Scheme Test

A newly hired distribution clerk who is in training with full hourly pay is required to pass the scheme test. If he or she cannot pass the test within a certain period of time, he cannot qualify for the position of distribution clerk or scheme LSM operator. He can be a letter carrier or mail handler, though. In order to pass this test, he needs to score 95% or higher.

Every post office has its own schemes, based on its zipcodes. For example, a city may have four zip codes: 48043, 48044, 48045, and 48046. The scheme is based on the numbers of streets and street names. For zipcode 48043, for example, you must study and memorize street names and their numbers typed on a number of cards (for example 600). You must know this scheme by heart, because when you sort letters, you must know to what box or route they should go.

Here are some examples of a Scheme.

Euclid Ave 1-99 (numbers) should go to Route 28
(This simply means that all letters for street numbers from 1 to 99 must be placed in a pigeon hall for a certain route, such as Route 28. Distribution of these letters is handled by a letter carrier.)

Coleman 19000 - 19699 should go to Route 38

Warner 20700 - 21699 should go to Route 34

(Note: To see a complete samples of schemes and how to memorize them, see The Book of U.S. Postal Exams & Post Office Jobs:How to Be a Top Scorer on 473/473-C/460 Tests & Other Postal Exams to Get a Post Office Jobs by Veltisezar B. Bautista)