To set up the goal typing speed, click one of the squares containing typing speed value.
Once you achieve your objective, you get a trophy. AgileFingers marks the typing speed goal as achieved once you pass the typing speed test.
Mentor starts climbing the ladder once you complete a typing speed goal of at least 10 words per minute (50 characters per minute). The higher typing speed you achieve, the higher Mentor climbs.
Why should you set a typing speed challenge?
By establishing a specific typing speed to reach, you give yourself a clear purpose and motivation to progress in fast typing. Setting a goal also allows you to track your improvement in speed typing. As you steadily work towards your goal, you'll notice increased accuracy, reduced errors, and enhanced typing speed. Ultimately, achieving your speed goal will boost your confidence and provide you with proof that you type faster.
Set realistic typing speed challenge
Don't challenge yourself with too high a goal. If your current typing speed is 40 words per minute, instead of setting a goal of 70, try setting just one word per minute higher. Achieve small increments in fast typing. That will allow you to concentrate on accuracy rather than on speed. Better accuracy, in consequence, leads to faster typing.
Test your typing speed
Testing your typing speed in AgileFingers is as simple as navigating to the typing test section and completing the test tasks. This feature allows you to check your typing speed and provides a valuable benchmark for setting your next challenge. It's recommended to regularly repeat this test as you practice touch typing to check if the set of exercises you choose brings positive effects.
Moreover, testing your typing abilities allows you to track your typing speed progress over time, providing motivation and reinforcing the benefits of regular typing training. Pursuing faster typing isn't about reaching a certain speed overnight; it's a gradual journey of constant improvement. Test results can be milestones on this journey, each marking a step closer to your desired typing speed goal.
Average typing speed
The average typing speed varies depending on the individual and their keyboard typing experience. You may ask yourself if there is a normal typing speed. It is a hard question to answer. The average typing speed might be 15-30 words per minute for adults just starting the touch typing learning process. Children who start learning to type on the keyboard from scratch type much slower - 5 - 10 words per minute. After gaining some proficiency, many people reach an average typing speed of around 40-60 words per minute. Consistent practice can increase your average typing speed to 80-100 words. While speed is important, it should not be pursued at the expense of accuracy and work comfort. Typing accurately can help you type faster as it reduces the need for time-consuming corrections.
What is a good typing speed?
When considering what constitutes a "good" typing speed, it's essential to remember that this can be highly individual and depend on the context. A typing speed of 50-80 words per minute is often considered good in a professional setting, as it efficiently completes tasks without sacrificing accuracy. For roles that involve heavy typing, such as transcriptionists, court stenographers, or journalists, a typing speed of 70-100 wpm might be expected.
However, the key to excellent typing speed is not achieving a good result in a typing test but comfortable, fast typing without making typos. This is particularly crucial in the learning process of touch typing, where one should prioritize accuracy over speed. This is because developing a strong foundation of accurate typing will naturally lead to increased speed over time, whereas focusing solely on speed can lead to a higher error rate and the acquisition of bad typing habits. Hence, a good typing speed strikes a balance between speed and accuracy, tailored to the needs of the individual.
Remember, a higher typing speed can open doors to various job opportunities, particularly those that demand fast and accurate data entry. In the long run, being able to type faster and accurately can significantly broaden your career prospects.
How fast should you achieve your desired typing speed
Setting and achieving typing speed goals is a process that should be approached with patience and consistency. Setting realistic, incremental goals and giving yourself time to achieve them is important. Typically, a beginner might start setting a goal of typing speed of around 10-20 words per minute, and a reasonable goal could be to increase this by 2-5 words per minute each week, depending on practice intensity. We recommend starting with a low target typing speed and concentrating only on accuracy. Most people can achieve a typing speed of 50 words per minute with regular practice within a few months. However, remember that individual progress can vary greatly, and it's important not to rush. The key is to focus on gradual improvement and consistency over time. Developing a solid foundation of accuracy is crucial, as it will naturally lend itself to increased typing speed over time.
Concentrate on typing accuracy, not on typing speed
As mentioned several times, when learning touch typing, it's crucial to prioritize accuracy over speed. It might be tempting to try and hit a high typing speed count early on, but this can often lead to a high error number and the development of bad habits. Instead, focus on mastering the correct finger positioning and keystroke patterns. This concentration on accuracy first will ultimately result in a more fluent typing style, minimizing the need for corrections. Remember, a high typing speed is useless if your work is riddled with errors. Over time, with consistent typing practice and focus on accuracy, your speed will naturally increase, and you will become an efficient and reliable typing professional.
Why is fast typing important
Fast typing is valuable in today's digitally-driven world. The ability of fast typing efficiency enhances your professional image. In many sectors, a good typing speed is a key performance indicator.
Remember, a high typing speed can open doors to various job opportunities, from transcription services to coding, and can significantly improve productivity across multiple work areas. Therefore, investing time in improving your typing speed and accuracy is a worthwhile endeavor.
What is a good typing speed for different jobs
A good typing speed for most jobs is typically around 40-50 words per minute (WPM), roughly the speed most people use when carrying out everyday tasks. However, for jobs that involve a significant amount of typing, such as data entry clerks, transcriptionists, or court stenographers, a higher typing speed of around 75 WPM or more is usually expected. Yet, different jobs have varying requirements. For instance, some coding jobs may not require a high typing speed as the focus is more on accuracy and logic than speed. It is always beneficial to exceed the average typing speed, but remember the importance of maintaining accuracy in your typing.
Occupancies where typing speed matters
Several professions highly value the skill of fast typing, which is often regarded as a critical competency. Fast typing is especially required in the following occupancies:
- Secretaries and administrative assistants who frequently draft correspondences and manage data entry tasks find fast typing skills extremely advantageous.
- Journalists and authors may need to quickly transcribe interviews or keep up with a constant flow of ideas. They often work under tight deadlines, which makes fast typing instrumental in compiling their findings swiftly and effectively.
- Data entry clerks rely on their high typing speed to efficiently process large volumes of information.
- Professionals working in customer service or support roles, such as live chat operators, need to be able to respond to customer inquiries quickly and accurately. Fast typing can lead to quicker responses, boosting customer satisfaction.
- In administrative roles such as executive assistants or office managers, employees often need to draft emails, prepare reports, or enter data - tasks where speed and precision are paramount.
- Court stenographers are professionals that transcribe legal proceedings in real time. These skilled individuals are capable of typing at speeds up to 200 words per minute, which is an outstanding, even unimaginable result.
In conclusion, possessing proficient fast typing can be a significant asset in many career paths, enhancing productivity and efficiency to a great extent.
World record typing speed
The world record for typing speed is supposed to belong to a deceased typist - Barbara Blackburn, who self-claimed to have reached a peak speed of 212 words per minute using the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard. However, there are some controversies connected with her results, and the Guinness Book of World Records finally removed records connected with fast typing, claiming that the results cannot be compared with any accuracy. So practically, there is no reliable source of truth about what the highest typing speed might be. You can learn more about the "legendary" fastest typist in the world in the article.
Fast typing matters
In conclusion, the journey to achieving your desired typing speed is a delicate balance between speed and accuracy. Understanding the average typing speed provides a benchmark, but remember, the ultimate focus should be on precision before speed when learning fast typing. Whether your job or area of study requires you to draft lengthy reports, enter significant volumes of data, or communicate swiftly with clients, enhancing your typing speed can make a notable difference in your productivity and career prospects. Keep practicing, stay consistent, and remember that every step you take gets you closer to your typing speed goal. Like in touch typing, the journey to fast typing is about steady progress and not rushed outcomes.