparing the first two to four digits first, then the next two to four digits, and so on.
For example, if the sequence is 12345678, only look at 1234 first and compare it to the first four digits of the other sequence. If you find a digit that is not identical between them, mark Error, and move on to the next pair.
If the first four digits are identical, move on and compare the next four in the sequence. Don’t feel weird to mouth or even verbalize the digits when comparing the pairs – hearing the sounds can help you spot the differences between the sequences.
How to Pass the Postal Exam 475 (and Get an Interview ASAP)?
The passing score for the Mail Handler Exam, as with all the USPS VAE exams, is quite high.
You have to score at least 70 out of 100 points to move to the next hiring stage. If you fail to reach this score, you’ll immediately get an ineligible status. The result is disqualification from retaking the test for a full year.
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 one is 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 situational judgment test (SJT) questions.
Here’s an example of a 'Work Scenarios' question that highly resembles questions you’ll face on the real USPS 475 Exam:
A new coworker is assigned to the station next to yours. You can see that he is making a number of mistakes and falling behind.
What would you be most and least likely to do?
1. Suggest that he reach out to his supervisor and request more training.
2. Take note of specific mistakes he is making and offer him pointers on how he could be more accurate.
3. Avoid getting involved. His supervisor will be around to check soon and will offer additional training if needed.
4. Offer to take a portion of his work until he catches up to speed. You have more experience and can get a lot more done than he can.
These 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.
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Virtual Entry Assessment MH 475 FAQ
What Is a Mail Handler VEA?
The Mail Handler VEA is the Virtual Entry Assessment - MH (475) for Mail Handlers and is one of the four new exams the USPS uses since April 2019. Each VEA applies to a different set of USPS roles, when the MH 475 is used to screen candidates for various Mail Handler positions.
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.
Is It Hard Being a Mail Handler?
The Mail Handler role is very physical and requires you to be on your feet for the entire shift. As a Mail Handler, you'll move packages and bags of mail that could weigh up to 70 pounds, and push carts weighing up to 1500 pounds. Additionally, the work can be fast-paced, stressful, and repetitive, with tight deadlines especially during busy mailing seasons.
What Is a Good Score on the USPS Assessment 475?
The passing score for the USPS Virtual Entry Assessment 475 is a 70, and any score above that is considered good. Yet, the higher you 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.
