Skills Assessment Tests: What They Are & How to Pass

Skills assessment tests can make or break your freelance career. They’re how platforms verify your expertise and how clients filter candidates. Here’s everything you need to know to pass them confidently.

What Are Skills Assessment Tests?

Skills assessments are standardized tests that measure your proficiency in specific areas. Freelance platforms use them to:

• Verify claimed skills
• Rank freelancers in search results
• Help clients filter candidates
• Build your credibility

Common platforms offering tests:

• Upwork (40+ tests)
• Freelancer.com (600+ tests)
• LinkedIn Skill Assessments (100+ tests)
• Indeed Assessments
• TestGorilla (for direct clients)

Test formats:

• Multiple choice questions
• Timed (usually 40-60 minutes)
• 20-50 questions
• Pass threshold: 70-80% typically
• Can retake after waiting period (30-90 days)

Types of Skills Tests

1. Hard Skills Tests (Technical)

Examples:

• Microsoft Excel
• Adobe Photoshop
• JavaScript programming
• WordPress development
• Data entry speed
• Transcription accuracy
• Accounting principles
• SEO knowledge

Format:

• Mostly multiple choice
• Some include practical simulations
• Scenario-based questions
• Tool-specific knowledge

Duration: 40-90 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced level

2. Soft Skills Tests

Examples:

• Communication skills
• Customer service
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Email etiquette
• Project management basics

Format:

• Situational questions
• “What would you do if…” scenarios
• Multiple choice
• Best answer selection (all may seem correct)

Duration: 30-60 minutes

Difficulty: Tests judgment, not just knowledge

3. Language & Grammar Tests

Examples:

• English proficiency
• US English spelling
• UK English spelling
• Grammar rules
• Sentence construction
• Punctuation
• Proofreading

Format:

• Error identification
• Correct the sentence
• Choose proper usage
• Fill in blanks

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Difficulty: Tests detailed grammar knowledge

4. Platform-Specific Tests

Examples:

• Upwork Readiness Test
• Freelancer Introduction Exam
• Amazon Virtual Assistant Test
• Shopify Setup Test

Format:

• Platform policies
• Best practices
• How to use platform features
• Client communication guidelines

Duration: 20-40 minutes

Must-pass for: Platform approval or category qualification

Major Platform Test Systems

Upwork Tests

Number of tests: 40+ available

Popular tests:

• English Spelling Test (UK/US)
• Customer Service
• Data Entry
• Microsoft Excel
• WordPress
• Blog Writing
• SEO

Key facts:

• Free to take
• Can take up to 5 tests every 6 months (choose wisely)
• Results shown as Top 10%, Top 20%, Top 30%, etc.
• Top 10% and 20% results most valuable
• Can hide poor results (recommended if below Top 30%)
• Clients can see all taken tests unless hidden

Strategy:

• Only take tests for skills you’re good at
• Prepare thoroughly (can’t retake for 6 months)
• Hide results below Top 30%
• Prioritize tests relevant to your niche

Upwork Success Score impact:

• Tests not required but help
• Top rankings improve search visibility
• Show in profile badges

Freelancer.com Tests

Number of tests: 600+ available

Categories:

• Technical skills
• Writing
• Design
• Admin support
• Engineering
• Finance

Key facts:

• Free to take
• Can take multiple tests
• Results shown as percentage score
• Pass: 70%+ typically
• Can retake after 30 days
• Failed tests still show (consider carefully)

Strategy:

• Take tests where you’re confident of 80%+
• More tests = more search visibility
• Failed tests hurt profile credibility
• Focus on quality over quantity

LinkedIn Skill Assessments

Number of tests: 100+ available

Popular for remote work:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Customer Service
• Git
• JavaScript
• Python
• Social Media Marketing
• Content Management Systems

Key facts:

• Free to take
• Get “Skill Badge” if you pass (top 30%)
• Badge shows in profile and search results
• Can retake immediately if you fail (but limited attempts)
• Failed attempts not shown publicly

Benefits:

• Increases profile views 30%+
• Shows in LinkedIn search results
• Builds credibility with connections
• Can share to get more visibility

Strategy:

• Take assessments for all key skills
• Retake until you get badge
• Display badges prominently

Indeed Assessments

Available for: Job seekers applying through Indeed

Popular tests:

• Customer Service
• Attention to Detail
• Data Entry
• Microsoft Office
• Communication Skills

Key facts:

• Free to take
• Results: Expert, Proficient, Familiar, Completed
• “Expert” and “Proficient” shown to employers
• Can improve application response rate by 30%+
• Results valid for 6 months

Usage:

• Take when applying for jobs
• Complete before applying
• Results auto-attached to applications

Preparation Strategies

Step 1: Choose the Right Tests (Week 1)

Research which tests matter:

For writers:

• English Spelling (UK or US based on target clients)
• Blog Writing
• SEO
• Grammar

For VAs:

• Customer Service
• Email Support
• Data Entry
• Microsoft Excel
• Calendar Management

For designers:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Logo Design
• Graphic Design concepts

For developers:

• Relevant programming languages (JavaScript, Python, PHP)
• WordPress
• Web Programming
• API Integration

Priority criteria:

1. Directly related to services you offer
2. Commonly required by clients in your niche
3. You have strong knowledge (not just basic)
4. High search volume on platform

Don’t take tests:

• Just because they exist
• If you’re not confident of Top 30%
• Outside your primary skills
• Just to have more badges

Step 2: Study Resources (Week 2-3)

Free study materials:

YouTube:

• Search: “[Test name] tutorial”
• Watch 3-5 top videos
• Note common topics

Platform blogs:

• Upwork blog (best practices)
• Freelancer.com resources
• LinkedIn Learning (free trial month)

Practice tests:

• Search: “[Skill name] practice test”
• Take 2-3 practice tests
• Identify weak areas

Online courses:

• Coursera (free audit option)
• edX (free courses)
• Khan Academy (free)
• YouTube tutorials

Sample questions:

• Reddit: r/Upwork, r/freelance
• Freelancer forums
• Upwork Community
• Search: “[Test name] sample questions”

Study schedule:

• 1-2 hours daily
• 2-3 weeks preparation per test
• Focus on one test at a time

Step 3: Practice & Mock Tests (Week 3-4)

Find practice tests:

For software skills:

• GCFGlobal.org (Microsoft Office)
• W3Schools (web development)
• LinkedIn Learning practice exercises

For typing/data entry:

• TypingTest.com
• 10FastFingers.com
• Keybr.com

For grammar:

• Grammarly blog exercises
• Purdue OWL
• Grammar Girl resources

For general knowledge:

• Quiz your skills section
• Udemy free courses with quizzes
• YouTube “test yourself” videos

Mock test strategy:

1. Simulate test conditions (timed, quiet room)
2. Take practice test without notes
3. Score yourself honestly
4. Review wrong answers
5. Study weak areas
6. Retake practice test
7. Aim for 90%+ on practice before taking real test

Step 4: Take the Test (Test Day)

Optimal conditions:

Time:

• Mid-morning (9am-11am) when fresh
• Not late at night when tired
• Not immediately after meals

Location:

• Quiet room
• Stable internet (fiber or 4G with backup)
• Desk setup (not bed or couch)
• Phone on silent

Preparation:

• Bathroom break before starting
• Water bottle nearby
• Inform household not to disturb
• Close all other tabs/apps
• Disable notifications

During test:

• Read questions carefully (don’t rush)
• Read all options before selecting
• If unsure, mark for review (if available)
• Don’t leave questions blank (guess smartly if needed)
• Watch time but don’t panic
• Usually first instinct is correct (don’t overthink)

Technical tips:

• Save after each question if possible
• If test crashes, contact support immediately
• Take screenshot of error if it occurs
• Keep test confirmation email

Test-Taking Strategies

Multiple Choice Strategy

Read question stem first:

• Understand what’s being asked
• Identify keywords

Eliminate wrong answers:

• Cross out obviously incorrect
• Narrow to 2-3 options
• Choose best remaining

Common tricks to watch for:

• “EXCEPT” questions (looking for false statement)
• “BEST” vs “CORRECT” (all may be right, but one is best)
• Double negatives
• Absolute words (always, never) - often wrong
• Qualified statements (usually, often) - often correct

Time management:

• If you don’t know, mark and move on
• Don’t spend 5 minutes on one question
• Come back to marked questions at end
• Better to guess than leave blank

Scenario-Based Questions Strategy

Common in: Customer service, problem-solving, management tests

Format: “A client is angry because… What do you do?”

Options may all seem reasonable:

1. Apologize and issue refund
2. Escalate to supervisor
3. Listen to concern and propose solution
4. Explain company policy

How to choose:

• Most balanced approach usually correct
• Avoid extremes (immediately refund vs ignore complaint)
• Look for answer showing:
  • Empathy
  • Professional communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Company/client balance

Red flags in answers:

• Aggressive language
• Ignoring client concern
• Over-promising
• Breaking protocol without reason

Grammar & Spelling Test Strategy

Common question types:

Error identification:

• Read sentence slowly
• Check subject-verb agreement
• Check verb tenses (consistency)
• Check punctuation
• Check commonly confused words (their/there/they’re)

Sentence correction:

• Read original carefully
• Identify the error type
• Eliminate options that don’t fix error
• Choose most concise correct option

Best practice:

• Read sentence aloud in your head
• If it sounds wrong, it probably is
• Trust your instinct on grammar
• Review common mistakes before test:
  • It’s vs its
  • Your vs you’re
  • Effect vs affect
  • Less vs fewer
  • Who vs whom

Technical Skills Test Strategy

Software tests (Excel, Photoshop, etc.):

Question types:

• “Which feature does X?”
• “How do you accomplish Y?”
• “What’s the keyboard shortcut for Z?”

Preparation focus:

• Commonly used features (80/20 rule)
• Keyboard shortcuts (major time-savers)
• Menu locations
• Tool purposes
• Best practices

Don’t memorize:

• Obscure features rarely used
• Exact pixel dimensions
• Complex formulas you’d Google anyway

Do know:

• Basic to intermediate functions
• When to use which tool
• Workflow best practices
• Common problems and solutions

Platform-Specific Tips

Upwork Test Tips

Before taking:

• Review test category carefully
• Check estimated time
• Read community experiences (search test name in Upwork Community)
• Prepare for harder than expected (tests are tough)

During test:

• Questions are randomized from pool
• Some questions may be beta (won’t count toward score)
• No going back to previous questions
• Time pressure is real (practice speed)

After test:

• Results instant
• See percentile ranking
• Can’t see which questions you got wrong
• If below Top 30%, hide result immediately

Retake policy:

• Must wait 6 months
• Can’t take if you’ve taken 5 tests in last 6 months
• Choose wisely!

Freelancer.com Test Tips

Strategic approach:

• Take tests gradually (not all at once)
• Focus on your strongest skills first
• Build momentum with passes
• Failed tests stay visible (big risk)

Test difficulty:

• Generally easier than Upwork
• More tests available
• Lower pass threshold (70%)

Best practices:

• Take relevant tests only (quality over quantity)
• 80%+ pass rate looks professional
• 10-15 passed tests sufficient (don’t overdo)

LinkedIn Assessment Tips

Advantages:

• Can retake if fail
• Failures not public
• Quick (15 minutes typical)
• Badge highly visible

Strategy:

• Take all assessments you’re qualified for
• Retake until you get badge
• Complete within one sitting if possible
• Badge expires if skill changes significantly

Display strategy:

• Pin top skills to “Featured” section
• Mention in headline if relevant
• Share badge updates to feed (once)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Taking tests without preparation

• Success rate: 20-30%
• Better: Study 2-3 weeks first

❌ Taking too many tests

• Looks desperate
• Risk of failures
• Better: 3-7 strong test results

❌ Taking tests outside your niche

• Doesn’t help you get hired
• Wastes limited test opportunities
• Better: Focus on core skills

❌ Not hiding poor results

• Below Top 30% on Upwork: Hide it
• Failed test on Freelancer: Shows permanently (be careful)
• Better: Only show strong results

❌ Rushing through test

• Careless mistakes
• Lower score than capable of
• Better: Use full time available

❌ Taking test in poor conditions

• Noise, distractions, weak internet
• Increased failure risk
• Better: Optimal environment (quiet, stable internet)

❌ Ignoring test strategy

• Treating all questions equally
• Not eliminating wrong answers
• Better: Smart test-taking techniques

After You Pass

Update profile immediately:

• Badges show automatically (most platforms)
• Mention in bio if Top 10% or 20%
• Add to portfolio or resume

Leverage in proposals:

• “Upwork Top 10% in Customer Service”
• “LinkedIn Certified in Microsoft Excel”
• “Passed 15 Freelancer.com tests”

Don’t:

• Don’t spam clients with badges
• Don’t rely only on tests (portfolio matters more)
• Don’t mention if you only passed barely

Maintenance:

• Some badges expire (LinkedIn after 1-2 years)
• Retake to keep current
• Platform may update tests (old results may deprecate)

Test Preparation Timeline

4 Weeks Before Test Day:

Week 1:

• Choose which test to take
• Find study materials
• Take baseline practice test
• Identify weak areas

Week 2:

• Study weak areas daily (1-2 hours)
• Watch tutorial videos
• Take notes

Week 3:

• Practice test #2
• Measure improvement
• Deep dive remaining weak spots
• Simulate test conditions

Week 4:

• Practice test #3 (aim for 90%+)
• Light review (don’t cram)
• Prepare test environment
• Rest well night before

Test Day:

• Light review morning of test
• Optimal conditions
• Take test confidently
• Celebrate after!

ROI of Skills Tests

Time investment:

• Preparation: 20-30 hours per test
• Test taking: 1 hour
• Total: ~30 hours

Benefits:

• Higher search rankings
• Client trust and credibility
• Competitive advantage (many don’t bother)
• Higher application response rates

Value:

• Can increase project invites by 40%+
• Top 10% badge can justify 10-20% higher rates
• One extra project won = ROI achieved

Priority tests by career stage:

Beginner (0-6 months):

• 1-2 core skill tests
• Focus on passing, not collecting badges

Intermediate (6-18 months):

• 3-5 relevant tests
• Include soft skills test
• Platform readiness test

Advanced (18+ months):

• 5-7 total tests
• Specialized/advanced level tests
• Keep updated/retake if needed

Skills tests aren’t the only factor in getting hired, but they’re a visible, objective credibility builder. Pass the right tests with strong scores, and they become a powerful tool in your freelance arsenal. Choose strategically, prepare thoroughly, and let your test results open doors to better opportunities.