Exam 473 / 473-C

This is the biggie … the most popular Postal exam … the exam used to fill over 90% of all fulltime Post Office jobs! Postal exam 473 is used to fill all Processing, Distribution, Delivery, and Retail career positions … the vast majority of all fulltime jobs.

This is a new exam launched December 2004 to replace old exam 470. Applicants must be very cautious when preparing for this exam or shopping for a study guide. There are very few accurate study guides available for this new test. And, since new exam 473 and old exam 470 have such similar names, it would be very easy to end up with an obsolete guide.

The test is called the 473 exam when it is given to fill all entry level Processing, Distribution, Delivery, and Retail jobs. However, the City Carrier position is the Postal job in highest demand, so this test is occasionally given just to fill that one job classification. When the test is given just to fill City Carrier jobs, it is called the 473-C exam. Either way, the exam content is identical. The only thing different is the name they call it.

The scheduling package sent to Postal exam applicants states: "You will not be expected to be able to answer all the questions in the time allowed." This statement accurately portrays the speed demanded, but it misleads some applicants into believing that not answering all the questions is acceptable. Nothing could be further from the truth! You simply cannot achieve your highest possible score - the score you need to get a job within a reasonable period of time - without capturing every possible point by correctly answering every possible question within the limited time allowed.

Like most Postal exams, Exam 473/473-C is offered on an as-needed basis.

The twin 473 and 473-C exams consist of the below four parts.

What's on the exam?

Part A – Address Checking has 60 questions. Each question is a pair of items consisting of an address (street/P.O. Box, city, and state) and a ZIP code. You are given 11 minutes to compare the items and answer “A” if they are exactly alike, “B” if they are different and the difference is in the address, “C” if they are different and the difference is in the ZIP code, or “D” if they are different and the difference is in both the address and the ZIP code. Considering the detailed comparisons to be made, the speed demanded on this section can be quite challenging for many applicants.

In Part B – Forms Completion, you are shown various forms used by the Postal Service and asked questions about how they should be completed. You are given 15 minutes to answer 30 multiple-choice questions. The answer choices are A, B, C, or D. If you were already an experienced Postal employee, this task would probably be much easier. But, since you’ve never seen any of these forms and never even heard of many of the items on the forms, it becomes most difficult for most applicants.

Part C – Coding and Memory consists of two sections. For both sections, you are shown a chart of delivery routes (A, B, C, and D) and various address ranges that fit within the delivery routes.

In Part D – Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory you are given 90 minutes to answer 236 multiple-choice questions. These questions assess your personal characteristics, tendencies, and/or experiences related to performing effectively as a Postal employee. For instance, one question might state something like “I would rather be closely managed than be allowed to manage my own time.” For a question like this, the answer choices might be (A) Strongly Agree, (B) Agree, (C) Disagree, or (D) Strongly Disagree. Other questions might be statements about actions when you lose your temper, and the answer choices might be (A) Very Often, (B) Often, (C) Sometimes, or (D) Rarely. Basically, this part of the exam provides a psychological profile of your personality.

How to Prepare for Postal Exam 473/473-C
Four elements are needed to achieve your highest possible score: (1) knowledge of exam content; (2) effective test-taking strategies; (3) a quantity of authentic practice tests; and (4) extensive practice to master the necessary skills and speed. An up-to-date and effective study guide is essential for success (in the sidebar of this page).

 


Pathfinder Distributing, Inc.
1-800-748-1819

Sitemap | Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions
Copyright 2007 Pathfinder Distributing, Inc.

Upgrades and CDs

Already got one of our study guides? Want to assure your highest possible score? Upgrade with our test prep CD's & other accessories.
Learn more »