Currently, there are many Exam Study Guides available in the market. However, not all of them can help you pass the Postal Exam 473. The main reason you’re supposed to use Exam Study Guides when preparing for the Postal Service exam is that it shows you how the actual test that you’re preparing to take will look like. In that way, it gets you used to the exam format.

In 2009, the USPS changed its examination process. This made many postal exam study guides outdated. Unfortunately, these guides were not taken out of the stores and if you’re not careful, they’re the ones you might buy when preparing for the Postal Exam. So, you need to know what to look for in an exam study guide before making your choice.

If you use an outdated study guide, it will only confuse you and chances are, you’ll fail in your exams. In the end, you’ll have wasted your money, time and effort. A good study guide contains all the information that candidates need to prepare adequately for the exam.

Before buying, it’s important that you know what to look for in a Postal Office Exam Study Guide.

Here are some of the most important things to look for when shopping for a study guide:

Year of publication

The USPS changed its testing procedures in 2009. So, don’t buy guides that were published before this time because they’re outdated. An up-to-date Exam Study Guide should be the one published after 2009. Be careful because some guides have simply been reprinted, but they’re not up to date.

Written for the Postal Exam 473

USPS no longer offers exams 460, 470, 473C and 710. If an exam study guide mentions these exams, it’s a clear indication that the guide is outdated. Currently, the USPS offers exam 473 E, which many people call postal Exam 473. Therefore, other study guides might mention “postal exam 473 E” while others might talk about “postal exam 473” without the “E”. To be on the safe side, make sure the guide you’re buying mentions “postal exam 473 E”.

Postal exam practice tests that present questions in the new format

An up-to-date Exam Study Guide should have a postal exam practice test presented in the same format as the 473 E exam. Unlike before 2009, the 473 E exam is now an electric exam. A good exam study guide should present practice tests in exactly the same way, as they’ll appear in the actual exam. The guide should also inform you about time limits.

USPS new eCareer online application system

When shopping for an Exam Study Guide, check whether it discusses new USPS eCareer online application system. Research shows that about 80% to 90% fail the Postal Exam 473. To get the best score, make use of your Exam Study Guide and read it from cover to cover. Make sure you have a good sleep a night before the actual exam.