Postal Exam 475 (USPS Virtual Entry Assessment – MH 475): Free Test Questions Practice & Online Preparation – 2025

If you have recently applied for a mail handler position at USPS, you should know that you will be expected to take an exam called the Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475). This article will help you prepare for this exam by explaining the exam process and providing you with helpful tips and tricks for answering the different types of questions.

What is the USPS Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475)?

This is an exam that is used during the pre-employment hiring process. USPS uses this exam to test job seekers and graduates that have applied for a mail handler or mail handler assistant position. The USPS hiring panel will use your results from this assessment to determine your eligibility to move on in the recruiting process. If USPS has reviewed your application and decides to move forward with you, they will send you an email with a link to the assessment. The assessment is a non-proctored test and can be taken at home online. Although the test itself is not timed, you will only have 72 hours to complete the entire exam from the time you receive the email.

This assessment will be split into several parts. Each section will consist of a variety of questions that range from multiple choice answers to picking the best and worst solutions. The Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475) will consist of the following four sections:

Work Situations

During this section, you will be asked to respond to 9 questions. These questions will consist of scenarios that you are likely to encounter while working as a mail handler. For each of these scenarios, your job will be to choose 2 options; one option will represent the best way to handle the situation and the other option will represent the worst way to handle the situation. Some of the psychometric questions in this section will be designed in a tricky way. Several of the answers may be worded similarly, making it difficult to choose the right response. In order to overcome this obstacle, you can use online resources such as study guides and practice exams to give you an idea of what the questions will look like and the best way to respond to them. Here is an example of a question you may be asked to answer:

Sample Question: You and your co-worker are moving heavy boxes to the delivery area when you notice your co-worker incorrectly lifting boxes. You know that there is a protocol put in place that instructs employees on how to lift boxes in order to avoid injury. How do you handle this situation?

First, choose one option that you believe to be the best way to handle the situation. Then, choose a second option that you believe to be the worst way to handle the situation.

1. Choose to not say anything. It is none of your business how your co-worker chooses to pick up and handle packages.
2. Go straight to your supervisor and inform them about your co-worker improperly picking up heavy objects.
3. Approach your co-worker and inform them that they are picking up heavy boxes in a way that could cause an injury. Then, offer to show them the correct way to pick up the packages.
4. Approach your co-worker and explain that they need to re-read the company protocol on the proper way to pick up heavy boxes.

Answer: The best way to handle this situation is by choose option 3. This way, you have politely informed the employee that they are doing something wrong, while also offering to show them an alternative that can save them from injury. The worst way to handle this situation is by choosing option 1. If you choose to do nothing, the employee could become seriously injured.

With these questions, some applicants may become confused about which options to choose. Some of the answers are worded similarly, and some of them offer multiple solutions. The key is choosing the best solution. You can learn how to choose the best option by utilizing online practice exams that include responses with explanations.

Error Recognition

For this section, you will be provided with 12 scenarios. Each scenario will include 4 rows of information. You will be asked to compare the information in each row and identify any rows that include typos or errors. You should be able to identify any errors within a matter of seconds. USPS is looking for candidate’s that have an eagle eye for spotting mistakes. If you take too long or cannot find the errors, USPS will most likely choose a candidate that has a faster reaction time. Take a look at the following sample question:

Sample Question: Compare the information included in the chart. Identify which rows (if any) contain errors.

Answer: You should be able to quickly notice that option 3 has a database parcel number that is different than the sticker parcel number. You can learn how to quickly spot small differences by repeatedly practicing online exams. These will allow you to develop an aptitude for comparing information and you will be able to learn how much time you take to spot any errors.

Background Information

During the Background Information section, you will be asked to answer 22 questions. These questions will be tailored to you and the information you provided on your resume. In order to pass this portion, your answers not only need to impress the hiring managers, but also need to reflect the information you provided on your resume. Sometimes it can be difficult for candidates to know which answers the hiring managers are looking for. This is a sample question you might find on this portion of the assessment:

Sample Question: If we contacted your previous employer, how often would they say you had disputes or disagreements with other co-workers?

1. Only 1 time
2. 2 to 3 times
3. 4 to 5 times
4. I have never had a disagreement with my co-workers

Answer: For this question, you will need to choose the honest answer. USPS will be looking to hire someone that does not have disagreements with co-workers, so it is important to keep that in mind. Try to not over-analyze every encounter you had with your previous co-workers. Quickly think back to your previous employment, and if you cannot immediately recall any bad encounters, choose option 4 and move on.

Situational Approaches

The Situational Approaches section is a type of Situational Job Test, also known as SJT. This portion of the exam will include 79 questions. Some of the questions will be formatted in a way that provides you with two seemingly innocuous statements. You will then be asked to choose an answer that reflects your views on the statements. It is important to read each statement carefully and consider each option before you choose one. Think about the role you have applied for and what the hiring managers are likely looking for in a candidate. This is the type of question you will likely be asked to answer:

Sample Question: Read over each statement. Then, choose an answer that best reflects your response to the statements.

A: If a deadline is quickly approaching, I will work late or come in early to ensure that the project is completed on time.

B: I prefer to take my time on each project to make sure that I complete everything right the first time, even if that means I miss a deadline by a few days.

1. Mostly relate to A
2. Mostly relate to B
3. Somewhat relate to A
4. Somewhat relate to B

Answer: Choosing option 1 is the best response because it shows you are a hardworking employee who recognizes the importance of meeting a deadline. Even though statement B may seem like an innocent statement, it may show the hiring committee that you move at a slower pace and may have an issue with completing projects on time.

How to Prepare for the Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475)?

Making sure you have studied and prepared in advance is absolutely essential for passing the Virtual Entry Assessment – MH (475). This exam can be hard to pass. You will be required to score at least 70 out of 100 points. This alone is hard to do, as only 80 to 90% of candidates pass on their first try. However, a passing score does not mean you are guaranteed an interview. USPS will then screen and compare every candidate that has a passing score, and then they will only choose to interview the most competitive candidates. In order to secure your spot as a competitive candidate, you need to be prepared for the exam. The tried and true method for acing these exams is by using online study guides and practice exams.

Learn about the other common USPS Postal Exams.