The Best Proofreading Quiz to Test Your Skills (With Answers)

With the rising number of businesses outsourcing their content writing, the demand for copywriters and proofreaders is higher now than ever before.

If you are looking to get into the proofreading game – even if you are confident in your skills – taking a proofreading quiz to check your accuracy is a no-brainer.

After all, having a general knowledge of the English language and grammar rules may not be enough to make you stand out in this highly competitive field.

That’s where proofreading exercises with answers come in. It can be a lifesaver for anyone hoping to take his or her proofreading skills to the next level.

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Is a Legal Proofreading Test Necessary?

Proofreaders are needed in a myriad of fields, from marketing, to journalism, to public relations.

It’s especially lucrative for those who have honed their skills enough to enter the world of legal proofreading, where quick precision and reliable accuracy are key.

If you plan to pursue a career in this kind of work, your best bet is to obtain certification in the art of transcript proofreading.

Caitlin Pyle’s e-course called Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice is an excellent resource that will give you the skills and certification necessary to work as a transcript proofreader. 

But even if you simply have a passion for words and reading and are interested in the general field of proofreading, you will benefit from Caitlin’s free, comprehensive Proofread Anywhere workshop.

This 76-minute webinar is chock full of valuable information on finding out if proofreading is right for you, using your proofing talents to create financial security for you and your family, and attracting your ideal proofreading clients.

She walks you through a proofreading quiz during her webinar to help show you the common errors you’ll need to be able to recognize as a proofreader.

Caitlyn earned $43,000 in one year working between 20 and 30 hours per week as a proofreader, and she has rolled out this free workshop to help you do the same.

20-Question Proofreading Practice Test

The beauty of proofreading is that it can be done from literally anywhere in the world. You can proofread in your bedroom, from the kitchen table, at the beach, or on a yacht.

All it takes is a firm grasp of the basics of spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as a strong attention to detail and the ability to spot the typographical errors in a document.

Check out this clerical proofreading test to help you decide if you have what it takes to become a proofreader.

This free proofreading quiz covers the most common grammar errors that you can expect to see in the documents you’ll proofread.

Proofreading Quiz PDF (with Answers)

This proofreading quiz is a valuable tool that can be used over and over again as you gradually increase your skills.

Practice your proofreading exercises online, or download a blank copy of the proofreading quiz PDF and a copy of the answers to utilize in a classroom setting, for training purposes, or for your own personal use as you hone your abilities.

When you’re ready, find out how to turn your newly sharpened skills into a lucrative gig with Caitlin’s free 76-minute proofreading webinar.

Four Tips to Help You Ace a Proofreading Test

A proofreading exercise will not only reflect your strengths, but it will also reveal any weaknesses you may have.

Work hard on getting to the point where you can pass a practice test with flying colors before you enter the real world of general or transcript proofreading.

Tip 1: Familiarize Yourself With Writing Styles

While the basics of the English language never change, the nuances of writing styles, formatting, and grammar rules often fluctuate.

Plus, it’s important to understand your individual clients’ style requirements. Do they want you to follow APA style, or do they adhere to MLA?

Regularly brushing up on the various formatting rules evident in each style will not only help you ace a clerical proofreading test, but it will also give you the confidence to tackle all manner of proofreading assignments your clients throw at you.

Tip 2: Read, Read, Read

Just like it would be difficult to maintain your swimming skills without getting into the water, it’s hard to remain skilled at proofreading without actually, well, reading.

Immersing yourself in books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and other instances of the written word is a great way to sharpen your grammar and spelling knowledge.

Tip 3: Practice on Real-Life Examples

To adapt the famous saying from Broadway’s Glengarry Glen Ross, “Always be proofing.” While browsing the web, riding the subway, watching TV, following recipes, and doing anything else involving reading during your day-to-day activities, keep an eye out for errors that you would flag during a proofreading session. This will help you hone your skills and practice thinking on your feet.

Tip 4: Study the Most Common Errors

Brush up on the most common grammar and spelling mistakes to help yourself not only avoid committing them in your own writing, but to enable you to even more easily spot and correct them during your proofreading work.

Tip 5: Take Even More Proofreading Tests and Quizzes

Continue practicing your skills even after you’ve landed your first or tenth proofreading client. One of the best ways to do this is to take an occasional proofreading practice test or quiz.

Caitlin Pyle walks through a simple quiz in her free 76-minute webinar on how to become a successful proofreader.

The Benefits of Proofreading Exercises for Businesses and Individual Proofreaders

Whether you intend to make a career out of proofreading, pick up freelance proofreading jobs, or are simply interested in exercising your skills, taking proofreading quizzes online is a great way to practice.

A self test in proofreading will come in handy for both individuals who want to check their grammar and spelling skills, and for employers, who can assign these proofreading worksheets with answers (pdf) to their employees as a way to test their reading comprehension and attention to detail.