Typing Tests for Remote Jobs in the US: What Employers Ask For

Why remote employers test typing more

Remote work is written work. Support agents answer by chat and email, assistants manage inboxes, and transcriptionists are paid by the audio minute. Employers can’t watch you work, so a typing test is a cheap early filter.

By job

Chat and email support

Agents often handle two or three chats at once. Postings typically ask 50–70 WPM, and the test often includes a written reply to a customer, scored on tone and grammar — live chat typing test.

Data entry

Typically 40–45 WPM, or a 10-key test in KPH for numeric work — data entry test, 10-key test.

Transcription

The highest bar: 65–80+ WPM and 98%+ accuracy, usually tested with an audio file and a style guide — transcription typing test.

Virtual assistants

45–60 WPM, plus email and calendar tasks — VA typing test.

How remote typing tests are delivered

Usually as a link in the application flow or an email after you apply. Criteria’s test is one minute and subtracts errors from WPM; TestGorilla’s library includes typing and 10-key tests. Take them at a desk with a physical keyboard — phones and tablets are much slower.

Watch out for scams

Real employers never ask you to pay for a typing test or a “certification” to be hired. Be wary of “typing jobs” that promise high pay per page — they are a common scam.

What remote employers check besides speed

• Written tone: chat and email roles score a written reply for empathy and clarity.
• Grammar and spelling: especially for customer-facing roles.
• Equipment: a reliable computer, headset and internet connection — sometimes tested.
• Time zone and availability: often more important than a few WPM.

Example targets by role

Taking an unsupervised test well

1. Close other tabs and silence notifications.
2. Use a desk, a physical keyboard and good light.
3. Warm up for five minutes on a similar test.
4. Read the instructions about time and corrections twice.

Some employers re-test finalists on a video call, so a score you can’t reproduce will not help you. More on remote speeds: how fast should you type for a remote job.

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.

1. How long is the test? One minute rewards a fast start; five or ten minutes rewards endurance.
2. How are errors counted? Per word, per character, subtracted from WPM, or capped (for example 3 errors in 5 minutes).
3. Can you use Backspace? Some platforms disable it.
4. What is the content? Prose, numbers, forms, or audio.
5. What keyboard? UK ISO or US ANSI — and whether there is a numeric keypad.

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

1. Typing tests — format and scores (WPM, errors, adjusted WPM) — Criteria Corp help centre (checked October 18, 2026)
2. Typing speed tests in the test library — TestGorilla (checked October 18, 2026)