Congratulations! You are among the lucky few who have managed to clear the dreaded postal exam 473. With a passing rate of 10% to 20%, this is a pretty big accomplishment and you should be pretty proud of yourself. On the other hand, if you were expecting that clearing this notoriously difficult test meant that you immediately got the job you were looking for, you might in for a bit of a surprise.

The truth is that while clearing the postal exam does make you eligible for the position you are applying for, the exam is just one of steps along the way to getting the job. You still have to keep the following things into consideration that will give you a better idea of what to expect once you clear the postal exam 473.

Your Score Determines Your Eligibility

The requirements for clearing the test indicate that one must get a 70 or higher out of a 100. This could mean that any score from 70.5 and above means you cleared it. Keep in mind though that there were other applicants for this position as well and they may have scored higher than you.

A person who scored a 95 on the test will be given more priority over someone who scored a 75. Based on the score you get, you will be contacted accordingly. Since the ones with highest scores get top priority, you might have to wait a few weeks or even months before you are contacted.

Drug Test and Background Check

When they do get in touch with you, they will require a background check and also schedule you for a drug test via urinalysis. The results from this will be active for 90 days. Keep in mind that if your results come back as positive, you will be considered ineligible for the job.

If you still wish to have a job at the USPS, you will have to re-appear for the postal exam 473 and go through the process of clearing it all over again. This can take an additional 4 to 6 months or even a year.

Interview Session

Once you clear the drug test, you will be invited for an interview and an impromptu orientation session. The orientation session involves being taken to the postal job site and getting to observe and understand the duties, job environment, work conditions, dress codes, work hours and other details and responsibilities that you will be expected to comply with. A supervisor will take notes when going with you to the orientation and observe everything. They will then draw up their own recommendation of whether you should be hired or not.

Being Added to the Job List

In case you are not hired for the job you applied to, you will be kept in the U.S postal jobs hiring register. When another position opens up, they may consider you applicable for it and contact you regarding it.