Are you taking the IELTS computer-based test and worried about your typing speed? You’re not alone. Many test takers struggle to finish their essays on time because they type too slowly.

The good news is that improving your typing speed is much easier than you think. With the right techniques and regular practice, you can type fast enough to express all your ideas within the time limit.

Why Typing Speed Matters for IELTS

In the IELTS computer-based test, you have exactly 60 minutes to complete both writing tasks. Task 1 should take about 20 minutes, and Task 2 needs 40 minutes. If you type slowly, you might run out of time before finishing your essays.

Fast typing gives you more time to think about your ideas and check your work. This means better organization, fewer mistakes, and higher scores. Most successful IELTS test takers can type at least 40 words per minute comfortably.

Learn Proper Finger Placement First

Before you try to type faster, you need to learn correct finger placement. This is the foundation of good typing. Each finger has specific keys to press.

Your left hand covers the left side of the keyboard. Your pinky finger presses A, Q, Z, and other keys on the far left. Your ring finger handles S, W, and X. Your middle finger takes care of D, E, and C. Your index finger manages F, R, V, T, G, and B.

Your right hand mirrors this pattern. Your index finger covers Y, H, N, U, J, and M. Your middle finger handles I, K, and the comma. Your ring finger presses O, L, and the period. Your pinky takes care of P and everything to the right.

Both thumbs should rest on the space bar. Use whichever thumb feels more natural for each space.

Master Touch Typing Basics

Touch typing means typing without looking at the keyboard. This skill is essential for fast, accurate typing during your IELTS test.

Start by placing your fingers on the home row. This is the middle row of letters on your keyboard. Your left fingers should rest on A, S, D, and F. Your right fingers go on J, K, L, and the semicolon.

Feel for the small bumps on the F and J keys. These help you find the home position without looking. Always return your fingers to this position after pressing other keys.

Practice typing simple words using only the home row keys first. Words like “sad,” “ask,” “lad,” and “fall” are perfect for beginners. Once you feel comfortable, gradually add other rows.

Start with Basic Typing Practice

If you’re completely new to touch typing, begin with a structured program. TypingClub.com offers excellent free lessons that teach you step by step. These lessons start with single letters and gradually build up to full sentences.

Spend at least 15 minutes daily on these basic exercises. Focus on accuracy first, not speed. It’s better to type slowly and correctly than to make many mistakes quickly.

Practice the same lessons multiple times until your fingers remember the movements. This muscle memory is what makes touch typing automatic.

Practice with Essay-Style Content

Once you can touch type basic words and sentences, you need to practice with essay-style writing. This is where regular typing lessons fall short for IELTS preparation.

Academic writing uses different vocabulary and sentence structures than everyday typing practice. You need to get comfortable typing complex ideas, long sentences, and formal language quickly.

Our Essay Typer game is designed specifically for this purpose. It gives you real IELTS-style topics and measures your typing speed with academic content. This targeted practice helps you prepare for the exact type of writing you’ll do on test day.

The game tracks your words per minute and accuracy with essay content. This data helps you see your progress and identify areas that need more work.

Build Speed Gradually

Don’t try to type as fast as possible right away. Speed comes naturally as your accuracy improves. Focus on smooth, consistent finger movements rather than rapid bursts.

Set realistic goals for yourself. If you currently type 20 words per minute, aim for 25 words per minute next week. Once you reach that goal comfortably, increase to 30 words per minute.

Most IELTS test takers need to type at least 35-40 words per minute to finish both tasks comfortably. Advanced test takers often type 50-60 words per minute, giving them extra time for planning and editing.

Common Typing Mistakes to Avoid

Many test takers make the same typing errors that slow them down. Looking at the keyboard while typing is the biggest problem. This breaks your concentration and makes you lose track of your ideas.

Using only two fingers or the wrong finger placement creates bad habits that are hard to break later. These habits also limit how fast you can eventually type.

Pressing keys too hard wastes energy and slows you down. Light, quick taps are much more efficient than heavy pounding.

Trying to type too fast before mastering accuracy leads to many errors. You’ll spend more time correcting mistakes than you save by typing quickly.

Practice Strategies That Work

Set aside specific time for typing practice every day. Even 10-15 minutes of focused practice makes a big difference over time.

Practice typing common IELTS vocabulary and phrases. Words like “furthermore,” “consequently,” “significant,” and “substantial” appear frequently in academic writing. The faster you can type these words, the smoother your writing will flow.

Type practice essays on various IELTS topics. This helps you get comfortable with academic vocabulary while improving your speed. Time yourself to simulate real test conditions.

Use online typing tests to track your progress. Many websites offer tests that measure your words per minute and accuracy percentage.

Getting Started with IELTS Preparation

If you’re new to IELTS preparation, improving your typing speed is just one part of getting ready for the test. You also need to understand the test format, learn effective writing strategies, and practice with real questions.

Our comprehensive guide on how to start studying for IELTS covers everything beginners need to know. It explains the test structure, provides study schedules, and offers practical tips for each section.

Setting Realistic Typing Goals

Your typing speed goal depends on your current level and how much time you have before your test. Complete beginners might need 2-3 months to reach 35 words per minute with good accuracy.

If you already know touch typing basics, you can probably reach 40-50 words per minute within 4-6 weeks of regular practice.

Remember that accuracy is more important than raw speed. Typing 35 words per minute with 95% accuracy is better than typing 50 words per minute with 80% accuracy. Mistakes slow you down because you need time to find and fix them.

Test Day Typing Tips

On test day, take a moment to adjust your chair and keyboard position for comfort. Good posture helps you type faster and reduces fatigue during the long test.

Start each writing task by typing a few practice sentences to warm up your fingers. This helps you get into the rhythm before beginning your actual essay.

Don’t panic if you make typing mistakes during the test. Most word processors highlight errors automatically. You can fix them quickly without losing much time.

Focus on maintaining steady, consistent typing rather than bursts of high speed. Consistent typing helps you maintain your train of thought and produces better writing.

Building Long-Term Typing Skills

Improving your typing speed benefits you far beyond the IELTS test. Fast, accurate typing helps with university assignments, work projects, and personal communication.

Continue practicing even after your test. Many professionals need to type 60+ words per minute for their jobs. The skills you build for IELTS will serve you well throughout your career.

Consider taking advanced typing courses or using specialized software if you want to reach professional typing speeds of 70+ words per minute.

Making Practice Enjoyable

Typing practice doesn’t have to be boring. Find ways to make it interesting and engaging.

Type your favorite song lyrics or quotes from movies you enjoy. This makes practice feel less like work and more like fun.

Challenge yourself with typing games and competitions. Many websites offer games that make improving your speed feel like playing rather than studying.

Practice typing emails to friends or journal entries about your day. Real-world typing practice often feels more meaningful than artificial exercises.

Your Path to Faster Typing

Improving your typing speed for IELTS takes time and consistent practice, but the results are worth the effort. Start with proper finger placement, master touch typing basics, and gradually build your speed with essay-style content.

Remember that everyone progresses at their own pace. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep practicing regularly, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your speed improves.

Ready to start practicing with IELTS-specific content? Try our Essay Typer game and see how your typing speed measures up with real academic writing. The more you practice with essay-style content, the more prepared you’ll be for test day success.