ASSESSMENT INFORMATION PACKAGE EXAM 473E DELIVERY, DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL

Copyright 2012 U. S. Postal Service

Contents

What to Expect
Preparing for the Assessment
Obligation to Provide Reasonable Accommodation for Qualified Applicants with a Disability
Frequently Asked Questions
Test Information
Sample Test Questions

What to Expect

Exam 473 is administered in two parts.
The first step ("473E") is administered through
the Internet. You take it online, using a
computer of your choosing. The second part is
taken at a test center.
You must complete both parts of the
assessment within seven days of receiving your
e-mail invitation (by the date and time specified
in the e-mail). You must complete the online
473E part within the first three days.
The assessment is entirely administered and
timed by the computer. Before the assessment
starts, you will see several practice and
instruction screens. These screens explain
how to use the computer to take the test and
guide you through practice items.
You will have 90 minutes to complete the online
473E assessment. If you need to stop the
assessment partway through, you will pick up
where you left off when you log back in. You
must log back in and finish within 36 hours of
when you began the assessment.
Once you have completed the assessment, you
will receive an e-mail message with further
instructions.
If you pass the first section, you will be invited
to schedule yourself for the second section at a
test center. If you do not pass the first section,
the e-mail message will provide instructions on
how to access your results.

Preparing for the Assessment

It is suggested that you set aside a quiet time
Read all the information in this package. and place with limited distractions to complete
Take the assessment at a time when you are the assessment. The assessment is designed
physically and mentally prepared. to be taken without interruptions or breaks.

Last modified 1/17/2013


Obligation to Provide Reasonable Accommodation for Qualified Applicants with a Disability
The United States Postal Service is obligated
under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended, found in 29 U.S.C. 791 et
seq. to provide accommodations to a qualified
applicant with a disability that will enable the
individual to have an equal opportunity to
participate in the application process and to be
considered for a job.
Persons who believe that they have a disability
requiring accommodation for the non-proctored
assessment may use assistive aids that are
needed for work on a computer (for example,
a large screen reader). They must, however,
complete the assessment themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to get the assessment
results?
If you do not pass the first section, a Notice of
Result will be available on the assessment site as
soon as you finish the assessment. If you pass
the 473E, your result will be available after you
have been checked out from the testing center for
the second section of the assessment. You will
receive an e-mail message with instructions on
how to access your Notice of Result.
How do I schedule my testing appointment?
If you pass the 473E, instructions will be provided
on the screen to schedule your testing
appointment for the second section of the
assessment. Seats are available on a first-come,
first-served basis, so please try to schedule your
appointment as soon as you receive the
scheduling instructions. The system will not allow
you to schedule an appointment within 24 hours
of a testing session or request a seat within 48
hours of your expiration date.
2
Assessment Information Package Exam 473E
Time limits for the non-proctored assessment
are generous to allow most if not all applicants,
even those with disabilities, to complete the test
parts within the allotted time. Many applicants
will complete the assessment with time to
spare.
If you have a disability that will require special
arrangements for the proctored section, please
make your request when scheduling your test
center appointment through the Assessment
website.
What is a passing score?
You must attain a minimum score of 70
(excluding Veterans Preference points) on the
examination to be considered for any of the
positions for which you applied.
How long are the results of the test valid?
Your examination result is valid through the
expiration date shown on your Notice of Result.
If you are an applicant, your results will be
maintained in your eCareer Candidate Profile and
will be automatically included with your
application if you apply for other USPS vacancies
requiring this exam.
If you are an employee, your test result may be
valid for longer, based on your situation and in
accordance with Postal policy.
Id like to know what questions I got wrong so that
I can study for the next time. Where can I get
that information?
That information will not be provided. The only
feedback you will receive is the information on
your Notice of Result.
 Assessment Information Package Exam 473E

Test Information
This online 473E assessment contains 150 multiple-choice items. You will select your response to each
item by clicking the letter next to your answer. During the assessment, a countdown clock will be
displayed on your computer screen. The total time for the online 473E assessment is 90 minutes. You
will start the assessment process by clicking the About You link on the Console page. The 90 minutes
begin when you click the Take Test Now button.
Below are sample questions like the ones that will be on the assessment.
General Instructions
The items in this test assess several personal characteristics, tendencies, or experiences related to
performing effectively as an employee in the U.S. Postal Service.

Read each item carefully, and decide which of the responses choices is most true about you. For some
items, more than one statement may describe you. However, you may only select one response for each
item. It is important to consider and respond to each item, even if you are not completely sure which
response is best. Also, it is generally best to work at a fairly rapid pace.

Whenever possible, respond to the items in terms of what you have done, felt, or believed in a
work setting. If you cannot relate the item to your work experiences, base your responses on other
experiences that are similar to work, such as school or volunteer activities. For example, if an item
involves how often you have gotten into arguments with others, respond in terms of how often you have
gotten into arguments with co-workers. If you have not held a job before, or if the item cannot be related
to your work experiences, draw on whatever experiences are necessary to choose the response choice
that best describes you.

The test is divided into two sections, with items ranging from four to nine response choices.

The test you are about to complete calls for your honest responses. Dishonest or distorted self-
descriptions may not be to your advantage. All responses you give will be considered in determining your
results.

There are a total of 150 items, and you will have 90 minutes to work on this test.

Scoring Answers

Your score for this part of exam 473 is based on your responses to the items. This exam part calls for
your honest responses. Dishonest or distorted self-descriptions may not be to your advantage. All
responses you give will be considered in determining your results.

Reducing Errors

Here are suggestions to help you reduce errors on this part of exam 473:

Read each statement carefully before selecting your responses.

There is no particular advantage to practicing your responses to these statements. You should
read each statement carefully and respond based upon your personal experiences or preferences.

3
 Assessment Information Package Exam 473E

Sample Test Questions

473E Personal Characteristics and Tendencies Section Instructions

In this section, read each item carefully and decide which of the response choices is most true about you.

For some items, more than one statement may describe you. However, you may only select one
response for each item. It is important to consider and respond to each item, even if you are not
completely sure which response is best. Also, it is generally best to work at a fairly rapid pace.

The items in this section include four response choices ranging from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly
Disagree" and from "Very Often" to "Rarely or Never."

Choose the response that describes you best.

1. You do not like having your work 2. You plan things carefully and in
interrupted. advance.
A. Strongly Agree A. Very often
B. Agree B. Often
C. Disagree C. Sometimes
D. Strongly Disagree D. Rarely

473E Experience Section Instructions

In this section, read each item carefully and decide which of the response choices best describes your
experience.

Although for some items, more than one response may describe your experience, be sure to mark one
and only one response for each item. You may only select one response for each item. It is important to
consider and respond to each item, even if you are not completely sure which response is best. Also, it is
generally best to work at a fairly rapid pace.

The items in this section include four to nine response choices.

Choose the response that best describes your experience.

3. What type of work do you like the least?

A. tasks that require sitting or standing in one place for hours
B. tasks that require working at a very fast pace
C. tasks requiring too many decisions
D. doing the same thing day after day
E. would not mind doing any of these
F. not sure