Gabriel, Specialist in Exam Preparation at JobTestPrep.
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Here you’ll find a free virtual entry assessment MH 475 practice test along with info 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.
You have only 72 hours to complete the test from the moment you received the invitation email.
What Does the Postal Exam 475 Consist of?
The Postal Exam 475, also named the Mail Handler Test, consists of six sections.
Here’s a breakdown of the assessment:
|
Section Name |
Questions |
|
Work Scenarios |
18 |
| Check for Errors | 3 |
| Tell Us Your Story | 40 |
| Describe Your Approach | 139 |
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.
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.
- 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.
In this free USPS 475 practice test, you’ll find example questions covering both Personality and Accuracy questions.
Accuracy - Check for Errors Practice Question
2. For each item below, select Match or Error based on the location information.
The mistakes are bold and underlined in the table below.
Did you manage to spot the matching and unmatching IDs?
Here is a useful tip 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.
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.
Work Scenarios 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.
"The Questions are simple, they cover a wide range of situations and scenarios. The best part is the detailed explanation after each test and after every question that helps you understand what is required to succeed"
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 retake 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 exam scores, 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
- Free Practice Questions for the USPS
- All Inclusive USPS Prepration
- Postal 955 Maintenance Assessment
- VEA 474 Free Practice Exam
