Typing at 120 words per minute (WPM) sounds like a superpower—and in many ways, it is. It’s a speed that puts you in the top tier of typists, far beyond the average 40 WPM or even the proficient 70-80 WPM range. Whether you’re aiming to breeze through emails, crush coding challenges, or just impress yourself with lightning-fast fingers, hitting 120 WPM is an achievable goal with the right approach. The secret weapon? Typing tests. These timed exercises, available on sites like TypingTest.com or Keybr.com, aren’t just for measuring speed—they’re a training ground to get you there. This article breaks down how to use typing tests effectively, step by step, to reach that 120 WPM milestone. Let’s dive in.

First, let’s put 120 WPM in perspective. Most people type at a pace that gets the job done—40 WPM is plenty for casual emails or notes. Professionals like secretaries or transcriptionists often hit 70-90 WPM, which is solid for most tasks. But 120 WPM? That’s elite territory. It’s a speed where your fingers keep up with your thoughts almost seamlessly, cutting down time on repetitive work and letting you focus on what matters. Studies suggest only about 1-2% of typists naturally reach this level without deliberate practice. Typing tests are your ticket to joining that club—they’re structured, measurable, and push you to improve with every round.

Before you even touch a typing test, get your setup right. Imagine trying to run a marathon in flip-flops—it’s not going to end well. Same goes for typing. Sit up straight, feet flat on the floor, and keep your elbows at a comfy 90-degree angle. Your keyboard should sit at desk height, not perched on your lap, so your wrists stay neutral—no awkward bending. A decent chair helps too—nothing fancy, just something that supports your back. Research shows poor posture can slow you down by up to 20% due to strain, so this isn’t just about comfort; it’s about giving your hands the freedom to fly.

If you’re still pecking at the keyboard with two fingers, 120 WPM is a long shot. Touch typing—using all ten fingers without looking down—is the foundation. Start with the home row: left hand on ASDF, right hand on JKL;. Each finger has its own zone—think of your left pinky handling Q, A, and Z, while your right index takes J, U, and H. It might feel clunky at first, like learning to ride a bike, but it’s the key to speed. Typing tests often include drills for this—run a few rounds focusing on finger placement. Accuracy matters more than pace here; speed builds naturally once your hands know where to go.

Typing tests aren’t just a report card—they’re your practice arena. Platforms like Typesamurai.com or Typeracer offer short, timed challenges—usually in the 1–5-minute range—that let you track progress and push your limits. Start with a baseline: take a one-minute test and note your WPM. If you’re at 50, great—you’ve got a starting line. The goal isn’t to jump to 120 overnight; it’s to climb steadily. Aim for 5-10 WPM gains every couple of weeks. These tests give instant feedback—WPM, accuracy, errors—so you know exactly where to tweak. Think of it as a coach in your corner, minus the whistle.

Here’s a trap to avoid: hammering the keys at warp speed only to end up with a mess of typos. Speed without accuracy is like building a house on sand—it collapses fast. Focus on typing cleanly first—aim for 95% accuracy or better, which most test sites measure for you. Pick a simple prompt, like “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” and type it perfectly five times before pushing the pace. Studies on motor learning show this builds muscle memory that lasts. Once you’re nailing it consistently, nudge the speed up. That 120 WPM mark comes from precision, not chaos.

Glancing at the keyboard is a time thief. To hit 120 WPM, you need to know every key’s spot without thinking—like reaching for your phone in the dark. Typing tests help here: they force you to rely on feel, not sight. Try a trick pros use: cover your hands with a light cloth during practice, or dim the lights if you’re feeling bold. Start with short bursts—type “she sells seashells” a few times until it’s smooth. Muscle memory kicks in faster than you’d expect, and soon your fingers will dance across the keys without a second thought.

At 120 WPM, you’re typing 2 words per second—600 characters a minute. That’s a sprint, and it takes stamina. Most typing tests are short, but to hit that speed consistently, stretch your practice. After mastering one-minute tests, try three-minute or five-minute rounds on sites like TypingClub, Typesamurai. It’s less about racing and more about keeping a steady rhythm—think marathon, not dash. This builds the endurance to type at peak speed for real tasks, like drafting a report or coding a function, without burning out halfway.

Every typist has kryptonite keys—those letters or symbols that trip you up. Maybe it’s “q” with your pinky or “p” on the right. Typing tests shine a light on these: after each round, check the error report. If “z” keeps stalling you, make a drill—“zebras zoom zanily”—and type it for a minute straight. Research shows focused practice on weak points can cut error rates by 30% in a week. Balance your fingers’ workload, and those trouble spots won’t hold you back from 120 WPM.

Once you’re solid at 80-90 WPM, it’s time to push the ceiling. Typing tests often have speed-focused modes—short bursts with simple words like “cat” or “run.” Set a timer for 30 seconds and go all out, aiming to beat your last score. Rest a minute, then repeat. This interval style mimics athletic training—short, intense efforts with recovery—and it’s proven to boost performance. A 2021 study on skill acquisition found that alternating high-speed drills with rest can lift output by 15%. You’re not just practicing; you’re conditioning your hands for elite speed.

Hitting 120 WPM takes time—weeks or months, depending on where you start. Typing tests make it measurable. Log your WPM after every session in a notebook or app—45 today, 52 next week, 67 the week after. Seeing that climb keeps you hooked. Set mini-goals: 60 WPM, then 80, then 100. Celebrate the wins—maybe treat yourself to a coffee when you crack 90. It’s not about grinding endlessly; it’s about steady steps toward a number that’ll make typing feel effortless.

Start today: take a test, nail your posture, and focus on touch typing. Spend 15-30 minutes daily—split it between accuracy drills, speed bursts, and endurance runs. Stick with it, and 120 WPM shifts from a dream to a milestone. Typing tests aren’t glamorous, but they’re practical—each click gets you closer. Imagine typing a page in half the time, or finishing a task while others are still fumbling. That’s the payoff.

Reaching 120 WPM with typing tests is less about raw talent and more about smart practice. From ergonomics to drills, every step builds on the last. You don’t need fancy gear or hours a day—just a keyboard, a test site, and a bit of grit. Try a one-minute test now—see where you land. Then tweak one thing from this list tomorrow. Before you know it, your fingers will be flying, and 120 WPM will feel like home.