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Assess your Affinity — Photo editing (Pixel) skills for free

Independent 45-question assessment drawn from 80 for Affinity — Photo editing (Pixel). Identifies skill gaps and recommends targeted training modules.

This assessment measures knowledge and produces a practical diagnostic. Modules are recommended after the test; they are not an offer of paid courses.

Start for free How does the test work?

What is assessed

Questions about practical workplace skills

The test covers different areas of the software, including beginner, intermediate and advanced questions. The score and skill-area breakdown help reveal strengths and topics to revisit.

This is not an official certification and should not be the sole factor in an employment decision.

Who can use it

photo editor

Employees and applicants.
HR professionals.
Employers, managers and team leads.

Assessment learning framework

Modules that may appear in your recommended plan

The topics below form the recommendation framework associated with this assessment. The system selects priorities using individual answers and proposes a plan to use independently with a provider of your choice. We do not deliver these courses through this website.

Topic M01

Raster documents and resolution

Set width, height and units in document settings • Review resampling and pixel dimensions • Use a reversible crop where possible

Set width, height and units in document settings
Review resampling and pixel dimensions
Use a reversible crop where possible
Match JPEG, PNG, TIFF and native formats to delivery needs
Complete a guided “Raster documents and resolution” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M02

Pixel workspace and panels

Activate the Pixel workspace and its relevant panels • Name and select layers in the Layers panel • Inspect the image at 100% and compare before and after

Activate the Pixel workspace and its relevant panels
Name and select layers in the Layers panel
Inspect the image at 100% and compare before and after
Lock the source and work on separate layers
Complete a guided “Pixel workspace and panels” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M03

RAW development and starting edits

Adjust highlights in the RAW development workflow • Adjust white balance before creative grading • Balance exposure and tone using the histogram

Adjust highlights in the RAW development workflow
Adjust white balance before creative grading
Balance exposure and tone using the histogram
Harmonise development settings and check image-to-image variation
Complete a guided “RAW development and starting edits” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M04

Layers and non-destructive adjustments

Add an Exposure or Curves adjustment layer • Attach a mask to the adjustment • Toggle the relevant adjustment layers

Add an Exposure or Curves adjustment layer
Attach a mask to the adjustment
Toggle the relevant adjustment layers
Keep a native file with its working layers
Complete a guided “Layers and non-destructive adjustments” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M05

Geometric selections and edges

Create a rectangular selection on the correct layer • Use a selection tool suited to the edge • Apply a controlled feather to the selection

Create a rectangular selection on the correct layer
Use a selection tool suited to the edge
Apply a controlled feather to the selection
Save the selection or turn it into an editable mask
Complete a guided “Geometric selections and edges” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M06

Masking and precision cutouts

Create a mask on the product layer • Refine the mask edge and check for halos • Paint white on the mask rather than on the photo

Create a mask on the product layer
Refine the mask edge and check for halos
Paint white on the mask rather than on the photo
Check edges, colour fringing and lighting consistency
Complete a guided “Masking and precision cutouts” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M07

Local corrective retouching

Use an appropriate spot-healing tool • Sample a clean area with the Clone Brush • Vary the source sample and inspect texture

Use an appropriate spot-healing tool
Sample a clean area with the Clone Brush
Vary the source sample and inspect texture
Work on a duplicate or dedicated layer and compare against the original
Complete a guided “Local corrective retouching” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M08

Portrait and skin texture

Apply local healing with a suitably sized brush • Use masked and gradual tonal corrections • Avoid excessive smoothing and inspect at 100%

Apply local healing with a suitably sized brush
Use masked and gradual tonal corrections
Avoid excessive smoothing and inspect at 100%
Use shared colour and exposure references
Complete a guided “Portrait and skin texture” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M09

Curves and tonal contrast

Use a curve with control points • Inspect histogram endpoints • Shape a controlled curve and compare the histogram

Use a curve with control points
Inspect histogram endpoints
Shape a controlled curve and compare the histogram
Combine a Curves adjustment with a sky mask
Complete a guided “Curves and tonal contrast” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M10

Colour and white balance

Adjust temperature and tint against a neutral reference • Compare samples and synchronise colour corrections • Use a masked selective-colour or HSL adjustment

Adjust temperature and tint against a neutral reference
Compare samples and synchronise colour corrections
Use a masked selective-colour or HSL adjustment
Check skin colours separately from creative effects
Complete a guided “Colour and white balance” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M11

Local light and dodge and burn

Apply a masked local brightening adjustment • Use gradual local darkening • Work at low intensity and inspect transitions

Apply a masked local brightening adjustment
Use gradual local darkening
Work at low intensity and inspect transitions
Reuse a documented dodge-and-burn workflow
Complete a guided “Local light and dodge and burn” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M12

Sharpening and noise reduction

Adjust noise reduction while retaining detail • Apply moderate sharpening and inspect edges • Apply output sharpening after resizing

Adjust noise reduction while retaining detail
Apply moderate sharpening and inspect edges
Apply output sharpening after resizing
Inspect the same regions at 100% zoom
Complete a guided “Sharpening and noise reduction” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M13

Compositing and scale consistency

Match the subject's size and perspective to the scene • Match lighting direction, temperature and intensity • Check edges, contact shadows and depth

Match the subject's size and perspective to the scene
Match lighting direction, temperature and intensity
Check edges, contact shadows and depth
Retain sources, masks and adjustments on separate layers
Complete a guided “Compositing and scale consistency” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M14

Linked objects and placed images

Inspect the placed resource and replace its source when needed • Keep the linked or embedded asset without premature rasterisation • Check paths and embed resources when needed

Inspect the placed resource and replace its source when needed
Keep the linked or embedded asset without premature rasterisation
Check paths and embed resources when needed
Document image sources and licences
Complete a guided “Linked objects and placed images” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M15

Advanced retouching and separation

Use frequency separation conservatively • Correct tones on an appropriate layer instead of smoothing texture • Limit misleading edits and retain the original

Use frequency separation conservatively
Correct tones on an appropriate layer instead of smoothing texture
Limit misleading edits and retain the original
Archive before-and-after views and the editing scope
Complete a guided “Advanced retouching and separation” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M16

Live filters and effects

Add an editable live filter • Mask the live filter locally • Organise live filters in the intended order

Add an editable live filter
Mask the live filter locally
Organise live filters in the intended order
Inspect the effect at actual size before exporting
Complete a guided “Live filters and effects” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M17

Batch processing

Configure batch processing with target dimensions • Test a macro on a sample before a full run • Choose a separate output directory

Configure batch processing with target dimensions
Test a macro on a sample before a full run
Choose a separate output directory
Inspect representative samples and the output file count
Complete a guided “Batch processing” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M18

ICC profiles and soft proofing

Apply soft proofing with the output profile • Use the provided ICC profile and a calibrated display • Inspect warnings and adjust problematic colours

Apply soft proofing with the output profile
Use the provided ICC profile and a calibrated display
Inspect warnings and adjust problematic colours
Export using the required colour space and settings
Complete a guided “ICC profiles and soft proofing” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M19

Professional export and metadata

Choose suitable compression and check visual quality • Export in a format that preserves alpha • Verify pixel dimensions and output resolution

Choose suitable compression and check visual quality
Export in a format that preserves alpha
Verify pixel dimensions and output resolution
Review and remove unnecessary sensitive metadata
Complete a guided “Professional export and metadata” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Topic M20

Quality audit and archiving

Inspect edges against light and dark backgrounds • Inspect texture and repeated patterns at 100% • Check colour, dimensions and compression per channel

Inspect edges against light and dark backgrounds
Inspect texture and repeated patterns at 100%
Check colour, dimensions and compression per channel
Archive the native Affinity document with assets and exports
Complete a guided “Quality audit and archiving” exercise and quality-check the finished deliverable

3 h

Assessment output

Actionable insight, not a sales pitch

The report provides an overall score, category breakdown and recommended modules. Use it to inform development discussions, document progress or complement candidate assessment.

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45 questions and a suggested development plan. No course enrollment.

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