By Abhishek · Reviewed by The Ai-TypingTest Editorial Team · Last reviewed
At a glance
| Required speed | Commonly 50–70 WPM |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; a dictated letter or a 5–10 minute copy test |
| Errors allowed | Very high accuracy expected |
| Scoring | WPM and accuracy, or a marked document |
| Test format | Audio typing of dictation; copy typing of legal text |
| Who uses it | Legal secretaries and PAs at solicitors' firms and in-house legal teams |
Key facts
- Legal secretary roles commonly test audio typing from a fee earner's dictation.
- Legal documents use formal language, defined terms and precise punctuation.
- UK firms use British legal spelling: licence (noun), defence, judgement/judgment.
- Agencies often test candidates before sending them to firms.
How the real test works
Expect a dictated letter and a copy test, sometimes a Word formatting exercise. Firms mark accuracy hard: a wrong figure in a sum of money or date in a deadline is a real-world risk.
- Esc plays and pauses — like lifting your foot off a transcription pedal.
- Tab replays the current sentence.
- Choose Slow, Normal or Fast playback before you start. Real tests usually play at normal speech rate.
- The voice comes from your device, so the accent varies by browser. Chrome and Edge usually offer a British voice.
How scoring works
Scored on net WPM and accuracy, or on the accuracy of the finished document.
| Characters typed correctly | 1,500 |
|---|---|
| ÷ 5 characters per word | 300 words |
| ÷ 5 minutes | 60 WPM |
| Errors (uncorrected words) | 2 |
| Result | Pass — 55+ WPM |
How to pass
Most people who type within 10 WPM of the target can close the gap in a week; a bigger gap takes about a month of 15–20 minutes a day. Take one baseline run on the audio test above first, then follow the plan that fits your gap.
7-day plan (you are within about 10 WPM)
- Day 1 — baseline. Three runs at the real test length. Write down your middle score and error count, not the best one.
- Days 2–3 — accuracy first. Practise at a pace where you make almost no errors. On a test that counts errors, clean typing at 55 WPM beats fast typing with mistakes. Use an AI lesson to drill the keys your results flag as weak.
- Days 4–5 — endurance. Two full-length runs a day. Speed usually drops in the final minute; aim to hold your pace to the end.
- Day 6 — test conditions. Use headphones, the normal playback speed and the hotkeys only — no mouse.
- Day 7 — mock test. One run, first thing, no warm-up. That is the number to trust.
30-day plan (bigger gap, or starting out)
- Week 1 — technique. Learn or relearn touch typing on the touch typing test and the finger chart. Expect your speed to dip.
- Week 2 — accuracy. Daily 1-minute runs at 97%+ accuracy; slow down whenever you drop below.
- Week 3 — speed. Short bursts 5–10 WPM above your comfortable pace (try 65 WPM), then one run at the real test length.
- Week 4 — rehearsal. Every other day, a full mock test in exam format. Track your middle score; when it clears 55 WPM three times in a row, you are ready.
Full method: the 30-day typing improvement plan and how to type faster. Practise little and often — 15 minutes a day beats two hours at the weekend.
Test-day checklist
- Use the kind of keyboard you will test on — a laptop keyboard and a desktop keyboard feel different.
- Check the keyboard layout. On a UK keyboard @ and " are swapped compared with a US one — see UK vs US layout.
- Bring or ask for headphones, and find the pause and rewind controls before the clock starts.
- Warm up for five minutes beforehand — a short run on this page is enough.
- Read the instructions twice: whether Backspace works and how errors are counted change your strategy.
- Keep a steady pace. A rhythm you can hold for the whole test beats a fast start that fades.
How this compares with other United Kingdom typing tests
Requirements vary widely by role — from around 25–35 WPM for call handling to 70+ WPM for transcription. Rows marked “Typical range” are common posting figures, not official standards.
| Duration | Errors | Basis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrator / clerical | 40–60 WPM | 5–10 min | ~95% accuracy | Copy | Typical range |
| Medical secretary (NHS / private) | 50–60 WPM | Dictated letter | High accuracy | Audio | Typical range |
| NHS admin / ward clerk | 35–50 WPM | Varies | High accuracy | Copy + audio | Typical range |
| Legal secretary | 50–70 WPM | Dictation + copy | Very high accuracy | Copy + audio | Typical range |
| Police / 999 call handlerSet by each force | 25–35 WPM | Short | Accuracy on details | Copy + audio | Typical range |
| Civil Service AO/EO (where tested)Most roles don't test typing | 40–50 WPM | ~5 min | Accuracy | Copy | Typical range |
| Audio typist / transcriptionist | 50–70 WPM | Audio file | High accuracy | Audio | Typical range |
| Data entry clerk | 8,000–12,000 KPH | 3–5 min | Field accuracy | Data entry | Typical range |
| PA / executive assistant | 55–65 WPM | 5–10 min | High accuracy | Copy + audio | Typical range |
| Receptionist | 30–45 WPM | Short | Accuracy | Copy | Typical range |
Frequently asked questions
Commonly 50–70 WPM with very high accuracy.
Often, yes, plus a copy test.
A solicitor, legal executive or paralegal whose time is billed — usually the person dictating.
Not always; experience and a typing test are often enough. Some firms value an ILSPA or CILEx qualification.
British for UK firms: licence (noun), defence.
Sources
Requirements change. Always confirm the speed, duration and error rules in the official job posting or exam notice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we review every requirement quarterly (methodology).
- Civil Service Jobs — Administrative Officer and Executive Officer adverts — GOV.UK (checked October 18, 2026)
Related tests and guides
More tests for this market: UK Typing Tests · Every requirement in one table: typing requirements by job