By Abhishek · Reviewed by The Ai-TypingTest Editorial Team · Last reviewed
At a glance
| Required speed | Commonly 50–60 WPM for medical secretaries; less for general admin |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies by trust |
| Errors allowed | High accuracy; medical terms must be spelt correctly |
| Scoring | WPM and accuracy, or a marked letter |
| Test format | Copy typing and/or audio typing of clinic letters |
| Who uses it | NHS medical secretaries, ward clerks, admin and clerical staff (often Band 2–4) |
Key facts
- NHS adverts list the typing requirement in the person specification. [source]
- Medical secretary roles commonly ask for audio typing, around 50–60 WPM.
- Trusts set their own tests — some test at interview, some accept a recognised qualification.
- Clinic letters use medical terms and British spelling (anaemia, oedema, haematology).
How the real test works
Typing is usually tested on the day of interview. Expect either a timed copy test or an audio typing task — typically a dictated clinic letter you type and format. Some trusts ask for an RSA/OCR-style typing qualification or medical terminology certificate instead of, or as well as, a test.
- Learn the spellings of common terms: diagnosis, haemoglobin, oesophagus, paediatric.
- Letters follow a standard layout — patient details, diagnosis, body text, sign-off.
- Search the role on NHS Jobs and read the job description for the typing requirement.
How scoring works
Copy tests are scored in net WPM; audio tasks usually on the accuracy of the finished letter.
| Characters typed correctly | 1,400 |
|---|---|
| ÷ 5 characters per word | 280 words |
| ÷ 5 minutes | 56 WPM |
| Errors (uncorrected words) | 3 |
| Result | Pass — 50+ 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 50 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 60 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 50 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
There is no single NHS figure; each trust sets it. Medical secretary adverts commonly ask for around 50–60 WPM, often audio typing. Check the advert on NHS Jobs.
Either or both, depending on the trust and role. Medical secretaries are usually tested on audio typing.
Usually on the day of interview.
Some medical secretary roles list one as essential or desirable. Check the person specification.
Commonly Band 3 or 4, depending on the trust and responsibilities.
Yes — the audio and copy tests above use fictional clinic letters in British English.
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).
- NHS Jobs — search admin and medical secretary adverts — NHS Jobs (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