How to create a typing test

Create typing tests tailored to your goals. Measure speed and accuracy using plain text, structured input, or media prompts. Control test flow, timing, and scoring with advanced customization.
July, 2025

Design accurate, interactive typing tests that measure speed and precision, all within a secure and customizable environment.

With TestInvite, you can create typing exams that assess real-world skills, from basic transcription to high-speed data entry tasks. Whether your goal is recruitment screening, training certification, or classroom evaluation, our platform makes it easy to build, deliver, and analyze typing tests at scale.

What is a typing test?

Common in recruitment, education, and training where digital fluency matters, typing tests measure how fast and accurately a candidate can reproduce given text within a set time. Test-takers type a displayed prompt, and the system records their speed (WPM), accuracy (error rate), and an adjusted score for correct entries. As a simple yet effective way to assess digital readiness, the test’s results help identify typing proficiency for roles that require efficient digital communication.

TestInvite offers a ready-to-use typing test for speed and accuracy assessments, or the flexibility to create your own, fully customized version.

Swift and tailored typing test creation

Using TestInvite’s online exam maker, building a typing test is both straightforward and adaptable. Simply navigate to the Tests module, start a new test, and assign it a name.

The platform will automatically create the first section and page for you, so you can dive right into adding content. Expand the exam by including as many sections and pages as you need.

Create a new test screen showing typing test sections
Create a new test screen showing typing test sections

Craft and enhance questions your way

Typing questions can be designed around a wide variety of input formats to match the assessment's goals. Just create a text-based input question and enter the related prompt.

Typing test question setup with long text input
Typing test question setup with long text input

You can create typing questions that prompt candidates using:

  • Plain text passages (words, sentences, paragraphs)
    • Structured text (numeric codes, formulas)
      • Media from images, audio or video (e.g., scanned documents or screenshots of written text, listening passages, video content)
        Video upload interface
        Video upload interface

        Use advanced logic to automatically evaluate responses

        With built-in support for custom JavaScript functions, you can define exactly how each response should be scored based on accuracy, speed, or any rule you specify.

        • Built-in Interface for Code Snippets

          Using the Function editor under your Organization settings, you can write or generate a JavaScript function with built-in error handling using a try/catch block.

          Organization settings interface with code snippets option selected
          Organization settings interface with code snippets option selected
          • Create Your Own Custom Evaluator

            Define your own evaluation logic using an anonymous JavaScript function that receives the test-taker’s typed response. The function must analyze the input, such as comparing it to a reference text, and return a score between -1 and +1. For example, returning 0.8 grants the candidate 80% of the question’s point value.

            Typing speed and accuracy evaluator function with JavaScript editor
            Typing speed and accuracy evaluator function with JavaScript editor

            The interface supports code customization, making it easy for developers or power users to implement advanced evaluation logic. You’re free to create as many functions as you need.

            Code snippets dashboard showing typing evaluator functions
            Code snippets dashboard showing typing evaluator functions

            Our AI-Ready and developer-friendly feature unlocks endless possibilities in typing test customization, letting you define what “accuracy” and “performance” really mean for your assessment.

            Put it all together

            Once your test structure, your question and evaluator function are ready, simply assign the custom function to the typing question.

            Dropdown menu to assign a custom function to a typing task
            Dropdown menu to assign a custom function to a typing task

            Configure test behavior and security

            Customize how your typing test functions and how securely it runs. From pacing controls to anti-cheating measures, TestInvite lets you fine-tune every aspect to match your assessment goals.

            Test settings panel with layout, shuffle, and time limit options
            Test settings panel with layout, shuffle, and time limit options

            You have full control over how your typing exam works, in ways such as but not limited to:

            • Time Limits: Set global, section-level, or page-level time limits to manage pacing.
              Time limit configuration panel
              Time limit configuration panel
              • Copy-Paste Protection: Prevent copy-paste actions and text selection to ensure authenticity in typing tasks.
                Security settings panel
                Security settings panel
                • Proctoring and Lockdown: Activate webcam monitoring, screen recording, and browser lockdown to deter external help and secure the testing environment.
                  Proctoring panel with video monitoring, screen capture, and lockdown browser options
                  Proctoring panel with video monitoring, screen capture, and lockdown browser options

                  Speed, accuracy, security: typing tests done right

                  With TestInvite, typing tests are more than speed drills, they become strategic tools for evaluating digital proficiency:

                  • Securely assess real-world typing skills with built-in proctoring and lockdown features
                    • Deliver interactive tests that measure both speed and accuracy in a controlled environment
                      • Analyze results with detailed metrics on performance and error patterns
                        • Provide an accessible, smooth experience for test-takers on any device

                          From high-stakes hiring to educational certification, TestInvite helps you create, manage, and analyze typing tests that are both reliable and scalable.

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