to think that I can go from a typing speed of 38 wpm to 55 wpm within 2 weeks?

[Pavonia]

I want to apply for a job which specifies a minimum 55 wpm typing speed which I don't have. My current plan is to apply anyway and try to get my typing up to speed by interview.

Is this realistic? Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks

I don't know. Mine is 55 and I've been at it professionally for 7 years now. I'd say it took me around 2 to get there. I'm a copywriter and write about 10.000 words a day.

Practice is key! Just do lots and lots of typing between now and the test.

My typing speed hovers somewhere between 80 and 90 wpm. I never learned to touch type properly - ie I don't use the correct fingers for the keys (I don't even always use the same finger for a particular letter). I seem to have just developed my own way of doing things over time.

The reason my typing speed is quick is because of my miss-spent youth on telnet talkers (a precursor to the website-based internet chatrooms). Within months my typing speed was fiendishly fast and that was without any particular effort to increase my speed.

If I were I just do loads of typing. Open a Word document, get out a novel and start retyping it. 55 wpm is not that fast - you'll still have time to look at the keys a bit as you type.

It's doable, you just need to put some hours into it. 'Mavis Beacon Typing Tutor' is great. I learnt 20 years ago in Reception College so can type very fast (have done tests at 100wpm) so I do think 55 is more than doable. Good luck ????

I think it's doable. I did mavis beacon many many years ago-it wasn't that boring and I got up to nearly 70wpm. Whether or not you get the job it's a very useful skill.

I think you could do it. Just spend whatever spare time you have practicing by typing things over and over until you're extremely familiar with the keys.

Before I did an office based job I was ok, I could type, but soon after I was sat behind a computer all day I very very quickly learnt to touch type fast (not actually sure of my words per min).

Are they going to test candidates? If it's a deal breaker and you fail you could say you'll be up to scratch in x time and could they re-test?

My 18 year old brother can do 80wpm with only two fingers - yes touch typing, but not the traditional way. Just trying to give hope to those who have their own "style" of typing; it's much more about the time you devote to learning to type than the way you do it. Your position relative to the keyboard also affects accuracy.

FWIW I'm also about 80wpm but much faster when typing things off the top of my head than copying down. It does vary within each person, and it might be worth practicing transcribing from audio as well as copying text, especially if it's for work.

Might not come down to the typing if you interview well, but regardless, I definitely think you can do it! :)

typing-speed-test.aoeu.eu/

www.typingtest.com/

I type at 70wpm using two fingers and my thumbs for the space bar.

The thing that really sped up my tying was obsessive use of MSN Messenger 2004 - 2007 can you practice by chatting to someone online? Facebook chat or similar?

typing*

Do not waste time on touch typing, just practice your own way until you are really fast. You don't have time to learn to touch type.

Thanks again everyone,

Differing opinions on whether touch typing is necessary. My instinct is that I am unlikely to speed up much without learning new techniques (probably touch typing) as I already spend plenty of time at the keyboard.

I might get a copy of Mavis Beacon and give that a go, once I've finished my CV.

If anyone wants to comment on my CV thread, it's here