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Typing speed for administrative assistants and receptionists

Administrative assistant, receptionist and office clerk adverts often list a typing requirement. The number is usually modest, but the way it is tested and the skills around it decide whether you pass.

What the adverts usually ask for

Adverts for general office roles commonly mention figures from about 40 to 60 words per minute. Some ask for less, especially in government or school offices, and a few ask for more where the job is heavy on correspondence. A requirement is a minimum, so aim to be comfortably above it. Adverts differ, so always use the number in the one you are applying for.

Why accuracy is the real test

In office work, a wrong name, date or phone number causes real problems. Employers therefore look at accuracy next to speed, often at 95 percent or better, and sometimes higher. A steady 45 WPM with very few errors usually beats a rushed 65 WPM with many.

Skills that sit alongside typing speed

• Names, numbers and dates. Front-desk and admin text is full of them. Practise with office passages with numbers and dates.
• Punctuation and capital letters. Emails and letters show mistakes immediately. See the guide on punctuation and capitals.
• Office software. Some employers pair the typing test with a Word or Excel check, covered in typing test and MS Office skills test.
• Speed with interruptions. Receptionists type while answering the phone or greeting visitors, so steady rhythm matters more than a short burst.

What the interview test might look like

Expect either a short online copy-typing test of a few minutes or a task such as typing a letter from a draft. Some employers watch you do it in the office on their computer, which can be a different keyboard from your own. Practise on a keyboard that is not your favourite once or twice before the day.

A simple preparation plan

• Test yourself for three minutes and note your net speed and accuracy.
• If accuracy is under 95 percent, slow down and fix that before chasing speed.
• Use a 15-minute daily routine for two to three weeks.
• Do a final timed run the day before, then rest. Use the test-day checklist on the morning.

What to put on your CV

If you list a typing speed, state a net figure with the accuracy and the date you tested, for example “55 WPM net, 98 percent accuracy, tested October 2026”. Employers check, and a number you cannot repeat in their test hurts more than leaving it out. Round down rather than up, and use your average over several runs, not your single best attempt.

Practice material that matches the job

General passages are fine at the start, but in the last week switch to material that looks like the work: short emails, meeting notes, appointment lists with names, dates and times, and simple letters with addresses. Typing these builds the specific habits you need, such as capitalising names, formatting dates consistently and not skipping spaces after punctuation.

Frequently asked questions

What typing speed does an administrative assistant need?

Adverts commonly ask for about 40 to 60 words per minute, with high accuracy. The exact figure depends on the employer, so check the advert.

Is accuracy more important than speed in office jobs?

Often yes. Wrong names, numbers and dates cause problems, so employers usually require high accuracy alongside the speed.

Will I have to type on an unfamiliar keyboard at the interview?

It is possible. Practise on a different keyboard once or twice before the interview so the change does not surprise you.

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