Tips on how to excel at data entry typing tests

When trying out a new career field, there are certain parameters and qualifications that you need to meet in order to be successful in that industry. Be it a customer service role, a marketing position, or a back-office job, having the necessary skills will help you get ready for a new venture.

Data entry is so much more than a desk job. It’s a position where you are tasked with handling, managing, and organizing documents and sensitive information from clients and customers alike. 

If you’re looking to make an impact within the data entry job market, then be on the lookout for useful tips below.

A brief introduction to data entry

Data entry is a broad term on even a broader job spectrum. Every company and industry has a team of data entry specialists and clerks that ensure that each document that goes through the team is produced error-free and accurately. 

Most, if not all, organizations consider data entry as a back-office role as clerks don’t really interact directly with clients or customers in a way that generates revenue or expands the firm’s professional network.

Nevertheless, data entry is a position that still requires skills, both qualitative and personality-wise, and requirements that need to be met beyond expectations.

Why do data entry clerks undergo typing tests?

Data entry tests are made specifically to test prospective employees if they are up to the standards that the hiring company put together. These typing tests may consist of phrases, standalone words, paragraphs, or numerical series.

It’s designed that way to assess potential data entry clerks, whether they possess the intellect and the ability to encode and type out documents in succession without producing errors.

Think of it as a pre-employment evaluation that every data entry clerk goes through before getting a position in the data entry and processing department. These data entry typing tests help the HR department shortlist qualified applicants too as it cuts out their work for them without spending too many resources.

How to ace the typing tests

To preface, these typing test dry runs are not equivalent to what the hiring department may instruct you to do so. The general tips listed below are aimed to help you be more concise with typing words or phrases, they also help you be more attentive to your keystrokes as data entry specialists are expected to be extremely precautious when making typographical errors and mistakes. 

Any kind of practice will help you excel in whatever test the hiring team may make you try out.

Memorize the keyboard layout, if possible

If you grew up having computer classes in school, you may have encountered a poster of the US keyboard layout, also known as the QWERTY layout. 

Mastering the keys without looking down frequently will minimize your chances of missing out on a letter or typing a line wrong. Touch typists are often regarded in the data entry field as experts, as they are the least likely to have many errors in their outputs.

Tip: Always remember your home keys, F and J. They usually have a physical tell (a small, inconspicuous bump) to help you ‘reset’ your hands every time you finish out a line.

Practice typing long-form documents, words, and phrases

Got any old papers with text lying around? Maybe you have a favorite book opened up; practice encoding blocks of texts to help you remember your keys. Don’t forget to brush up your numerical keypad skills too as some documents or phrases are heavy on numbers, an example of this is a home address.

Numerical keypads, most often found on the right-hand side of the keyboard, help typists and encoders be more efficient at typing a long string of numbers. Instead of using the number row on top of the letters, most people prefer using the palm-sized pad.

Try practicing with free typing tests online

Practice, practice, and more practice. It’s what makes us better at things that we want to learn and excel at. If you’re on the path of becoming a seasoned data entry professional, then making sure that you have the skills to prove yourself is a great way to secure a spot on the data entry team.

You don’t have to practice typing in your free time, but at least spend an hour or two every day acquainting yourself with the keyboard layout. Building a ‘training’ routine around teaching yourself how to become a better typist may help you retain more information.

Typingtest

Typingtest.com is a well-known website that offers free typing tutorials and games that may be of help when trying to familiarize yourself with keys and keyboard shortcuts. They have timed and scored tests that will allow you to track your progress.

Typing

Typing.com is another typing test website that will help you excel with touch typing. The website allows you to sign up and log in to keep track of your goals and achievements over time. 

Speedytypingonline

As the name suggests, Speedytypingonline lets you examine yourself on how fast you type and how many typographical errors you make when typing at top speed. The ‘speedy’ typing tests would allow you to be concise and time-efficient when encoding documents and papers.

Why data entry?

Why not data entry? As implied above, data entry is a lucrative position that is present in any industry that you could think of. It’s also flexible enough that you could be a freelancer or an independent data entry encoder that works remotely at the comfort of your own home.

Without data entry specialists, the back-office department would lack administrative support. A department without any kind of support is prone to developing weak spots and problem areas. Maintaining a clear connection between departments is key to ensure a smooth workflow.

Take this time to assess yourself, your skillset, and ask yourself this question: do you think you have what it takes to become a data entry specialist now?