WPM basically refers to the number of words per minute a typist can manage to write to score in a typing test. However, typing tests don’t show a person’s accuracy; they only express their typing speed. The more a person practices and tests their typing speed, the more the accuracy improves. Stella Pajunas used an IBM electric typewriter to record the highest typing speed score of 216 in 1946. The only other person who has ever gotten any closer is Barbara Blackburn, an English language typist who used a Dvorak simplified keyboard to score 212 WPM in 2005. An average person is expected to type at a speed of around 40 WPM. So, is 75 WPM good enough? Let’s find out.
Is 75 words per minute fast enough?
Whether 75 WPM is enough or not depends on the types of work you’ll be doing rather than your proficiency in a particular language. For instance, 75 WPM may be good enough for a data entry clerk or assistant to get things done productively. However, a court reporter or stenographer should be able to type even 200 WPM to be effective at their work.
Fortunately, you can learn how to write quicker and more accurately by taking a few typing tests online. If you work from home, learning to type accurately will significantly increase your productivity levels! Moreover, good typing skills will allow you to stay on top of your work, take better notes, and stay ahead of the game if you’re taking classes online.
For example, most Medical Transcription programs and Virtual Assistant courses require one to successfully pass a typing test as part of the qualification process. In general, a majority of online freelance job opportunities, such as copywriting, transcriptionist, virtual assistant, customer support, etc., require applicants to pass a typing test even to be considered for further evaluation of the core competencies relevant to that particular job opening.
How Many Words Per Minute Typing Speed Is Considered Good?
Being able to use a computer to write letters and texts effectively is in demand by any business that works with a computer. That is why several businesses in today’s digital space are interested in hiring new employees who can use computers fast enough to execute their duties efficiently.
Many potential employees worry about their current typing speeds or score and are worth the competition! That is why many potential employees in almost any field keep practicing and testing their typing speeds on free typing speed testing platforms online to see whether they’re improving. Having a typing speed of 75 WPM positions you more strategically as a prerequisite qualification for the jobs as compared to someone with an average typing speed of around 40 WPM.
How to Improve Your WPM
Below are a few tips to help you improve your typing speed:
1. Correct Starting Position
Ensure that you’re seated comfortably in your chair and that the keyboard is at the right height. When typing, you must place your hands and fingers appropriately. Typically, your left hand should be hovering over the A, S, D, and F keys, while the right hand’s fingers should be placed over the J, K, L, and keyboard keys. The thumbs of both hands should be over the space bar.
Since you can reach all the other keys on the keyboard from this hand placement, it’s easy to return to the same position as you keep typing. These starting positions are intended to help you become more comfortable using the keyboard. As your skills grow, you can try many different positions to see which one feels most natural and enables you to feel at your absolute best.
2. Maintain a Good Posture
You want to be completely satisfied with how you’re seated. You’ll be less successful if you aren’t comfortable sitting down. Make sure your chair is comfy, your back is supported properly, and you’re sitting straight up and forward to help you type faster. If it is easy to slouch in your chair or work from a couch, try moving to a straight-back chair or sitting at your desk.
3. Avoid Looking Down at Your Hands
Instead of looking down at your hands as you type, focus on what you are doing on your computer screen. This may be difficult at first because you may not be able to place the keys exactly where they should be accurate. However, if you can focus on your screen, you will be able to perform your task more accurately. You’ll soon become more familiar with the positions of the keys on the keyboard, and you’ll be able to type more quickly.
4. Ensure the Hands are Comfortable
It can be very difficult to type comfortably if you place your hand in a position that makes it difficult to type for a long time. The keyboard spacebar should be positioned so that it is appropriately aligned with your body. You should not constantly be scrolling or typing at an angle. As you type, rest your elbows on the keyboard and extend your wrists slightly. Never bend or angle your wrists dramatically.
5. Keep Practicing
Nothing can be mastered in a day, but if you want to get better at typing, you need to work at it every day. Try various free typing activities and assessments. It’s very helpful to take your time with these typing tests and exercises on free platforms such as the Typing Academy and the TypingClub.
Trying to complete all of the typing exercises quickly will result in more errors – and that’s OK! You will start typing more accurately when you continue familiarizing yourself with the keyboard. Improve your skills, and you’ll not only make your student life easier but benefit your profession as well. It may take days or months of practice to see improvement, but keep trying, and you’ll be typing like a pro in no time!
Wrapping Up
You can achieve the right typing speed for you based on your age and goals. But speed is only part of it when it comes to really getting things done. It will be just as valuable to master speed as it will be to master accuracy. It’s extremely important to ensure your words are accurate as well because a simple typo may seem innocent but cause a serious system-wide error.
