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PT

Proofreading Test

A mechanical error-detection test on production-ready professional copy. Measures attention to detail and final-pass accuracy under time pressure.

Test Candidates Try Demo
15 min
Test duration
1
Credit per candidate
75%
Default pass threshold
PDF
Instant report

What the Proofreading Test measures

Candidates proofread a professional passage that contains a defined set of mechanical errors — spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, homophone confusion, incorrect capitalisation, and typographical inconsistencies. The score reflects what percentage of errors the candidate correctly identified and marked for correction.

Sample task types

Candidates mark errors directly in the passage using a track-changes interface. Error types include: misspellings, misplaced or missing punctuation, incorrect word forms (their/there/they're), capitalisation errors, and number format inconsistencies. The passage reads fluently at speed — errors are designed to be missed by inattentive readers.

How employers use this test

The Proofreading Test is used as a screening tool for roles where final-pass accuracy is critical — production editors, legal document reviewers, executive assistants, and communications coordinators. It is commonly paired with the Grammar Test as a two-part baseline for any writing-adjacent role.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Proofreading Test scored? +
The candidate's marked errors are compared against the master list of embedded errors. The score is the percentage of errors correctly identified. Marking a correct word as an error (false positive) reduces the score.
Can it be combined with other tests? +
Yes. The PT is commonly combined with the GT, ET, or both. A custom multi-test package uses one credit regardless of how many tests are included.
Is the test timed? +
Yes — 15 minutes. Time pressure is intentional: real proofreading is always done under deadline conditions. Clients can apply a time multiplier for candidates who require additional time.
What is the FEA? +
The Full Editing Assessment (FEA) combines ET + PT + GT in a single 45-minute session. It is our flagship product and uses one credit, the same as any standalone test.
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"Exactly the benchmark we needed — defensible, fast, and trusted by our legal team."

— HR Director, International Law Firm