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Freelance Test Item Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Freelance Economics Subject Matter Expert

Dallas, TX · Remote

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

This is a remote freelance opportunity with flexible timing. Please find below the required details ... Item writing experience * Dual/concurrent careers as educators and practitioners * If interested ...

Freelance Economics Subject Matter Expert

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

This is a remote freelance opportunity with flexible timing. Please find below the required details ... Item writing experience * Dual/concurrent careers as educators and practitioners If interested ...

Freelance Tech Writer (Smart Home)

Nashville, TN · On-site +1

$20.50 - $26.25/hr

We're looking for Freelance Tech Writers to contribute feature content to our Smart Home category ... Test devices, platforms, or features when applicable * Meet deadlines and maintain a consistent ...

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Freelance Test Item Writer information

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How much do freelance test item writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance test item writer in the United States is $23.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Test Item Writer vs Freelance Content Writer?

AspectFreelance Test Item WriterFreelance Content Writer
CredentialsSubject matter expertise, writing skillsWriting skills, SEO knowledge
Work EnvironmentRemote, project-basedRemote, diverse industries
Industry UsageEducation, testing companiesMarketing, blogs, websites
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on assessment creationFocus on online content creation

Freelance Test Item Writers specialize in creating assessment questions for educational and testing purposes, often requiring subject expertise. Freelance Content Writers produce articles, blogs, and web content across various industries, emphasizing SEO and audience engagement. While both work remotely and require strong writing skills, their focus and industry applications differ significantly.

What are some common challenges freelance test item writers face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance test item writers often encounter challenges such as adapting to different formatting guidelines, maintaining consistent quality across various subject areas, and meeting tight deadlines for multiple clients simultaneously. Each client may have unique expectations for item difficulty, style, and curriculum alignment, requiring strong attention to detail and flexibility. Effective communication and organization are key to managing these demands and ensuring all deliverables meet the required standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance test item writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Test Item Writer, you need expertise in subject matter, strong writing skills, and a good understanding of assessment principles, often supported by a degree relevant to the test content. Familiarity with item authoring platforms, formatting guidelines, and sometimes psychometric software is beneficial. Attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to communicate clearly are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure that test items are valid, reliable, and fair, meeting the standards of educational and professional assessments.

What is a freelance test item writer?

A Freelance Test Item Writer is a professional who creates questions and tasks for assessments, exams, or standardized tests on a contract or project basis. They design items that measure knowledge, skills, or abilities in specific subject areas, often following detailed guidelines set by educational organizations or testing companies. Their work helps ensure that assessments are fair, valid, and reliable for the intended test-takers. Freelance test item writers usually work remotely, allowing for flexible schedules and the ability to contribute to various projects. They may specialize in certain subjects or grade levels, depending on their expertise.
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What cities are hiring for Freelance Test Item Writer jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Test Item Writer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Test Item Writer jobs?

The most popular types of Test Item Writer jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Test Item Writer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Test Item Writer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Freelance Test Item Writer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,412 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Test Development Specialist, Science

drc

Minneapolis, MN

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Test Development Specialist, Science

Summary: 

Test Development Specialists for a given content area develop and deliver on time assigned content-area test items and/or assessment ancillaries. Test Development Specialists also support all steps in the development of statewide testing programs, including the development of item specifications, test blueprints, etc. They also support the development of statewide testing programs by facilitating committee reviews, including bias reviews, item-data reviews, standard-settings, and alignment studies.  They work directly with Senior Test Development Specialists and Directors of Test Development to help plan and organize the flow of work for assigned assessment items or sections of projects. As needed, they assign tasks and provide guidance to support staff, including freelance contractors, temporary workers, item writers, item-development coordinators, and/or other project team members. They may also work directly with their content-area counterparts in state departments of education, including building strong supportive relationships with state-department counterparts. 

Essential Position Responsibilities:

  • Works directly with Senior Test Development Specialists, Project Leads, and Directors to deliver on time all assigned items, tests, and/or other assigned steps in the item and test development process, including, but not limited to, the following:
    • Developing domain-specific specifications and domain-specific test blueprints
    • Developing domain-specific item specifications and art specifications, as required
    • Developing domain-specific style guides
    • Developing domain-specific item writer training manuals, including bias and universal design manuals
    • Facilitating item writer workshops for a given domain or assigned project
    • Writing, reviewing, revising, and editing items for a given domain and/or assigned project
    • Developing scoring guidelines and rubrics for constructed-response and performance assessments and supporting range-finding activities for a given domain or assigned project
    • Developing forms (including all steps in the forms construction process for pilot,  field test, and operational) for a given domain and/or assigned test
    • Supporting the development of test ancillaries for a given domain (test directions, practice tests, etc.)
  • Provide support for the final review process for assigned items and/or other items and tests, including ancillaries
  • Provide support for the final sign-off of test forms and/or other steps requiring test development sign-off, including directory of test specifications as needed for a given domain or assigned project
  • As needed,  provide support for the facilitation of state committee reviews, including content item and bias reviews, alignment studies, and standard-settings
  • Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

  • BS/BA in science, science education or related field, MS in education or related
    field preferred
  • Minimum of three years of teaching experience grades 6-8 and/or high school science or related experience
  • In-depth knowledge of the content area, including curriculum and instruction
  • General knowledge of test publishing industry standards
  • Knowledge of teaching “best practices” in the field of expertise
  • Experience working in teams and independently
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to solve problems and find solutions to complex issues when writing, reviewing, and/or revising items and/or constructing test forms
  • Ability to adjust to changing circumstances and direction as required
  • Knowledge of national and state-specific curriculum standards 
  • Experience in writing and editing test items
  • Experience in constructing test forms
  • Strong computer and organizational skills

Essential Job Requirements:

  • Report to work promptly when scheduled
  • Be able to work under supervision and accept feedback 
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
  • Relate effectively and work respectfully with diverse work groups
  • Ability to consistently perform well during times of increased workload
  • Set and meet deadlines
  • Manage multiple job functions simultaneously
  • Be able to participate in business travel
  • Other duties as needed

Reporting to this position:  No direct reports

Physical Requirements: 

  • Ability to sit and/or stand for up to 8-hour periods of time
  • Ability to look at a computer monitor, utilize a keyboard and/or mouse for up to 8 hours per day
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as necessary

DRC retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position