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The Gold Standard for Editorial Talent Validation

Founded in 1998 by professional editors who knew portfolio reviews weren't enough. 28 years later, we remain the only specialist editorial assessment platform of our kind.

1998
Year Founded
130,000+
Candidates Benchmarked
21,348+
Client Organisations
28 Years
Of Benchmark Data

Built by Editors, for the People Who Hire Them

EditingTests.com was founded in 1998 by professional editors who had spent years on both sides of the hiring table. The problem was clear: portfolio reviews, writing samples, and interviews could not reliably predict whether a candidate could actually edit under deadline pressure.

We built the first standardised editorial assessment on the web — a timed, controlled test with consistent scoring that removed subjectivity from the equation. The results were immediate: clients made better hires, candidates received fair evaluation, and the benchmark database began to grow.

28 years on, that database is the foundation of everything we do. Every candidate result enriches the benchmark. Every year of data makes the percentile rankings more precise. No competitor can replicate 28 years of specialist editorial data — because it took 28 years to build.

The Only Specialist Platform

Every test on EditingTests.com was designed specifically for editorial hiring. We don't test "attention to detail" generically — we test proofreading. We don't test "communication" — we test writing across four editorial dimensions.

28 Years of Benchmark Data

Our percentile rankings are built on 130,000+ real editorial candidates tested since 1998. When a candidate scores in the 82nd percentile, that comparison has genuine statistical weight.

Human Where It Matters

Grammar and Industry Vocabulary tests are auto-scored for instant results. Every other test — Editing, Proofreading, Writing, and MS Word Part B — is reviewed by a trained human editor before the result is released to the client. Accuracy cannot be automated away.

Self-Serve, No Friction

No sales calls. No demo requirements. No annual contracts. Register free, buy credits when you need them, send your first test in under 5 minutes. Credits never expire.

28 Years of Editorial Benchmarking

1998

Founded

EditingTests.com launches as the first specialist editorial assessment platform on the web. The Grammar Test and Editing Test go live. The benchmark database begins.

2002

Proofreading Test Added

The Proofreading Test launches, completing the core editorial trilogy. The benchmark database reaches 10,000 candidates.

2006

Writing Assessment

The Writing Test launches with human expert review for all results. For the first time, organisations can assess writing quality — not just error detection — in a standardised format.

2010

25,000 Candidates

The benchmark database reaches 25,000 candidates. Percentile rankings become statistically robust across all seven major editorial disciplines.

2014

MS Word Test

The MS Word Test launches, addressing growing demand for application-level proficiency testing. Now covering the full editorial workflow — from content to production.

2018

Industry Vocabulary Testing

The Industry Vocabulary Test launches with vocabulary banks covering hundreds of specialist sectors. Organisations can now test domain knowledge alongside editorial skill.

2020

100,000 Candidates

The benchmark database passes 100,000 candidates. AI-powered question generation begins expanding vocabulary coverage to 4,400+ industry sectors.

2023

Full Editing Assessment

The Full Editing Assessment launches — Editing, Proofreading, and Grammar in one 45-minute session. The most comprehensive single editorial benchmark available.

2026

Today

130,000+ candidates benchmarked. 21,348+ client organisations in 60+ countries. Seven specialist assessments. The definitive editorial benchmark — and growing.

What We Believe About Editorial Hiring

Skill is measurable.

Editorial ability — accuracy, speed, consistency, and judgment — can be reliably measured with the right instruments. Subjectivity in hiring does not improve outcomes; it just makes the process feel more human.

Context matters.

A 75% score on a Grammar Test means different things for a junior proofreader versus a senior copy editor. Our percentile system provides the context that raw scores cannot — ranking every result against 130,000+ comparable candidates.

Speed and accuracy are not at odds.

The best editorial hires are both fast and precise. Our timed assessments measure both dimensions simultaneously — the same way real editorial work demands them.

Fairness is non-negotiable.

Standardised assessment reduces the bias that disadvantages strong candidates with non-traditional backgrounds. Every candidate gets the same test, the same conditions, and the same scoring framework.

Credits should never expire.

Hiring is unpredictable. Annual subscriptions that charge for capacity you may not use are not in your interest. We charge per assessment and credits never expire — because your hiring budget should serve your hiring needs.

The benchmark is the value.

A test result without context is just a number. The 28 years of benchmark data behind our percentile rankings is what turns that number into a decision. No new platform can replicate this.

Hire Editorial Talent with Confidence

Try any of our seven assessments free. No account required. No credit card. Results in minutes.

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON