Comments on: Postal Service Exam

By: Jr

Jr — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:19:53 +0000

Thank you Denise. Just passed my Initial road next.. Now waiting for the next step

By: denise

denise — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 22:02:27 +0000

i took my test back in aug. and it seemed like forever before i got a response. i scored a 75. now i’m fixin to go take my road test. already had my interview. just be patient.

By: Jr

Jr — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:20:43 +0000

Hi all,
I just took the test today and I scored a 84. Can anyone tell me how long does it take for them to call me for an interview? and is my score good enough to get me an interview. I am living in a small town with a 65,000 population
Thank you

By: sunshine1

sunshine1 — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:47:50 +0000

I saw your post and have a question. I recently made it to the exam 804 step for a rural carrier associate position. I am in shock as it shows “ineligible” on the exam results. FYI: I was seeking re-employment with USPS having spent (5) yrs. prior as a clerk who also drove an LLV on a collection box route and delivered express, passing the LLV course in the past before I resigned. My question is how do I find out what I was marked down on so I may improve. This is so strange, not to mention the fact the examiner wanted me to start the vehicle and take off without clearing the rear window.

By: TNTN

TNTN — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:25:55 +0000

Where is the medical assessment step? And what exactly is it all about? Do they make you lift 50 or 70 lbs? Also, I read about medical history report. I am just wondering what to expect. thanks. I am on step 6 in the order which you have listed.

By: John

John — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 21:54:01 +0000

I just took the first driving test 804 I believe. I still am waiting to hear about when the second one and third will be held.

This is a tremendous amount of screwing around to work 2 shifts a month.

So far I have lost 11 hrs of work (current job)just to go take these test, About 375 miles on my vehicle to take them, and their drug test I had to take. My local hospital wasnt on their list.

Hopefully something happens soon as how much loss can I absorb for a 2 day a month job with no benefits. Not to mention how much harm could be done to my regular job taking time off to take all these test.

By: SteveInIndiana

SteveInIndiana — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:52:37 +0000

This sounds like a whole lot of work for very little money/security as a rural mail carrier associate!
Getting to work 2 days out of 28 doesn’t sound too great to me; along with getting to be essentially on-call every other day at 7am.
Really, at $18.50 hr for 8 hours + $50 for vehicle allowance; thats just a hair less than $200 per shift. This sounds fantastic, until you factor in that you only get 2 shifts every 28 days. This only adds up to just over $5,000 per YEAR if you don’t get to sub for someone.
What am I missing?
Also, there appears to be very limited upward mobility for a new RCA because they start at the very bottom of the seniority list; and everyone with just one day more experience will get first crack at a full-time carrier job.
I wonder too if the full timer carriers get to work 40-48 hours per week; or better stated 13 of 14 days per 14 day period at the $18.50/hr rate. If so, these guys rake in over $42,000 per year.

Where is the fairness in this and how can the USPS hope to get good people to “start at the bottom”?

By: Slunas

Slunas — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:57:53 +0000

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD!!!
There are NO fee’s for these tests. Actually, they will pay you to come to “work”. They will refund your gas, time spent to and from the training center, and they will pay your hourly wage. So you actually GET paid to attend these classes. I’ve had someone in my class actually get a hotel paid for (she was out of State). These courses are here to make sure your a capable safe driver. As long as you’re not sleeping away in class, and you take it completely serious, you should have no problem passing. Remember, on the skill course for the 806, they are NOT testing you for speed, don’t be afraid to take it slow around those cones, and don’t be afraid to step out of your vehicle (after properly parking it) and checking to see how close you are to your cones.

I hope this helps you guys out there, and GOOD LUCK!

This is how the hiring should TYPICALLY GO:
1. Apply online, fill out information
2. 473 Test, pass with a 70% or greater.
3. Score high enough to get an interview for the position.
4. Get offered the Job after interview.
5. Background check and Drug test.
6. 804 Exam
7. 805 Exam
8. 806 Exam
9. Carrier Academy
10. Complete (if you have passed).
I have a longer post about the exams (not the 473 though, but the 804/5/6) posted above.

By: Slunas

Slunas — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:49:59 +0000

The 804 test is the INITIAL driving test. There are some key things they look for; are you a defensive driver? Do you know the local laws? Do you signal when needed to? Check mirrors/blind spots often? The 804 IS a road test, you will be driving your personal vehicle. They have gotten a lot stricter on this test, and it can be a 50/50 chance if you’re not EXTRA cautious. Remember to signal, signal, signal. Keep both hands on the wheel. Properly park your vehicle. And always look around your surrounding. If you fail, you’re OUT.

The 805 test is the written test on the COMPUTER. It will be 50 questions, ALL multiple choice. They will spend ONE session with your class prior to this test. You may not keep the booklet until after the test so I suggest you pay attention and take notes. Its fairly simple to pass. Same as the 804, if you fail… you’re OUT.

The 806 is a mixture of the 804/805. You passed the 804 (INITIAL DRIVING TEST) and you passed the 805 (COMPUTERIZED TEST). Now you must add what you’ve learned, and use it with the LLV (LONG LIFE VEHICLE). There will be a skill course, you must back into parking spaces, you must park forward into parking spaces. You must perform “deliveries” using their mailboxes. There will be several cones around the course that you CAN NOT HIT! If for ANY reason, your LLV just even slightly TAPS the cone, you’re OUT! Same goes for fixed objects/pedestrians. There will also be parallel parking. ALWAYS PROPERLY PARK YOUR VEHICLE. DON’T forget to put the LLV in gear, curb the tire, brakes, key out and LOCK UP! Your job is to keep the mail secure, if you can not follow these rules, you will not pass it. They give you tips and training on the course. They also allow you 3 hours of training by yourself. AFTER YOU PASS THE SKILLS COURSE, you have a 45 minute drive around town/city. DO ALL WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED DURING YOUR SAFETY DRIVING COURSE (805).

If you have passed all these requirements, you will be able to work for the United States Postal Service. You will have 3 more days of Carrier Academy, and that will give you a little inside info about your job, and what you will have to do everyday at work.

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:22:19 +0000

Hi I am jus curious about the hiring process I have not been contacted yet when I go to the website it says hiring list does this mean i have not been chosen for an interview?