Is Your Child’s Typing Really Exam-Ready?
So many children and teenagers today are confident on a keyboard. They use laptops in school, bash out homework, send fast messages, and often feel like their typing is ‘fine’. And parents, quite understandably, take their word for it.
But as someone who teaches touch typing every day, I’m seeing a different picture.
When we run proper typing assessment, particularly for students who will be sitting GCSEs, A Levels or other digital exams, the results often tell a very different story.
Because the truth is, homework typing is not the same as exam typing.
1. Why Children Think They’re Faster Than They Are
Typing feels ‘fine’ to them. They’re used to it. It’s familiar.
They can get their homework done. They might even be quicker than their friends. But that doesn’t mean they’re exam-ready.
At home, there’s no timer, no pressure, no need to type continuously for 90+ minutes. There’s time to stop, think, and correct. It’s a world apart from a real exam environment.
So even if your child feels confident on a keyboard, it’s worth digging a little deeper.
2. Homework vs Exam Reality: The Digital Exam Gap
Exams are a completely different beast.
In a real GCSE, A Level or digital exam, students have to juggle:
– nerves
– time pressure
– reading and interpreting questions
– planning what to write
– typing continuously
– editing mistakes on the fly
Even students who type reasonably well at home often see their speed drop by 20–30% in exam conditions.
That drop can mean unfinished answers, missed marks, and a stressful experience overall.
3. A Real Example From a Recent Assessment
Just last week, a student came to me for a typing assessment. He was convinced his typing was “absolutely fine.”
His result? 38 words per minute.
Not bad for a self-taught, two-finger typist, but not fast enough to manage an A Level exam under pressure.
Factor in nerves, essay planning, continuous typing, and his real exam speed might drop to around 28wpm.
That’s where students start running out of time.
4. What Exam-Ready Typing Actually Looks Like
Parents often ask me what ‘exam-ready’ means.
My answer?
45–55wpm with 95% accuracy and no need to look down.
Not lightning fast, just automatic. When typing becomes second nature:
– students focus on their ideas, not the keyboard
– they write more fluidly and confidently
– they waste less time correcting errors
– they keep up with timed questions
– they finish with less stress
With proper technique and structured practice, this is absolutely achievable, even for students who start slowly.
5. The First Step to Knowing the Truth
So how do you really know if your child is exam-ready?
The best place to start is with a proper typing assessment.
It takes just a few minutes and gives you:
– true speed
– accuracy
– whether they’re touch typing or guessing
– whether they’re looking down
– how automatic their typing really is
No pressure. No judgement. Just a clear baseline.
Many students find it fascinating—especially when they realise they’re not as fast as they thought. And it gives parents the clarity to make a plan that actually works.
Bonus: Quick FAQ for Parents
What is a good typing speed for GCSE or A Level exams?
We recommend 45–55wpm with high accuracy for timed exams.
How can I test my child’s typing speed?
Book a quick typing assessment with us. It takes 10 minutes and gives instant insight.
Can students learn to type properly even if they’ve already taught themselves?
Absolutely. Most of our students come to us with inefficient habits. We teach them how to build speed and confidence the right way.
Wendy Petersen
Specialist Touch Typing Tutor
https://touchtypeit.co.uk
If you’d like to arrange a typing test like this for your own child, you can book one here: https://touchtypeit.co.uk/assessment-lesson-optional/
Explore our structured touch typing courses here: https://touchtypeit.co.uk/typing-courses-for-children/
Contact me here: https://touchtypeit.co.uk/contact-us/
Let me walk you through the five key things I share with parents who are wondering whether their child is genuinely ready for onscreen exams.