Postal Exam 916 exam-day guide
Postal Exam 916 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID card, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name on your ID should match the name on your registration. Accepted ID types can vary by test site, so confirm the exact list with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation or scheduling notice
Bring a printed or digital copy of your scheduling email/notice showing your test date, time, and location. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a phone screenshot is acceptable.
Exact test site address, parking, and travel plan
Look up the address the day before, check for construction or road closures, and identify parking or transit options. Note the building entrance if the confirmation specifies one.
Arrival buffer of at least 30 minutes
Plan to be at the site well before your scheduled start time. Check-in procedures can take time, and late arrivals may be refused entry. Confirm the specific arrival and cutoff policy with the provider.
Knowledge of the test format and permitted materials
Confirm in advance whether the exam is computer-delivered or paper-based, how long it runs, and whether scratch paper, pencils, or calculators are provided or prohibited. Do not assume.
Prescription glasses or hearing aids if you use them
Bring any corrective devices you rely on, plus a case if needed. If you require a testing accommodation, request it through the provider's process well before test day.
Comfortable layered clothing
Room temperatures vary. Dress in layers and choose clothing you can sit in for an extended period. Avoid items that set off security screening.
Phone silenced and stored out of reach
Most testing sites prohibit personal electronics at the workstation. Plan to turn your phone off and store it as directed. Confirm the site's device policy with the provider.
Water and a snack for before or after the test
Whether food or drink is allowed inside the testing room varies by site. Confirm the policy; if unclear, eat and hydrate before you enter.
Names and contact numbers you may need on a form
Have your references, prior employment details, or contact information ready in case any paperwork is collected at the site. Leave written notes outside the testing room unless the provider permits them.
Backup plan for a cancellation or delay
Save the provider's contact number and know how to reschedule. Confirm the provider's policy on late arrivals, rescheduling, and no-shows in advance.
Plan the day
Re-read your confirmation notice and verify the date, time, address, and any listed rules. Confirm the ID you plan to bring is unexpired and that your name matches your registration. Plan your route and travel time, including parking. Shift your sleep schedule so you will be rested for an early start, and do a light review of the test's format rather than new material.
Contact the provider if anything is ambiguous: accepted ID, permitted materials, break policy, arrival cutoff, and accommodation requests. Get answers in writing if possible.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation notice, glasses, layers, and any permitted items. Lay out clothes. Do only light, confidence-building review, then stop. Avoid alcohol and late nights; aim for a full night's sleep. Charge your phone and set two alarms. Check the weather and confirm your transportation plan.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate, but avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to jitters. Leave earlier than the map estimate suggests. Arrive with a buffer, have your ID in hand, and follow check-in instructions exactly. Use the restroom before you are seated.
Read all instructions before starting and ask the proctor about anything unclear. Work at a steady pace and answer every question; there is usually no advantage to leaving items blank unless the scoring rules penalize wrong answers, which you should confirm beforehand. Do not spend too long on any single item; mark and return to it if the format allows. If you feel stuck or anxious, pause, breathe, and continue. Keep track of time against the number of remaining questions.
Follow the proctor's instructions for submitting materials and leaving the room. Ask how and when results will be communicated, and confirm any retake or waiting-period rules with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before test day; a photocopy or digital image is generally not accepted.
Arrive before your scheduled start time. Late arrivals may be denied entry, and rescheduling rules vary, so confirm the arrival cutoff and no-show policy with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions. Personal electronics, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are typically prohibited at the workstation and may need to be stored or left outside the room.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not remove test materials, scratch paper, or notes from the room unless the proctor says otherwise.
Breaks: confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled and whether you may leave the room. If you leave without authorization, you may not be permitted to resume.
Scoring: confirm in advance how your score is calculated and used, whether unanswered questions count against you, and whether there is a waiting period before a retake. Do not rely on secondhand information.
Accommodations: if you need extra time, a quiet room, or other adjustments, request them through the provider's formal process well ahead of the test date, and bring the approval confirmation.
If a rule at the site conflicts with what you were told earlier, follow the on-site proctor and raise the discrepancy afterward with the provider.