What is a proofreading test? Great question! If you’re thinking about becoming a proofreader, you’ve probably wondered what one is, or maybe this is your first time hearing about it. I’ve written a few in my career, for both in-house positions and freelance jobs. I also train people to write them, and have even created my own test for students in my proofreading training program.
Taking proofreading tests isn’t always required, but it’s something you may have to do if you want to work with specific clients. If you want to become a professional proofreader, it’s important you know how to prepare for and pass them.
In this post, I’ll go over:
What Exactly Is A Proofreading Test?
Proofreading tests are used to assess how well you proofread certain types of content. They vary in length and reflect the type of writing you will be working on for the client, and are filled with errors. For example, if the client writes blog posts, you’ll be tested on how well you proofread that kind of content.
These tests include errors in spelling, formatting, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. They are not quizzes. There are no multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions.
Do You Have To Take Proofreading Tests?
Whether or not you have to write a proofreading test depends on the type of clients you want to work for, and what kind of content you want to proofread. If you want to become a proofreader who works with publishers and brands, you will need to take a proofreading test. They’re common, and are a standard practice for both in-house and freelance positions.
If you don’t want to work with book or magazine publishers, and instead want to proofread for entrepreneurs, indie authors, creators, or business owners, you might now have to take a test. This will be up to them, though. Usually, showing your portfolio or client list is sufficient proof of your editorial expertise.
Aside from making sure you can spot and fix errors, clients need to know you:
- Can follow their guidelines and preferences
- Stick to proofreading tasks only
- Do not go outside the scope of the project
- Can make decisions independently
- Are open and flexible to diverse writing styles
If you want to test your word skills to see how well you’d do on a proofreading test, we have a variety of proofreading quizzes for you to try.
What Is The Process?
Proofreading tests are given to proofreaders that companies want to hire. Once you’ve made contact with who you want to work for, and have gone through some sort of interview process, they will ask you to write a proofreading test.
You cannot ask to write a proofreading test. It is at their discretion, and if you are asked to take one, it’s a good sign.
Tests are created by the company or person you want to work for. There is no standard proofreading test that is used universally. What you are tested on, and at what level of difficulty, varies.
If You Want To Proofread For Book Publishers
For book publishers, proofreading tests are mandatory if you want to proofread fiction or nonfiction books. You also have to write them for print and digital magazines and newspaper publishers.
Publishers have proofreading tests to see if you:
- Have proficient proofreading skills in their language style (US English, UK English, etc.)
- Understand publishing terms used in their style guides and communications
- Can follow an editorial style guide
- Can proofread according to publishing industry standards and expectations
- Have a sound knowledge of the publishing industry and how it works
The publishing industry has a standard editorial process, and proofreading is the final step. Proofreaders who can work on books will always be in demand. Demonstrating your editorial skills and expertise is a chance for you to prove that you’re right for the job.
Taking Proofreading Tests For Book Publishers
Proofreading books is very different from working with other kinds of content, so publishers need to know you understand industry expectations. Some publishers may include their style guide. A style sheet, or style guide, is a set of guiding editorial preferences a publishing house follows.
Some publishers don’t include one because they want to test your proofreading skills and knowledge without any guidance. A proofreading test for a book publisher can range from a couple of pages to a short chapter. You will not need to proofread an entire book.
Practice Proofreading A Book Cover
I wrote an article with advice on how to proofread books covers. It includes a free practice test and an answer key so you can check your work. Read the post and try the test here.
Preparing To Proofread For Book Publishers
Writing a proofreading test for a book publisher can be intimidating. However, if you practice and are familiar with common editorial issues, the experience will be less stressful.
At Edit Republic, we created digital proofreading workbooks to prepare you for writing proofreading tests for book publishers.
Our workbooks are original fiction stories in various genres including romance and YA. They give you experience following a publisher’s style guide, preserving a writer’s voice, and spotting and fixing errors.
The best part is they come with answer keys so you can immediately check your work. If you’d like to proofread for book publishers, grab one of our proofreading workbooks here.
Why Publishers Won’t Use AI To Proofread
These days, it’s impossible to avoid the reach that AI has on content creation. It’s becoming more common to hear about people using AI to write books. However, publishers will not use AI to proofread their books, magazines, or journals.
Publishers want humans to proofread their books, which is another reason why you need to pass a proofreading test in order to work for them. They don’t want to risk destroying the writer’s voice and style.
As I teach students in my proofreading training program, the Editorial Business Bundle, preserving a writer’s voice and style is their number one task. It is the most important rule that all publishers follow.
This means that human proofreaders are essential for quality control and maintaining the author’s unique style.
What To Expect On A Proofreading Test
Proofreading tests are usually done in Word. This requires you to be familiar with Word’s Track Changes, which is the industry preferred editing program.
It goes without saying that you need to be fully prepared to write a proofreading test. Proofreading skills aren’t something you can learn at the last minute. There is always a deadline for when tests have to be handed back, and you cannot make last-minute corrections after you’ve handed in your work.
To be ready to write the tests, you must:
- Be proficient in proofreading skills for the English style you will be working with
- Be knowledgeable in grammar, punctuation, spelling, word use, formatting guidelines, and common style rules
- Have knowledge of appropriate formatting
- Understand style guides for the English style (Chicago, APA, etc.)
- Be able to work within the scope of proofreading and not overstep
- Know how to preserve the writer’s style while making changes
- Understand terms and expectations within the publishing industry
- Be able to approach fiction differently from other kinds of content
If you aren’t knowledgeable in any of the above, you probably won’t pass. Proofreading tests can’t be done with Spell Check or run through an AI program like ChatGPT. If you do any of that, then professional proofreading isn’t for you.
Keep in mind that you have one chance to write a proofreading test for a publisher. Some may allow you to try again in the future, but most do not. So if you really want to become a proofreader for books, it’s in your best interest to be prepared.
What Happens After The Test?
After you write the proofreading test, you wait for an email notifying you if you’ve passed. If you did well, you’ll be offered a job. Then you’ll be onboarded into the client’s freelance roster.
Onboarding involves signing a freelancer’s contract, signing an NDA, receiving necessary editorial documents like a house style guide, and any other information needed to proofread. Once all of that is completed, clients will send you work.
What If You Don’t Pass?
If you didn’t do well, then you’ll get an email letting you know, and you won’t get the job. It’s important to note that the person in charge of testing proofreaders (managing editor, project manager, proofreading supervisor, etc.) won’t be handing back your marked proofreading test to you.
They also aren’t obligated to give you feedback on your performance. They’re very busy, and in charge of testing for other editorial positions like copy editors, line editors and developmental editors.
Hopefully, you’ll take time to review the test to see where you might have gone wrong. You can do this by looking over the original test that was sent to you, and seeing if you missed anything. Sometimes in stressful situations errors are missed.
If you take proofreading seriously, and have invested in editorial training, then you have to keep trying. Not passing a test is an opportunity to learn and grow as a professional.
To get the steps and clarity you need to be fully prepared to pass proofreading tests, I recommend you watch my free masterclass. You’ll learn what professional proofreaders do, how to work with publishers and other clients, how to earn an income as a freelancer, and how to start a sustainable editorial business from scratch.
Expert Tips From An Editorial Educator
As an editorial educator, I train my proofreading students to pass proofreading tests, and even have a final proofreading test that is based on publishers’ tests. I also mark their work, and return their marked final with feedback so they know where they can improve.
Writing a proofreading test can be daunting, but I’ve learned a few things from having done many in my career, and from creating my own.
First, remember that they’re a way to show off your proofreading skills. Do your best, and be careful and thorough.
Second, professional proofreading can be easily learned. It is essential you understand clearly what proofreading does and doesn’t involve.
I’ve seen people write proofreading tests without really proofreading. They went beyond the scope of proofreading and did things like change plot details and rewrote essential phrases. That isn’t proofreading!
Remember: proofreading is a surface check for errors only. It is not reorganizing or rewriting. Those are developmental and line editing skills, respectively.
Final Thoughts
Proofreading tests don’t have to catch you unaware. Be prepared and up-to-date on industry standards and expectations so nothing catches you off guard.
Writing a test is a good thing. It’s a sign your potential client wants to hire you, and taking the test is the last step towards signing you on for a job or project.
Once you understand exactly what proofreaders do, then writing proofreading tests will be easier for you, and less stressful.
