Testing is a touchy subject!
Very few of us like to take tests...
The thought of sharing the results with potential clients can be paralyzing...
But...
Freelancers who take skills test are 3 times more likely to get hired!
Over 76% of clients are more likely to hire a freelancer that has taken skills tests.
Good News
The good news is you don't have to take a lot of them... 1 or 2 in your first 6 months is really all you need... but you are likely to get started much faster if you get that first test under your belt before you start bidding.
There are some real paradoxes with the testing though, and if you don't understand them it can be frustrating... for example:
Paradox #1
If you want to do proofreading you DON'T have to take the proofreading tests.
The proofreading tests (yes there are several) are based on a guide from the Associated Press and other similar organizations. These guides are used in newsrooms and in major publications that can afford to train their people to this level. Most proofreading assignments don't require anywhere close to that level of expertise.
You are much better off taking easier tests like the Online Article Writing & Blogging, Business Writing Skills to prove your skills. Just because you are doing proofreading assignments doesn't mean you have to take and display any of the “official†proofreading tests...
Other tests that demonstrate your familiarity with English and grammar; and broader topic tests, like article writing, demonstrate you are good at working with words.
Paradox #2
You've used Microsoft Word for 20 years, you know it well... but don't take the Microsoft Word test.
As a Barefoot Consultant, I create some pretty complex documents... but the word “test†brings me to my knees. In the Microsoft Word test you will find things like, multi-column pages, footnotes, mathematical formulas...things most people never use. The test is full of Word features your typical client will ever need, so the test is irrelevant if you plan to utilize the basic features of MS Word (like 98% of your clients).
Remember these 5 extremely important points:
1. You don't have to make your test score public until you're satisfied with your score.
2. If you don't do as well as you would like on website a test, you can re-take it in 30 days. This gives you time to brush up on the areas you need to. There is no downside to taking the test multiple times.
3. It is an "open book" test. You can use any resource you like to research the answers as you are taking the test.
4. You can write down the questions you are unsure of so you can do some additional study on those.
5. There are certain resources that some of these tests are derived from. In our freelance course material, we discuss those. Review those resources and your score will almost always improve.
Don't be intimidated by Skills tests!
Tested skills are an important way to differentiate yourself from your competition.
And a little preparation goes a long way...
Once you have a test score you are happy with (usually 4 or higher) you are 3 times more likely to get an assignment than your fellow (untested) freelancers.
Doing this is low risk, high pay-off...but don't make it harder than it really is by taking the wrong test.