From knowing the keys to typing fast
By Course 6 you know where every key is. What remains is speed: turning individual keystrokes into fluent words and steady sentences. The speed drills use three kinds of material:
- The 200 most common English words. Words like the, and, that, have and with make up a large share of everyday writing. Typing them without thinking gives you the biggest speed gain for the least effort.
- Sentences. Real sentences mix short and long words with capitals and punctuation, closer to what you type every day.
- Paragraphs. Longer passages train stamina: holding your pace and accuracy over several minutes.
Rhythm drills round it out. They encourage an even, steady tempo, because typing smoothly is faster than typing in bursts followed by pauses.
To pass Course 6 you need 95% accuracy at 40 WPM, which is roughly the pace commonly described as average for adults and enough for most everyday office work.
How to build speed
- Chunk common words. Stop spelling the as T-H-E and start typing it as one movement. The top 200 words are chosen for exactly this.
- Read ahead. Look at the next word while your fingers finish the current one. Pausing to read between words is one of the most common speed limits.
- Keep a steady rhythm. Aim for even keystrokes rather than fast bursts on easy words and stalls on hard ones.
- Push briefly, then consolidate. Try a drill slightly faster than comfortable, then repeat it at a pace where you make few mistakes. The goal is for the faster pace to become your normal one.
- Don't trade accuracy for speed. If accuracy drops below 95%, slow down. Every mistake costs a Backspace and breaks your rhythm.
Common mistakes
- Returning to old habits under pressure. When pushing for speed, many people start using the wrong finger for B, Y or T again. If your error list shows the same keys, go back to the matching level for a short refresher.
- Looking down on hard words. Unusual words tempt a glance at the keyboard. Keep your eyes up and let yourself slow down on those words.
- Tensing up. Speed comes from relaxed fingers. If your shoulders rise or your hands grip, stop and loosen up.
- Practicing only the easy stuff. Common words are the start, but sentences and paragraphs are where real speed shows.
More ideas are in the guide on how to type faster.
Measuring your progress
Take the 1 minute typing test every few sessions and watch the trend over weeks rather than day to day. The test also lists your most-missed keys, which tells you whether a specific reach is holding you back. For a sense of where your speed sits compared with typical ranges, see average typing speed.
What's next
Passing Course 6 completes the program. From here, speed comes from regular practice with varied material. Good next steps:
- The 5 minute typing test to check your stamina and prepare for job assessments.
- The Typing Challenge, where the text scrolls faster the longer you last.
- The Monster Typing Game and its Daily Monster, for a short daily session.
Frequently asked questions
I passed 40 WPM. How fast can I get?
It depends on how much you practice. Many regular touch typists reach 60–80 WPM. Higher speeds usually take sustained, focused practice.
Should I keep doing the earlier levels?
Only for keys that keep appearing in your mistake list. A short review of one level can fix a stubborn habit.
How often should I practice speed drills?
A few short sessions each week works well. Consistency matters more than session length.