The Canadian 5-Minute Typing Test: Error Allowances Explained
The widely used Canadian 5-minute onscreen typing test allows more errors per minute as your speed rises — 1 per minute at 29–44 WPM, 2 at 45–54 WPM and 3 at 55–72 WPM, according to the SHL / IBM Kenexa catalogue. The employer sets the minimum speed, commonly around 40 WPM for clerical roles.
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| 25–28 WPM | 0 errors/min (0 in 5 min) |
|---|---|
| 29–44 WPM | 1 error/min (5 in 5 min) |
| 45–54 WPM | 2 errors/min (10 in 5 min) |
| 55–72 WPM | 3 errors/min (15 in 5 min) |
| 73–90 WPM | 4 errors/min (20 in 5 min) |
| 91–109 WPM | 5 errors/min (25 in 5 min) |
| 110–127 WPM | 6 errors/min (30 in 5 min) |
How the allowance works
Find your speed band, multiply its errors-per-minute by five, and compare with your error count. At 50 WPM you may make up to 10 errors in five minutes; at 40 WPM, only 5. Below 25 WPM no result passes.
Worked examples
| WPM | Errors | Allowed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 4 | 5 | Pass |
| 42 | 7 | 5 | Fail (errors) |
| 50 | 9 | 10 | Pass |
| 38 | 0 | 5 | Fail (speed) |
Strategy
- The table is generous to fast typists — but only if they clear the employer’s minimum speed.
- Near a band edge (44 or 54 WPM), one extra WPM raises your allowance. Don’t chase it at the cost of accuracy.
- Practise at the full five minutes on the Canadian typing test, which applies the table automatically.
Where it is used
Canadian employers and staffing agencies use it for clerical and office roles. Federal departments run their own assessments; bilingual roles may test French separately — see bilingual typing tests.
Why the table exists
A fixed error cap punishes fast typists, who type more words and so make more errors in absolute terms. A per-minute allowance that rises with speed keeps the error rate roughly constant, so a fast typist is judged by the same standard of carefulness as a slower one.
Calculating your allowance
- Work out your net WPM for the five minutes.
- Find the band: 29–44, 45–54, 55–72, 73–90 and so on.
- Multiply the band’s errors per minute by five.
- Compare with your error count.
The Canadian typing test does this for you and shows the calculation.
Tips specific to this test
- It is onscreen — no paper source — so keep your eyes on the text, not the keys.
- Endurance matters: the error allowance does not get bigger at minute five if you tire.
- Canadian passages may mix spellings (colour, organize); copy exactly what you see.
Other Canadian tests
Emergency communicators: Canada 911 test. Data entry: data entry test. Bilingual roles: bilingual test.
Before any employer or exam typing test
Five questions decide how you should prepare, so get the answers before test day. Most can be found in the job posting, the candidate information pack, or by asking the recruiter.
- How long is the test? One minute rewards a fast start; five or ten minutes rewards endurance.
- How are errors counted? Per word, per character, subtracted from WPM, or capped (for example 3 errors in 5 minutes).
- Can you use Backspace? Some platforms disable it.
- What is the content? Prose, numbers, forms, or audio.
- What keyboard? UK ISO or US ANSI — and whether there is a numeric keypad.
| Method | Used by | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Gross WPM | Some agency reports | 50 |
| Net WPM (errors per minute deducted) | Most employers | 49 |
| Adjusted WPM (WPM − errors) | Criteria-style tests | 45 |
| Error cap (≤ 3 errors) | US federal standard | Fail — 5 errors |
| Canadian table (2 errors/min at 45–54 WPM) | Canadian 5-minute test | Pass — 10 allowed |
Find the preset that matches your test on the requirements table, or use the requirement checker to compare your best score with the job.
Sources
- Canadian Typing — General (5 minutes, onscreen): errors per minute by speed — SHL / IBM Kenexa catalogue (checked October 18, 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many errors can I make at 45 WPM?
2 per minute — up to 10 in five minutes.
What is the minimum speed?
Set by the employer; around 40 WPM is common for clerical roles.
Is the Canadian typing test timed at 5 minutes?
Yes — it is listed as a 5-minute onscreen test.