How to Prepare for the Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test

You are probably wondering what the connection is between memory techniques and certifications. Well, this should be a no-brainer; employees consider good memory a useful trait in achieving optimum productivity.

If you want to memorize information properly, you have to apply some memory trick or mnemonic. For example, if someone wanted you to memorize the names of all 50 states in alphabetical order, the odds are you would have a challenging time. But if someone told you your license plate had all the state names, the chances are that list wouldn’t be so hard to remember.

If you are interested in a career as a postal worker, you may be wondering how to pass the Postal Exam 473 or Basic Mail Skills Test. This post will show you everything you need to know so that you can succeed on this test and ultimately join the USPS team.

Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test: What is It?

The USPS exam 473 is a computerized test that evaluates the applicant’s ability to sort and process mail accurately. The memory test is designed to test your short term memory skills. It also provides questions for you to answer by choosing the right answer or typing in the correct answer on the keyboard.

For this test, you will be given a series of codes to remember when completing various tasks--such as delivering mail to specific addresses or understanding codes when sorting letters. The tasks become increasingly difficult as you progress through the test. Therefore, to pass the exam, you must move quickly and retain as much information as you can.

Many people are disappointed to realize that the Postal Exam 473 is not about memorizing Zip codes or state abbreviations--as rumour has it. The test will evaluate your memory for many things, including:

  • Number sequencing
  • Addresses
  • Maps

The Postal Exam 473 is not an easy test by any means. In fact, it's one of the most challenging tests that you'll come across during your job search process.

However, if you go into this with confidence and know what to expect, you'll be able to pass the test with ease and start your new career sooner rather than later!

The 5 Sections to Anticipate in Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test

The 473 exam is one of the most important exams for postal workers. If you have applied to become a mail carrier, you must pass the 473 exams.

The following are the five sections to anticipate in test 473:

  • Personal Characteristics & Experience Inventory Section

Each question in this section requires in-depth concentration. You have 90 minutes to answer 150 questions. If you fail this section, you automatically fail the entire test and will not be invited to take the remaining sections of the exam.

This part of the test is self-administered. You can take it just about anywhere provided you have a computer and an internet connection.

  • Address Checking Section

The 60-question Address Checking section of the Postal Exam 473 tests your ability to spot differences and errors in various sets of addresses. Candidates have 11 minutes to complete this part and 1-2 seconds to respond to each question.

You are to compare the addresses and determine if there is anything different about them, such as the name of the city, the street number (and accompanying apartment number), or the ZIP code.

  • Forms Completion Section

The 30-question, 15-minute "Forms Completion Section" of Postal Exam 473 presents actual Postal forms and asks you to identify them. You have up to 30 seconds to identify each form, which can seem too short if you do not concentrate during the preview stage.

  • Memory Section

The Memory Section of the Postal Exam 473 involves memorizing the USPS Coding Guide, which is displayed for only a few minutes. You can't record anything, so you must remember it without taking notes or flashcards. This test contains 36 questions to be tackled in 7 minutes.

  • Coding Section

In the Coding section of Postal Exam 473, each question is an address, and you respond by showing where it belongs in the USPS Coding Guide. This is a straightforward test. You can look at the Guide while answering questions, which gives you an edge.

What Skills/Competencies Does the Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test?

This exam measures how well an applicant can use the following skills:

  • Memory,
  • Concentration,
  • Judgment,
  • Mental agility, and
  • Problem-solving skills.

The test measures your ability to perform a variety of tasks, including:

  • Reading and marking postal mail accurately.
  • Using knowledge of mail preparation and postage payment systems.
  • Processing information quickly and accurately.
  • Recognizing changes in addresses entered on a mailing label or computer screen.
  • Finding specific addresses or Zip codes in mailing lists by using different methods, such as alphabetical listing, geographical location, or numerical sequence.

The postal exam 473 is not about memorizing facts. It tests your ability to recall addresses, street names, cities, zip codes, and other information in a short time frame. The exam also tests your ability to read a map and follow directions.

You'll have a variety of different possible questions that you must answer on the exam.

The questions appear on a computer screen, so you'll need to pay attention to all of the information presented to you and then answer those questions correctly as quickly as possible.

Who Qualifies to Take this Test?

The Postal Exam 473 is for anyone who has ever wanted to work for the USPS. It is an entry-level exam that will allow you to start in the USPS as a letter carrier, clerk, or distribution clerk.

To take this test, you must be a United States citizen with a valid Social Security number. This means you must be at least 18 years old when applying for the job. You must also meet all other hiring requirements, such as having a high school diploma or GED and passing a drug screening test.

These job posts do not require any special skills or training, but you must have previous experience working with customers and following directions.

The main qualifications you need to take the postal exam 473 are that you are at least eighteen years old and have a good knowledge of English. You will also need to provide two forms of ID when taking the exam. A passport is recommended, but your driver's license or military ID are acceptable.

Tips to Prepare for the Postal exam 473 Memory Practice Test

The USPS exam 473 memory test is conducted to evaluate the mental ability and skills of the applicant. If you want to appear for this exam so you need to prepare well for the exam.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the exam:

1. Understand what you’re up for

The first step towards preparing for your test is to check out the level of difficulty of the postal exam 473 memory practice test. You can easily estimate your chances of getting through by looking at the exam’s level of difficulty. The more complicated it is, the more challenging it will be for you and thus make it necessary to prepare well.

2. Practice, practice, practice!

Find as many practice tests as you can and use them to revise for the exam. Find a quiet place where you can focus and take your time. Try timing yourself, to simulate the conditions of the actual exam. Take note of the questions you find challenging and make a plan to study those areas more closely before taking the practice test.

When practising, remember to also hone your memorizations skills. For instance, If you cannot memorize something because it seems too complex or overwhelming, break it down into small segments and then put these together into a whole. This will make things less complicated and more manageable for your brain

3. Know what data to memorize

The memory portion of the exam is divided into two parts: memorizing address and number pairs and memorizing ZIP codes. Memorizing the addresses and ZIP codes is easy if you break it down into smaller chunks.

Start with remembering just the state abbreviations and noting that each state is represented by two letters. Once you've mastered that, add in the city name and number pairs (remembering to double-check with the list of sample cities and numbers). Once you've got all of those memorized, add in the ZIP code.

4. Use the right revision methods

Postal exam 473 memory practice test is very different from other math-related tests because it involves memorization of math terms and definitions rather than actual calculation skills.

This means you should approach the memory practice test differently from other maths or tests that you have taken before or might take in the future.

To ace this examination, you need to master the concepts rather than become proficient at calculation methods. The main ideas behind this type of testing are simple: if you know math terms by heart it will be easier for you to answer questions correctly even if you don't know how to calculate the problem.

5. Go over the USPS’s study guide for this exam.

The best way to learn this material is through study guides. You can find plenty of these on the USPS’s platform. Be sure to go over these to prepare adequately for this quiz.

6.Learn the answer to every question

Practice how to answer each question type before moving to the next. Remember,  all the questions you miss will be marked incorrect regardless of the number of correct answers you have given.

7.Work on your speed

Learn how to manage your time during the examination. Remember each section and question has a time limit. Try to time your efforts during practice so that everything runs smoothly throughout the examination.

8.Focus on your weak points

Narrow down what you are having trouble with, then drill yourself to learn that specific topic or question type.

9.Prepare to seat in front of your computer for hours

Also, you need to prepare physically. You will have to sit in front of the computer for hours. If patience is not something that you have, then this job is not for you.

How Does the USPS Measures Success in the Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test? 

The United States Postal Service measures success in the postal exam 473 by how well you do on this test, not whether or not you pass or fail it.

If you receive a passing score of 70% or better on the postal exam 473, your name will be placed on the eligible list for employment as a letter carrier.

But achieving the passing score does not guarantee an offer of employment; it only means that you can now compete with other qualified candidates for job vacancies.

The USPS considers the following factors when deciding who to hire:

  • Your performance on the 473 memory practice test.
  • The time it takes you to complete the exam.
  • Your work experience and how long you have been a permanent resident of the United States.
  • Your overall academic record, including a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.

They may also check your overall work history, including job title(s) and supervisor's name(s).

Why You Must Pass USPS Exam 473

Passing the postal exam 473 memory practice test is a priority because you need to get a high score on these exams to become a postal service employee.

Remember, the exam is all about memory, so you have to be sure that your brain works well enough to remember everything displayed before. You have limited time to answer all the questions, so make a clever guess if you don't know the correct answer.

The postal service won't have mercy if you fail this exam, so take enough time to study and try all the potential questions related to the postal exam 473.

If you have already failed this exam once before, it is crucial that you don't give up. The best thing to do is to revise more of these questions so there won't be as many surprises when you sit down to retake the test.

Important Considerations When Taking the Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test

If you are interested in a career as a postal worker, you may be wondering how to pass the Postal Exam 473. Because most people fail this test, you must put forth your best effort to be successful in this examination.

The following are some of the things to remember during the examination:

1. Do not panic

This is a big test, and it is understandable to feel nervous and stressed out. However, do not let this get in the way of your ability to perform and perform well. Focus on your task and do your best to maintain composure throughout the exam, even if you feel nervous or stressed.

2.Pay attention

Pay attention as the system shows you the images containing various addresses. That way, you will have plenty of helpful clues to rely on when submitting answers.

3.Make connections between new and old information

You can't just cram in random facts from your memory bank and expect them to stick there forever. That's why when you try to learn something new, try relating it to something else that's already familiar to you. So when doing memory tests, try to relate the images you see to whatever you captured during practice sessions.

One way to memorize information is to create an anchor, such as rhymes, acronyms, stories, and associations with items you already know. The idea of creating an anchor is to link new information with information you already know and can easily recall.

4.Take time to read the question carefully.

Do not be hasty when answering questions. Take time to ensure that you answer correctly. Try not to rush through any question just so you can complete the exam faster. Rushing will only result in getting more of your answers wrong or decreasing your chances of scoring higher on the exam.

5.Answer every question on the exam.

Be sure to answer every question on the test form, even if you face challenges answering some sections or are unsure about how to respond.

FAQs about the USPS Exam 473

Maybe we’ve exhausted everything about Exam 473 but failed to answer one or two disturbing questions. Go through this FAQ section to learn more.

1. How can you register for a postal exam?

The U.S. Postal Service accepts applications for most jobs through its website and requires all applicants to take a test as part of the application process. Therefore, once you apply for a post, you register for all the relevant tests.

2.What is the Passing Score?

The USPS uses a 5-point scoring system to measure a candidate's ability to answer questions in a timely manner and with an acceptable level of accuracy.

The passing score for the USPS Assessment is 70, but this does not mean you will get the job with a score of 70. Instead, it marks the minimal requirement to be hired for the position.

3.After how long can you retake the test?

You may take the Postal Exam 473 memory practice test only once per application. If you already tackled the test within the past 120 days, you will not be allowed to retake them; the USPS will use your previous score for that application.

4.Does the USPS charge an exam or application fee?

Many people compete to work for the Postal Service every year. Those who understand the selection process and study for entrance exams improve their chances of landing a job with the USPS. The Postal Service does not charge application fees or exam fees.

5.What are the reasons for failing to pass the examination?

Some candidates complain that they never had enough time to answer all questions in the test. The Postal Service provides limited time for each section and question in the examination. You should spend more time answering the easy questions at first, and spend the remaining time on hard ones.

Another reason for failure is lack of preparation or exam anxiety. It is normal to feel very nervous before taking an important USPS examination like postal exam 473 because it is a significant event in your life. Still, you must keep calm, take a few deep breaths, and relax before the examination.

6.What should I prepare before taking Exam 473?

The first thing to do before taking the USPS exam 473 memory practice test is to look at the structure of the actual examination. You should know how many sections there are, what type of questions will come your way, and how much time you have to tackle each section.

Last Advice on the Postal Exam 473 Memory Practice Test

If you want a career as a mail carrier, letter sorter, mail handler, or any other job that requires you to be a postal worker, then you need to pass the Postal Exam 473.

We have discussed several tips to prepare for the test in this blog. Some of these tips address the various study materials available to you. Be sure to use these resources; they can be beneficial for candidates looking to ace this test and secure themselves a place. Also, be sure to understand all five sections and the competencies they test. This will help you prepare adequately for the examination.