Postal Exam 955 Study Guide and Practice Questions (2025)

The Postal Exam 955, also known as the USPS Maintenance Test, is used to screen candidates applying to various USPS maintenance positions, such as Maintenance Mechanic, Electronic Technician, Building Equipment Mechanic, and more. The exam is 75 minutes long and covers 8 content areas.

The test is based on the content and structure of the Ramsay Corporation Multicraft Test and is considered challenging, requiring strong mechanical and electrical knowledge.

The minimum passing score for each of the Postal Exam 955 content areas is 70. If you fail to reach this score, you’ll receive an “Ineligible” status. A retest is usually possible only 6 months after your initial test date.

The application process for a USPS maintenance position is straightforward but requires careful attention to deadlines and instructions. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create an Account on the USPS Careers Website 

2. Find a Suitable Job Listing 

3. Submit an Application 

4. Monitor Your Email for Further Instructions 

5. Schedule the Exam 

6. Study in Advance 

7. Arrive Early on Test Day 

Following these steps will help ensure a smooth application and testing experience as you pursue a maintenance position with USPS.

The USPS 955 Exam consists of multiple sections designed to assess candidates' technical knowledge and spatial reasoning skills. Each section corresponds to specific maintenance job roles, ensuring applicants are evaluated for relevant expertise. The exam is divided into five major categories:

1. Maintenance Mechanic – Assesses skills needed for general equipment maintenance.

2. Maintenance Mechanic MPE – Focuses on mail processing equipment repair and upkeep.

3. Electronics Technician – Covers troubleshooting and maintaining electronic systems.

4. Building Equipment – Tests knowledge related to facility and infrastructure maintenance.

5. Spatial Reasoning – Measures the ability to visualize and manipulate objects.

The test is divided into two major components:

60 Questions | 60 Minutes

Topics Covered:

• Electrical circuits, power distribution, and maintenance procedures

• Motors, control circuits, and schematics

• Digital electronics, computing systems, and test instruments

• Hydraulics and pneumatics

• Pumps, piping, and combustion systems

• Power transmission, lubrication, and mechanical maintenance

• Welding and rigging techniques

65 Questions | 40 Minutes

Skills Assessed:

• Identifying and manipulating geometric patterns

• Assembling shapes to form larger structures

• Recognizing 3D objects from multiple viewpoints

• Matching unfolded 3D shapes with their completed forms

Since the second section is time-sensitive, practicing similar problems beforehand can help candidates improve speed and accuracy.

• Once you complete the exam, your results will be reviewed by USPS management.

• Candidates who pass will receive a list of maintenance positions they qualify for based on their scores.

• Those who do not meet the passing criteria will receive an “Ineligible” status and must wait six months before reapplying.

• Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview.

Candidates who pass the 955 Exam will undergo an interview process with a panel consisting of USPS HR personnel and maintenance management. The interview is structured and typically includes 4-6 behavioral questions.

• Follow the STAR Method – Structure responses using Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Emphasize Safety Awareness – Every response should include references to safety measures and procedures.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills – Explain past technical challenges you have resolved.

• Communicate Clearly – Break down your answers so that even non-technical interviewers can understand them.

• Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a mechanical or electrical issue.

• Explain how you ensure safety while working with equipment.

• Discuss a time when you had to learn something new to complete a job task.

• Your interview performance will be evaluated alongside your exam score to determine eligibility.

• If selected, you will be required to complete fingerprinting and a background check.

• The overall hiring process may take two months or longer from the initial application to the official start date.

This is a predominantly theoretical section that revolves around the fundamentals of electricity. While simple for many candidates, those who have not dealt with electrical theory recently will often find this section problematic and will need a focused recap to ace it.

This is a relatively practical section, but theoretical knowledge of motor types and functionality is required as well.

With the advancement of technology, this section becomes increasingly important in the 955 test. It covers all levels of control circuits, from fundamental concepts to the advanced analysis of ladder diagrams.

This section deals with electrical test instruments such as ammeters, meggers, and multimeters. While most candidates are familiar with the basic operation of these tools, the Postal Exam 955 test questions tend to be a bit more in-depth.

Hydraulics and pneumatics are two of the most prevalent topics in this test aimed at strictly mechanical positions. Apart from being familiar with practical methods and concepts, this section also deals a lot with theoretical knowledge. This makes this section a pain point for experienced candidates in particular.

This is another very prevalent mechanical topic. Although covering around 14 sub-topics (e.g., couplings, bearings, shafts, etc.), several sub-topics often constitute the majority of questions in this section, so they are more worthy of your attention.

Are you applying for other jobs at the USPS? Learn more about their postal service exams here:

• Postal Exam 474 for Mail Carriers
• Postal Exam 475 for Mail Handlers
• Postal Exam 476 for Mail Processors
• Postal Exam 477 for Customer Service Clerks
• Free USPS Exam Practice
• Free Mechanical Aptitude Test
• Spatial Reasoning Test