Federal Clerk-Typist / Office Automation
U.S. Office of Personnel Management standard
Federal clerical posts with "(Typing)" or "Office Automation" in the title require 40 words per minute.
From an official notice. Last checked 1 Nov 2026. Always confirm the rules in your own notice.
Source: USAJOBS announcement (OPM standard) ↗Typing test
English typing (5-minute sample)
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Pass mark
- 40 WPM · max 3 errors
- Backspace
- Allowed
- Scoring
- Gross speed + error limit
Your preparation path
-
1
Learn the keyboard
Touch-type every key without looking. Lessons add two keys at a time and drill the ones you miss.
Open lessons → -
2
Accuracy first
Practice mode lets you use Backspace and shows live hints. Aim for 95% accuracy before chasing speed.
Practise → -
3
Build speed to the target
Repeat practice runs at full length. Your best speed and error rate are tracked on this page.
Practise → -
4
Sit a full mock exam
Mock mode follows the exam rules exactly: the same time limit, Backspace rule and scoring, with a full scorecard.
Start mock →
About this test
The OPM qualification standard requires 40 words per minute. Announcements describe it as a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors. Many agencies let you self-certify and may test you after you start, so be ready.