The USPS Postal Exam 955 Study Guide with Sample Questions 2024
Updated May 15, 2024
All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. When you register or purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission.
The USPS 955 exam is a unique assessment that applicants must pass if they wish to work for the USPS (United States Postal Service) in a technical maintenance job role.
Many people are drawn to a career with the US post office.
As the second-largest employer in the US, the organization has established a strong reputation for being a fair, honest and reputable employer.
Workers can not only enjoy competitive salaries and exceptional employee benefits, but they are also heavily supported to achieve their career ambitions.
With a wide range of career-development opportunities available internally for staff working in all departments, it’s easy to see why so many people strive to work for the US Postal Service.
To filter through the thousands of applicants that apply for each USPS job, the company has devised a series of postal exams which enable it to identify the best possible workers.
These exams allow the USPS to learn more about who you are as a person and allows the company to directly compare you to other candidates.
Those who pass the postal exams with the highest scores are far more likely to gain long-term employment with the USPS.
What Is the Postal Exam 955?
The USPS Maitance Exam or 955 Postal Exam is the test designed to screen candidates who applying for technical maintenance positions in US Postal Service for evaluare knowledge of candidate in mechanical and electrical areas.
The USPS maintenance mechanic 955 exam is a direct replacement for the previous 931, 932 and 933 postal exams.
Job roles: Area maintenance technician, building equipment mechanic, electronic technician, mail processing equipment maintenance mechanic, maintenance mechanic.
Required pass rate: 70
Exam breakdown:
- The Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory Test – 120 questions – 75 minutes
- Online Electronic Test: Multicraft – 60 questions about topics such as control circuits, hydraulics, motors, power supplies, power transmission and/or distribution, pumps and combustions, rigging, test instruments, tools and equipment – 60 minutes
- Online Electronic Test: Spatial Relations – Visualization and matching figures; heavily focused on four types of spatial awareness: mental folding, mental rotation, spatial or visuospatial perception, and spatial visualization.
Practice Postal Exam 955 Test with JobTestPrep
What Is Assessed in the USPS 955 Exam with Practice Quesitions?
The Postal Exam 955 is designed to assess your mechanical and electrical competencies.
As the assessment directly leads to a variety of technical and maintenance job roles within the USPS, you can expect to be asked questions that enable the assessors to understand if you have the capabilities to perform well in the job.
In addition, you can see why it is important to prepare in advance using practice exams from providers like JobTestPrep to make sure you do your very best on the day.
It’s essentially a personality test that will help the employers to find out if you match the USPS culture and company ethos.
As you are applying to work in a technical job role, the USPS needs to check your practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Within the spatial reasoning section of the assessment, examiners will be looking to see if you can identify different elements and understand how to put them together to create a solution to a specified problem.
Prepare for the Postal Exam 955 with JobTestPrep
What to Expect From the Postal Exam 955 in 2024
As already mentioned, the 955 exam is split into two sections:
- The first part is self-administered at home
- The second part takes place at an accredited testing center and is held under strict exam conditions.
To help you prepare for your postal maintenance exam 955, we’ve broken down each section and provided some 955 practice test questions:
Section 1: How to Prepare for the Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory Test
This section is designed to allow recruiters to learn more about you beyond the information that you provided in your resume or on your application form.
They want to find out how you would approach certain scenarios and what your motivations and drivers are.
The USPS will have an augmented understanding of the ‘perfect’ candidate, and your test scores in this section will be compared to that vision. Therefore, the higher you score, the more desirable you will be seen as a recruit.
You will be asked 120 questions and given a 75-minute time frame. This may seem challenging, but the questions are multiple-choice and a lot of them will be based on your career history.
It’s important to remember that your answers will be cross-referenced with the information you have already provided on your resume and application form.
Therefore, make sure that you are providing the same information as accuracy will be monitored.
The questions that you are asked could be seemingly innocuous.
USPS 995 Test Sample Question
'You carefully plan out your workload in advance'.
Please select which answer accurately describes you.
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Neither agree nor disagree
d) Disagree
e) Strongly disagree
If you need to prepare for a number of different employment tests and want to outsmart the competition, choose a Premium Membership from JobTestPrep.
You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs.
Section 2: Online Electronic Test
Once you have completed the self-administered 955 exam at home, you will be asked to visit an accredited test center to participate in the online electronic test.
You will be assessed on your theoretical and practical knowledge about a wide range of mechanical and electrical matters.
This part of the test is broken down into two further subsections:
- Multicraft – Questions relating to mechanics, electronics, building and maintenance
- Spatial Reasoning – Focused on visualization and matching figures
Multicraft Questions on the Postal Exam 955
In this first part of the online assessment, you will have one hour to answer 60 multiple-choice questions.
You will be quizzed about theories and practical knowledge, and you may even have to identify scientific formulas.
It’s an intensive part of the exam with 21 technical fields broken down into 131 different topics.
Candidates with a strong technical background or extensive experience in mechanics and electronics will find it easier to pass the test than those who are new to maintenance roles.
The breadth of topics means that it’s almost impossible to rely on a singular 955 study guide – there are far too many topics available to cover every possible scenario.
However, previous candidates have hinted that the questions may be weighted towards the job role for which you are applying.
For example, if you are applying for a job as a building equipment mechanic, you could reasonably assume that the majority of the questions will focus on building equipment.
You can also assume that the more senior the position, the more advanced the questions will be.
Based on discussions with previous applicants, you may wish to brush up on your theoretical knowledge about subjects such as:
- Basic machine functions
- Plumbing techniques
- Hydraulic and pneumatic principles
- Ohm’s Law
The greater your theoretical knowledge and ability to interpret and understand scientific formulas, the easier you will find the Postal Exam 955.
USPS 955 Exam Multicraft Sample Questions
- What is a transformer and why might it be used?
- What is an electronic shunt?
- What is the symbol for a Zener diode?
- What does ‘LED’ stand for?
Spatial Reasoning Questions on the Postal Exam 955
This part of the assessment is designed to see how you visualize different components and to check your understanding of how different elements come together to create a solution to a problem.
There are two further subsections to this part of the postal exam:
- Matching parts and figures
- Spatial visualization
Whilst the multicraft questions may be aligned to your job application, the spatial reasoning section of the 955 exam is broadly similar for all job roles.
You will be asked to consider and identify a range of 3D shapes and you will need to draw conclusions and inferences based on the minimal information provided.
You may be asked to detect patterns and determine how a series of numbers or objects relate to each other. Or you could be asked to follow a set of instructions to allow assessors to see how you understand and relate to a series of written directions.
You must be aware of how to use drawings and schematics as this will form a significant part of this assessment.
You won’t be asked to create the drawings; instead, you’ll be provided with a series of visual images and you will need to identify the correct answer.
Within the ‘matching parts and figures’ element of the 955 exam, you can assume that you will be presented with a series of flat dimensional pieces.
You may be asked to explain what figure or shape may appear if you match the pieces together.
As part of your postal exam practice, you may wish to spend time improving your knowledge of 3D shapes and how they can be created.
In the ‘spatial visualization’ aspect of the USPS 955 test, you can expect to be asked questions about group rotation or mirror imaging.
As part of your exam preparation, you may wish to use some of the spatial awareness tests that we provide here at Wikijob.
AC/DC Theory Sample Question
In an AC circuit, the voltage leads the current by 90 degrees. What type of AC component does this relationship indicate, and in what type of circuit is it typically observed?
a) Resistive component in a parallel circuit
b) Capacitive component in a series circuit
c) Inductive component in a parallel circuit
d) Capacitive component in a parallel circuit
Which type of motor is characterized by its ability to provide a nearly constant speed regardless of the load or torque applied to it?
a) Stepper motor
b) DC motor
c) Induction motor
d) Synchronous motor
Which type of control circuit component allows current to flow only when certain conditions are met, and is often used to start and stop motors?
a) Resistor
b) Capacitor
c) Relay
d) Transformer
What is the primary purpose of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) in industrial automation?
a) To create graphical user interfaces for machines
b) To regulate power distribution in buildings
c) To control the logic of machinery and industrial processes
d) To transmit data between different control devices
Which test instrument is commonly used to measure the continuity of a circuit and to check if a component is functioning properly?
a) Multimeter
b) Oscilloscope
c) Function generator
d) Logic analyzer
In a hydraulic system, what is the role of a hydraulic pump?
a) To regulate the pressure of the hydraulic fluid
b) To control the direction of hydraulic fluid flow
c) To convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy
d) To filter and clean the hydraulic fluid
What is the purpose of a "flange" in a piping system?
a) To regulate the flow of fluid in the pipe
b) To connect two sections of pipe end-to-end
c) To reduce the pressure of the fluid
d) To filter impurities from the fluid
Which of the following power transmission methods is most commonly used for transmitting electrical power over long distances?
a) Hydraulic transmission
b) Mechanical transmission
c) Belt and pulley transmission
d) High-voltage electrical transmission
Which 2D shape is the net of a cube?
a) Triangle
b) Rectangle
c) Pentagon
d) Hexagon
How to Prepare for Your Postal Exam 955 in December 2024
Although the test is notoriously complex, there are some practical ways that you can prepare for your exam:
First Section of the Questions on USPS Exam
For the first section, you need to be aware of the types of questions that you could be asked.
The Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory Test is broadly similar across all USPS postal exams.
Make sure you pay close attention to what information you have already provided – even the slightest employment-date discrepancy could reduce your score.
You should also consider the job description.
You need to be confident that you know what type of employee the USPS is looking for – both in terms of technical skills and employee cultural fit.
As a self-administered exam, you will be completing your 955 test in the comfort of your own home. Make sure that you will not be distracted and that you have a quiet place where you can focus solely on the questions.
Once you’ve submitted an answer, you do not have the option to go back, so make sure you are 100% confident with your selection before moving to the next question.
Section Two
The second section is considerably harder to prepare for because there is so much scope for what could appear.
With 21 different topics that could crop up in the assessment, it’s not possible to study for every eventuality.
However, you can reasonably assume that the 955 test will be skewed towards your distinct job role.
Make sure you’re well aware of any theories, acronyms and scientific formulas that you may require day-to-day as they are likely to appear.
You may wish to practice your mental arithmetic and numeric reasoning skills and check that you have a fundamental understanding of the basics of the key areas (such as electronics, mechanics, circuits, and so on).
As spatial reasoning is such an intrinsic part of the Postal Exam 955, we highly recommend that you spend time practicing your skills in this area.
The 955 exam is split into two sections. These are the Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory Test and two Online Electronic Tests (Multicraft and Spatial Reasoning).
The first section will help recruiters to understand how you might approach work-based situations. The second section is designed to test your practical and theoretical knowledge in electrical and mechanical matters.
Candidates are allowed 75 minutes to complete 120 questions for the Personal Characteristics and Experience Inventory Test. This section of the test can be completed at home.
For the second section, candidates have one hour to answer 60 multiple-choice questions in the Multicraft test. This part of the test, plus the Spatial Relations element must be completed at an accredited testing centre under exam conditions.
To pass the 955 Postal exam, you will need to achieve a minimum score of 70. However, as the field for USPS technical roles is highly competitive, you should always work towards achieving the best possible score. This will help to improve your overall chances of success.
You can take the 955 postal exam more than once.
However, you will have to wait before retaking the test. If you fail the 955 exam, you will have to wait 6 months to retake it.
If you pass the exam but wish to achieve a higher score, you will have to wait two years to resit the exam.
After passing the 955 postal exam, you will need to satisfy the other USPS pre-screening requirements. These include submission of an application form, completion of the Medical Examination Report (Form 1507), drug screening clearance and attendance at a face-to-face interview.
Test-takers do not have to pay any fees to arrange or take a USPS postal exam.
Beware of postal exam scams that may suggest otherwise. You do not need to pay any money to anybody to sit any of the USPS postal exams.
The postal exam can only be taken online. When applying for a job role with the USPS, you will be asked to take the appropriate online postal exam within 72 hours of submitting your application.
There is a range of different USPS postal exams. The postal test that you take will depend on the job role you have applied for.
The postal exam 955 is a very complex exam that is difficult to pass. It is taken by candidates applying for technical job roles, such as technicians and mechanics.
The test is designed to assess mechanical and electrical competencies. Test results are used to help decide whether a candidate has the skills and abilities needed to take responsibility for running and improving USPS operations.
To pass the postal exam 955, you will need to achieve a minimum score of 70.
As the candidate pool for technical job roles within the USPS is competitive, you should aim to achieve the highest possible score by spending time preparing for the assessment.
The more preparation that you do, the better your chances of success.
Concentrate on the areas that are most relevant to the job role you have applied for and gain a full understanding of the skills and abilities the USPS expects from its employees.
If you want to pass the postal exam, you should use a range of study materials and answer several different sets of practice postal exam questions.
To work for USPS you need to be over 18. You can search for jobs on the official USPS eCareers jobs site.
Once you have found the ideal job role and set up a profile on their careers page, you may need to pass an exam.
The exact exam will depend on what role you are applying for. The test's purpose is to allow hiring managers to filter through successful candidates.
The USPS Postal Exam 955 is for various technical roles.
The breadth of the exam means that it's hard to find one singular resource to help you study.
The assessment is split into two parts. The first section is a personality test that explores whether you are right for the role. The second part is to check your technical capabilities.
Many of the questions will be based on your personal career history. Therefore, you need to ensure that you can cross-reference your responses with the information submitted via your CV and cover letter.
For the technical part of the assessment, you should focus on brushing up your knowledge of the technicalities of your specific job role. Most applicants say that the questions are heavily aligned towards each particular job.
You can purchase textbooks online that aim to be study guides for the USPS Postal Exam 955. These may have some practice test questions that will help you to improve your score.
You may find some practice test questions online, but the scope of the exam means that it's difficult to find practice tests that cover the entirety of the exam.
Your best chance for success is to study the job description carefully. You want to demonstrate that you meet each attribute listed in the advert.
Successful candidates pay close attention to what the USPS is looking for, and they match their responses in the exam accordingly. They also ensure that there are no discrepancies between their exam responses and their resume.
From a technical perspective, those who are successful are well aware of any theories, acronyms and formulas that relate to their day-to-day job role.
The exam will be skewed towards the advertised role, so the more you demonstrate you have the technical know-how, the greater your chances of success.
The USPS Postal Exam 955 is specifically for those applying for the following job roles:
- Area maintenance technician
- Building equipment mechanic
- Electronic technician
- Mail processing equipment maintenance mechanic
- Maintenance mechanic
The USPS Postal Exam is a key component of the hiring process.
If you have achieved the minimum pass mark of 70, you will have completed the application process. At this stage, you will need to wait until you hear further from the hiring managers.
Passing the exam does not guarantee that you will be successful.
If you have not passed the exam, you can try it again after one year.
There is no charge to take the USPS Postal Exam 955. If you are asked to pay a fee, you may be on an unverified page.
If you suspect that the exam is suspicious, you should contact the USPS directly for clarification.
Final Thoughts
By now, you will be aware that the USPS Postal Exam 955 is an extremely complex exam that is difficult to pass. However, if you are successful, it can lead to career progression, bringing opportunities to earn more money and fulfill your career ambitions.
The job roles that arise from the maintenance mechanic 955 exam play an important role in modernizing the USPS and ensuring that the business remains functional across all operations.
Without these job roles, key systems and processes within the USPS could fail, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Those working in maintenance and mechanic roles at the USPS are highly respected and crucial to the organization’s continued success. Therefore, these jobs have a certain level of job security.
It’s well worth taking the time to thoroughly prepare for your assessment.
As competition is fierce, you need a high test score to succeed. Achieving the minimum pass mark won’t suffice; you need to have a competitive score against other candidates.
Therefore, the more you study in advance, the greater your chances for success. Focus your study on areas that link to your job role and take the time to understand exactly what the USPS is looking for in an employee.
There are many Postal Exam 955 study guides available online, but the variety of topics that could arise within the postal exam means that no singular guide will cover every facet.
Use a variety of study aids and Postal Exam 955 practice tests to help you prepare for the assessment.
