Postal Exam 710 - Free Practice Test and Exam Guide
The USPS 710 is a proctored Clerical Abilities exam required for Clerk, Secretary, and Assistant positions at the U.S. Postal Service. It contains 140 questions across 7 sections in 57 minutes of timed testing, divided into two segments. The Clerical Abilities segment covers Sequencing, Comparisons, Spelling, and Math. The Verbal Abilities segment covers Following Written Instructions, Grammar and Punctuation, and Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. Each section is timed separately, and the minimum passing score is 70. Candidates who pass may be invited to a separate keyboarding test.
On this page you will find free sample questions for every section of the Postal 710 exam - so you know exactly what to expect before exam day. When you are ready to move from practice to full preparation, JobTestPrep's 710 PrepPack gives you an interactive guide, 2 full timed simulations, and 38 targeted prep tests covering all 7 sections, plus a keyboarding simulation for candidates who advance past the initial assessment.
What is the USPS 710 Clerical Abilities Exam?
The USPS 710 - also known as the Clerical Battery - is the mandatory screening exam for clerical, administrative, and office-based positions at the U.S. Postal Service, including Clerk, Secretary, and Assistant roles. It is a proctored exam taken in person at a PSI test center.
The exam contains 140 questions across 7 sections, each timed separately, with 57 minutes of total testing time. It is divided into two segments - Clerical Abilities and Verbal Abilities - and you must score at least 70 to pass. Candidates who pass the initial assessment may then be invited to a separate keyboarding test, which evaluates typing speed and accuracy.
The 7 sections you will face are:
- Clerical Abilities segment: Sequencing, Comparisons, Spelling, Math
- Verbal Abilities segment: Following Written Instructions, Grammar and Punctuation, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension
Below you will find free sample questions with explanations for each section. When you are ready to move beyond samples, the USPS 710 full prep course gives you full timed simulations and targeted practice tests for every section.
Key Skills Assessed in the USPS 710 Exam
The USPS 710 Exam evaluates a range of important clerical skills, including:
- Sequencing: Ability to arrange information logically and correctly.
- Attention to Detail: Skill in comparing data accurately and recognizing small differences.
- Grammar and Spelling: Proficiency in language and accuracy in written communication.
- Basic Math: Competency in fundamental arithmetic for handling office-related calculations.
Postal Exam 710 Practice Test
1. Clerical Abilities Sample Questions
The Clerical Abilities segment assesses general abilities essential for clerical positions. It covers four sections: Sequencing, Comparisons, Spelling, and Mathematics. The sample questions below reflect the format and skill level of the real exam.
2. Verbal Abilities Sample Questions
The Verbal Abilities segment covers three sections: Following Written Instructions, Grammar and Punctuation, and Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. The sample questions below are designed to reflect the skills and difficulty level of the real exam. Note that while the Following Written Instructions questions are identical in format to the actual test, the Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension questions are not - but they do practice the same underlying skills the exam measures.
You will receive a "Look-Up Table," which includes five letters on the top row and the numbers 1-10 on the left-side column, and each row includes the letters A-E. The "Look-Up Table" is the same for all questions in the section. Each question will include short verbal instructions, sometimes accompanied by a sequence of numbers/letters/words. Follow the instructions carefully to find a letter-number combination, and look for the intersection of said letter and number. The letter (A-E) in the cell you found is the response to the question.
Follow the instructions below, and choose the correct answer according to this look-up table:
Look again at the list of letters in question three. Find the letter that appears only twice. Write the letter you found, its last corresponding position in number, and choose the resulting letter from the table: I J I K I M I L J
Each question will include four different versions of a similar sentence. The sentence should be constructed formally - as to a formal letter or report. Choose the most formal sentence, structured appropriately to grammar, usage, and punctuation.
The first questions are Vocabulary questions, where you must choose a given word's correct meaning (it will be provided within a sentence). The following questions are Reading Comprehension questions, where you will receive a short paragraph and a consequent question regarding the paragraph's content. You must choose the correct answer according to the given test.
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals known for their social behavior. They use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the ocean. Studies have shown that dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors, an ability associated with self-awareness.
This paragraph best supports the statement that dolphins...
3. Keyboarding Practice
Candidates who pass the USPS 710 initial assessment may be invited to a separate keyboarding test. The test measures your typing speed and accuracy within a set time limit. Minimum speed requirements are set by the hiring facility and typically range from 15 to 50 WPM (4,500-15,000 KPH) - aim to be consistently above 35 WPM to give yourself a comfortable margin.
The simulation works as follows: you select a text passage and a time duration, then type the passage as accurately and quickly as you can. Live feedback shows your errors in real time as you type. When the time is up - or when you click Stop - your results are displayed.
The video below shows the simulation in action. To practice with the full interactive keyboarding simulation, including 36 text passages across 7 categories and customizable timing, visit the USPS 710 PrepPack.
The simulation works as follows: you select a text passage and a time duration, then type the passage as accurately and quickly as you can. Live feedback shows your errors in real time as you type. When the time is up - or when you click Stop - your results are displayed.
The video below shows the simulation in action. To practice with the full interactive keyboarding simulation, including 36 text passages across 7 categories and customizable timing, visit the <a href="https://www.jobtestprep.com/usps-e
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Ready to Take It Further?
The sample questions above give you a feel for the format and skills the USPS 710 tests. But there is a significant difference between answering a few untimed samples at home and sitting at a PSI test center with each section timed separately - some as tight as 2 minutes for 20 questions. That pressure changes everything.
The best way to close that gap is to practice under real exam conditions before exam day. JobTestPrep's USPS 710 PrepPack replicates the exact timed format of the real exam - section by section, pressure and all - so there are no surprises on test day.
What Is a USPS Clerk, Secretary, or Assistant?
USPS Clerk, Secretary, and Assistant roles cover a range of administrative and office-based positions across postal facilities and offices nationwide. Depending on the specific role, day-to-day work can include serving customers at a post office window, processing and sorting mail using automated equipment, handling data entry and records, or providing administrative support to USPS operations. These are primarily indoor roles with regular interaction with colleagues and, in customer-facing positions, with the public.
Training - New hires go through on-the-job training covering postal procedures, equipment operation, customer service standards, and administrative systems. Training combines instruction with supervised practice and varies in length depending on the specific position.
Location - Positions are available across USPS facilities and offices nationwide. Assignment depends on where openings exist at the time of hiring, not on candidate preference.
Hours - Hours vary significantly by role and facility. Processing and sorting positions often involve overnight or early morning shifts. Customer-facing window roles typically align with post office operating hours. Overtime is common during peak periods.
Salary - Entry-level PSE clerks start at $21.44-$22.00 per hour under the APWU 2024-2027 National Agreement. Career employees can earn between $45,000 and $72,000 annually depending on grade, step, and years of service.
Benefits - Career employees receive one of the most comprehensive federal benefits packages available:
- Health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program - most of the premium paid by USPS
- Dental and vision through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
- Defined benefit pension through the federal retirement program
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% employer matching
- Basic life insurance fully paid by USPS through the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program
- Social Security and Medicare coverage
USPS 710 Exam FAQs
The USPS hiring process timeline can vary depending on the position and location, but it typically takes several weeks to a few months. The process includes application review, assessment tests (if required), interviews, background checks, and drug screenings. USPS encourages candidates to monitor their emails regularly, as timely responses can help keep the process moving forward.
You sit at a computer terminal at a PSI test center. The test is entirely computer-administered - instructions, timing, and submission are all handled on screen. Each of the 7 sections loads separately with its own countdown timer. Once a section ends you cannot go back. You are not allowed to bring notes, phones, or any personal items into the testing room. Scratch paper and a pencil are provided.
No calculator is allowed. The official USPS Assessment Information Package confirms that only scratch paper and a pencil are permitted during the exam.
The good news is that the math itself is not advanced. The section covers basic arithmetic only - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There are no algebra, fractions, percentages, or word problems. Each question gives you four numerical answer options plus "None of the above" as a fifth option, so you need to calculate accurately rather than estimate.
The math itself is not advanced. The challenge is speed. You have 8 minutes for 15 questions, which gives you just over 30 seconds per question - enough time if you are comfortable doing mental arithmetic quickly, but tight if you need to work through every calculation on paper. Regular practice without a calculator before exam day is the most effective way to build the speed and accuracy the section requires.
The minimum passing score is 70. Candidates who pass are ranked by score, so the higher you score the stronger your position in the hiring pool. Aiming well above 70 - not just at it - gives you a meaningful advantage.
Exams 720, 725, and 730 are part of the same Clerical Battery as the 710. They share identical content, the same 7 sections, and the same format. The only difference is the exam number assigned to your application, which varies based on the specific clerical role you applied for. Everything on this page - and the full USPS 710 PrepPack - prepares you equally for all four exam numbers.
Most candidates benefit from one to two weeks of focused preparation - enough time to work through the sample questions for each section, identify weak areas, and practice under timed conditions. Candidates who struggle most with the exam are those who rely on untimed practice only. The keyboarding test, if you are invited to take it, requires separate practice and can be started once you feel confident on the core assessment.
Passing candidates are ranked by score and placed on an eligibility register for the clerical positions they applied for. Higher scores move you up the list. Candidates who score well may then be contacted for a background check, drug screening, and in some cases a separate keyboarding test. The timeline from passing to a job offer varies by location and how many positions are open.
Yes - but you must wait until your Retest Eligibility Date, which is shown on your Notice of Result after the exam. You can log into your eCareer profile to check the date. In the meantime you can apply to other positions requiring a different exam.
In a USPS interview, you can expect questions about your work experience, customer service abilities, and how you handle specific scenarios. To prepare, review common interview questions for the role, be ready to discuss examples from your experience, and demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Practicing answers to situational questions can also be helpful.
If you are looking for other exams, or are not sure which test is relevant for your position, check out our Civil Service practice test questions or contact us, and we'll do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming exam.
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