5 Minute Typing Test
The long one. Five minutes of continuous text, scored the way most job typing assessments are scored.
A five minute typing test like the ones employers use
Recruiters and temp agencies usually test typing for three or five minutes, because a longer test shows the speed you can keep up through a real working session. This five minute typing test uses the same idea: continuous passages from classic public-domain novels, a single timer, and a net WPM score that ignores characters you got wrong.
You also get accuracy (employers usually want at least 90%, and many ask for 95%), raw WPM and keystrokes per minute, which some data-entry jobs quote instead of WPM.
WPM and keystrokes per minute
One word is counted as five keystrokes, spaces included. So 40 WPM equals 200 keystrokes per minute, and 60 WPM equals 300. Data-entry and 10-key jobs sometimes ask for keystrokes per hour (KPH) instead: multiply keystrokes per minute by 60, so 200 per minute is 12,000 KPH. For number-heavy roles, practise with the number typing and 10-key lesson.
What a five minute score tells you
Expect your five minute WPM to sit a few points below your 1 minute typing test result. That is normal and it is the number to put on a CV, because it is the one you can reproduce. If the drop is larger than about 10 WPM, accuracy is usually the cause: errors pile up as you tire. Short daily sessions on the 3 minute test close that gap faster than one long session a week.
| 5 minute WPM | Accuracy | How employers usually read it |
|---|---|---|
| 30-44 | 90%+ | Meets light-typing minimums |
| 45-59 | 92%+ | Solid for office and admin roles (45-60) |
| 60-79 | 95%+ | Fast; chat support, data entry, transcription from 65 |
| 80+ | 97%+ | Very fast; enough for any typing job |
How to prepare for a timed typing assessment
- Take this test once to get a baseline.
- Find the keys you miss most (the results screen lists them) and practise them in the matching typing lesson.
- Do ten minutes a day for a week, mixing the 1 and 3 minute tests.
- Retake the 5 minute test on day seven at the same time of day you will be tested.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a typical job typing test?
Most employer and agency typing tests last 3 or 5 minutes. Five minutes is common when the role involves a lot of typing, such as data entry or transcription.
What is a good score on a 5 minute typing test?
Around 40 WPM with 90% accuracy is a solid general result. 60 WPM or more with 95% accuracy is strong for most office jobs.
Can I take the 5 minute typing test on a phone?
Yes, it works with an on-screen keyboard, but scores are much lower than on a physical keyboard. For a realistic result, use a laptop or desktop keyboard.