USPS Postal Exam Scores - What You Need to Know

Hiring is based exclusively on exam scores.

The most important thing you need to know is that your exam score means everything. Hiring is based exclusively on exam scores. After all the exam results collected for a job posting, a job offer is sent to only one applicant, the one with the highest score.

What is the highest possible score?

The highest possible score is 100.

What is a passing score?

The passing score is 70. If you score below 70, you do not get a numerical result. You are simply ranked as ineligible.

What is the failure rate on Postal exams?

The most popular tests ― exams 474, 475, 476, and 477 ― are used to fill over 95% of all entry level jobs. These exams carry 80-90% failure rates.

When and where can I see my score?

Your score is available immediately after taking the exam. To see your score, log into your eCareer Candidate Profile on the USPS website. Click SHOW ROADMAP, and then click the ASSESSMENTS button where your score can be found.

What score do you need to get a job?

To get a job, you need a score of 100 or as close to that as possible.

What if I get a high score but not good enough to get a job offer?

A job offer is sent to only one applicant, the one with the highest exam score. If the person with the highest score fails to meet Postal employment qualifications, the applicant with the second highest score will receive a job offer. And so on. But it takes weeks for the Postal Service to go through the qualification process. So, if you have a really good score, even if it's not the highest score, you may eventually receive a job offer.

How do I know where my score ranks? Is it one of the highest scores?

You will never know how your score ranks. They do not share that information. Your score may rank well if you score close to 100, but you will never know anything for sure.

When can I retake an exam if I fail?

If you fail, you must wait one year to retake the exam.

When can I retake an exam if I pass but don't score high enough to get a job?

If you pass but do not score high enough to get a job, you must wait two years to retake the exam.

How do they score the exams?

The Postal Service will not release their scoring formulas to the public. But we do know that they score their most popular tests ― exams 474, 475, 476, and 477 ― by using your answers to create a profile of you. Then they compare your profile to their theoretical profile for an ideal employee. The closer your profile matches their theoretical profile, the higher your score.

How can I prepare for the exam?

Since hiring is based exclusively on exam scores, test preparation is essential. To successfully prepare, you need to know what questions are on the exam, what the answers choices are, and which answer choices will match their theoretical profile. And that is exactly what our test prep guide does for you. The questions and answer choices in our ultra-realistic practice tests are the actual questions and answer choices from the real exams. And we share with you which answer choices are proven to match their ideal profile.