Feb 22 2008
How Fast do You Type?
How long since you’ve done a typing test?
Back in 1987 when I got my first computer I just couldn’t get past 30 WPM – basically because I used to look at the keys when I typed. During one summer break from Uni my parents funded a course at the Receptionist Centre. I still remember the typewriter keyboards had globs of liquid paper concealing the letters so cheating was just not possible.
The course was well worth the investment, enabling me to be much more productive and eventually typing at 50+ wpm.
I remember typing used to be the domain of secretaries and receptionists (say 99.5% female). But somehow I just don’t see a classroom of male execs in suits typing away on liquid papered keyboards.
In this day and age fast typing is a must – from top executives to students. With our reliance on computers and written communication, being able to type quickly is probably the biggest boost in productivity available to an office worker.
I try and impress on my kids the importance of typing quickly. To date they have scoffed at my suggestion of practice with the various typing tutors bought over the years. I suppose through instant messaging and school assignments they have developed their own style of typing (though I seriously doubt it’s as efficient as touch typing).
How do you type? Touch typing? Hunt and Peck? Two fingered? Have you invested in a touch typing course?
31 Responses to “How Fast do You Type?”
I had a job interview two days ago, and had to do a typing test for the first time in about 5 years. I had no idea what my true typing speed was until then.
I was very happy to find that I had a speed of 90wpm with 99% accuracy! I went home and tried a couple of online typing testers, and found that my speed decreased to 80wpm if they didn’t allow double spaces after a full stop, or if they forced you to key the correct letter before you could continue.
Anyway, I’d like to thank my blogging habit for that score!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..From today’s job interview…
I’ve tested many times due to various jobs, and find that I’m usually around 55wpm.
Kirsten’s last blog post..It Doesn’t Make Sense
Elizabeth – wow! I’m impressed 😀
So I could actually be a little faster offline? I wonder if the connection speed is factored in too?
Kirsten – that’s pretty cool
79 words per minute and recorded mistakes. I have been faster with offline speed typing tests. Learning to touch type in high school has stood me in very good stead, that and jobs that required typing.
jen’s last blog post..Some voting
I meant to say no recorded mistakes with my 79 wpm, not recorded mistakes. I obviously failed my comment test.
jen’s last blog post..Some voting
Best thing I think I did in high school was to take typing. I’m sure it’s my most used skill from all my years of learning. Mine ended up being 72 words per minute without errors (there were errors but I corrected as I went) according to the test.
Without touch typing, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my blogging I’m sure.
BUT, I’d make a hopeless secretary because I make heaps of mistakes. Especially under pressure.
Lightening’s last blog post..Cleaning Doesn’t Need to Cost the Earth
Bah – 54 words with 3 mistakes. Last time I did one of these I was up at around 60.
I just had a coffee though. jittery.
You believe me, right??! 😉
Karen (Misc Mum)’s last blog post..Project book – introducing my Illustrator!
That was fun! I got 108 wpm at 100% accuracy. I love typing – when I was in grade seven I typed up my friend’s assignments for a *cough* small fee. Fun times.
Katie’s last blog post..The Long-Awaited Nail-Biting Update
OMG..how can fingers move that fast to do 90 wpm *blink* crazy! I got 54
I have never had any training or anything. Just 8yrs of being a net junkie. I only type with about 3 fingers on each hand, maybe that slows me down.
Leigh’s last blog post..52 things I ♥- week 7
Haha I just did it again and got 110 wpm – this is addictive! 😛
Katie’s last blog post..The Long-Awaited Nail-Biting Update
108! Show off 😉
Leigh – you type faster than me with only 6 fingers!
Ahem! Can I please hear from someone who actually types s-l-o-w-e-r than me, please? I’m starting to feel distinctly inferior 😀
70wpm with 3 mistakes. I’m happy with that.
Marita’s last blog post..How fast do you type?
[…] Fast Do You Type?February 22nd, 2008 @ 3:45 pm I saw this typing test on Meg’s blog and thought it looked like fun. It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these so I was […]
Meg I hope you don’t mind but I posted about this on my blog and I realised our titles are the same – I couldn’t think of a better way to label the post. *d’oh*
Katie’s last blog post..How Fast Do You Type?
LMAO I can see what I’ll be doing over the weekend 😀
No worries about the title – it IS the logical choice!
Well, it depends. If I’m in a chat room trying to make an impression my speed is up over 400 wpm. Day to day stuff though it’s around 45 wpm.
Bah! I am like a bajillion words a minute.
Na na nana na.
I am the best.
*snigger*
Kelley’s last blog post..Um, excuse me, what just happened here?
Hi Meg, I’ve had no formal typing training and don’t blog.
I did 42 wpm, so it looks like our gene pool was not blessed in this regard.
At least someone has come in slower. 😉
SiS
When you emailed me and said you typed 61 WPM and I called you a b1tch, I was only kidding!
We both know I got the short end of the gene pool 😉
But thanks for trying to make me feel better 😀
90wpm with 98% accuracy.
Yeah, I worked as a typist at a law firm.
And probably will again soon.
Kin’s last blog post..Little things make me happy
How does that old expression go…. Maybe the gene pool is in need of chlorine 😉
Hi! When I’m in the groove I can touch type 80 wpm. I’m a lot faster now that I don’t have to use carbon paper.
Peter McCartney’s last blog post..What am I?
Managed to get 79 with one mistake. It would be nowhere near as high with a real typewriter with no capacity to correct as you go.
Duncan’s last blog post..Australia Saying Sorry
Meg you will be pleased to know that I got 35 words per minute. But, I am using the lap top at home and I struggle with this keyboard. My nails are too long so I keep hitting the wrong keys, and I refuse to shorten them. I also struggle with the flat keyboard. I like my keyboard at work better so will have another go at work next week and see how I go
Gemisht – Finally, thank you 😀 (You could have stopped just before “but” 😉 )
[…] don’t ask me what I got – I’m still getting over being the slowest blogger on the […]
Meg I got over 100 characters per minute. That made me feel good. I type about as fast as my brain thinks, which is around 50 wpm on a good day. Sometimes I get into a zone and things go better. I found the test a little convoluted and I would say that you would type faster if you were working with something that made sense.
Colin Campbell’s last blog post..How to Put Kids Off Fast Food
Thanks Colin, makes me feel a little better 😀
Hi Meg,
I’m starting to resurface… This is great fun! After 10 attempts, the best I could manage was 49 with no mistakes. I can’t break 50 without making mistakes
I have to say that I’m a four finger typer and I look at the keyboard a lot. I rely on buffering the words to come in my head so I don’t have to look. The random words on this test made it harder, because they don’t belong together.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! If they’d used real sentences, I reckon I could have gotten up to 55! Of course, I can’t think that fast…
Stephen Cronin’s last blog post..JobsInChina Presents LocalCurrency For WordPress
I’m close to 40. But I tend to make quite a few typos. So end up wasting time making corrections.
Nicole Price’s last blog post..Great Deals on TVs
im so proud of myself because my typing speed is 2wps… tnx to this site..