Net vs gross WPM
Gross WPM counts everything you typed. Net WPM subtracts mistakes, so it is the number employers care about. This exam reports both: net as WPM and gross as raw.
Typing exam practice
A realistic typing exam like the ones employers and government offices use: long paragraph text, a fixed time limit and a pass mark for speed and accuracy.
Exam length
Pass mark
Most office jobs ask for 40 wpm; transcription and legal roles often ask for 60 or more. Accuracy must be 95% or higher.
Pass to unlock a downloadable typing certificate.
How typing exams work
Typing exams for jobs usually give you 3 to 10 minutes to copy a passage. Your score is net words per minute, and most employers also set a minimum accuracy, often 95% or higher.
Common requirements
Office, reception and customer service roles commonly ask for 35 to 45 wpm. Data entry often asks for 40 to 60 wpm, and transcription or legal roles 60 wpm or more.
On the day
Warm up with a 1 minute test, sit upright, and read a word or two ahead. If you make a mistake, fix it only if you notice it immediately, then keep your rhythm.
How to prepare
Practise the exact length of your exam two or three times a week. Mix in practice paragraphs with numbers and punctuation, since exams rarely use simple words only.
Questions people ask
Is a 10 minute typing test harder than a 5 minute one?
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It mostly tests stamina. Speed usually drops a few wpm in the second half, so practise the full length before the real exam.
Can I use backspace in the exam?
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Yes. Most job typing tests allow corrections. Fixing errors costs time, so accuracy from the start pays off.
Do I get a certificate?
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Yes. When you reach the pass mark you can download a certificate with your name, WPM and accuracy.