The purpose of acquiring a good typing method is to learn to type quickly and efficiently. Speed is therefore the ultimate goal of the training. The best way to reach this goal is with a good typing method.
What Speed Target Should I Aim For?
Although speed is measured objectively, its evaluation is much more subjective. What is a good target to aim for? It is difficult to say. Even the scientific literature is divided on the question.
The right speed target depends on your age and your end goal. Do you simply want to be more efficient in writing emails, or do you intend to compete in international competitions?
| Targets for an adult | Words per minute (wpm) | Characters per minute (cpm) |
|---|
| Average speed | 40 wpm and over | 200 cpm and over |
| Above average speed | 50 wpm and over | 250 cpm and over |
| Productive speed | 60 wpm and over | 300 cpm and over |
| High speed | 70 wpm and over | 350 cpm and over |
| Competitive speed | 120 wpm and over | 600 cpm and over |
Did you know? — According to Intersteno, an international federation that regularly organizes international typing contests, the world record for typing speed is held by Czech typist Helena Matoušková. In 2003, she achieved a typing speed of 955 characters per minute. That’s around 191 words per minute, with 99.97% precision!
The Typing Pal Approach
Final Target
Typing Pal suggests setting a final target for the typing speed you want to reach by the end of the training. This target will vary according to your age and the skill level you are aiming for. Check out the table below to help you set an appropriate target.
| Age range | Beginner | Intermediate | Expert |
|---|
| 6 to 11 years old | 15 wpm(75 cpm)80% accuracy | 25 wpm(125 cpm)85% accuracy | 35 wpm (175 cpm)90% accuracy |
| 12 to 16 years old | 30 wpm(150 cpm)85% accuracy | 40 wpm(200 cpm)90% accuracy | 50 wpm(250 cpm)95% accuracy |
| 17 years old and over | 45 wpm(225 cpm)90% accuracy | 55 wpm(275 cpm)95% accuracy | 65 wpm(325 cpm)100% accuracy |
Intermediate Targets
Once you have set your final target, Typing Pal uses this to calculate intermediate targets for each of the training activities under the Learning tab. These intermediate targets are adjusted to the difficulty coefficient for the text and its relative position in the training plan.
For example, if the final target is set at 65 words per minute, the speed target for the first exercise will be set at 33 words per minute. Achieving this reasonable goal with total accuracy is a prediction of the training program’s ultimate success.
Speed Evaluation
The typing speed recorded during exercises or tests at the end of each step under the Learning tab is useful for formative evaluation. For example, this data allows you to compare student scores during the course of their training.
For a summative evaluation, we recommend that you refer instead to the final tests under the Learning tab, or to the texts under the Progress tab, since the texts used in these activities more closely reflect a real-life context. Filter the statistics by selecting this activity type. This will show more accurate results in terms of the performance level achieved.
Finally, to evaluate progress, we recommend that you compare the initial test result with the final test result. Since the two tests are exactly the same, you will get a clear indication of progress.
FAQs
5 Tips for Improving Your Typing Speed & Accuracy
- 1.) Use the correct starting position. When practicing your typing skills, it's important to use proper hand placement. ...
- 2.) Don't look down your hands. ...
- 3.) Maintain good posture. ...
- 4.) Find a comfortable position for your hands. ...
- 5.) Practice!
Thus, you should aim for a typing speed of at least 40 WPM to keep up a standard level of efficiency at work. For some professions, the standards are higher. To land a job as a personal or executive assistant, you might be required to type at least 60 words per minute.
What is a passing score on the typing speed test? ›
What is a passing score on a typing test? A typist must score at least 50 WPM according to employment typing tests. For a legal secretary, it's between 50-60 WPM. Computer coders need to score 60 WPM.
What is a good enough typing speed? ›
It's calculated in words per minute (WPM). A good typing speed in the workplace is around 40 to 60 WPM. Roles involving more typing, such as data entry or transcription, usually require employees to have a higher speed – around 60 to 90 WPM.
How long does it take to get 40 WPM typing speed? ›
Often all you need is an Internet connection to get started. The amount of time required correlates with the amount of time and effort you put in, but at best you should be able to learn to touch type at 40 wpm in as short a period as two weeks.
What is the trick to increase typing speed? ›
Sitting properly will help you type faster and keep you from getting tired easily. Try to keep your wrists up off the desk and as straight as possible. This will help keep your wrists from hurting. By keeping your fingers on the home row, you will learn where the different keys are more quickly.
What is the average WPM for a typing job? ›
For most people, the average typing speed is around 40 words per minute. However, for admins and executive assistants whose jobs heavily rely on computer skills, the average typing speed is around 60 words per minute. If you can produce at least 80 words per minute, you are considered an advanced typist.
What is the average typing speed by age? ›
Final Target
| Age range | Beginner | Expert |
|---|
| 6 to 11 years old | 15 wpm (75 cpm) 80% accuracy | 35 wpm (175 cpm) 90% accuracy |
| 12 to 16 years old | 30 wpm (150 cpm) 85% accuracy | 50 wpm (250 cpm) 95% accuracy |
| 17 years old and over | 45 wpm (225 cpm) 90% accuracy | 65 wpm (325 cpm) 100% accuracy |
By starting with a 30 minutes typing class every day, you will begin to see improvements in your touch typing speed within 2 weeks. The average person spends at least three and a half hours a day using a keyboard while doing work, writing emails, messaging, using social networks, etc.
How to beat a typing test? ›
Preparing for Timed Tests
- Flex Your Hands. Before you begin, flex and move your hands and fingers to warm them up.
- Warm Up. Before you start, warm up your fingers by keying a few practice sentences.
- Take a Few Deep Breaths. ...
- Keep Your Eyes Focused. ...
- Relax, Mistakes Are Okay.
Below 20 WPM: This is considered a very slow typing speed. It may indicate a need for significant improvement. 20-40 WPM: This range is below the average typing speed but still functional for most basic tasks. 40-60 WPM: Falling into this range demonstrates proficiency in typing.
How to pass a 40 WPM typing test? ›
11 tips for improving your typing speed
- Test Your Current Typing Speed. ...
- Make your Goal Progress, not Perfection. ...
- Learn to Touch Type. ...
- Learn the Proper Typing Home Row Position. ...
- Practice Proper Posture. ...
- Don't Look at Your Keyboard. ...
- Practice Typing Regularly. ...
- Optimize Your Setup.
On average, data entry roles often require a typing speed of at least 45 words per minute. Some data entry positions are more demanding than others.
How can I pass a 40 WPM typing test? ›
11 tips for improving your typing speed
- Test Your Current Typing Speed. ...
- Make your Goal Progress, not Perfection. ...
- Learn to Touch Type. ...
- Learn the Proper Typing Home Row Position. ...
- Practice Proper Posture. ...
- Don't Look at Your Keyboard. ...
- Practice Typing Regularly. ...
- Optimize Your Setup.
To clear the test, the candidate must have a minimum Net typing Speed of 30 words per minute. Maximum 8% mistakes would be permissible to pass the test, meaning thereby that at least 92% accuracy is required in addition to the typing speed.
How can I prove my typing speed? ›
The most common way to measure typing speed is words per minute, or WPM. The "word" is an average of 5 characters. To calculate WPM, simply take the number of words typed in a minute with no typos and divide by five.
