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Canada Post GAT Test Overview

The Canada Post General Ability test (GAT) is a requirement for most jobs at Canada Post.  The GAT test covers language, math, critical thinking, sorting and reasoning.  See below for a more detailed description of the test contents.  The GAT test is a timed test and you must complete the test in two hours.

About the Hiring Process

The hiring process at the Canada post as seen is not only fair but also comprehensive in terms of securing skills and upgrading talents. The online application process of filling in details makes it easier for candidates to apply for jobs several times or even apply for a variety of posts using the same resume but with small modifications to the custom requirements. The testing process ensures that the Canada Post hires workers who are fit and qualified for the jobs. The testing contains comprehensive coverage of the skills required for the job.

Computer or pencil and paper test

The GAT is generally done online through a special website. Candidates are not allowed to use any other devices during the exam.

Retaking the test

You must wait for 60 days from the date of the most recent GA test before you can retake the exam.

Hiring Process and Test Booking

The hiring process begins with online submission of your resume on the Canada Post website where you will find a list of vacancies for all locations across Canada. The second step is the pre-employment test.  If you are selected for the second step in the hiring process you are notified by mail and invited to take the online test. A telephone interview follows the pre-employment test and then an in-person interview follows.

Eligibility for Canada Post Jobs

Basic qualifications:

Driver’s License – a valid driver’s license for either class 5 or G with a record in safe driving for a minimum period of four years. The second qualification is

Physical Eligibility:  ability to lift heavy loads of about 60 lbs. or carry loads weighing up to 20 kg for a whole day. Physical fitness encompasses the ability to walk, climb, bend, pull and push equipment and descend stairs, delivering mails in all traffic conditions.  The ability to multi-task, work in all weather conditions and be available on quick notice is the third qualification.

English Language Competence – Written and verbal competency in English is required. Other qualifications – customer care skills, public relations (PR), and computing skills.

Other qualifications for a letter carrier include a secondary school qualification or its provincial equivalence. One should also be proficient in record keeping, reporting, material organization and cash management. The position entails interpersonal skills, integrity, cooperation, safety, and flexibility. The final requirement is the ability to pass the training program and tests.

How to get results

The GAT results are released immediately within 3 hours after the exam is completed and marked. If you pass the exam, then you are notified of your score in each section and the overall result.   Your score will determine if you are eligible for the next phase of the recruitment process, and if so, given a scheduled interview which takes not more than 30 minutes.

Scoring – What is a good score? How it is scored?

Postal clerks and post-delivery agents must score well to qualify for the applied posts. The Canada GAT scoring criteria are developed according to the scores of various sections of the test.

English – rated from  0-10

  • 0-4 failure
  • 5-7  pass
  • 8-10 excellence.

The English score includes verbal and written English

Basic Math – rated from 1 – 10

You must score within the range of 5-10

The overall GAT test score involves integrating all the scores and measuring the candidates’ performance on a scale of 0-100.

  • 0-49 failure
  • 50 -79 pass
  • 80-100 excellence

A passing score does not necessarily mean you will be hired.  The hiring decision also depends on the interviews.

What's on the GAT Test?

Address Sorting

The address sorting tests your ability to organize addresses alphabetically. Address sorting incorporates several parameters such as sorting according to names, locations, or intended destinations as well as the order mail is to be deposited into various addresses or dropped at various locations.

This section includes the ability to use search criteria such as name, city, state, ZIP code, street address among other parameters.

Questions in this section include, determining the difference or similarity between two addresses, or determining the range where a specific address falls. A range could combine both alphabetical and numerical such as A 3876-4123 Wellington ST East and B 5283 – 6145 Wellington West.

Memory Tests

In this section, the candidate is given 3 minutes to answer some questions that are deduced from the paragraphs as a way of testing memory fitness.

  • Several types of questions include:
  • Read 20 words to read quickly and remember 10 of the 20.
  • Several letters flashing on the screen and jot then down.
  • Read telephone numbers and recall within 30 seconds.

Oral and Spatial Intelligence

This section determines your ability to recognize patterns and diagrams from various dimensions or perspectives.  Spatial reasoning helps determine your ability to learn and adopt new skills quickly.

One example of oral spatial intelligence is the way we adjust our language when talking to someone we do not know. Employers are interested in verbal intelligence because it demonstrates how the customers or clients will view your communication with them.

Examples of this type of questions are a multiple-choice question to identify grammatically correct sentences or spelling. E.g. which of the following words is wrongly spelled? (a) Communication (b) Comprehension (d) Competition (e) Analogue.

Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension assesses a person’s ability to read and understand written English. It also tests your ability to analyze answers and choose the most suitable from available choices. The questions include:

  • Vocabulary (Meaning in context)
  • Spelling
  • Metaphors
  • Idioms

Finding the meaning of words and text analysis determines candidate’s ability to think logically.  The ability to make inferences and find the main idea are the top priorities of the reading comprehension test.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Visual-spatial intelligence is the ability to create, retrieve and transform images such as visualization of objects and their shapes. This ability is critical for designing and redesigning structures or objects by visualizing them in your mind, and then turning them into reality.

  • In this section questions may include:
  • An image flashes on the screen and then you are asked to draw it.
  • A variety of shapes and figures that you must fit or match
  • Choose a shaped formed by folding the given shape
  • Count the number of blocks in a complex figure.

Quantitative Reasoning test

This section tests your knowledge of basic math and arithmetic required in most Canada post jobs. This section includes multiple-choice questions on basic functions of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.

Canada Post General Ability Test FAQ

Answer: You can stay informed of new job posting by subscribing to career notifications which are linked and communicated via e-mail once posted. When you get a job or change your mind and don't want to receive more notifications you can unsubscribe from the platform and cease receiving further updates from the career web.
A candidate must have a career profile to be able to apply for Canada post jobs. This is one of the standard operating procedures for the CA post.
Create a career profile on the Canada Post website, where you'll be able to log in and view the most recent job adverts for your application. In this profile, you will fill in various sections your details, academic qualifications, work experience among other more general details. In this career profile, you will be able to search for the most specific jobs in your area of specialization. Once you search for the keyword such as job title, click on it to see the full details of the posting such as the date posted, qualifications, responsibilities, and due date. Once you have filled in all the required details, press the APPLY button to submit your application. The screen will display the word success! To confirm that your application has successfully been done. From there you will be notified via email or telephone about the interview schedule if your application is considered.
No. Once you fill in the initial career profile it will be automatically reflected in your application each time you apply for the same vacancy. However, you can always update your profile details to apply for a different post that demands different qualifications.
Yes you can upload your documents such as resume and identity card photos through an attachment section just below the typing area for the cover letter draft.
If you forgot your password and are unable to login into your Canada Post profile you can still reset your password. There is a provision for password reset just below the login icon. You will receive the confirmation code either by email or mobile and you can then proceed to reset your password for your career profile.

General Ability Test Preparation and Practice

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  • Over 275 Practice Questions
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Canada Post GAT Practice

Written by, Brian Stocker MA., Complete Test Preparation Inc.

Date Published: Thursday, June 24th, 2021
Date Modified: Saturday, January 1st, 2022


Complete Test Preparation is not affiliated with Canada Post, who are no involved in the production of, and do not endorse this product.