Typing Test Tips — How to Score Higher on Any WPM Test
Your typing speed on a test is not just a measure of how fast your fingers move — it is also a measure of how well you are set up, how strategically you handle errors, and how calm you stay under a timer. Small adjustments in each of these areas can add 5–15 WPM to your score without changing your underlying typing ability at all. Here are 7 specific, actionable tips organised by when to apply them.
Quick wins: The two highest-impact changes for most typists are reading 2–3 words ahead of where you are typing, and never backspacing during a timed test. Apply both and most people see an immediate 5–10 WPM improvement on their next attempt.
The 7 Tips
Before the test
Tip 1
Warm up for 3–5 minutes
Cold fingers are slower and less accurate. Type a few sentences — anything — before starting the real test. Your fingers need to warm up the same way athletes warm up before a race. A 3-minute warm-up can add 3–7 WPM to your score purely from reducing the ramp-up time in the first 15 seconds of a test.
Tip 2
Use the right keyboard and check your setup
A mechanical keyboard with a light actuation force (45–55 g) generally produces higher WPM than a membrane keyboard because each key registers without bottoming out. More practically: make sure your keyboard is at the right height (wrists flat or slightly below elbow), your screen is at eye level, and your chair is adjusted so your feet are flat. Physical discomfort costs WPM.
Tip 3
Sit with correct posture
Sit up straight with your back supported. Hunching forward tightens shoulder and neck muscles, which transmit tension down your arms to your fingers. Fingers that are tense make more errors. Keep your elbows close to your body, wrists straight, and fingers naturally curved over the home row.
During the test
Tip 4
Do not fix errors — keep moving
On a timed typing test, every second you spend backspacing is a second not typing new characters. At 60 WPM, one backspace costs you 1 WPM. Two backspaces cost you 2. Most tests only penalise uncorrected errors by 1 WPM each — so unless you have a long sequence of errors, pressing backspace costs more than leaving the mistake and moving on.
Tip 5
Read 2–3 words ahead of where you are typing
Your eyes should always be ahead of your fingers. If you read the word you are currently typing, your fingers are waiting for your eyes to finish. If you read 2–3 words ahead, your fingers can be processing the current word while your brain is already loading the next one. This 'read-ahead' technique is one of the biggest immediate gains you can make.
Tip 6
Use rhythmic, controlled breathing
It sounds small, but breath-holding is a common anxiety response during timed tests and it causes muscle tension. Take a calm breath before the test starts. During the test, breathe naturally at a steady rhythm. If you notice yourself tensing up, a single slow exhale resets your baseline and drops the tension in your forearms.
After the test
Tip 7
Review your weak spots and track progress
After each test, check which characters you missed most. Most typists have 3–5 chronic problem keys — often letter pairs like 'th', 'er', 'io', or numbers. Drilling those specific combinations for 5 minutes per session improves overall accuracy faster than random general practice. Track your WPM over time; even small weekly gains compound into major improvements.
Test-Day Mindset
Technique only gets you so far if nerves or frustration are working against you. Here is what the mental side of a high-scoring test attempt looks like:
Mindset Principle
Why It Matters
Target the process, not the score
Focusing on your WPM while typing causes you to rush and make errors. Focus on smooth, accurate keystrokes. The score takes care of itself.
Accept that the first 10 seconds are slow
Every typist is slower in the first 10 seconds of a test. This is normal — motor memory activates during the first few words. Do not panic and rush.
Treat each word independently
A mistake on one word is over the moment you move to the next. Carrying the frustration forward compounds errors. Reset after every word.
Benchmark, don't compete
Your own previous score is the only relevant comparison. Comparing your WPM to others creates pressure that hurts performance. Track improvement week over week.
After the Test: How to Use Your Results
A typing test result is only useful if you act on it. Here is what to do after each test:
Record your score: Keep a simple log (a note, a spreadsheet) with your WPM and accuracy after each session. Trends over 2–4 weeks show you exactly which direction you are moving.
Identify error patterns: Which keys were you missing? Look for clusters — if you keep mistyping "th", "er", or number keys, those are your practice targets.
Drill weak spots specifically: 5 minutes of targeted practice on your 3 worst letter pairs beats 30 minutes of random typing in terms of accuracy improvement.
Test again tomorrow: Consistency beats intensity. Testing and practising daily for 15–20 minutes produces faster improvement than hour-long weekend sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to improve your typing test score?
The single fastest gain is the 'read-ahead' technique — keeping your eyes 2–3 words ahead of your fingers. This alone can add 5–10 WPM for typists who currently read at the same position they are typing. Second fastest: stop backspacing on timed tests. Leave errors and keep moving — the WPM penalty for an error is usually less than the time cost of fixing it.
How do I stop making so many errors on typing tests?
Slow down by 20–30% in practice and focus exclusively on accuracy before pushing speed. Most typing errors come from reaching for keys too fast before the previous keystroke is fully processed. Building accuracy at a slower speed first, then gradually increasing, eliminates error habits instead of just suppressing them.
Does the keyboard type affect your typing test score?
Yes, though the effect is smaller than technique. Mechanical keyboards with tactile switches (Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown, etc.) generally score 5–10% higher than membrane keyboards for experienced typists, because the tactile feedback confirms each keystroke without requiring full key travel. Laptop keyboards are often slightly slower due to shallower key travel.
What is a good WPM to aim for on a typing test?
40–44 WPM is the average adult. Above 65 WPM puts you in roughly the top third of typists. Above 80 WPM is competitive. For job applications, 60–70 WPM is commonly required for data entry or administrative roles; 40–50 WPM for general office work. For casual use, 50+ WPM is comfortable.
Should I look at the keyboard during a typing test?
No. Looking at the keyboard during a typing test costs time on every single keystroke — the eye travel from screen to keyboard and back takes 200–400 ms. Over a 60-second test with hundreds of keystrokes, this adds up to 10–20 WPM of lost potential. Keeping your eyes on the screen is the defining characteristic of touch typing and the key to crossing 50+ WPM.
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