How To Take An Online Typing Test For Kids

If you like using typing practice resources in your child’s learning adventures, you also need to know how to take an online typing test for kids.

Online typing tests are a great way for kids to improve their typing skills.

cartoon boy in blue shirt smiling while taking an online typing test for kids

Having your kids take a typing test is a great way to assess their progress and see where they need to continue to work on their skills. Plus it’s a great way to find out which resources are most effective in helping them improve.

But how do you take one?

Here’s a step-by-step guide.

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What Is A Typing Test?

A typing test is a method of assessing someone’s speed and accuracy when typing on a keyboard. It is usually done by timed tests where the participant is required to type a certain amount of words or letter combinations within a set period of time.

The test may also include other elements such as accuracy and number of errors made. Some tests allow use of the backspace button for error and mistake correction and others do not and you must accept any mistakes that are made and move on.

cartoon mom and daughter enjoying some online typing tests for kids

Are There Really Typing Tests For Kids?

Yes! Just like there are plenty of typing games for kids to help them learn and improve their skills, there are also typing tests that can do the same.

Back when computers were first coming out, most typing programs and tests were made specifically for adults. But as the popularity grew, more and more parents realized the importance of teaching kids to type.

CD-ROM learn to type programs and typing speed tests for kids were born. And before long, theseprograms and games began moving online where they were more readily accessible by everyone.

Nowadays, there are plenty of typing tests for kids available online. And the best part is, most of them are free! These tests can help kids improve their speed, accuracy, and WPM as they type.

Free Ad Libs Typing Templates

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How To Take An Online Typing Test For Kids 2

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Why Typing Tests Are Important

Typing tests are important because they help kids improve their accuracy and speed. They also help kids learn how to find the right keys quickly and efficiently.

Some kids may find it difficult to learn how to type quickly and accurately. And that’s okay! Typing is a skill that takes time and practice to master.

That’s why a typing speed test can be so helpful. They give kids the chance to practice their skills and see how they are progressing over time. This allows them to get faster and more accurate as time goes on.

And last but not least, typing tests give kids a chance to show off their progress to friends and family! Who doesn’t love a good bragging rights battle? This definitely makes all the typing exercises and typing lessons worth it.

How To Take An Online Typing Test For Kids

Most online typing tests for kids follow a similar format. Here’s a quick, general overview of what you can expect:

First, you’ll need to create an account on the website. This is so your child’s progress can be tracked over time.
Once you’ve created an account, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of different typing tests. These usually include tests for accuracy, speed, or both.
Once your child has chosen a test, they’ll be given a set amount of time to type as many words as they can.
At the end of the test, their score will be calculated and displayed on the screen.
Repeat the test either daily or weekly (preferably weekly after a few days of typing practice) and see where improvement has been made!

That’s it! Pretty simple, right?

Now let’s move on to some tips for taking an online typing speed test for kids.

6 Free Online Typing Tests For Kids

Like I mentioned before, there are plenty of places to take an online typing test. Here are just a few options:

TypeDojo has online typing test in 1 minute, 3 minute,and 5 minute options. They’ll even let you print out a typing certificate that highlights your scores! And you can select your test according to age/skill level.
Ducksters.com online keyboarding test is simple yet effective. No account required, no bells and whistles, and you get results fast!
Typing.com offers a variety of free typing tests for kids. Tests can be chosen based on time limit or page limit. (For example, 5 minutes typing test vs 3 or 1 minutes typing timed test.) An account is recommended to track progress.
Crazy Games offers some typing games for free that might be worth a look!
Room Recess has a quick and easy online typing test for kids that doesn’t require creating an account. You type real words and sentences (rather than random letter combinations) and you get your score in just a few seconds.
Typingtest.com also has a free online typing test available. Just watch out for the big green Start Now button -that button DOES NOT start the test and is a click-bait ad.

group of cartoon kids smiling and enjoying an online typing test for kids

Tips For Taking An Online Typing Speed Test

Here are some quick tips to help your child ace their next online typing test:

Start with the home row keys. These are the keys that your child should use most often when typing. They include the letters A, S, D, F, J, K, L , and the ; key. Once your child is comfortable with these keys, they can move on to other keys.

When taking a typing test, you will start with your fingers on the home row keys like so:

You will start with your left index finger on the F, your left middle finger on the D, your left ring finger on the S, and your left pinky finger on the A.

Your right index finger will start on the J, your right middle finger will start on the K, your right ring finger will start on the L, and your right pinky finger will start on the ;. The G key and the H key remain uncovered. From this position, either the left hand or the right hand will be able to reach all the keys.

On most keyboards, the F and J keys will include a raised dot or line so you can find the home row witout having to look at your keyboard. Use these keys as a reference point.

Having proper home row placement is key to any touch typing lesson or test. It can help you improve your muscle memory and type faster! (And who doesn’t want an increased WPM score?)

Encourage your child to take their time. Speed will come with practice! For now, it’s more important that they focus on accuracy. (This can be a hard concept to grasp but it really is true!!)

Make sure their fingers are in the correct position on the keyboard before they start typing. It’s also a good idea to ensure they are sitting up straight and their feet are planted firmly on the ground. This will help them form correct habits from the start!

What Is The Average Typing Speed?

The average typing speed is usually around 40 words per minute (WPM). However, keep in mind that this number will vary depending on the person’s age, skill level, and how often they use a keyboard.

Here are some general guidelines for what is considered a “good” typing speed:

Elementary school age kids: 20-30 wpm
Middle school age kids: 30-40 wpm
High school age kids: 35-45 wpm
Adults: 40-60 wpm
Professional typists: 60-70+ wpm

What about accuracy? Knowing how to type fast also means typing with accuracy. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a typing speed that is about 95% accurate.

How Do Kids Practice Typing?

There are plenty of places for kids to practice typing! Here are some of our favorite resources:

What Age Should Kids Start Typing?

There is no one answer to this question. Some kids may be ready to start typing as early as 5 or 6 years old, while others may not be interested until they are 8 or 9.

It really depends on the individual child and their level of interest/skill.

In general, most kids should begin learning how to typ after than know how to read. But this is not a hard-fast rule! Some learn to read programs (such as Reading Kingdom) actually teach reading and typing at the exact same time and it’s pretty effective for a lot of kids.

If your child is interested in learning how to type, there are plenty of resources available to help them get started. And don’t forget -practice makes perfect! The more they type, the better they will become at it.

What are some of your favorite typing resources for kids? Let us know in the comments below! And remember to share this article with your friends so they can benefit too!

Charlene Hess

Charlene Hess is the founder of Hess UnAcademy. She spent many years teaching before she had her own kids. She now has 8 kids of her own, whom she has been homeschooled for over a decade.

She has now moved on from Hess UnAcademy to focus on her family and her new site, Secret Life of Homesteaders.