US Postal Exam: 470 and 473 Battery Test U.S. Postal Service

Battery 473
Battery 473 combines measures of familiar favorites such as address checking, and coding and memory, with measures of other job-related behaviors such as identifying information needed to complete forms and demonstrating service orientation, conscientiousness and interpersonal skills.

Test 473 requires a minimum score of 70. Acceptable test scores range from 70 to 100 and are called the basic rating. Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 requirements may add points to the basic rating. If points are added, the basic rating is called the final rating.

A passing score on test 473 qualifies you to continue in the hiring process but does not guarantee employment with the Postal Service. If you qualify, Your name is listed on an entrance register - a resource to help the postal service consider applicants for vacant positions. Your name appears on the register with other applicants who passed the test.

By law, disabled veterans with passing scores are listed at the top of the register ahead of other applicants who passed the exam. All other veterans' preference applicants and nonpreference applicants are listed in descending order of their final ratings (with veterans' preference points added, if applicable). Veterans' preference applicants are listed ahead of nonpreference applicants with the same final rating.

The Postal Service must ensure the public's trust and confidence by maintaining the security and reliability of the mail. The public has the right to expect the Postal Service to maintain the privacy of the mail. Postal Service employees have the right to expect a safe environment in which to work. Thus, Postal Service employees must have integrity and be honest, trustworthy, reliable, and courteous.

Contents of entry-level battery 473

Part A
Address Checking
60 items
11 min.
Determine whether two addresses are the same.

Part B
Forms Completion
30 items
15 min.
Identify information for correctly completing forms.

Part C
Section 1 - Coding
36 items
6 min.
Identify the correct code to assign for an address.

Part C
Section 2 - Memory
36 items
7 min.
Memorize codes to be assigned to a range of addresses.

Part D
Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory
236 items
90 min.
Tendencies toward job-related characteristics and experience.

Test Instructions
During the test session, it will be your responsibility to pay close attention to what the examiner has to say and to follow all instructions. One of the purposes of the test is to see how quickly and accurately you can work. Therefore, each part of the test will be carefully timed. You will not START until being told to do so. Also, when you are told to STOP, you must immediately STOP answering the questions. When you are told to work on a particular part of the examination, regardless of which part, you are to work on that part ONLY. If you finish a part before time is called, you may review your answers for that part, but you will not go on or back to any other part. Failure to follow ANY directions given to you by the examiner may be grounds for disqualification. Instructions read by the examiner are intended to ensure that each applicant has the same fair and objective opportunity to compete in the examination.

Address Checking
Address checking questions are probably the easiest questions on the exam. You will be given a list of correct addresses and a list of the same addresses, some of which will have minor errors. If the two addresses are alike, you will select “A” on your answer sheet; if they are different, you will select “D.”

This section has 95 questions.  Each question consists of 2 addresses.  You will be given 6 minutes to compare these and mark your answer sheet.  To get your score on this section subtract the number of wrong answers from the number of correct answers.  The result is your score.*

Tip 1-Speed
Practice at a higher rate of speed than your normal comfort level.  This will increase your pace by the time of the exam.  Your ability and tolerance for speed will increase after repeated practice.  Remember to keep the accuracy ratio high.  You must be fast but accurate.

Tip 2-Preparation is an Advantage
Unlike others you will be prepared and know what is coming throughout the testing period.  This should give you a level of comfort and confidence that will help you achieve a higher score.

Tip 3-Check answers if Time Allows
If you finish early check your answers.  Make sure that the answer for #4 is marked on the answer sheet as #4.  Check any addresses that you were unsure of.

Tip 4-Do Not Guess on this Section
Remember wrong answers will count against you in the scoring procedure.  Your score will be reduced if you guess incorrectly.

Forms Completion

Completing Tasks
Part B of test 473 consists of 30 items to be completed in 15 minutes. This is a test of your ability to identify information needed to complete forms similar to those used by the Postal Service. You will be shown several forms on this test, along with several items about what information is required to complete each form. Each part of the form is labeled (for example, 7 and 7a).

Scoring Answers
Your score for Part B of test 473 is based on the number of items that you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing on this part of the test. It is generally to your advantage to respond to each item, even if you have to guess.

Reducing Errors
Here are suggestions to help you reduce errors on Part B of test 473:
Study each form carefully - Each of the forms in this test part is different and calls for different information in the various sections. You should take time to study the forms carefully before responding to the items to be sure that you know what information is desired.
Consider answering items you know and answer other items later.
If you return to an item, take extreme care to make sure that you are marking the correct answer on your answer sheet. It is easy to lose your place and darken the wrong circle. As time permits, go back and attempt to answer the more difficult items. If you have narrowed a difficult item down to one or two choices, you may want to make an educated guess.

Forms Completion Sample Questions
Look at the sample form and questions shown below. Please study the form and complete the sample questions.
Mark your answers in the Answer Grid.

Sample Form

S1. Where should the last name be entered on this form? a. Box 1 b. Box 2 c. Box 3 d. Box 4
S2. Which of these is a correct entry for Line 7a? a. $62.30 b. 2005 c. August d. 70455

sample answer grids one has the following shaded answers: s1.a s2.c
In the Sample Form, Box 1 is labeled 'Last Name'.
Therefore, the correct answer for Sample Question 1 is 'A. Box 1'. In the Sample
Form, Line 7a asks for a month, and August is the only month among the answer choices. Therefore, the correct answer for Sample Question 2 is 'C. April'. Notice that the Completed Sample Answer Grid on the right side of the page shows the correct responses filled in.

Completing Exercise 2, Forms Completion
Give yourself 7 minutes to complete this exercise. While this test part is designed to allow sufficient time to read and review each form, it is important to practice responding to the items within a reasonable time period.
Read each form and answer the items based upon the information provided.

Exercise 2: Forms Completion

Sample Form 1

1. Where would you enter the sender's address? c. Box 3a d. Box 3b
2. Which of these would be a correct entry for Box 2? a. A check mark b. '11-12-04' c. '4' d. 'Renae Smith'
3. You could enter a date in each of the following boxes EXCEPT which? c. Line 5a d. Line 7c
4. Which of these would be a correct entry for Line 7d? a. 'PO Box 454 Robert, LA 70455' b. A check c. '03/15/05.' d. '10:00 a.m.'
5. Where would you indicate that the customer must pick up the item at the Post Office? a. Box 43a b. Box 5a c. Box 6b d. Box 7b
6. Which of these would be a correct entry for Box 3a? a. 'Lydia Traylor' b. 'A check mark' c. '5453 Essen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70809' d. '$5.08'

7. How would you indicate that there are two boxes to be delivered? a. Enter '2' in Line 5a b. Enter
'2' in Line 5b c. Enter
'2' in Line 5c d. Enter '2' in Line 5d

Sample Form 2
Mass Mailing Receipt

8. Luke Strait holds the mass mailing permit. Where would you indicate this? a. Box 3 b. Box 4 c. Box 5 d. Box 6
9. Where would you indicate that 75,000 pieces were sent? b. Box 8 c. Line 7a d. Line 10
10. How would you indicate that the processing category is 'Automation Flats'? a. Put a check mark in Box 7a b. Put a check mark in Box 7b c. Put a check mark in Box 7c d. Put a check mark in Box 7d
11. The total paid was $407.59. Where would you indicate this? a. Box 6 b. Line 9a c. Box 10 d. Line 11
12. Which of these would be a correct entry for Box 5? a. '111 Lake Front Drive Miramar Beach FL 32550' b. 'Berry Town Candies' c. '2/10/04' d. A check mark
13. Which of these would be a correct entry for Box 10? a. '30454' b. '901-866-5243' c. '30' d. '70005-6320'
14. The Post Office ZIP Code is 77706. Where would you indicate this? d. Box 9
15. A number would be a correct entry for every box EXCEPT which? c. Box 8

Forms Completion Answer Key
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. D
6. A
7. D
8. B
9. B
10. C
11. D
12. A
13. C
14. B
15. B