24 Clerical Accuracy Practice Questions & Answers
Every Clerical Accuracy practice question from the Postal Exam 474 (USPS) Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.
Start practice test →1. Filing letter by letter, which list of surnames is in correct alphabetical filing order?
- A.Brown; Browner; Browne; Brownell
- B.Browne; Brown; Browner; Brownell
- C.Brown; Browne; Brownell; Browner✓ Answer
- D.Brownell; Browne; Browner; Brown
Alphabetic filing compares names from the left, one letter at a time, under the rule that "nothing files before something": a name that is an exact beginning of a longer name is filed first. Brown is the start of Browne, so it goes first; Browne is the start of both Brownell and Browner, so it goes next; at the seventh letter Brownell has l and Browner has r, and l precedes r.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 1 (alphabetic order, unit by unit, letter by letter — "nothing before something")Report a problem with this question
2. These four names are to be filed in alphabetical order: Hall, R. / Hall, Robert / Hall, Robert A. / Hallman, R. Which name is filed THIRD?
- A.Hall, Robert
- B.Hallman, R.
- C.Hall, Robert A.✓ Answer
- D.Hall, R.
A personal name is indexed as surname (unit 1), given name (unit 2), then middle name or initial (unit 3), and each unit is compared before moving to the next. Hall files before Hallman because nothing files before something; within Hall, the initial R. is the beginning of Robert so it files first, and Robert alone files before Robert A. because a name with no third unit precedes one that has a third unit. The order is Hall, R.; Hall, Robert; Hall, Robert A.; Hallman, R., so the third name is Hall, Robert A.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 1 (indexing units for personal names)Report a problem with this question
3. This list is already in correct alphabetical filing order: MacAllen / Macklin / Madsen / Nolan. Where does the name McAllen belong?
- A.Between Madsen and Nolan✓ Answer
- B.Between MacAllen and Macklin
- C.Before MacAllen
- D.After Nolan
Names beginning with Mac and Mc are filed exactly as spelled, letter by letter; they are not grouped together as though Mc were spelled Mac. Comparing the second letter, every Ma- name (MacAllen, Macklin, Madsen) files before Mc-, and M files before N, so McAllen belongs after Madsen and before Nolan.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 6 (prefixes such as Mac, Mc, O', Van, De are filed as written)Report a problem with this question
4. Which list of surnames is in correct alphabetical filing order?
- A.Vance; Vanderberg; Van Buren; Van Ness
- B.Van Ness; Van Buren; Vance; Vanderberg
- C.Van Buren; Vance; Vanderberg; Van Ness✓ Answer
- D.Van Buren; Van Ness; Vance; Vanderberg
A prefix such as Van, De, Mc or O' is combined with the part that follows it and treated as ONE indexing unit, with spaces, apostrophes and capitalization ignored. The names therefore index as vanburen, vance, vanderberg, vanness, which sort as Van Buren, Vance, Vanderberg, Van Ness; grouping all the two-word "Van" names together first is the classic error.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 6 (prefixes/particles filed as one unit) and Rule 3 (punctuation ignored)Report a problem with this question
5. These four names are to be filed in alphabetical order: Ortiz, Maria / Ortiz, Maria C. / Ortiz, Maria L. / Ortiz, Marco A. Which name is filed FIRST?
- A.Ortiz, Maria L.
- B.Ortiz, Marco A.✓ Answer
- C.Ortiz, Maria C.
- D.Ortiz, Maria
When the surname unit is identical, the given name decides, still compared letter by letter. Marco and Maria agree through M-a-r, and at the fourth letter c precedes i, so Marco A. files ahead of every Maria; only after that do the middle initials break the tie among Maria, Maria C. and Maria L.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 1 (unit 2 given name, unit 3 middle initial)Report a problem with this question
6. Which list of business names is in correct alphabetical filing order?
- A.Acme Supply; Bell Paper; 4 Star Printing; 24 Hour Copy Center
- B.4 Star Printing; 24 Hour Copy Center; Acme Supply; Bell Paper✓ Answer
- C.24 Hour Copy Center; 4 Star Printing; Acme Supply; Bell Paper
- D.Acme Supply; 4 Star Printing; 24 Hour Copy Center; Bell Paper
Business names written with Arabic numerals file BEFORE all alphabetic names, and the numerals are arranged by numeric value, not digit by digit. So 4 comes before 24 (four is less than twenty-four, even though the character 2 precedes 4), and both file ahead of Acme Supply and Bell Paper.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 7 (numbers in business names file before alphabetic names, in ascending numeric order)Report a problem with this question
7. This list is already in correct filing order: Sandoval, Eva / Santana, Luis / Santiago, Ruth / Santos, Ana. Where does Sanz, Peter belong?
- A.Between Sandoval, Eva and Santana, Luis
- B.After Santos, Ana✓ Answer
- C.Between Santana, Luis and Santiago, Ruth
- D.Between Santiago, Ruth and Santos, Ana
All five surnames share San-, so the fourth letter decides: d, t, t, t and z. Since z follows t, Sanz sorts after Santana, Santiago and Santos, which places it after every name on the list — the last slot is a genuine answer, not a throwaway.
Source: USPS Exam 710/730 Clerical Battery, Sequencing part (place the item in the correct lettered space, including the space after all listed items)Report a problem with this question
8. This list is already in correct filing order: Whitfield / Whiting / Whitman / Whitmore. Where does Whitcomb belong?
- A.Before Whitfield✓ Answer
- B.Between Whitfield and Whiting
- C.Between Whiting and Whitman
- D.After Whitmore
All five names share the first four letters Whit, so comparison moves to the fifth letter: c, f, i, m, m. Because c precedes f, Whitcomb files ahead of Whitfield and therefore takes the first position in the list.
Source: ARMA International Simplified Filing Standard Rules, Rule 1 (letter-by-letter comparison)Report a problem with this question
9. These file numbers are already in correct numerical order: 04180237 / 04180273 / 04180327 / 04181023. Where does 04180259 belong?
- A.Before 04180237
- B.Between 04180237 and 04180273✓ Answer
- C.Between 04180273 and 04180327
- D.After 04181023
Zero-padded codes are all the same width, so they are compared digit by digit from the left and the first differing digit decides. 04180259 matches 041802 with both neighbors; at the seventh digit it has 5, which is greater than the 3 in 04180237 but less than the 7 in 04180273, so it falls between those two.
Source: USPS Exam 710/730 Clerical Battery, Sequencing part (fixed-width numeric codes compared digit by digit, left to right)Report a problem with this question
10. These codes are already in correct sequence: MRK-4820 / MRL-1105 / MRM-3960 / MRN-2740. Where does MRL-9002 belong?
- A.After MRN-2740
- B.Between MRL-1105 and MRM-3960✓ Answer
- C.Between MRK-4820 and MRL-1105
- D.Before MRK-4820
Alphanumeric codes are compared left to right, so the letter block settles the position before the number is ever looked at. MRL comes after MRK and before MRM, and within the MRL block 9002 is larger than 1105, so MRL-9002 goes just after MRL-1105 — the large number 9002 does not send it to the end.
Source: USPS Exam 710/730 Clerical Battery, Sequencing part (alphanumeric codes compared left to right; letter block takes priority)Report a problem with this question
11. Four dated records are to be filed from earliest to latest: March 9, 2016 / May 2, 2015 / March 30, 2016 / February 14, 2016. Which record is SECOND in that order?
- A.May 2, 2015
- B.March 30, 2016
- C.February 14, 2016✓ Answer
- D.March 9, 2016
Chronological filing compares the year first, then the month, then the day, because the larger time unit outranks the smaller one. The 2015 date is earliest, and among the three 2016 dates February precedes both March dates, so February 14, 2016 is second; the full order is May 2, 2015; February 14, 2016; March 9, 2016; March 30, 2016.
Source: Standard chronological filing practice (sort by year, then month, then day)Report a problem with this question
12. These dispatch times are listed in correct order from earliest to latest: 7:45 a.m. / 11:20 a.m. / 12:05 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. Where does 12:40 a.m. belong?
- A.Between 7:45 a.m. and 11:20 a.m.
- B.Before 7:45 a.m.✓ Answer
- C.Between 11:20 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.
- D.After 3:30 p.m.
In 12-hour notation the hour 12 a.m. is midnight, so 12:40 a.m. is only 40 minutes into the day and is earlier than any other a.m. time on the list. It therefore files before 7:45 a.m.; the trap is reading 12:40 a.m. as if it were near noon.
Source: Standard 12-hour clock convention (12:00 a.m. = midnight, 12:00 p.m. = noon)Report a problem with this question
13. These bin numbers were supposed to be written in ascending order but one entry breaks the sequence: 3081, 3108, 3180, 3018, 3810. Which number is out of place?
- A.3018✓ Answer
- B.3108
- C.3810
- D.3180
In an ascending list every entry must be larger than the one before it, so the break appears at the first entry that is smaller than its predecessor. 3018 follows 3180 but is smaller than it — and smaller than 3081 as well — so 3018 is the misplaced entry and actually belongs at the front of the list.
Source: USPS Exam 710/730 Clerical Battery, Sequencing part (numeric ordering, digit-by-digit comparison)Report a problem with this question
14. What number continues this series? 7, 10, 16, 25, 37, ___
- A.52✓ Answer
- B.46
- C.49
- D.55
The gaps between terms are 3, 6, 9 and 12 — they increase by 3 each time — so the next gap must be 15. Adding 15 to 37 gives 52; choosing 49 repeats the previous gap of 12 instead of increasing it.
Source: Number-series reasoning (constant second difference of +3)Report a problem with this question
15. A clerk is grouping parcels that each weigh LESS than one pound. Which parcel does NOT belong in the group? 12 oz / 15 oz / 9 oz / 1 lb 2 oz
- A.1 lb 2 oz✓ Answer
- B.9 oz
- C.15 oz
- D.12 oz
One pound equals 16 ounces, so the stated rule admits any parcel under 16 oz. The parcels of 12 oz, 15 oz and 9 oz all qualify, but 1 lb 2 oz converts to 16 + 2 = 18 oz, which exceeds one pound and therefore fails the rule.
Source: U.S. customary weight conversion: 1 pound = 16 ounces (NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C)Report a problem with this question
16. A file room sorts account folders into four bins by account number: Bin 1 holds 1000–2999, Bin 2 holds 3000–4999, Bin 3 holds 5000–6999, Bin 4 holds 7000–8999. In which bin does account 7000 belong?
- A.Bin 3
- B.Bin 4✓ Answer
- C.Bin 1
- D.Bin 2
Each stated range includes its own endpoints, so a number is placed in the bin whose lower and upper limits bracket it. Bin 3 stops at 6999, and 7000 is the first number of the next range, so the folder goes in Bin 4.
Source: Classification by stated inclusive numeric ranges (boundary values belong to the range that names them)Report a problem with this question
17. From this list of parcel codes, how many begin with the letter P AND end with an even digit? P-142, R-207, P-338, P-451, S-260, P-604, R-119, P-775, P-286, S-433, P-950, R-862
- A.6
- B.4
- C.5✓ Answer
- D.7
Both conditions must hold at once, so codes are counted only if the prefix is P and the final digit is 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8. The seven P codes are 142, 338, 451, 604, 775, 286 and 950; of these, 451 ends in 1 and 775 ends in 5, leaving five qualifying codes: P-142, P-338, P-604, P-286 and P-950.
Source: Counting/tally task with two simultaneous criteria (logical AND)Report a problem with this question
18. The table below shows parcels handled over three days. Alvarez: Mon 42, Tue 38, Wed 51. Becker: Mon 55, Tue 47, Wed 40. Chen: Mon 33, Tue 61, Wed 44. Delgado: Mon 48, Tue 39, Wed 57. Which clerk handled the most parcels over the three days combined?
- A.Delgado✓ Answer
- B.Chen
- C.Alvarez
- D.Becker
The comparison must be made on row totals, not on any single day, so each clerk's three figures are added first: Alvarez 42+38+51 = 131, Becker 55+47+40 = 142, Chen 33+61+44 = 138, Delgado 48+39+57 = 144. Delgado has the largest total even though Becker led on Monday and Chen led on Tuesday.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (whole-number addition and comparison from tabulated data)Report a problem with this question
19. At a hypothetical rate of $3.25 per roll, what is the total charge for 14 rolls of packing tape?
- A.$52.00
- B.$45.05
- C.$45.50✓ Answer
- D.$48.75
A total at a fixed unit rate is quantity multiplied by rate, and the product can be split to keep the arithmetic simple: 14 x $3.00 = $42.00 and 14 x $0.25 = $3.50. Adding the parts gives $45.50; the option $45.05 comes from misplacing the decimal, and $48.75 is 15 rolls rather than 14.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (quantity x unit rate)Report a problem with this question
20. Of 480 pieces of mail sorted in one shift, 15% were flagged for a second check. How many pieces were flagged?
- A.120
- B.96
- C.78
- D.72✓ Answer
A percentage of a total is found by multiplying the total by the percent expressed as a fraction of 100, which is easiest to do in parts: 10% of 480 is 48 and 5% is half of that, 24. Adding them gives 15% = 72 pieces; 96 would be 20% and 120 would be 25%.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (percentage of a total)Report a problem with this question
21. A clerk sorted 126, 154, 138 and 142 pieces on four consecutive days. What was the average number of pieces sorted per day?
- A.150
- B.135
- C.145
- D.140✓ Answer
An average is the sum of the values divided by how many values there are, so all four days must be totalled first: 126 + 154 + 138 + 142 = 560. Dividing by the 4 days gives 560 / 4 = 140 pieces per day.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (arithmetic mean)Report a problem with this question
22. A clerk began a sorting task at 9:47 a.m. and finished at 1:12 p.m. the same day. How much time elapsed?
- A.3 h 25 min✓ Answer
- B.3 h 15 min
- C.4 h 25 min
- D.2 h 25 min
Elapsed time across the noon hour is easiest to count in two steps rather than subtracting the clock readings directly. From 9:47 a.m. to 12:47 p.m. is exactly 3 hours, and from 12:47 p.m. to 1:12 p.m. is 25 minutes, for a total of 3 hours 25 minutes.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (elapsed time across the hour, 12-hour clock)Report a problem with this question
23. A shelf 9 ft 6 in long is divided into 6 sections of equal length. How many inches long is each section?
- A.18 in
- B.19.5 in
- C.20 in
- D.19 in✓ Answer
Mixed units must be converted to a single unit before dividing, and one foot equals 12 inches, so 9 ft 6 in = (9 x 12) + 6 = 114 inches. Dividing by 6 gives 19 inches per section; the answer 18 in comes from dropping the extra 6 inches and dividing only 108.
Source: U.S. customary length conversion: 1 foot = 12 inches (NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C)Report a problem with this question
24. 744 flats must be divided as evenly as possible among 7 routes, with each route receiving the same whole number of flats. How many flats does each route receive, and how many are left over?
- A.105 each, 9 left over
- B.106 each, 4 left over
- C.106 each, 2 left over✓ Answer
- D.107 each, 5 left over
Dividing 744 by 7 gives a whole-number quotient of 106 with a remainder, and the remainder must always be smaller than the divisor. Since 7 x 106 = 742, the leftover is 744 - 742 = 2; the option "105 each, 9 left over" is wrong because a remainder of 9 exceeds 7 and would allow one more flat per route.
Source: USPS Exam 710/725/730 Clerical Battery, Math Computation part (whole-number division with remainder; remainder < divisor)Report a problem with this question
Practice questions modeled on the objective sections of the USPS Virtual Entry Assessment 474. The actual assessment also includes a non-scored personal-experience/personality portion that has no correct answer and is not practiced here. The Coding & Memory section belongs to the retired Exam 473, not the VEA 474 — it is included as transferable accuracy practice only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Postal Service. Study the official careers materials at usps.com/careers. USPS Careers →