Guides

Guides for parents

Plain-English guides to the tests your family may be preparing for. Every guide was checked against the test authority's own pages and says when. XType does not promise marks, places or results.

Starting out

When to start touch typing: a parent's readiness guideNo single age is right for touch typing. Check what NSW schools expect from Kindergarten on, and use a readiness checklist to choose your child's start.Checked 19 October 2026

Technique

Home row and posture: setting up a child to type wellWhat the home row is, how a child's chair, screen and hands should sit, and a quick set-up check for the kitchen table. Sourced from NSW and Cornell.Checked 19 October 2026

Goals

Typing speed and accuracy goals by age: what is knownIs there a normal typing speed for a child? NSW sets one figure for Stage 1 and asks older students to monitor goals. Here is what can and cannot be said.Checked 19 October 2026

NAPLAN and school

Typing for NAPLAN Online and school: what you need to knowNSW says students need not touch type for NAPLAN, but the test is online. Here is what the NSW Government says, what schools teach, and how to help calmly.Checked 19 October 2026

Practice

Short daily typing practice that sticks, for primary kidsHow to build a typing habit at home with short sessions, breaks and one goal at a time. Draws on NSW, Cornell and Aalto University sources.Checked 19 October 2026

Not affiliated with ACARA, NESA or the NSW Department of Education.