Editing Essentials

A key designed with the Editors Canada logo.

Unlock your editing career

Ready to launch your editing career? Wondering how to let employers know you’ve got what it takes? Editing Essentials is the test for you.

The Editors Canada Editing Essentials qualification is proof of your ability to work as an editor.


What is Editing Essentials?

Editing Essentials is a test to assess your knowledge of the basics of editing and to provide a qualification for entry-level editors. 

The test evaluates basic competence in the areas of structural editing, stylistic editing, copy editing and proofreading, based on a selection of standards from Professional Editorial Standards (2016)


Is Editing Essentials for me?

  • Are you new to the editing profession (less than five years’ experience) and serious about a progressive career path?
  • Are you looking for an entry-level qualification from the association that literally set the standard for professional editing in Canada?
  • Are you looking for a qualification that will give you an advantage in your job search? 
  • Do you want to stand out and show your dedication to the editing profession?
  • Do you aspire to attain an Editors Canada Professional Certification designation, but still need to accumulate the skills and broad required experience yet?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Editing Essentials is for you!


Test format   

The Editing Essentials test is offered online (on the ProProfs platform), so you can take it anywhere, anytime. 

You’ll have 60 minutes to answer 45 multiple-choice questions. 


Prerequisites

  • Any editor can take the Editing Essentials test.
  • There are no membership, education or experience prerequisites.
  • We suggest that candidates take this test at the beginning of their careers. It’s the first step on the path to a successful editing career, excellence and eventually pursuing an Editors Canada Professional Certification designation.

Preparing for Editing Essentials

To prepare for Editing Essentials, you’ll need to examine Professional Editorial Standards carefully and think about the practical applications of each standard.

We also encourage hands-on preparation for the test. This can include, but isn’t limited to:

  • taking editing courses available through universities and colleges;
  • participating in Editors Canada webinars and seminars;
  • reviewing editing texts like Edit Like a Pro and Meeting Professional Editorial Standards
  • joining study groups; and 
  • private study. 

Check out So you’re thinking of taking the Editors Canada Editing Essentials test for more study resources and some sample questions.


Cost

  • Editors Canada members: $75
  • Non-members: $100

Exam results

Once you’ve completed the Editing Essentials test, you’ll see your result instantly. This includes a breakdown of correct and incorrect responses, so you’ll know where to focus your training and professional development.

To pass, you’ll need a score of 75% or higher.

Editors who pass the Editing Essentials test will receive an official letter from Editors Canada confirming their successful completion of the test.

Editors who don’t pass can take the test again after six months. There’s no limit to the number of times you can take the test, but you must wait six months between attempts.


Editing Essentials benefits

New grads and junior editors

  • Get tangible proof of your foundational knowledge of editing.
  • It’s a great resumé builder.
  • It’s a clear starting point on the path to a successful editing career and the Editors Canada Professional Certification exams.

Editors with a little more experience

  • Show employers you’ve got what it takes to work as an editor.
  • It’s another building block as you continue on your career path.
  • Get tangible proof of your foundational knowledge of editing.
  • It’s a clear starting point on the path to a successful editing career and the Editors Canada Professional Certification exams.

Employers

  • Find editors with an entry-level qualification from the association that literally set the standard for professional editing in Canada.
  • Streamline your hiring process. Use the Editing Essentials test for potential new hires, instead of or alongside your own test!

Editors who have achieved the Editing Essentials qualification

The following editors have successfully completed the Editors Canada Editing Essentials test and have given consent to have their names listed on this page.

  • Evi Anthonissen
  • Nora Ashdade
  • Ailis Baker
  • Susan Bendror
  • Ali Cayetano
  • Amanda Clarke
  • May Cheng
  • S. Christensen
  • Amanda Clarke
  • Monica Craig
  • Jackie Davis
  • Jonathan Deitcher
  • Kaila Desjardins
  • Alex Elcombe
  • Katherine Evans
  • Maria Eydmans
  • Cassandra Filice
  • Susan Filyer
  • Kathleen Foxx
  • Candice Goodchild
  • A. Gordon
  • Libby Graham
  • Kaylee Hilling
  • Wayne Jones
  • Ginny Leuty
  • Annya Linfoote
  • Sara Lorenz
  • Jose Melendez
  • Connie Miazaga
  • Anastasia Organ
  • Andrew Park
  • Brock Peters
  • Mary Anne Roche
  • Eve Rogers
  • John Wilson

This page is updated every one to two months. Last updated on February 26, 2024. 


Study Resources

If you’re thinking about taking this online test, you may be wondering where to start preparing. Visit the Editing Essentials study resources page for resources.


Are you ready to kickstart your career?

Don’t delay! The key to unlocking your editing career awaits.

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