Who This Guide Is For
If you have been invited to take an editing or proofreading test as part of a job application, this guide will tell you exactly what to expect. It covers how the tests work, what they measure, how your results are used, and how to approach the test to give yourself the best chance of performing well.
Editorial assessments are used by publishers, media companies, legal firms, corporate communications teams, staffing agencies, and many other organisations to evaluate candidates for editorial and communications roles before hiring. Taking one is a normal, expected part of applying for editorial work — not a sign that your application is uncertain.
What Types of Tests You Might Be Asked to Take
There are several types of editorial assessment, and you may be asked to take one or more depending on the role:
Editing test
The editing test presents you with a passage of text containing deliberate errors. Your task is to identify and correct them within a set time limit, using a simulated track-changes editing environment. You will be marking insertions and deletions — the same kind of markup a professional editor uses in everyday work. The test measures your accuracy, speed, and editorial judgement.
Full Editing Assessment (FEA)
The Full Editing Assessment is an extended version of the editing test, covering more material over a longer time window (typically 45 minutes). It is used for senior editorial roles where a comprehensive evaluation of editing ability is needed.
Proofreading test
The proofreading test presents near-final copy and asks you to identify errors — spelling mistakes, punctuation inconsistencies, typographical errors, and similar issues. Unlike the editing test, you are not restructuring or rewriting; you are catching what remains after earlier editorial stages. The test is timed, typically 15 to 20 minutes.
Grammar test
A grammar test measures your command of written English at the sentence level: agreement, tense, punctuation, pronoun use, parallel structure, and commonly confused words and constructions. Grammar tests are often used as a first-stage screener and are typically 15 to 25 minutes long.
Writing test
If the role involves original content production, you may be asked to complete a writing test: a short piece of original writing in response to a prompt. The test measures clarity, structure, tone, and vocabulary. There is typically no single correct answer — the assessor is evaluating the quality of your writing, not checking it against a key.
MS Word test
For roles that involve working directly in Microsoft Word, the MS Word test assesses your knowledge of Word''s tools and features: formatting, styles, navigation, and document management. It tests practical software competency rather than language skill.
Industry vocabulary test
If you are applying for a specialist editorial role — in medical, legal, financial, scientific, or technical publishing — you may be asked to take an industry vocabulary test. This assesses your familiarity with the specific terminology of the sector. The test cannot be prepared for effectively without genuine domain knowledge; it is designed to confirm that you know the field, not just the language.
How the Tests Work in Practice
You will receive an invitation by email containing a unique link to your test. You do not need to create an account. Clicking the link takes you directly to the test interface.
Before the test begins, you will see a brief explanation of the task and the time limit. Read this carefully. Once you start the timer, it counts down continuously — there is no pause function.
The test is administered in a browser. You do not need to install any software. The interface works on all major browsers on desktop or laptop computers. While it is technically possible to take the test on a mobile device, a desktop or laptop is strongly recommended — editorial work on a small screen under time pressure is significantly harder.
How You Will Be Scored
Your score is calculated automatically on submission. It is expressed as a percentage of available marks and also as a percentile — the percentage of all prior candidates who scored lower than you. A percentile of 70 means you outperformed 70% of everyone who has previously taken the same test.
The scoring system counts both correct corrections and incorrect interventions. Making unnecessary changes — editing things that did not need to be edited — reduces your precision score. The best scores reflect both high accuracy and high precision: catching what needs to be caught, and leaving alone what does not.
How to Prepare
The most effective preparation is practice with the kind of material you will encounter in the role. Read published editorial work in your target sector. Notice how professional editors handle punctuation, structure, and style. Brush up on any grammar rules you are uncertain about.
Try the free demos on EditingTests.com before taking the real test. The Demo Lab offers five-question samples of each test type with no account required. This familiarises you with the interface and the format, so you are not encountering them for the first time under exam conditions.
On the day of the test: find a quiet environment, use a desktop or laptop, close other browser tabs, and read the instructions carefully before starting the timer. Manage your time — do not spend so long on one question that you run out of time for the rest.
What Happens to Your Results
Your results are delivered to the HR team or organisation that commissioned your test. They receive your score, your percentile ranking, and a breakdown of your performance by error type. They do not receive a transcript of every change you made.
Your data is held in accordance with GDPR, PIPEDA, and applicable data protection legislation. If you would like to know what data is held about you or request its deletion, you can contact the platform directly at admin@editingtests.com.
If you performed well on the test, you should expect to hear from the employer with next steps. If you did not advance, the test result was one input into the hiring decision alongside other factors. Editorial aptitude is a skill that develops with practice — a result that does not advance you in one application does not define your long-term trajectory.
Common Questions
Can I retake the test?
Retakes are at the employer''s discretion. In most cases, the invitation link is single-use and the result from your first attempt is the one used for the hiring decision.
Is the test accessible?
If you have an accessibility requirement that affects your ability to complete a timed test, contact the employer or HR team that sent you the invitation before you begin. Reasonable accommodations, including extended time, can be arranged in advance.
What if I lose my internet connection mid-test?
The platform saves your progress automatically. If your connection drops, reload the page and log back in using the same invitation link — your work should be preserved from the last auto-save point.
