Free Typing Tests

Following up on my previous post about the potential death of the QWERTY keyboard, I figured I’d take a moment to tell you a little about QWERTY’s main competitor, DVORAK. The idea is that the Dvorak layout uses less finger motion, increases typing rate, and reduces errors compared to the de facto keyboard standard QWERTY (which was designed for use on a typewriter). continue reading »

The quote for this wpm speed test comes from the great Nelson Mandela. He challenges us to overcome our insecurities and fears, and rather than shrinking away from challenges, suggest we should step up to meet them head on. Speaking of challenges, this typing test is a little on the long side and therefore should give you a more accurate sense of your typing abilities.

Not everyone is aware of this, but the nearly-ubiquitous QWERTY keyboard is actually a relic of the old typewriter keyboard and is actually designed to be as inefficient as possible. When there was a problem with slow keys, it made sense to design a keyboard layout that would actually slow down a typist, but these days it seems a bit counter-intuitive. There are already a number of more intelligently-designed keyboards available on the market, but the future might hold something even more advanced. Interested in learning more? Check out this NY Times article on smart keyboards

This typing game is simple to learn but actually pretty fun to play. The goal is to launch all your letters from the bottom of the screen to the top, while avoiding the obstacles placed in between (Type the corresponding key on your keyboard and it will launch upwards). Additionally, there are bonus targets you can aim for as your launch your letters. This game is great to practice your typing skills and help you as you work to improve your WPM typing speed.

The quote for this typing test comes from Helen Keller and addresses the subject of happiness. Take a moment to exercise your typing abilities, find you how fast you can type, and get a little sage advice on the topic of being happy.

There are several ways to improve your typing speed and make your time at the computer more productive. Certainly, practicing your skills with typing tests and typing tutors is an effective method, and will pay great dividends over time. However, if you are feeling a bit lazy, you could also cheat a bit … I just came across this software called Typing Assistant. It is basically a predictive text software similar to that which you will find on some cell phones, which attempts to auto-complete the words you are typing to save you time and keystrokes. Here are a list of some its features: continue reading »

Oops, it looks as if there has been an error all this time preventing score data from saving properly. This should be all fixed now, and you will be able to see your WPM typing speed and accuracy for each test once you have taken them. You can also see your overall stats. Keep in mind though, your stats will only reflect tests you take from here on out and not those you have previously done.

Typing tests can be an invaluable resource when it comes to determining your typing speed, or as tools to help you improve your keyboarding skills. Whether you are an experienced typist, or a novice just learning your way around the keyboard, taking the occasional typing test to determine your typing speed gives you a sense of where you are at and the progress that you have made. Not only that, but the intensity present during the moments that you are taking the test can be a bit of a rush and a lot of fun. continue reading »

Online typing tests are the best way to determine your typing speed in WPM. Just type the passage provided and, once completed, you will see an output of your WPM typing speed and your keystroke accuracy. The text for this test comes from the surreal mind of Salvador Dali and will impart a little wisdom on you as it improves your skills as a typist.

One of the most effective means of improving your typing speed is to use a typing tutor designed to help you practice your keyboarding skills. Such typing programs come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and which one is right for you depends on your skill level: are you a novice just learning your way around a keyboard, or a more experienced typing looking to develop better touch-typing skills? continue reading »