How does an accuracy deficit apply IRL?
By those_who_squirm - updated: 4 years, 2 months ago - 4 messages
I notice the tests here give the result in terms of WPM and accuracy, say 98.5% or 99.5%. In a real-world situation, however, one would have the opportunity to review one's output and make any needed correction, and most word-processing software provides tools to render that task quick and nearly effortless.
How can one estimate WPM inclusive of proofing and correcting the final output?
By translucent - posted: 4 years, 3 months ago
You can also correct mistakes in keyhero typing tests. The WPM will go down based on how much time you lose by going back and correcting mistakes.
Updated 4 years, 3 months ago
By those_who_squirm - posted: 4 years, 3 months ago
I think I understand, but it would make more sense to me if they just lowered your WPM based on the total time to complete the test, including the time spent on corrections, and then rate the accuracy at 100%. Accuracy and WPM speed, as separate measurements, are orthogonal to each other... if you type as fast as you possibly can your output won't be accurate, and if you type at 1 WPM your output will almost certainly be 100% accurate.
By those_who_squirm - posted: 4 years, 2 months ago
I see why the WPM would go down, but I'd have expected that the accuracy would go back to 100% if you correct everything before you submit it. IOW, once you make a single error you can't achieve 100% accuracy regardless of whether you correct everything or not; this seems unrealistic to me.
By cars_corner_dvorak - posted: 4 years, 2 months ago
The accuracy doesn't mean "how precisely did you copy the quote" it's about your muscle memory. Do your hands go to the correct keys on instinct? How many tires does it take for you to get the right letter? That's what accuracy is about. Of course I press backspace and fix my screw-ups just like we all do, but my accuracy is still pretty bad because I am using a new keyboard layout so my muscle memory takes my fingers to the wrong keys sometimes. It's something I'm improving on along with my over all WPM. The skills we train up on this site aren't the skills to see a mistake you make and backspace, but the skill to stop making mistakes, and that's what accuracy is about.
