Typing Test for Government Jobs: Speed Required

Most government typing tests ask for roughly 35 words per minute (WPM) in English, or about 30 WPM in Hindi, but the exact speed depends on the post and the recruiting body. The test usually gives you a set passage to type in a fixed time, and both speed and accuracy count. Because requirements change and differ by exam, always confirm the current figure in the official notification before you prepare.

Why so many govt jobs test typing

Clerks, data entry operators, court staff, and many SSC posts spend the day typing. So the recruitment includes a typing test to check you can do the job at a usable speed. Clearing the written exam isn't enough; the typing round is often qualifying, meaning you must pass it to be selected.

Typical speed requirements

The figures below are common examples. Treat them as a guide, not a guarantee, and check the official notice for your specific exam.

Some posts state the requirement as key depressions per hour (KDPH) instead of WPM. For SSC CHSL DEO it's around 8,000 KDPH (about 2,000 key depressions in the 15-minute Data Entry Speed Test); some higher DEO grades, like DEO Grade 'A' in the CAG office, need up to 15,000 KDPH. LDC/JSA candidates can choose English (35 WPM) or Hindi (30 WPM), while DEO is English only. The notification will specify exactly which measure and figure apply.

How the test usually works

1. You're given a passage on screen (or paper for older exams).
2. You type it in a fixed time, often 10 minutes.
3. Your speed is calculated as words (or key depressions) per minute.
4. Errors are counted; too many mistakes can fail you even at good speed.

How to prepare

• Reach the target with a margin. If the test needs 35 WPM, train to a steady 40–45 WPM so nerves on test day don't sink you below the line.
• Practise on the right layout. For English, a normal QWERTY keyboard. For Hindi, practise the specific font (Kruti Dev or Mangal/Unicode) your exam uses.
• Type full passages, not just words. The test is a paragraph, so practise paragraphs with punctuation and capitals.
• Control errors. Learn the error limit for your exam and practise staying under it. In SSC CHSL LDC/JSA, for example, up to 7% errors are allowed for UR/EWS candidates and up to 10% for OBC, SC, ST, PwBD and ESM candidates. Confirm the exact limit in your notification.

Worked example (target planning)

Your exam needs 35 WPM in English with an error limit. Plan:

• Weeks 1–2: technique and accuracy, reach a clean 30 WPM.
• Weeks 3–4: push to a steady 40 WPM with under 5% errors.
• Final week: full 10-minute passage tests daily, mimicking the real format.

Training above the requirement is the safest way to clear it under pressure.

Pro tips

• Simulate the real test: same time limit, similar passage, no stopping to fix small errors mid-flow.
• For Hindi typing, confirm whether the exam uses Kruti Dev or Mangal, as the keys differ.
• Keep your accuracy high; many candidates fail on errors, not speed.

Common mistakes

• Not checking the official notice. Requirements vary by post and year. Don't rely on hearsay.
• Training only to the exact target. Test-day nerves drop your speed. Train higher.
• Ignoring the error limit. High speed with many mistakes can still fail.
• Practising the wrong Hindi font. Kruti Dev and Mangal are different; use the one your exam requires.

Key takeaways

• Common targets are ~35 WPM English, ~30 WPM Hindi, but verify per exam.
• Tests use a fixed passage and time; accuracy counts too.
• Train above the requirement to pass under pressure.
• For Hindi, practise the exact font (Kruti Dev or Mangal) the exam uses.

Practice task

Find the official notification for a typing-based exam you're targeting and note its exact WPM, language, time limit and error rules. Then take a 10-minute passage test and see how far you are from that target.

Prepare for the typing round with real exam-format practice at the Professional Typing Course at HCI.