Question: Has anyone taken a Copy Editing Test before?

MOD · September 2008

Any advice/experience on taking a copy editing test? Do you think they are mainly using AP style or have you seen more "Chicago" style?

Is there anyone out there with magazine/press jobs?

PM me if you don't care to post

whatchuwant · September 2008

I took the one at Newsweek.

They do AP style, but they also have their own style guide bible, and most major news outlets have their own. But it mostly follows AP.

FYI- Make sure you know what test your taking - i.e.- online editing is very different than print, and a whole lot easier. Make sure you're all clear whether you're going to be graded based on online editing or print editing.

Print editing they'll judge you on spacing and word breaks whereas online, that's almost never an issue.

minet · September 2008

how do you get into copy editing?
and good luck on your test

MOD · September 2008

Thanks WYW. Was it only editing or where there national/geographical news related questions? Did you have to use AP style copy proofing marks? How did you do? Did you think it was hard?

I learned a lot of this when I was an editor for my college paper, but that was a long time ago and I'm all stressed out.

whatchuwant · September 2008

No news related questions- well, that's not really true. They might (doubt it) throw some funky spelling of some foreign minister's name in there to fuck with you....but I seriously doubt it.

Concentrate on the style of the organization you're testing for- if you can. Notice how they capitalize titles for heads of state (i.e.- Her Royal Highness).

Also dates, such as June 2008, 1970's (versus 1970s), etc. That can really be dependent on their style book. For the most part, they'll let you study that and it can make you feel much more confident going in.

Who's the test for?

Question: Has anyone taken a Copy Editing Test before?

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