what is mc(474) virtual input evaluation?
The Virtual Entry Assessment – MC (474), also known as the Postman Test, is a mandatory screening step that anyone wishing to become a postman must pass. this assessment originally had only three sections, but as of November 2021, it includes six sections.
The following mail delivery jobs are required to perform this assessment:
- urban carrier
- urban carrier assistant (cca)
- occasional urban carrier
- rural carrier
- associate of rural carrier (rca)
- rural carrier assistant
postal exam 474 is officially timeless. however, the time window to take the assessment is strict, as you only have 72 hours to complete it once you receive the email invitation.
what is included in the virtual entrance evaluation – mc (474)?
There are six sections on the 474 Postal Exam (as of November 2021): Work Scenarios, Describe Your Approach, Tell Us Your Story, What Motivates You, Move Mail, and Verify Client Information.
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let’s go through them one by one:
work scenarios
In this section, you will be presented with 18 situations that you may encounter in your daily work as a postman.
For each situation, you will have 4 options that represent a possible response to the situation. You must choose two responses: one that represents the response that you are most likely to do, and the second that represents the response that you are least likely to do.
describe your approach
This section includes 139 items and is designed to learn about your unique work style, management or teamwork habits, and occupational focus.
a tip for this part: always choose the end of each answer (“more like me”) and nothing in between.
tell us your story
This part includes 37 questions and is designed to predict your performance in a future job based on your past experience.
a tip for this part: answer this section as if it were a real interview and these are the questions you were asked.
what drives you
This new section includes 25 questions. is a motivation test that is designed to reveal what satisfies you in your workplace. each question is designed to assess the level that you relate to two different sources of motivation; therefore, you may find the same sources of motivation in multiple questions.
move mail
This 18-question section is designed to measure your ability to notice details to classify packages and letters correctly.
verify customer information
This 10-question test section measures your ability to notice details by reviewing printed information quickly and accurately.
In the test, you will be presented with information about people: their name, their old address, and their new address. In each question, you will be asked to compare 4 pieces of information and decide if they are identical or not.
see how it looks in the practice pack:
As you can see, the new 474 exam format is quite difficult. it requires a keen attention to detail and the ability to recognize the optimal answers for each behavioral and personality question.
In the 474 Practice Pack, you will find realistic practice tests for each of the sections listed above. Each practice question comes with an explanation, ensuring you know exactly what to answer on the real test.
For additional practice questions with full answers, check out our free postal exam.
Postal 474 Exam Scores: Everything You Need to Know
usps 474 approval score
the passing score for the usps 474 assessment is 70 or higher. if you score lower than that, you will receive a status of ineligible and will be allowed to retake the test only after 12 months.
what is a good score on the usps 474 exam?
a good score on the usps 474 exam is 70 or higher. however, some job openings are more competitive or seek a very small number of candidates. In these cases, the cutoff scores are high, and the applicants with the highest scores will be the first to be invited for an interview.
failure rates and mean scores
Mean scores and failure rates for the 474 postal exam are not publicly disclosed, so there is no real way to know them. That said, many previous test takers mentioned on reddit and youtube that they failed the exam. therefore, you can assume that failure rates are not low.
How long will my USPS exam score be valid?
If you have passed the exam, your USPS exam scores will remain valid for two to six years.
how to pass the usps 474 evaluation?
To pass the USPS 474 postal exam with a high score, you will need to be well prepared. Since we know behavioral questions (which are the majority on this exam) are tricky and confusing, be sure to practice plenty of USPS practice questions so you can quickly recognize the correct answer.
Also, practicing beforehand will eliminate the element of surprise in the test and help reduce test anxiety.
Now, if you want accurate exam prep, jobtestprep is the perfect match. We offer you a complete practice pack for exam 474, which includes:
- exclusive preparation for the 6 sections of the 474 postal exam (not found anywhere else on the web)
- additional practice exercises for help you rank as high as possible and put yourself at the top of the applicant list
- in-depth study guides to master the ‘tell us your story’ and ‘describe your focus'</strong
5 important tips to increase your assessment score
Practice Before You Submit Your Initial USPS Job Application
Most candidates who complete the application form on the usps careers site receive the assessment invitation, with a strict 72-hour deadline to complete it.
but what happens when the 72 hour window falls on a busy weekend or holiday?
will you risk putting it off until the last minute or even take it without any preparation?
A smart way around this is to complete a few practice questions (you can get them all from us) on your own time so you’re already fully prepared when it’s time to take the USPS test in real life.
keep track of the information you’ve already submitted
In the “tell us your story” section, you will be asked several questions about your work experience. you need to make sure your answers align with what you mentioned on your initial application form, otherwise you could fail your exam.
so while you’re at it, be sure to keep track of the information you’ve already submitted. you can do this by taking screenshots or printing your app history, whichever works best for you.
answering honestly may not be enough
Although the test instructions advise you to answer honestly and that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers, sticking to honesty alone can be problematic.
That’s because some of your values or inner truths may not match what the postal service is looking for in candidates. Instead, you’ll need to think about the qualities you can bring to the table that the USPS will appreciate and answer questions based on those.
In our complete preparation package, we’ll show you the preferred ways to answer the test questions, so you can increase your chances of passing the test.
don’t trust someone else’s answers
Don’t be tempted to copy someone else’s answers, even if they claim to have gotten a 100. The USPS may change the assessment over time or mix up the questions. therefore, to avoid being caught off guard on the test, it is better to know the solution process and not just the correct answer.
do not take the exam on your smartphone
taking the assessment with your phone can be problematic. it will be inconvenient to read the questions and you may press a wrong answer by mistake.
To be on the safe side, please use a laptop or personal computer when taking the exam.
after all, your future job is at stake.
administration
The exam is self-administered online and you have 72 hours (3 days) to complete it once you receive your email invitation.
here are several frequently asked questions about its administration, retest policies and more.
Can I retake the 474 postal exam?
If you fail the 474 postal exam and get a status of ineligible, you will be able to retake the exam only after one year. if you passed the exam and want to retake it to improve your score, you will have to wait 24 months before you can do so.
how do i redo the 474 usps assessment?
To take the 474 test again, you must first wait 12 months from your first attempt (if you didn’t pass) or 24 months (if you passed but want to improve your score). then you can apply for an open letter carrier position and retake the exam.
What else do I need to do to become a postman?
Once you have passed the 474 postal exam, you will need to complete other requirements for the job. You will be required to complete a job application form and a Form 1507 – Medical Examination Report. In addition, you will need to pass a drug test. and finally, go through an in-person interview.
Does it cost money to take the exam?
The 474 postal exam and its retakes are free.
Are you applying for other USPS jobs?
Learn more about your postal exams here:
- mail administrator (exam 475)
- mail processor (exam 476)
- customer service employee (exam 477)
About the author:
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