Postal Exam (VEA 474–477)

After you apply for a posting, USPS emails an invitation with a link to the assessment. You have 72 hours to complete it. The assessment is online and unproctored, so you can take it from home on a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a larger screen and a stable connection make the reading-heavy sections more comfortable. USPS estimates it takes about 30–45 minutes.

USPS reports the VEA result as eligible or ineligible and does not publish a numeric passing score. The scoring considers patterns across sections rather than simply counting right answers, so steady, job-focused responses across every section matter more than any single answer. Eligible veterans receive preference in the hiring process.

Your result applies to other postings that use the same VEA version until the expiration date shown on your Notice of Results, so one strong attempt can carry you through several applications. If you do not pass, you must wait one year (12 months) from your most recent attempt before retaking the same version.

Applicants must be at least 18 (or 16 with a high school diploma), be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, and pass a background check and drug screening before starting work. Carrier positions add driving requirements: a valid license, a safe driving record, and at least two years of unsupervised driving experience.