844-897-3935This article answers frequently asked questions about the TypeWell Skill Assessment, including who it's for, how it works, how it's scored, and how to purchase or prepare for it.
General Questions
What is the TypeWell Skill Assessment?
The TypeWell Skill Assessment evaluates an experienced transcriber's ability to provide real-time, meaning-for-meaning transcriptions. Participants transcribe a provided audio lecture, and their transcript is assessed across multiple skill areas.
Which skills are being assessed?
The assessment measures proficiency in:
- Rate of Content Captured
- Quality of Message Content
- Grammar
- Formatting
- Technical Skills
Is there a knowledge test (e.g. multiple choice or short essay)?
No. The assessment focuses solely on real-time transcribing skills, without multiple-choice or essay questions.
How long does the assessment take, and when will we see the results?
The assessment typically takes under one hour to complete. Results are posted to the transcriber's Educational History page within 6-8 weeks. Notifications are sent via email to the transcriber and, if applicable, the paying party.
What is the subject content and difficulty level of the lecture?
The ENG200 Skill Assessment is based on a real, unscripted lecture from a 200-level college English course. The speaker maintains an average rate of 121 words per minute (WPM), with peaks reaching 185 WPM in certain segments.
While WPM is an important metric—especially for verbatim transcribers, where the challenge is often sheer speed—meaning-for-meaning transcribers face a more complex demand: interpreting and distilling information as they transcribe in real time. For this reason, the assessment was selected not just for its speed, but for its high information density, which more accurately reflects the cognitive difficulty of real-world classroom assignments.
Understanding 'information density':
For meaning-for-meaning transcribers, the primary challenge in real-time transcription is often not how fast someone is speaking, but how much meaning they're packing into each minute. This is referred to as information density.
Information density is measured in ideas per minute (IPM)—a metric that reflects the number of distinct, meaningful ideas a speaker conveys. While a high words-per-minute (WPM) rate can be challenging, a high IPM is often more demanding, especially when the speaker presents complex or layered content.
In the ENG200 Skill Assessment, the lecture has an average speaking rate of 121 WPM, with peaks up to 185 WPM. But more critically, it averages 11 IPM, with bursts up to 19 IPM. By comparison, many real college lectures fall in the range of 7–9 IPM. This means the ENG200 lecture is densely packed with content—requiring the transcriber to listen carefully, interpret rapidly, and express the meaning clearly and concisely in real time.
This type of work goes beyond fast typing. It involves rapid comprehension, prioritization of information, and rephrasing for clarity and accessibility. High information density challenges a transcriber's ability to deliver an accurate, readable transcript under real-world conditions—where speakers don’t slow down or simplify their language just because someone is transcribing.
What Terms & Conditions apply to the Skill Assessment?
Participants and payers must agree to the following:
- Once downloaded, the assessment fee is non-refundable.
- Completion does not equate to certification or service qualification.
- The assessment cannot be used to train others.
- A summary of performance will be posted to the Educational History page, accessible to designated employers.
- TypeWell may provide access to employers upon request.
- TypeWell is not liable for employment changes resulting from assessment outcomes.
- Discussion of assessment content with others is prohibited.
The assessment is also governed by TypeWell's End-User License Agreement (EULA).
Will other Skill Assessments be offered in the future?
Yes. TypeWell plans to introduce assessments featuring diverse lectures from various disciplines and difficulty levels.
Grading & Reporting
How is the Skill Assessment graded?
Transcripts are securely uploaded and manually evaluated by trained scorers using a double-blind process. Quantitative data, such as content capture percentage and error counts, are applied to a proprietary weighted scoring rubric.
Who will grade my Skill Assessment?
A team of trained scorers, including TypeWell teachers and experienced transcribers, conduct the evaluations. Scorer identities remain confidential.
How are the results reported?
Results are posted on the transcriber’s Educational History, displaying qualitative rankings in each skill area:
- Rate of Content Captured
- Clarity / Accuracy / Completeness (previously, "Quality of Message Content")
- Grammar
- Formatting
- Technical Skills
Transcribers receive an email highlighting 3–5 areas for improvement.
Will a more detailed report be available?
Yes. Transcribers can purchase:
- A Transcript Deficiencies list ($20)
- A comprehensive Feedback Report ($50)
The Feedback Report includes a detailed analysis and practice strategies, delivered within 10 business days. See: Supplementary Feedback
Will I receive a copy of my typed transcript?
No. To maintain assessment integrity, transcripts are not shared. For personalized feedback, consider a Skill Consultation instead.
Benefits of a Skill Consultation (separate service):
- choose your own lecture topic
- watch a screencast recording of your real-time work
- review your transcript against the audio
- see specific examples of wording/phrasing in your own transcript that could be improved
- receive feedback within a day or two of the observation, while the lecture is still fresh in your mind (vs. 6-8 weeks for the Skill Assessment)
Does the assessment confer certification?
No. The assessment evaluates current skills but does not constitute certification.
Who may view the results of a transcriber’s Skill Assessment?
Results are accessible via the transcriber’s Educational History page, which is the transcriber’s official training record. That page displays the transcriber’s original training date as well as any TypeWell-sanctioned continuing education courses that have been attempted or completed.
Transcribers can grant access to employers by logging into their user account and entering a recipient's email address to send them a secure link. (Transcribers should NOT print or take screenshots of their Educational History page to share with others; the emailed URL is the official way to access the most current and valid training and assessment records.) Transcribers can grant access to employers by sending a secure link. TypeWell may also provide access to employers upon request, especially if they funded the assessment.
How will the results of the Skill Assessment benefit or assist employers?
Employers can use results to gauge a transcriber's suitability for specific assignments. However, assessments should complement, not replace, ongoing evaluations and supervision.
Eligibility & Preparation
Who is eligible to take the Skill Assessment?
TypeWell transcribers must have:
- a current service qualification, and
- at least one year of real-time transcribing experience.
As most TypeWell transcribers work in the academic setting, one “academic year” (9-10 months) is sufficient experience to take the ENG200 Skill Assessment.
Future assessments may have additional prerequisites based on content complexity.
How can transcribers prepare for the Skill Assessment?
Regular use of TypeWell software in live settings is the best preparation. No additional study is required.
Can a transcriber take the Skill Assessment more than once?
Yes. Transcribers may retake the same assessment after 12 months. New scores are added to the Educational History page without replacing previous results.
Outcome & Follow-Up
What if a transcriber performs poorly on the Skill Assessment?
A poor performance does not revoke service qualification. However, it may result in a probationary status, indicating the need for improvement and possible requalification testing within 6–12 months:
PROBATIONARY QUALIFICATION to provide real-time communication access services, on-site or remotely, at the Basic Skill Level. NOT qualified to provide communication access services in advanced or highly technical classes. Remedial training and mentoring strongly recommended. TypeWell reserves the right to administer a requalification test within 6-12 months. Contact support@typewell.com for more information.
The purpose of the Skill Assessment is not to identify and punish transcribers who may be struggling, but rather to identify areas for improvement and to provide transcribers and their employers with the opportunity to improve the quality of service they provide to consumers.
Will TypeWell offer follow-up training for transcribers to improve their skills?
Yes. TypeWell offers:
- Skill Assessment Supplementary Feedback
- Refresher Course
- Individual Skill Consultation Package
- Turbo Courselet
- Learning & Enrichment Online (LEO) Continuing Education Courses
Pricing & Payment
What is the cost?
The ENG200 Skill Assessment costs $150.
Is the Skill Assessment fee refundable or transferable?
Once downloaded, the fee is non-refundable. If not downloaded, it can be refunded or transferred (minus a $25 administrative fee).
Are there any discounts available?
Yes. Employers purchasing 15 or more Skill Assessments may qualify for a bulk discount. Contact us for more information.
Discounts are entered on the Services page using a promo code and cannot be combined with other discounts.
How do I pay for my own Skill Assessment?
If you are a qualified TypeWell transcriber in good standing:
- Sign in to your TypeWell account.
- Navigate to the Services tab and select “Purchase for myself.”
- Click the Purchase button to pay by PayPal or credit card.
Once payment is complete, open your TypeWell Transcriber software (revision 888 or higher). Go to Train > Skill Assessment and sign in again when prompted. The server will verify your purchase and allow you to proceed.
Keep your emailed receipt for tax or business expense purposes.
I’m an employer. How do I pay for a transcriber’s Skill Assessment?
- Sign into your organization’s TypeWell account. If you don’t have one, request an account by emailing us.
- Navigate to the Services tab and select "Purchase for others."
- Enter the email address(es) of the transcriber(s) exactly as used in their TypeWell account.
- You can enter up to 10 email addresses per transaction.
- Click the Purchase button to pay by PayPal or credit/debit card.
After payment, transcribers can access the assessment through their Transcriber software (revision 888 or higher) under Train > Skill Assessment.
Why does the email address return an error message, “Invalid or non-registered e-mail”?
The Skill Assessment can only be purchased for TypeWell transcribers with a current service qualification. Here are some reasons why you might be seeing that message:
- The email address was mistyped. (Double-check for subdomains like kate@mail.typewell.edu and kate@typewell.edu.)
- The email address belongs to a transcriber whose service qualification has been revoked. Their Educational History page will say “Refresher Course Required.”
- The person has not yet completed the Basic Skills Course.
Logistics
What type of software license is required to take the Skill Assessment?
You must use the V8 Transcriber software, revision 888 or higher.
What equipment is required to take the Skill Assessment?
Use your usual transcribing computer (laptop or desktop) where the software is installed. Make sure it’s plugged in or fully charged.
Headphones are strongly recommended. An audio check is built into the program. TypeWell is not responsible for poor audio setup.
Is a proctor required for the Skill Assessment?
TypeWell does not require a proctor, but an employer may request one. This should be arranged between the employer and transcriber.
Is an internet connection required?
Yes, to download the Skill Assessment and later to upload your results. You do not need to be online during the transcription activity itself.
Additional FAQs for TypeWell Transcribers
I've paid for my Skill Assessment and I'm ready to take it! How do I start?
- Open the Transcriber software (revision 888 or higher) and sign in using your TypeWell user account.
- Click Train > Skill Assessment. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the full sequence.
Will I be able to use my own Personal Abbreviation List (PAL)?
Yes. You'll use the software as usual, and you can verify your PAL and other settings at the beginning of the Skill Assessment.
Should I complete the Skill Assessment in one sitting?
The Skill Assessment program runs through the following sequence:
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Terms and Conditions (click here to begin)
1.1.2 Audio Set-up
1.1.3 Orientation
1.1.4 Preparing Your Work Area
1.1.5 Preparing Your TypeWell Software
1.1.6 Review Instructions
1.2 Skill Assessment
1.2.1 Enter Transcriber Name
1.2.2 Warm-Up Lecture
1.2.3 Scored Lecture
1.2.4 Skill Assessment Wrap-Up
If interrupted during the Introduction, you can restart once from the beginning. Only one restart is allowed.
I need to exit out of the Skill Assessment program so that I can use TypeWell for normal work. How do I get out of Skill Assessment mode?
If Everywhere in Windows is not enabled, go to File > Exit.
If Everywhere in Windows is enabled, right-click the Everywhere icon in the system tray and select Exit.
I exited out of the Skill Assessment before starting the scored lecture. Can I restart?
Yes. Go to Train > Skill Assessment to restart. Note: You can only start the assessment up to two times. After that, you'll need to contact us with an explanation.
Exiting before completion resets your progress—you’ll need to start from the beginning.
What else can we answer for you? Let us know so we can continue to improve this article!