For non-native English speakers, preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or CELPIP is a significant challenge. You spend months mastering grammar, expanding your vocabulary, and honing your reading comprehension. But what if one of the most overlooked skills could give you a powerful edge? We're talking about typing.
The Clock is Your Biggest Competitor
In the writing section of these exams, time is not on your side. You are expected to compose well-structured, thoughtful essays under immense pressure. Let's break down the time constraints you're up against:
- IELTS Academic: You have just 60 minutes to complete two writing tasks.
- TOEFL iBT: The writing section requires you to complete two tasks in approximately 29 minutes.
- CELPIP: You are given between 53 to 60 minutes to complete the writing component.
With such a tight schedule, every second counts. The time you spend searching for keys is time you could be using to refine your arguments, check for errors, or add more compelling examples.
How Typing Reinforces Word Spelling
The connection between typing and memory is a powerful one. As you practice typing English words, you are engaging in a form of kinesthetic learning—your fingers develop muscle memory for common letter patterns and complex vocabulary. This physical act of typing reinforces the correct spelling in your mind, reducing the likelihood of making costly errors on exam day.
When you can type without thinking about the keyboard, you free up mental bandwidth. This allows you to focus on the higher-level aspects of writing, such as sentence structure, tone, and coherence, instead of getting bogged down by the mechanics of spelling.
More Than Just Speed: The Efficiency Advantage
Fast, accurate typing is not just about writing more words in less time. It's about efficiency. When you can transfer your thoughts from your brain to the screen seamlessly, you can:
- Draft Your Essay Faster: Get your main ideas down quickly, leaving more time for crucial revisions.
- Proofread More Effectively: A speedy typist can make corrections and edits without losing momentum.
- Reduce Exam Stress: Feeling confident in your physical ability to write quickly can significantly lower anxiety, allowing you to think more clearly.
Your Path to a Higher Score
Improving your typing skills is a tangible, practical step you can take toward achieving your target exam score. This is where a dedicated practice platform becomes invaluable.
We encourage you to use our course IELTS Phrasal Verbs to elevate your typing proficiency. The course was designed to help you practice typing the kind of vocabulary and sentence structures you'll encounter in your exams. Regular practice will not only increase your words-per-minute but will also solidify your spelling and build your confidence.
Don't let slow typing be the barrier between you and your academic or professional goals. Start practicing today and turn your keyboard into your greatest ally on exam day.