Postal Clerk and Carrier Exams Introduction Welcome to Postal Clerk and Carrier Exam Cram Welcome to Postal Clerk and Carrier Exam Cram (460/470) , your comprehensive and trusted resource for achieving the highest score! This guide has been prepared with you--the test-taker--in mind. We have avoided unnecessary jargon and detail to present you with a study guide that is complete yet highly readable. Within its pages you will find insider advice on not only the types of questions you will face, but strategies and tips for answering these questions (as well as general test-taking advice). The guide also contains valuable information about the USPS, including important career and benefit information. So if you are looking for the best resource to score the highest on the 460/470 exams, you have come to the right place. But more than just wanting to score high on the exam, a great test result furthers your career options with the USPS. That said, this guide also contains helpful information on various career options with the postal service. Who This Book Is For This book has been written to guide anyone interested in a career as a postal clerk and carrier, as it not only covers preparing for the 460/470 exams, but also gives practical advice and insight as to the full spectrum of working for the USPS (benefits, advancement opportunities, and so on). Also, this book includes special elements such as a "real world" case study (where you follow along with a fictitious but realistic individual as he works his way through preparing for the exam) and other unique features of the Exam Cram series (for example, the cram sheet), which can truly make it your "one stop" source as you ready yourself for a career with the USPS. Taking the 460/470 Exams A terrific general reference for information on the exam is the USPS web site, http://www.usps.com . Although the information about the test is not nearly as inclusive as what you'll find in this book, the site still represents a definitive reference, and you should refer to it often for questions not just about the test, but all facets of your career interest with the USPS. There is no fee to take the 460/470 exams; however, you must register in advance. To register for the exams online, follow these steps: Within your web browser, navigate to http://uspsapps.hr-services.org/usmapdetail.asp . Select the Examinations option, and from the drop-down list, select the state in which you will take the exam, as shown in Figure Intro.1. Figure Intro.1 Select the Examinations option, and the state in which you will take the test. After you select your state, you are presented with a list of exam openings for the state you selected. Figure Intro.2 illustrates exam openings for the state of Indiana. Click on the announcement number to be taken to the general information form, which you must complete to finish the registration process. This form is shown in Figure Intro.3. Figure Intro.2 Note that, depending on the state in which you take the exam, the exam may be offered in several cities. Figure Intro.3 Be sure and complete all the required fields. After you complete this form, you are presented with a confirmation message. Specific information on your test location and date will be mailed to you. Note - If you have the exam announcement, you can also apply by phone by calling 1-866-999-9777 (or TTY at 1-800-800-8776). Arriving at the Exam Site You need to do all types of things to prepare for the exam, up to the night before you take it. All this information is presented to you within the pages of this book. However, it is important to understand now what specific items you are required to bring to the examination: Admission Document --This is sent to you in your exam scheduling packet. Positive Identification --This can be a driver's license or some other type of picture ID. Other Documents --Depending on specific instructions listed in the scheduling packet you receive in the mail, you may be required to bring other documents. It is very important that you immediately open and review your scheduling packet as soon as you receive it to ensure you understand all the exam requirements, and that you take the proper credentials with you to the exam test center. Do not wait until the night before the exam to review this information! Note - A driver's license or credit card (with picture) are acceptable forms of identification. Inside the Exam Room Again, you will--by reading through this book--learn all kinds of great strategies, tips, and general information on how to score your highest on the exam. From understanding the different question types to learning how to overcome pre-test anxiety, the Postal Clerk and Carrier Exam Cram (460/470) has got you covered! Here's some general information, though, on what to expect inside the exam room/test center: No unauthorized items are allowed inside the exam room. These items include (but are not limited to) reference books, logarithmic tables, and calculators. Cheating, obviously, is not permitted; however, you should take special care to not even appear as if you might be cheating. This includes talking to another test taker, passing notes, and so on. If you are caught cheating or just assumed to be cheating, your rating (that is, how your total USPS application is rated) may be cancelled, which will put a serious damper on your future career opportunities with the USPS. The best advice here is to keep your eyes on your own paper, and avoid any conversation after the exam begins. If you have a need for special accommodations during the exam, these can be considered by the Postal Service. Information addressing this issue will be in your scheduling packet, so again don't wait until the night before the exam to review this information if, in fact, you might have a need for special accommodations during the exam. Preparing for the Exam You wouldn't be reading this book if you weren't interested in preparing for the exam. Again, it is worth stating that you've made a wise decision in deciding to utilize a study guide, and especially the one you are now holding in your hands. As you will see as you work through this book, we will address a wide range of preparatory issues, from the more traditional (such as taking practice exams) to talking about issues you might not generally think of as being "exam preparation" (such as getting a good night's sleep before the exam). As you work through each chapter of the book, you will also find references to other sources that might prove useful in helping you prepare for the exam. These sources are specific to the topic under discussion in each chapter and have been included in an effort to make this book as comprehensive as possible in helping you score your highest. About this Book Postal Clerk and Carrier Exam Cram (460/470) utilizes a variety of special elements to help you best understand the material being tested, as well as ensure you are comfortable with the format of the test and other issues or concerns you might face during the testing process (for example, how to overcome test anxiety). The special elements you will find within the book are described as follows: Note - Notes will give you supplementary information on a topic at hand, and in some cases point you to other information resources. Tip - Tips are useful tidbits of advice, and--like notes--are used to supplement the current topic of discussion. Look to the Tip elements to give general pointers or hints about the information being discussed. Sidebars - Sidebars are designed to give you more extensive supplementary information. Caution - Exam alerts are to help you score better on the exam, which they do by providing you with "insider information" for the particular question type/section that is being discussed where the exam alert appears. Each chapter also contains additional special elements that are designed to help you succeed. These elements include "Terms you need to understand" and "Concepts/Techniques you'll need to master" --These two lists appear at the beginnings of several chapters and can be seen as "must know" listings of key terms/concepts you should be very familiar with if you intend to get the best score possible on the exam. Exam Prep Questions --You are going to get a lot of practice questions in this book, both in the form of sample quizzes and full-length practice exams. Practice questions are not only listed, but detailed answer explanations are also provided. (c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Postal Clerk and Carrier Exam Cram by Que Development, John Gosney All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.