How to Find Online Test Scoring Jobs (With Examples)

Recent years have brought about a new wave of professionals looking to find jobs online in their field. Individuals who have a background in education may have a strong advantage in securing a remote job relevant to their skills due to the influx of online test scoring and tutoring positions.

Key Takeaways:

• Online test scorers usually work on a seasonal schedule to grade exams or essays using a given rubric to determine scores.

• Some companies or roles require a specific degree or knowledge of the subject area they will be working with, but online test scoring can generally be a good side job or way of earning extra money.

• Working as an online text scorer is usually done remotely and on a freelance basis, allowing you the flexibility to decide your own hours.

What Does an Online Test Scorer Do?

An online test scorer’s specific responsibilities differ between jobs, but generally, they score various exams, tests, and sometimes even essays based on a given rubric. Their work is done on a seasonal schedule to accommodate test regulations. Usually, this involves scoring standardized tests remotely based on the guidance of the school or education administration.

Working as a remote test scorer can be a lucrative side gig for teachers going into the summer months or who are just looking to make some extra money. It can pay up to $20 an hour, depending on the school or the details of the grading project.

Requirements to Become an Online Test Scorer

Companies differ in the requirements they set for their test scorers. Some companies will be open to hiring as long as the applicant has attained a bachelor’s degree or higher. Other organizations may need their employees to have a degree in a specific area relevant to the kind of test they will be handling.

In addition to achieving some level of education, many employers seek remote online test scorers who display a variety of specific soft skills.

Soft skills that can be useful for an online test scoring job include:

• Attention to detail

• Organization

• Ability to take direction and use feedback

• Collaboration

• Problem-solving

Where to Find an Online Test Scoring Job

Landing a position scoring tests online can seem like a dream come true for many professionals working in education. It allows them a lot of freedoms that come with working freelance and the ability to earn some extra income seasonally.

If you think you have what it takes to become an online test scorer, review the list below for where to find a job.

1. Pearson. Pearson is one of the most well known educational organizations. They are responsible for formatting the SAT, which largely determines a high school student’s chances of getting into college. Pearson hires remote workers to help with scoring, in addition to other opportunities for educators such as test development, writing, and design.

   Requirements. Pearson is fairly picky when it comes to their requirements for job eligibility. To be a test scorer, you need at least a bachelor’s degree, experience with teaching a high school English course, and be residing in the United States at the time of hire.

2. Write Score. Write Score is a company that uses the help of remote test scorers to assess student writing on tests. They hire on a seasonal schedule, beginning mid-summer, and start training in student writing analysis soon after that in preparation for a new school year. This is an excellent option for individuals who have a background in English or writing.

   Requirements. Candidates looking to word for Write Score must have at least a two-year college degree and will be expected to pass a test before being onboarded as an official scorer.

3. Educational Testing Services (ETS). ETS is the biggest name in the game of test scoring. Their employees participate in grading some of the country’s most major standardized tests, such as the SAT and the GRE. Since it’s such a well-known company in the educational realm, they often hire many online test scorers to help out, but the requirements can be stringent.

   Requirements. The requirements to become a test scorer for ETS can vary depending on the exam you’ll be working on. For some tests, scorers need to have at least a master’s degree, and for others, a bachelor’s degree will suffice. Additionally, scoring certain exams will require prior teaching experience and foreign language fluency.

4. Measurement Incorporated. Measurement, Inc. hires employees to remotely grade exams in many different subjects, including English, math, science, and foreign languages. Test scorers are hired on a contract basis for each testing project they work on. Their busiest season for test scorers is between March and June.

   Requirements. Unlike some of the other companies that hire for online test scoring positions, Measurement Incorporated only requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any subject. However, they do have a more intensive onboarding process, including the completion of a successful interview and attending mandatory training before beginning work.

5. ACT. The ACT is a standardized exam given to high school students to evaluate how ready they are for college. The board of the test hires readers to score the writing section of the test all year round.

   Requirements. To be considered for a position scoring tests online with ACT, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject and be an American citizen. They also prefer that their applicants have current experience teaching English, specifically to junior and senior students, but it is not absolutely required.

Other Online Jobs for Educators and Teachers

While getting a position scoring tests online is an excellent side gig for educators to do from the comfort of their home, securing this job is dependant on the time of year it is. If you’re looking for an online educational job in the testing offseason, there are many other remote opportunities for educators and teachers.

Consider the following examples of additional online jobs for people with a background in education.

1. Online tutoring. More students have been pushed online to fulfill their education, and a lot of them could use some extra tutoring help on the side to help them with this transition. Tutoring is an expansive opportunity for teachers who want to make some extra money online because it offers a lot of freedom to work how they want to.

   There are a lot of choices that come with getting a job as an online tutor. You can decide whether you want to work for a larger corporation or start your own virtual tutoring business. You can also focus on test preparation, writing skills, or any other subject that’s interesting to you.

   Companies who hire online tutors include:

   • Kaplan

   • Crimson Education

   • Wyzant

2. Become an online teacher. For candidates who have a decent amount of time to dedicate to their online job and thoroughly enjoy the tasks of being a teacher, you can move this profession online. In the past, virtual teachers were employed to help teach home-schooled students. The demand for these virtual teachers has increased dramatically since many students have moved their education online.

   This is also an excellent area to focus on if you want to work with adult learners who may need to accomplish studies through their computer.

   Companies who hire online teachers include:

   • Connections Academy

   • PalFish

   • K12

3. Teaching English as a second language. Teaching English online to international students can be an extremely rewarding position that pays you well for your time and effort. Many companies want to create a bridge between native English speaking teachers with students from around the world. These platforms have their own rules, regulations, and requirements, but overall it’s a great way to teach students a valuable skill from your computer.

   Companies who hire online English teachers include:

   • VIPKid

   • Cambly

   • DaDa

4. Curriculum developer. For candidates who have significant experience teaching in a classroom and designing a curriculum, you may be able to put this skill to use for an online job. Remote curriculum developers are in high demand, especially with a lot of classes becoming virtual in 2020.

   Curriculum developer jobs are offered directly from the companies instead of functioning on a platform where you can find multiple jobs. Job search websites like Zippia can help you track down job opportunities in curriculum development.

5. Create an online course. If you’re the kind of person who likes to get a lot of work done at once and then relax, then creating an online course might be the right move for you. Many people, teachers and not, have developed their own courses in their areas of expertise to help educate a student base online.

   Creating an online course is unique from some of the other online jobs on this list because it’s a way to generate passive income. You put work into developing the course’s contents and structure, but then you don’t have to do much more besides waiting for people to sign up and learn.

   Platforms where you can create an online course include:

   • Teachable

   • Thinkific

   • LearnWorlds

6. Work as a writing coach. For candidates who specialize in teaching English and writing, becoming an online writing coach is a great side job. Many people struggle with writing and will hire professionals who can give them guidance in this department. A writing coach’s responsibilities can vary from doing some simple editing to developing writing skills with lessons.

   Most people who pursue a side gig as a remote writing coach will create their own freelance business to attract clients and establish longstanding relationships. If you prefer to work for a bigger company or don’t have the time to dedicate to creating your own brand, you still have options. There are many writing coach positions job listings on career websites, and smaller jobs available for beginners on freelancing platforms like Upwork.

Online Test Scoring Jobs FAQ

• How much do online test scoring jobs pay?

  Online test scoring jobs tend to pay around $10-$15 an hour. This can vary based on your education and experience, and some companies also offer bonus incentives.

• Is it hard to be an online test scorer?

  No, it is not hard to be an online test scorer. In certain cases, you may need specific knowledge or training, but you will be given a rubric to use in your scoring.

• What is an online test scoring job like compared with an online tutoring job?

  Online tutors work directly with students, while online test scorers work independently. As an online tutor, your role may involve scheduling video calls and working interactively with students.

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.