What is your copy-typing speed?

[bethalize]

 I was chatting on-line the other day and someone claimed to have a typing speed of over 100 words per minute. I'm not sure whether to believe this or not. I hit 60wpm and that seems to be considered a crack typist in my city. Are Admins still queens of the keyboard or have we spent too much time pushing the mouse?

Results (total votes = 66):

45wpm or below	3 / 4.5%
46-65wpm	19 / 28.8%
66-85wpm	18 / 27.3%
Over 85wpm	20 / 30.3%
I have no idea	6 / 9.1%

 

[chris68]

Last time I had a typing test I was in the over 85 range, but it's been so long and I do more number input now than anything.  But I'm sure once I start using it all the time my speed would go back up.



Chris68

 

[Katie G]

When I interviewed for both of the admin jobs I've held, both bosses said that they were more concerned with someone who could "keep things organized" than someone who could type fast.  One said, "As long as you know your way around a keyboard, that's fine."

[yankeestarbuck]

I never typed properly, even on my electric typewriter in school.  But when I got my first internet-ready computer, I learned how to "chat type", which is typing quickly, but still looking at the keys.  One day I was in CompUSA and I saw a Mavis Beacon typing teacher software set (translation: CD-ROM) and I bought it.  With the markdown and rebate, I ended up paying about $5 for it.  And I learned where MOST of the keys are and I type pretty well now. Unless my boss is standing over me, dictating.  Then I have 6 thumbs.

[gennysmom]

but I do know that when he gets going, my bossman can type faster than I can!

[northcarolina]

I knew a girl in school who could consistently type 100 words a minute w/out mistakes - we were all in total awe of her.  I think I'm pretty fast but not up in that range!



I do believe that typing speed has fallen by the wayside in this profession with the advent of computers and the word processing programs.  I know with my current job, typing speed is rarely a necessary skill, keeping my boss on time, on track and organized is the main focus of my job.  But I do know that my typing speed does come in handy for some of those last minute, got-to-be-done-now-or-the-whole-world-will-cave-in-and-we-will-all-perish jobs.



nc

[donnap99]

In high school I was always the SECOND fastest typist.  I was SOO jealous of the one girl who was always faster than me.  She, I know, did over 100wpm, I could do about 95.  This was in about 1980, when our school had manual typewriters.  However -- we were were all in awe of our teacher - a man - who consistently typed accurately at over 130wpm.  He was absolutely amazing!  He had been teaching typing for eons...

[jadegrniiz]

Last time I tested, I was at 70 WPM. But that was in 1998, and I it was just prior to my first "admin" job. I think now I am quite a bit faster (unless of course someone is standing over my shoulder. Like Yank said, then I'm all thumbs).



My mother was tested a few years ago, and tested at 110 WPM. She's my hero. LOL    

[ohiosec]

I've been timed at over 100 wpm.  I don't like to be competitive in many things, but typing is one of them.  : - )

[workerbee]

My last typing test was about 1-1/2 years ago, and I did just over 65 wpm, with errors factored in. Not bad for a girl who failed typing in 9th grade.



I like to type, and just don't get much of these days. Everyone who says you don't need the speed as we did in the "olden" days is right - what you need most is to know your way around a computer.



(happy today because I get to wear bluejeans, got my paycheck, and am looking forward to the weekend!)



Elaine

[jlkee]

In my prime, my best typing test was 95 wpm.  But, as most of you said, with the computer, speed is not as important as it used to be, so I know I've slowed down.  I LOVE to type, and miss the quantity of it that I used to do.  But I don't miss carbon paper, (am I dating myself? ) wite-out, and correction tape!  

[kitchenwitch]

Wow!  I failed typing in ninth grade also.  Our classroom was the last in the school to still have manual typewriters, and my pinky fingers were so tiny and weak that I just couldn't type that way.  

The last time my typing speed was checked, I was around 90wpm, but I just don't type as much as I used to (and I still don't use my pinkies!).

  Trish

[andrea843]

I too failed typing in school and have gotten incredibly lax about my typing these days.



 I'll let you guys in on a lil secret though, my copy typing speed is much better than my "posting" speed, know why?



I look at my hands! It's VERY odd, I read the first paragraph, and for some strange reason am able to memorize it, (and my reading speed has tested at something phenominal, Im one of those folks who can off a fair sized paperback in a few hours, a regular Evelyn Wood Poster child, but not a skimmer a READER... who KNEW?!) then on the last line of the recently completed paragraph Im able to assimlate the upcoming paragraph the same way.  I manage COPY typing at about 80 words a minute with about 97% accuracy, ( a far cry from my post typing which is oft riddled with typos because my brain engages so much faster than my fingers will allow it too!)



:snicker: ask anyone who communicates regularly by ICQ with me, it's fast but it darn sure isn't accurate! Anyone else have this strange skill?



spell check? I dont ned no stinkin speel chek!   in Charleston

[worksmarter]

Typing Speed was important when I first started working for Civil Service back in 1970.  My test speed was 120 wpm, but I had taken the state championship in typing the year before in High School at 140 wpm; that was on a selectric typewriter.  My mother was a secretary for 40 years and she can out type me, so over 100 wpm isn't really that unusual.

[chris68]

Andrea,



Well you saw my post earlier, but hubby has the same thing you do to some degree.  Maybe not as good as you, but he has this ability to look at something on print (especially dates of movies) and look at it and read it later. He is amazing with that, roman numerals even.



He's a self-taught typist (thank you Mavis Beacon).  Not very fast, but pretty darn accurate, and I guess that is an important thing, esp. when you are an Engineer.



Anyway....nice to know he's not the only one with that ability.  It's amazing what you can learn to do, or find you already have the skill to do.



Chris68