How faster typing can provide a significant advantage in the new generation of computer-based selective school exams
Handwriting
10–20 WPM
Typing
30–40 WPM
This year marks the first implementation of computer-based selective school tests, requiring students to type rather than handwrite their responses.
💬 "Students typically type about twice as fast as they write."
✍️ 30 WPM typing: ~900 words in a 30-minute exam
✍️ Handwriting: ~300–400 words in the same time
Faster typists will complete more in less time.
Higher WPM results in longer responses.
Efficient typing frees up time for idea planning.
Typing speed helps—creative thinking matters most.
Measure typing speed using free online tests. If below 40 WPM, begin practice!
Even in a digital exam, handwritten planning helps unlock deeper cognitive processing and stronger ideas.
"Planning on paper helps a lot with idea formation and deeper processing... typing on a computer disrupts the creative process."
Recommendation: Always plan by hand first—even for digital exams—to unlock creativity and structure.
With faster typing, students can shift more time toward planning and idea generation.
"Students typing at 80 WPM can finish an essay in 10 minutes—leaving time for stronger planning."
📝 Planning: 5–7 min
⌨️ Writing: 23–25 min
📝 Planning: 10–15 min
⌨️ Writing: 15–20 min
📝 Planning: 15–20 min
⌨️ Writing: ~10 min
✏️ A 500-word essay can be written in just 7–8 minutes
Key Insight: The real power of faster typing is not speed alone—but the ability to plan longer and create higher-quality responses.
The first step is to test your child's typing speed using free online typing tests. 🎯
Search “typing speed test” online to get started!
Note: Speed = More time for planning, not just more words.
⚠️ Needs urgent improvement to avoid exam disadvantage
Provides basic competency, but leaves little time for planning or editing
Above average — allows more planning and creative thinking time
Significant advantage — plenty of planning time and mental bandwidth
📌 Tip: If your child types under 40 WPM, focus on daily practice games and typing drills first before doing more writing tasks.
✅ Allocate 5–10 minutes daily for typing games and drills
📅 Regular practice is more effective than longer, inconsistent sessions
"Doubling typing speed means doubling output in the same time!"
Teaching proper technique is key for speed and accuracy. Here's an example finger-position grid:
🎯 Each colour shows which finger is responsible for that key
💡 Pro Tip: Start typing practice early in Years 2–4 so typing becomes second nature before exams begin.
Typing helps—but the uniqueness of ideas is what wins top marks.
"You will be tested a lot on your creativity... not so much on the volume of writing."
Talk about open-ended topics. Ask interesting questions.
Classics, news, and high-quality non-fiction stretch imagination and vocabulary.
Watch documentaries and expert interviews (not just TikTok).
Limit scrolling. Creativity needs quiet thinking time.
💡 Key Insight: The combination of fast typing and creative ideas is what makes a student truly stand out in computer-based selective exams.
Using simple, strong keywords to build a roadmap for your writing makes the process faster and more creative.
"I tell kids to do what I call a keyword mind map... a set of known words that’ll anchor their story."
For the prompt "An Unexpected Journey":
Each keyword is a stepping stone for the student to expand on while typing the full narrative.
💡 Recommended Approach: Spend 10–15 minutes planning with a paper-based keyword map, then type your full response with speed and direction.
⌨️ Speed Advantage: Typing (30–40 WPM) is nearly twice as fast as handwriting (10–20 WPM), offering a major edge in timed exams.
📝 Paper Planning: Writing by hand engages different brain regions, boosting creativity and cognitive depth.
⏱️ Time Reallocation: Faster typing allows more time for brainstorming, improving the overall quality of ideas.
💡 Quality Matters: What you write is more important than how much—creative, well-structured responses score highest.
1️⃣ Measure Typing Speed: Use tools like typingtest.com or 10fastfingers.com to find your child’s baseline.
2️⃣ Daily Practice: 5–10 minutes of fun typing games daily builds lasting improvement and accuracy.
3️⃣ Enrich Creativity: Replace screen time with books, documentaries, and thought-provoking discussion.
4️⃣ Practice Mind Mapping: Use paper to plan out key ideas and vocabulary before writing timed responses.