Federal Clerk-Typist Test & GS-0322 Typing Guide

Federal Clerk-Typist Series 0322 is a specific clerical occupation with a real OPM typing-proficiency requirement.

It should not be treated as a generic office-assistant page, and it is not the same as Data Transcriber Series 0356.

There is also no single national written Federal Clerk-Typist Test with one fixed set of filing, grammar, math, and proofreading sections for every agency. The vacancy announcement and assessment invitation determine any additional testing beyond the OPM proficiency requirement.

The examples on this page are original educational material. They are not OPM, USA Hire, USAJOBS, or agency test questions, scoring keys, or confidential assessment content.

OPM typing proficiency for Clerk-Typist

OPM’s current General Schedule qualification standards give a concrete proficiency requirement for Clerk-Typist positions.

For Clerk-Typist GS-2 through GS-4, applicants must demonstrate 40 words per minute typing speed.

The same 40-WPM proficiency applies to Office Automation Clerk/Assistant positions and positions carrying (Typing) or (Office Automation) parenthetical titles, as appropriate.

OPM allows applicants to meet applicable proficiency requirements through mechanisms such as:

• passing the appropriate performance test;
• presenting an accepted certificate of proficiency;
• self-certifying proficiency where permitted.

Agencies may verify self-certified proficiency by administering the appropriate performance test.

This is a qualification/proficiency rule. It does not prove that every Clerk-Typist vacancy uses one identical broader clerical exam.

USA Hire coverage for Series 0322

OPM’s current USA Hire availability table lists Clerk-Typist Series 0322 at grades 4–9 under PATCO - Clerical for eligible non-supervisory hiring.

That means agencies currently have USA Hire Standard Assessment coverage available for those grades.

It does not mean:

• every Series 0322 vacancy uses USA Hire;
• every applicant receives the same USA Hire modules;
• USA Hire replaces the typing proficiency requirement when that requirement applies;
• one commercial clerk test represents the official federal blueprint.

Use your announcement and invitation to determine the actual assessment path.

Clerk-Typist vs Data Transcriber

The distinction matters.

Clerk-Typist 0322 centers on clerical work requiring typing proficiency and can include correspondence, records, forms, office documents, and other clerical duties.

Data Transcriber 0356 centers more specifically on transcribing or verifying data from source documents into data-processing systems and has its own OPM proficiency rules.

If your vacancy is Series 0356 or specifically emphasizes data transcription, use the Federal Data Entry / Data Transcriber guide.

For the broader routing map, use the Federal Clerical Tests hub.

What additional skills may be assessed?

Depending on the agency and vacancy, additional assessment content can involve transferable clerical skills such as:

• proofreading;
• grammar and written expression;
• comparing names and numbers;
• filing or record-keeping logic;
• following written instructions;
• reading comprehension;
• basic arithmetic;
• information ordering;
• office judgment;
• typing accuracy.

These are possible preparation areas, not a fixed OPM 0322 exam specification.

Original Clerk-Typist practice examples

These exercises are fictional and original.

Question 1 — Typing accuracy

Target text: Request 417-B was received on March 8.

Which version is an exact match?

A. Request 471-B was received on March 8. B. Request 417-B was received on March 8. C. Request 417-B was recieved on March 8. D. Request 417-B was received on March 18.

Best answer: B

It matches every word, number, and date.

Question 2 — Proofreading

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

A. The records is ready for review. B. The records are ready for review. C. The records be ready for review. D. The records has ready for review.

Best answer: B

The plural subject “records” takes “are.”

Question 3 — Written instruction

Rule: Completed forms must be saved to the case folder before the confirmation email is sent.

What should happen first?

A. Send the email. B. Save the completed form to the case folder. C. Delete the form. D. Print the email twice.

Best answer: B

The rule establishes the required sequence.

Question 4 — Comparing numbers

Target: 70318426

Which number matches exactly?

A. 70314826 B. 70318426 C. 70318462 D. 73018426

Best answer: B

Only option B matches all eight digits.

Question 5 — Filing order

Which name comes first alphabetically?

A. Carter, Elena B. Carlson, David C. Carmichael, Ben D. Carr, Alicia

Best answer: B

“Carlson” comes before “Carmichael,” “Carr,” and “Carter.”

Question 6 — Basic math

A clerk types 18 letters in the morning and 27 in the afternoon. How many letters are completed in total?

A. 35 B. 40 C. 45 D. 55

Best answer: C

18 + 27 = 45.

How to prepare for your actual vacancy

1. Confirm the occupational series and grade.
2. Check whether the announcement requires typing proficiency.
3. Identify how the agency permits you to demonstrate that proficiency.
4. Check whether USA Hire or another assessment system is named.
5. Practise typing speed and accuracy if the 40-WPM requirement applies.
6. Practise broader clerical skills only when the announcement or invitation indicates they are relevant.
7. Use official OPM and agency instructions as the factual authority.

Common mistakes

Avoid these errors:

• assuming a typing certificate automatically satisfies every agency without checking the announcement;
• confusing Clerk-Typist 0322 with Data Transcriber 0356;
• assuming USA Hire availability means USA Hire is mandatory;
• treating a commercial clerical pack as an official federal blueprint;
• practising only speed while ignoring accuracy;
• ignoring additional office-automation or clerical requirements stated in the vacancy.

FAQ