Free Postal Exam 955 Practice Test, PDF & Study Guide: Build Confidence Before the Actual Test
Welcome to your ultimate practice resource for the USPS Postal Exam 955!
On this page, you’ll find:
- A free practice test that mirrors some of the exam’s question types, to give you a feel for the real thing (PDF included).
- A complete practice package with dozens of tests and hundreds of realistic questions covering all exam sections.
So if you’re serious about preparing for the test, scoring high, and qualifying for the job you want, you’ll love this prep.
Let’s get started!
This page was created by Roman, a test prep expert since 2016, and his team of mechanical and electrical engineers.
Have a question about the test or our practice package? Email me at roman@prepopedia.com - I'm here to help you succeed!
What's on This Page
What to Expect on the USPS Exam 955? A Quick Guide
The Post Office 955 Exam, officially named Exam 955 Maintenance Selection System (MSS), is used to shortlist candidates applying to various USPS maintenance positions, such as:
- Electronic technician
- Maintenance mechanic
- Area maintenance technician
- Building equipment mechanic
- Facility maintenance technician
- Maintenance electrician
- And many more
The exam consists of two parts and takes approximately two hours to complete.
The table below lists the contents of the 955 Exam:
| Test Part | Number of Items | Time Allowed | Subject Matter Covered |
| Multicraft | 60 | 60 | Assesses mechanical and electrical job skills. |
| Spatial Relations & Visualization | 65 | 40 | Assesses visual spatial relations ability. |
Multicraft
The Multicraft test is the Ramsay Maintenance Test, which evaluates your knowledge and skill in the mechanical and electrical areas.
This part of the test consists of 60 items to be completed in 60 minutes.
Your score depends on how many items you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing on this part of the test.
It is to your advantage to respond to each item, even if you have to make an educated guess.
The 60 questions are divided into seven topics, as you can see in the table below:
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Hydraulics and Pneumatics | 7 |
| Welding and Rigging | 7 |
| Power Transmission, Lubrication, Mechanical Maintenance and Shop Machines, Tools, and Equipment | 12 |
| Pumps, Piping, and Combustion | 9 |
| Motors, Control Circuits, Schematics, and Print Reading | 9 |
| Digital Electronics, Power Supplies, Computers, PLC, and Test Instruments | 8 |
| Basic AC and DC Theory, Power Distribution, and Electrical Maintenance | 8 |
Spatial Relations
This test part contains three sections, consisting of 65 items to be completed in 40 minutes.
The time pressure in this part is higher, since you have fewer minutes and more questions.
Overview of the three sections:
- The first section, Matching Parts and Figures, contains questions where you are given two or more flat pieces, and you must decide among the four options which one shows how those pieces can be fitted together without gaps or overlapping.
- The second section, Spatial Visualization, contains questions where you are given a drawing with top, front, and right views. You must decide which of the four options would have the top, front, and right views as shown in the drawing.
- The third section contains unfolded 2D shapes that you must match to their corresponding 3D shapes. Each face of the 2D and 3D shapes features a specific symbol, which helps you fold it correctly and choose the correct answer.
Your score depends on how many items you answer correctly. Similarly to the Multicraft part, there is no penalty for guessing on this part of the test.
The complete Postal Exam 955 practice package includes comprehensive preparation for both parts – Multicraft and Spatial Relations.
Is the 955 Exam Difficult?
The Postal Exam 955 is considered a hard exam since it covers a wide range of electrical and mechanical topics, which require solid mastery. Additionally, candidates mention that the Spatial Relations section is very challenging, and they weren’t able to finish all the questions in the given time.
Free USPS 955 Practice Test With Answers (PDF Included)
The following practice questions are taken from the complete practice package and cover some of the question types you’ll see on the actual test.
Each question is followed by an answer and explanation.
Multicraft Practice Questions
Practice Question #1 – Pneumatics
If the fluid discharge of an air-operated double-diaphragm pump is completely shut off while the pump is running, what is the most likely outcome?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is B. The pump will stall and stop moving.
This happens because AODD pumps rely on compressed air to cycle the diaphragms, and when the discharge is blocked, pressure builds up in the pump chamber, preventing further diaphragm movement.
Unlike centrifugal pumps, AODD pumps do not generate excessive pressure beyond the air supply pressure, so they do not rupture or run in reverse.
Once the discharge is reopened, the pump will resume operation without damage.
Practice Question #2 – Welding
A welder is making the first weld in a pipe joint. What key factor ensures the success of the root pass?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is A. Using the correct electrode angle and heat settings.
The root pass establishes the foundation of the weld, so proper technique is crucial.
An incorrect electrode angle or heat setting can result in incomplete fusion, undercutting, or burn-through. Maintaining a steady hand and controlling heat input ensures a strong, well-penetrated root pass.
Practice Question #3 – Power Transmission
Why does a single-rod double-acting piston generate greater force in one direction?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is D. Because the rod reduces the effective piston area on one side.
In a single-rod double-acting cylinder, the extension stroke has a larger effective surface area since it pushes against the full face of the piston.
During retraction, the rod takes up space, reducing the working area, which decreases the force generated for the same pressure.
This difference in piston area means the extension stroke can exert more force than the retraction stroke.
The pressure remains the same, but the force is determined by the area on which it acts.
Practice Question #4 – Power Transmission
A worker installs a smaller-than-recommended grinding wheel onto a high-speed grinder. What is the potential risk?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is A. The wheel may overheat and fail.
While smaller grinding wheels can handle higher RPMs, using an undersized wheel on a high-speed grinder can lead to excessive friction and localized overheating.
Overheating can cause the bonding material to weaken, leading to wheel failure or breakage. Additionally, smaller wheels may not provide the same cutting efficiency or durability as properly matched sizes.
To ensure safe operation, always use a wheel rated for the grinder’s RPM and application.
Practice Question #5 – Pumps
A vane pump is experiencing excessive wear on the vanes. What could be the primary reason?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is C. Contaminants in the fluid.
Vane pumps rely on smooth, tight-fitting vanes that slide within slots, and contaminants such as dirt or metal particles can cause abrasive wear.
This wear reduces efficiency and increases maintenance costs. Proper filtration is necessary to prevent contaminants from entering the pump system.
Practice Question #6 – Control Circuits
Which of the following statements is not true?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is C. Pump C remains on even after releasing PB3.
A latching circuit, also known as a seal-in circuit, is designed to keep a device like a pump or motor running even after the start button is released.
In the diagram, both Pump A and Pump B use this setup by including an auxiliary contact (labeled Pump A or Pump B) in parallel with the push button, allowing the circuit to stay energized once the pump is turned on.
However, Pump C does not include a latching contact, so it only runs while PB3 is actively pressed and turns off immediately when released.
Therefore, the statement that “Pump C remains on even after releasing PB3” is not true.
Practice Question #7 – Power Supplies
When the switch in the inverting converter is ON, what immediate effect occurs across the output capacitor and why?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is D. The diode becomes reverse-biased and isolates the output, maintaining negative voltage.
When the switch is ON, the inductor stores energy from the input supply. During this time, the diode is reverse-biased due to the potential at the cathode being more negative than the anode, effectively isolating the load.
The output capacitor maintains the negative voltage, supplying current to the load while the inductor builds magnetic energy.
Practice Question #8 – Motors
What happens to the phase sequence when the reversing contacts of a motor starter are engaged?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is B. It swaps any two of the three supply lines.
A reversing motor starter changes the direction of a three-phase motor by swapping any two of the three incoming power lines. This alteration changes the phase sequence, which reverses the rotating magnetic field in the stator.
As a result, the motor’s rotor turns in the opposite direction. Reversing starters are carefully designed to prevent both contactors from being energized at the same time to avoid short circuits.
Practice Question #9 – Power Distribution
What is the main advantage of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC) in power distribution?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is D. AC can be transmitted over long distances with less energy loss.
The key advantage of alternating current (AC) in power distribution is its ability to be transmitted efficiently over long distances.
AC voltage can be stepped up or down using transformers, which operate only with alternating current.
When the voltage is stepped up, the current decreases, and lower current means less energy lost as heat in transmission lines.
This makes AC far more practical for regional and national power grids than direct current.
Master the Multicrfat Portion of the Test Using the Complete Practice Package
- 8 Full-length Multicraft Practice Tests (60 Questions Each)
- 14 Mechanical & Electrical Focused Drills That Target Key Test Topics
- Expert Explanations Created By Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
Spatial Relations Practice Questions
Try the following sample questions that highly resemble the question types seen on this portion of the test.
Some of the explanations below and in the practice package include short videos to help you understand the solution better.
Practice Question #10 – Spatial Visualization
Which of the following 3D shapes has the given front, right, and top views?
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is C.
See the video explanation below:
Practice Question #11 – Matching Parts & Figures
Choose the figure that combines these shapes, without gaps or overlap.
Show Answer & Explanation:
Practice Question #12 – Matching 2D to 3D Shapes
Match the given 2D shape to its corresponding 3D shape in the answer choices.
Show Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is option D.
See the video explanation below:
What Is the Passing Score on the Postal Service Test 955?
You must receive a minimum score of 70 (excluding Veterans’ Preference points) on the 955 exam to be considered for any of the positions for which you applied. If you fail to reach this score, you’ll receive an “Ineligible” status and be able to retest 6 months after your original exam date.
The scores you receive are valid for 6 years, in case you want to switch positions within the USPS in the future.
Below you can see how an official score report looks. It outlines the position the candidate applied for, as well as other positions they qualify for.
The score varies per job title, since each job weighs the sections of the exam differently – Multicraft, Spatial Relations, and specific topics inside the Multicraft section (Mechanical and/or Electrical).
Keep Practicing to Boost Your Score and Qualify for Your Desired Job
- The Most Comprehensive USPS Exam 955 Prep with 32 Practice Tests
- Hundreds of Lifelike Practice Questions
- Video Explanations to Help You Master Spatial Relations Questions Faster
