Spelling test for adults

1. Listen. Each word is read out on its own, then in a sentence with a gap where the word goes. You can play it again as often as you like.
2. Type it. Spell the word from memory. British and American spellings are both marked right, so colour and color both count.
3. It adapts. The words start easy and get harder while you keep getting them right, then ease off when you slip, so it settles on your level quickly.
4. It finds your words. The test ends once it has found five words you can't spell, usually after 15 to 20 words. If you meet a word you have never heard of, press "I don't know this word" rather than guessing.

Adults who read and write perfectly well and still stall on the same handful of words: separate or seperate, accommodate with one m or two, definitely or definately. If you reach for spellcheck and still aren't sure, this is for you.

It is not a test for children, and it is not a dyslexia assessment. If you think you may be dyslexic, a specialist assessment is the right place to start.

How long does it take?

Most people finish in two or three minutes. It usually takes 15 to 20 words to find five you get wrong.

Is it British or American spelling?

Both. Colour and color, organise and organize are all marked right, and the voice reading the words matches where you are.

Do I need to sign up?

No. You start straight away and there is nothing to fill in. Your garden is kept in your browser, and you can make an account later if you want it on other devices.

What happens after the test?

The words you got wrong are planted in your own garden. Each day you spell a few new words and water the ones that are due, and each word comes back at longer and longer gaps until you know it. About ten minutes a day.

Is it really free?

The test and your first garden of 20 words are free. A subscription adds extra practice and room for more gardens.