Content Writing Skills Test on Upwork (2016 version)
Introduction
Upwork, the leading freelancing platform, requires all aspiring content writers to pass a mandatory content writing skills test before they are allowed to bid on writing jobs on the site. The aim of this test is to evaluate candidates’ understanding of core principles of effective written communication and assess their ability to produce high-quality written content under time constraints. This article provides an in-depth overview of the 2016 version of Upwork’s content writing skills test, including details of the test format, sections, scoring criteria, sample questions and strategies to help you prepare and pass the test.
Test Format and Sections
The content writing skills test on Upwork consists of 65 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 60 minutes. The test is divided into the following 6 sections:
Grammar and Usage (15 questions)
This section tests your knowledge of basic grammar rules, punctuation usage, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, modifiers and more. Questions may ask you to identify grammatical errors or choose the most appropriate grammatical construction in a given context.
Style and Mechanics (15 questions)
Here, you will be tested on principles of clear, coherent and concise writing style. Expect questions on punctuation usage, capitalization, spelling, sentence structure, vocabulary and word choice. Some questions may present a short passage and ask you to identify stylistic errors or improvements.
Structure and Organization (10 questions)
Questions in this section evaluate your understanding of effective paragraph and full composition structure. You will need to demonstrate strong grasp of concepts like topic sentences, supporting details, coherent flow, appropriate length, intros/conclusions etc.
Audience Analysis (10 questions)
This section gauges your ability to analyze target audiences and adapt written content accordingly. Questions may describe scenarios and ask you to choose the most suitable tone, formatting, level of detail or type of content for a given readership.
Research and Content Development (10 questions)
Here, you will be assessed on skills like identifying relevant sources of information, paraphrasing, properly citing references, avoiding plagiarism and developing unique yet factually accurate content.
Editing and Proofreading (5 questions)
The final short section measures your editing and proofreading proficiency through identifying errors, discrepancies or areas for improvement in given texts.
Scoring
The test uses a “mastery-based” grading system where test takers must demonstrate proficiency in all assessed skills rather than just their overall performance. To pass, you need to correctly answer at least 65% of questions in EACH section as well as get an overall score of at least 80% correct answers. There is no penalty for incorrect responses. Once you take the test, you will immediately see your final pass/fail result on screen.
Preparing for the Test
Given the multi-dimensional nature and strict scoring of this test, comprehensive preparation is essential to pass at the first attempt. Here are some effective strategies:
Review grammar and punctuation rules through online tutorials and practice tests. Make flashcards of commonly confused concepts.
Study principles of clear professional writing like cohesion, conciseness, appropriateness. Analyze sample texts.
Understand elements of structure for paragraphs, essays and reports. Practice outlining sample topics.
Learn to identify target audiences and their information needs, interests and comprehension levels.
Research copyright and plagiarism policies. Practice summarizing, paraphrasing and citing information thoroughly.
Find sample content writing skills tests online for Upwork-style questions and further tips. Take multiple full-length practice tests under timed conditions.
Review incorrectly answered questions on practice tests and strengthen weak areas before the actual exam.
Stay relaxed during the actual test. Read instructions carefully and do not spend too much time on a single question. Guess intelligently if required to bank more points.
Most importantly, continue honing your overall content creation, editing and research skills with real projects in the run up to the test.
With regular, focused preparation using the above strategies for a few weeks before your scheduled test attempt, you will certainly develop the expertise and confidence needed to clear Upwork’s challenging skills test for content writers on the first try. This certification is extremely valuable for kickstarting an online freelance writing career on Upwork. So spare no effort to prepare and pass!
Sample Questions
Here are a few sample questions that could be asked in Upwork’s content writing skills test:
Grammar and Usage:
Identify the sentence that contains a grammatical error:
I went to the park yesterday and I played on the swings for hours.
Sarah cooked dinner as John done the dishes.
The dog barked loudly at the mailman as he delivered the mail.
My parents is very proud of my academic achievements.
Style and Mechanics:
Choose the sentence that is most clearly and concisely written:
I had been going to the library every Tuesday in order to study for an upcoming exam.
Every Tuesday I went to the library to study for an exam coming up.
The library was where I went each Tuesday for studying for a test upcoming.
Studying for a test which was upcoming, I had gone to the library on Tuesdays.
Structure and Organization:
Identify the paragraph that is logically structured with a clear topic sentence and examples:
Polar bears are found in icy climates near the North Pole. They have thick fur to keep warm. Polar bears eat seals.
Polar bears are large white bears found near the Arctic. Their thick fur and layers of fat help them survive in frigid temperatures. To hunt for food like seals, polar bears have excellent vision, sense of smell, and can cover long distances on the ice.
Polar bears have white fur. They live in cold places and eat seals. Their fur keeps them warm in the snow.
Eating seals and having white fur, polar bears live in Arctic areas. To hunt seals, polar bears have good senses and can walk far on ice.
This is just a sample of the types of questions you may encounter in the Upwork content writing skills test. Regular practice of similar questions is necessary to perform well on exam day.
Conclusion
Passing Upwork’s comprehensive content writing skills test is a critical requirement for freelance writers wanting to pursue online work opportunities on the platform. This article provided an overview of the exam format, individual sections, scoring criteria, effective preparation strategies and examples of question types. With focused, long-term practice incorporating the tips mentioned here, candidates can certainly equip themselves with the necessary expertise, speed and test-taking skills to clear this assessment successfully in their first attempt. Doing so will open the doors to an exciting freelancing journey and a steady stream of quality writing projects on Upwork.
Andrew Stroud