Oh, edit tests! We’ve almost all had to do them and if you haven’t yet (lucky you!) it’s in your future. Edit tests are a part of life, especially if you’re looking to get into journalism or a related field. While we may dread them, there are a few tips that can make taking them a little bit less painful and nerve wracking.
Unlike a normal test, you can’t really study for an edit test, and you may not know what to expect. Most companies will give you a take home edit test, usually via email. They want to make sure you can write coherently and know proper grammar before they bring you in for an interview. Many tests require you to write a quick story or come up with pitches, while others will test your grammar.
No matter which one of these tests you end up with it’s best to start as soon as you get them. Most companies will give you a couple days to a week to complete the test, especially if they’re asking for a story or pitches. Don’t wait until the last minute to crank out a story idea. Come up with a few and show them to friends or a professor. Getting people’s opinions is valuable and will help you come up with a great pitch. Same goes for stories. If you’re writing a piece for your edit test, be sure to have someone proof read it to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
Another bonus to starting soon is that you’ll have the time to ask any questions you may have. Maybe the instructions weren’t completely clear, or the file they attached won’t download. If you give yourself time to combat those issues, you won’t be left looking, or feeling, unprepared and unprofessional.
The last tip is to be yourself! When writing a sample piece, make sure you let your voice shine through. You want to intern at a company that appreciates your writing style, not one that wants to change it.