Free USPS Error Detection Test Numeric and Alphanumeric Comparison Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When comparing the two alphanumeric strings below, how many individual characters are incorrect in String B when compared to String A?
String A: APT 98C-2, 4773 W ELM ST
String B: APT 89C-Z, 4737 W ELM ST
Correct answer: 3
There are exactly three character errors: the '8' in '89C' should be a '9', the 'Z' should be a '2', and the second '3' in '4737' should be a '7'. Each substitution counts as one error.
Question 2: A data entry operator is comparing a handwritten address to a system-generated label. Which of the following pairs contains a common alphanumeric substitution error?
Handwritten: 1O7S N PINE AVE
System Label:
- 1075 N PINE AVE (Correct answer)
- 107S N PINE AVE
- I07S N PINE AVE
- 107S N PINE AVE
Correct answer: 1075 N PINE AVE
The most common and plausible substitution error is mistaking the handwritten letter 'S' for the number '5'. The other options either represent a different type of error or are less common substitutions.
Question 3: An error known as a 'transposition' occurs when two adjacent characters are swapped. Which of the following pairs of ZIP+4 codes demonstrates a single transposition error?
- A: 75201-1234 | B: 72501-1234
- A: 90210-5544 | B: 90210-5454
- A: 33139-8765 | B: 33193-8765
- A: 10011-2839 | B: 10011-2893 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A: 10011-2839 | B: 10011-2893
In this pair, the '3' and the '9' in the +4 code of String A have been swapped in String B, which is a classic example of a transposition error. The other pairs show substitution errors, not transpositions.
Question 4: A mail sorting machine reads two address lines from a database to check for consistency. At which character position does the first error appear when comparing Line 2 to Line 1?
Line 1: 21540-3380 OAKLEAF LN
Line 2: 21540-338O OAKLEAF LN
- Position 20
- Position 10 (Correct answer)
- Position 1
- Position 5
Correct answer: Position 10
The first 9 characters (the ZIP code and hyphen) match perfectly. The first discrepancy occurs at the 10th character, where Line 1 has a zero ('0') and Line 2 has a letter 'O'. This is a common data entry error.
Question 5: During a quality check, you must identify if the following two customer records are identical. Which statement correctly describes the comparison?
Record 1: J. Stephenson | 8081 N MAGNOLIA AVE STE 14B
Record 2: J. Stevenson | 8081 N MAGNOLIA AVE STE 14B
- The records are identical.
- The records differ only in the street address.
- The records differ only in the last name. (Correct answer)
- The records differ in both the name and the suite number.
Correct answer: The records differ only in the last name.
The only difference between the two records is the spelling of the last name: 'Stephenson' versus 'Stevenson'. The street address, including the suite number, is identical in both records.
Question 6: Which of the following lines contains an error when compared to the reference address: '16901-4427 SW 87TH CT UNIT #G-3'?
- 16901-4427 SW 87TH CT UNIT #G-3
- 16901-4427 SW 78TH CT UNIT #G-3 (Correct answer)
- 16901-4247 SW 87TH CT UNIT #G-3
- 16901-4427 SW 87TH CT UNIT #6-3
Correct answer: 16901-4427 SW 78TH CT UNIT #G-3
The line '16901-4427 SW 78TH CT UNIT #G-3' incorrectly lists the street as '78TH' instead of '87TH'. This is a numeric transposition error, a common mistake in data entry.
