USPS Identifying Data Entry Errors 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A clerk enters a package destination as '1842 Elm Stret, Dallas, TX 75201'. What type of error is present?
- Wrong ZIP code
- Transposed digits in street number
- Misspelled street type (Correct answer)
- Incorrect state abbreviation
Correct answer: Misspelled street type
The word 'Stret' is a misspelling of 'Street,' which is a typographic data entry error in the street type field.
Question 2: Two records show the same tracking number but different recipient names. This is best described as a:
- Duplicate entry error (Correct answer)
- Formatting inconsistency
- Transposition error
- Omission error
Correct answer: Duplicate entry error
When the same tracking number appears with different recipient names, it indicates a duplicate entry error where one record is incorrect.
Question 3: A data entry operator records a ZIP code as '9021-0' instead of '90210'. What error occurred?
- Missing digit
- Hyphen inserted incorrectly (Correct answer)
- Wrong ZIP code format
- Transposition of digits
Correct answer: Hyphen inserted incorrectly
A hyphen was inserted after the fourth digit instead of none, breaking the standard 5-digit ZIP code format.
Question 4: A mail sorter reads '14 West Oak Ave' but enters '41 West Oak Ave'. This is an example of:
- Omission error
- Substitution error
- Transposition error (Correct answer)
- Addition error
Correct answer: Transposition error
Transposing '14' to '41' is a transposition error where digits are swapped in order.
Question 5: An entry reads 'Phoenix, AZ 85001' but the intended city is 'Phenix City, AL 36867'. What is the primary error?
- ZIP code error only
- State abbreviation error only
- Both city and state were entered incorrectly (Correct answer)
- Street address was omitted
Correct answer: Both city and state were entered incorrectly
Both the city name and the state abbreviation are wrong, making this a compound error affecting two fields.
Question 6: Which of the following ZIP codes contains an error if the correct code is 30301?
- 30301
- 30310
- 30031 (Correct answer)
- All others contain errors
Correct answer: 30031
30031 is a transposition of the internal digits (0 and 3 swapped), making it incorrect while 30301 is the correct code.
Question 7: A clerk enters a delivery confirmation scan at 14:72 hours. What is wrong with this entry?
- Date field was skipped
- Invalid time — minutes cannot exceed 59 (Correct answer)
- AM/PM designation is missing
- Seconds were not recorded
Correct answer: Invalid time — minutes cannot exceed 59
72 is not a valid minute value; minutes must fall between 00 and 59, so 14:72 is an impossible time.
USPS Identifying Data Entry Errors 2
A clerk enters a package destination as '1842 Elm Stret, Dallas, TX 75201'.
What type of error is present?