Professional Email Writing Certification
Tests professional email — clear subject lines, purpose up front, concise structure, tone, calls to action, replying and CC etiquette, follow-ups and avoiding common mistakes. Pass to earn Professional Email Writing SOA-PEW.
- Beginner difficulty.No experience needed: fundamentals and clear reasoning.
- 10 scenario questions
- 10 minutes, timed
- 70% to pass · 90% for distinction
- Free no sign-up needed
- LinkedIn-ready · add it to your profile in one clickSee how ↓
What is the Professional Email Writing Certification?
The Professional Email Writing Certification is a free 10-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests professional email — clear subject lines, purpose up front, concise structure, tone, calls to action, replying and CC etiquette, follow-ups and avoiding common mistakes. Score 70% or more on its 10 questions to earn a verifiable Professional Email Writing certificate (SOA-PEW). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Federal plain language guidelines (plainlanguage.gov), Microsoft Writing Style Guide (Microsoft), What is GDPR? (GDPR.eu) — and each answer is explained with its source.
Built for your job title
Office professional, Student, Customer service agent, Manager and Freelancer — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Professional Email Writing skills for a CV or LinkedIn.
- Office professional
- Student
- Customer service agent
- Manager
- Freelancer
Land the job, not just the certificate
Career guide · 8 min readProfessional email writing for 2027: subject lines that get opened, answer-first messages, clear asks and deadlines, tone, follow-ups, difficult emails, replying to many people and using AI drafts safely
Professional email writing for 2027: clear subject lines, answer-first messages, asks and deadlines, tone, follow-ups, difficult emails and safe AI drafting.
Read the hiring playbook →What the test covers
Two skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.
- 01
Writing emails
50%- Subject lines
- Purpose and structure
- Calls to action
- 02
Etiquette
50%- Tone
- Reply-all and CC
- Follow-ups
Based on published standards
The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this test:
- Federal plain language guidelinesplainlanguage.gov15 questions
- Microsoft Writing Style GuideMicrosoft1 question
- What is GDPR?GDPR.eu1 question
- Customer service skillsZendesk1 question
- Top tips for staying secure onlineUK NCSC1 question
- The remote playbookGitLab Handbook1 question
Try a sample question
What makes an email subject line effective?
- It's all caps
- It's empty
- It states the topic and any action needed
- It's vague
Show the answer
C. It states the topic and any action needed — Clear subjects get read and found. The real test has 10 questions like this.
How the test works
10 minutes, 10 questions
One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.
Graded on our server
Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.
Every answer explained
Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.
Your certificate
Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.
What you earn

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click
No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.
- 1Take the 10-minute test
- 2Score 70% or more
- 3Click Add to LinkedIn

Professional Email Writing
Science of Apps
Show credential ↗Try another skill test
- 10 minSOA-CT
Critical Thinking Test
A 10-minute test of critical thinking for product work: weighing evidence, spotting biased or flawed arguments, and solving problems and making decisions under uncertainty.
Difficulty: BeginnerTake the 10-minute test → - 10 minSOA-ATD
Attention to Detail Test
A 10-minute attention to detail test for design and product work: spot inconsistencies against specs and tokens, and errors in copy, dates, prices and data.
Difficulty: BeginnerTake the 10-minute test → - 10 minSOA-CB
Cognitive Bias Test
A 10-minute test of cognitive biases: how anchoring, loss aversion, defaults, decoys and framing shape users' choices, and how confirmation bias, sunk costs and the planning fallacy distort team decisions.
Difficulty: BeginnerTake the 10-minute test →
See every Communication & leadership certification and test →
Frequently asked questions
What is the Professional Email Writing Certification?
The Professional Email Writing Certification is a free 10-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests professional email — clear subject lines, purpose up front, concise structure, tone, calls to action, replying and CC etiquette, follow-ups and avoiding common mistakes. Score 70% or more on its 10 questions to earn a verifiable Professional Email Writing certificate (SOA-PEW). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Federal plain language guidelines (plainlanguage.gov), Microsoft Writing Style Guide (Microsoft), What is GDPR? (GDPR.eu) — and each answer is explained with its source.
How do I take the Professional Email Writing Certification for free?
Read the two skill areas on this page, then take the 10-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Professional Email Writing certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.
Are the Professional Email Writing Certification questions based on real standards?
Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Federal plain language guidelines (plainlanguage.gov); Microsoft Writing Style Guide (Microsoft); What is GDPR? (GDPR.eu); Customer service skills (Zendesk); Top tips for staying secure online (UK NCSC); The remote playbook (GitLab Handbook). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.
What does the Professional Email Writing Certification cover?
Two skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Writing emails (Subject lines, Purpose and structure and Calls to action); Etiquette (Tone, Reply-all and CC and Follow-ups). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.
Who should take the Professional Email Writing Certification?
Office professional, Student, Customer service agent, Manager and Freelancer. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Professional Email Writing skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.
Can I take the Professional Email Writing Certification from any country?
Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.
How long is the Professional Email Writing Certification?
10 questions — 5 from each of 2 skill areas — with a 10-minute limit. You need 70% (7 of 10) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How hard is the Professional Email Writing Certification?
We rate it Beginner: no experience needed: fundamentals and clear reasoning. It has 10 scenario questions — 5 from each of 2 skill areas — and a 10-minute limit. You need 70% (7 of 10) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How do I prepare for a Office professional job?
Professional email writing means getting the right response quickly with the fewest words. The core skills are writing specific subject lines, putting the request or answer first, making one clear ask with a deadline, keeping a respectful tone, structuring longer emails, following up politely, handling difficult messages and checking AI-drafted emails before sending. The average worker gets 117 emails a day. Practise rewriting real emails and verify your skills with a free 10-minute test. Our full career guide covers the hiring process, interview loop, pay and a prep plan: scienceofapps.com/blog/email-writing-career-guide/
How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?
Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.
How are the tests graded?
On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.
What happens if I don't pass?
You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.
Do the certificates expire?
No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.
Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?
Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.
How can an employer verify my certificate?
Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.
Are these accredited qualifications?
No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.
621 more certifications to collect
Communication, Leadership & Transferable Skills
- Critical Thinking Test10 min · Beginner
- Attention to Detail Test10 min · Beginner
- Cognitive Bias Test10 min · Beginner
- Analytical Reasoning Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Problem-Solving Assessment10 min · Beginner
- Written Business Communication Certification10 min · Beginner
- Professional Email Writing CertificationYou're here
- Business Presentation Skills Certification10 min · Beginner
- Public Speaking Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Negotiation Skills Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Emotional Intelligence at Work Certification10 min · Beginner
- Leadership Fundamentals Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Strategic Thinking Certification20 min · Advanced
- Decision-Making and Judgment Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Conflict Resolution Certification10 min · Beginner
- Collaboration and Teamwork Certification10 min · Beginner
- Time Management and Prioritization Certification10 min · Beginner
- Remote Work Readiness10 min · Beginner
- Cross-Cultural Communication Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Research Literacy and Evidence Evaluation Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Information and Media Literacy Certification10 min · Beginner
- AI Information Verification Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Adaptability and Learning Agility Certification10 min · Beginner
- Managerial Coaching and Feedback Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Meeting Facilitation Certification10 min · Beginner
- Academic Writing Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Proofreading & Editing Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Grant Writing Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Science Communication Certification10 min · Beginner
- Professional Skills Certification10 min · Beginner
Foundation
AI & Generative AI
- AI UX Design Certification30 min · Advanced
- Prompt Engineering Certification30 min · Intermediate
- AI Product Manager Certification30 min · Advanced
Software Engineering & Web Development
- HTML and CSS Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- JavaScript Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- TypeScript Fundamentals Certification15 min · Intermediate
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
- Product Analytics Certification30 min · Advanced
- Data Literacy Certification10 min · Beginner
- Microsoft Excel Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
Digital Marketing, SEO, AEO & Growth
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Certification30 min · Advanced
- App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification30 min · Intermediate
- Growth Marketing Certification30 min · Intermediate
UX/UI, Design, Research & Creative
- UX Design Certification30 min · Intermediate
- UI Design Certification30 min · Intermediate
- Product Design Certification30 min · Intermediate
Product, Project Management & Business Analysis
- Product Manager Certification30 min · Intermediate
- Design Leadership Certification30 min · Advanced
- Agile Product Owner Certification30 min · Intermediate
Cybersecurity, IT, Cloud & DevOps
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Security Awareness and Phishing Detection Certification10 min · Beginner
- Network Security Fundamentals Certification15 min · Intermediate
Sales, Customer Success & Support
- Sales Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Consultative Selling Certification15 min · Intermediate
- B2B Sales Development Representative Certification10 min · Beginner
Human Resources & People Management
- Human Resources Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Certification10 min · Beginner
- Technical Recruitment Certification15 min · Intermediate
Finance, Accounting, Operations & Entrepreneurship
- Financial Literacy for Professionals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Accounting Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Bookkeeping Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
Languages
- English Level Test30 min · Beginner
- American Sign Language (ASL) Foundations Test25 min · Intermediate
- App & Software Localization Test25 min · Intermediate
Healthcare, Education, Legal Operations & Sustainability
- Healthcare Administration Fundamentals Certification10 min · Beginner
- Medical Office Administration Certification10 min · Beginner
- Healthcare Data Privacy Awareness Certification10 min · Beginner
Test Prep, Academics & Aptitude
- SAT Math Practice Test20 min · Advanced
- SAT Reading and Writing Practice Test20 min · Advanced
- ACT Practice Test (English, Math, Reading & Science)20 min · Advanced
Language Exam Prep
- IELTS Academic Practice Test with Band Score20 min · Advanced
- IELTS General Training Practice Test20 min · Advanced
- TOEFL iBT Practice Test20 min · Advanced
Office & Productivity Software
- Microsoft Word Skills Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Microsoft PowerPoint Skills Certification15 min · Intermediate
- Microsoft Outlook Skills Certification10 min · Beginner
Engineering, Architecture, Construction & Safety
- Mechanical Engineering Practice Test (FE-Style)20 min · Advanced
- Electrical Engineering Practice Test (FE-Style)20 min · Advanced
- Civil Engineering Practice Test (FE-Style)20 min · Advanced
Hospitality, Travel & Retail
- Hospitality Management Certification10 min · Beginner
- Food Safety Certification10 min · Beginner
- Hotel Revenue Management Certification15 min · Intermediate
Read before you test
- Career guidesProfessional email writing for 2027: subject lines that get opened, answer-first messages, clear asks and deadlines, tone, follow-ups, difficult emails, replying to many people and using AI drafts safelyProfessional email writing for 2027: clear subject lines, answer-first messages, asks and deadlines, tone, follow-ups, difficult emails and safe AI drafting.
- Career guidesProfessional email and workplace writing in English for 2027: structure and clarity, tone and politeness, common email situations, workplace documents and writing for international readersProfessional email writing in English for 2027: structure, clarity, tone and politeness, common situations, workplace documents and international readers.
- Career guidesEnglish grammar for work in 2027: tenses, articles and prepositions, subject-verb agreement, sentence structure and the common errors that cost jobs — and how to fix themEnglish grammar for work in 2027: tenses, articles, prepositions, agreement, sentence structure and the common errors that cost jobs, with fixes.
- Career guidesEnglish for job interviews in 2027: introducing yourself, answering common questions with STAR, professional vocabulary, etiquette and follow-up, listening to interviewers and how to practiseEnglish for job interviews in 2027: introducing yourself, answering common questions with STAR, professional vocabulary, etiquette, follow-up and practice.
- Career guidesBusiness writing skills for 2027: writing for busy readers, answer-first structure, plain English, reports, proposals and summaries, editing, tone, and using AI drafts without losing accuracy or voiceBusiness writing for 2027: answer-first structure, plain English, reports, proposals, summaries, editing, tone and using AI drafts without losing accuracy.
- Career guidesOKRs and performance management skills employers want in 2027: writing objectives and measurable key results, alignment, check-ins, scoring and linking goals to performanceOKR skills employers want in 2027: writing objectives and measurable key results, alignment, cadence, check-ins, scoring, common mistakes and performance links.
Get the ideas, not the noise.
Sign up with Google and we’ll send you short UX psychology tips by email — why people tap, stall and leave, and what to do about it. Unsubscribe anytime. Prefer something to keep? Get the free Laws of UX guide as a PDF.
Founder, Science of Apps




