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I’ve scoured the internet to bring you some of the best proofreading tests and quizzes!
These assessments cover several areas that proofreaders need to master, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage.
I recommend using a dictionary and other resources while taking these tests since that’s what professional proofreaders do!
Proofreading Tests and Quizzes to Assess Your Skills
The exams are listed according to the website where they’re located and are organized from easiest to hardest.
I created a test pertaining to word usage to get the ball rolling!
One of the proofreading tests is in UK English, and the rest are in US English.
Please keep in mind that there are spelling, punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary differences between British and American English.
The duration of the test is listed as short or long.
Short means it will take you a few minutes to complete.
Long indicates you’ll need several minutes or more to finish it.
I’ve included the number of quizzes on each website whenever more than one is available. Some sites will likely add more tests over time.
I hope you have fun testing your skills and boosting your proofreading prowess! 😊
Om Proofreading
Test Format: Multiple choice
Type of English: US
Duration: Long
Test-Taking Note: This test focuses on mistakes that spellcheckers miss. Most sentences deal with homophones: words with the same pronunciation but different meanings (and often different spellings). I hope you enjoy it!
Note: If you need to rid your writing (or someone else’s) of mistakes with homophones, the free version of Grammarly can catch a lot of homophonic errors!
And if you aced the test above, you may want to check out my article about confusing homophones. It contains a fun quiz at the end to check your understanding!
Edit Republic
Quiz Format: Multiple choice
Type of English: US
Duration: Short
What the Company Offers: Site owner Phon Baillie has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. She offers several courses for those interested in working as proofreaders or editors.
Portland Proof
Quiz Format: Find the error in each sentence and write the correct word or punctuation mark in the text box
Type of English: US
Duration: Short; I’m not sure how many quizzes are on this site, but it seems to have quite a few. I think they’re a ton of fun!
Quiz-Taking Tip: Click the “Begin Game!” button to start the quiz. Your score is based on how many mistakes you make and how long it takes you to correct each sentence. You can compete with other quiz takers for the highest score.
What the Company Offers: This company provides proofreading services.
GrammarBook.com
Test/Quiz Format: Multiple choice; 4 tests and 52 quizzes are available
Type of English: US
Duration: Long (the 2 pretests and 2 mastery tests); Short (the other 52 quizzes)
What the Company Offers: This website is based on Jane Straus’s The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. I own and love this book!
The site is a fantastic resource for proofreaders and copy editors as it teaches the rules for English grammar, punctuation, and usage. It includes 4 free tests and 52 free quizzes. Hundreds of additional quizzes are available with a paid subscription.
Grammar Monster
Test Format: Varies
Type of English: US
Duration: Short (334 total tests!!!)
What the Company Offers: This site provides a wealth of knowledge about grammar, punctuation, and commonly misused words. And, of course, truckloads of tests are available. You can hone your English language skills to your heart’s content!
Sporcle
Quiz Format: Find the error in each sentence
Type of English: Not a relevant factor in this case (but UK punctuation is used)
Duration: Long
Quiz-Taking Tip: You have to click on the correct answer (located in the word bank below each sentence).
What the Company Offers: Sporcle provides trivia entertainment online and at live shows. If you’re into trivia, you’ll love this site!
BusinessWritingBlog
Test Format: Find the punctuation error in each sentence
Type of English: US
Duration: Short
What the Company Offers: This company is dedicated to helping people become experts in business writing.
ProofreadNOW.com
Quiz Format: Multiple choice
Type of English: US
Duration: Short
Quiz-Taking Tip: As soon as you click inside the bubble to mark your answer, the quiz moves on, and you can’t go back.
What the Company Offers: Proofreading and copyediting for documents written in English and Spanish; English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translation services
Employment for Proofreaders: Yes. However, they weren’t hiring the last time I checked. They require a minimum of five years of experience as a professional proofreader. You must also perform exceptionally well on several complicated editing tests.
You can go here to see if they’re currently hiring.
Grammar Lion
Test Format: Multiple choice
Type of English: US
Duration: Short
Test-Taking Note: You need to create an account to access this free test. You can take the test now and then retake it after finishing the Grammar Lion Refresher class to see how much you’ve learned.
Test-Taking Tip: You can’t go back on any questions, so make sure you’re happy with your answer before moving on. After finishing the test, choose “Next Lesson” to see your score.
What the Company Offers: Site owner Ellen Feld has a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. She offers a grammar course and a writing course, both suitable for beginners. Ellen also provides coaching services for writers.
CMOS Shop Talk (from The Chicago Manual of Style)
Workout Format: Multiple choice; 47 workouts are available
Type of English: US
Duration: Short
Workout Tip: Remember to breathe deeply and engage your core. Oops! I mean, enjoy this fabulous resource! These workouts mainly contain questions related to proofreading; however, they also include questions about editing and knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).
I own a hard copy of CMOS and subscribe to it online. CMOS is my go-to style guide for proofreading and copyediting.
CMOS Shop Talk is an incredibly valuable resource for general proofreaders!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a proofreading test?
A proofreading test evaluates an individual’s proofreading proficiency. These tests are administered for various purposes, such as to assess job candidates, verify progress made in a proofreading class, or determine whether someone should earn a particular credential.
How do I prepare for a proofreading test?
To get ready for a proofreading test, you need to know the details of the exam (e.g., if it has a particular focus, any style guide requirements, or a time limit).
You can take practice proofreading tests to boost your confidence and uncover areas that need improvement, such as specific aspects of grammar and punctuation. Then, you can use online resources and reference books to improve your skills.
What are five items to check when proofreading?
Five items to check while proofreading are grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Proofreaders fix errors and inconsistencies in these areas. They also look for proper usage and repeated or omitted words. Finally, verifying that writing adheres to a style guide is often needed.
How can I practice proofreading?
You can practice proofreading by looking for mistakes in documents you encounter in daily life. You can proofread your writing or someone else’s. For example, students can practice with papers and essays, teachers with lesson plans and textbooks, and businesspeople with reports and emails.
We can all mine for mistakes in books, newspapers, billboards, brochures, menus, and anything else we see in print. The opportunities are endless! The more you train your eyes to spot slipups, the better you’ll get.
I hope you’ve enjoyed putting your proofreading skills to the test!
Please see my post about the skills proofreaders possess if you’d like more information about this topic.
Om Proofreading also has an article about the signs you would make a good proofreader!
Best wishes to you!
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
– Maya Angelou
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