Practice approximation. The rules below are the commonly published figures and have not yet been verified against the latest official notification. Always follow your own notice.
Clerical posts in the courts are filled through recruitments run by each High Court, either for itself or for the district courts in its state. Almost every one of these includes a typing test, and the passages are drawn from the kind of text courts produce every day: orders, notices and extracts from judgments. Practising with legal passages is therefore the most useful thing you can do before the test.
Court Clerk typing test rules (English)
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Speed required | 40 WPM (net) |
| Duration | 10 minutes |
| Backspace | Check notification |
| Mistakes | Counted per wrong word |
| Scoring | Varies by court. Often a minimum speed plus marks for speed and accuracy. |
Posts: Clerk, Junior Clerk, Copyist, Process Server (typing in some states).
How court typing tests differ
Requirements change from state to state. A minimum of 40 WPM in English and around 30 WPM in Hindi is common, but some courts ask for less and award marks for every extra word per minute. Hindi-speaking states usually test Hindi typing, and many still accept Kruti Dev because court staff have used it for years.
Several courts also interview shortlisted candidates or test computer knowledge, but the typing test is often the stage where the most candidates are eliminated.
Legal vocabulary in Hindi and English
English passages are full of words like 'petitioner', 'aforesaid', 'adjourned' and 'hereinafter'. Hindi passages use वादी, प्रतिवादी, न्यायालय, अधिनियम, साक्षी and अभिलेख, with many conjuncts. These words slow down even experienced typists until they have practised them. Our court passages contain this kind of language on purpose.
Related pages
- For the Bombay High Court specifically, see the dedicated Bombay High Court page.
- For transcription practice for court stenographers, see the stenographer page.
- For Kruti Dev key positions, open the Kruti Dev layout page.
Tips to pass the Court Clerk typing test
- Collect a list of legal words from old question papers or court websites and drill them.
- Practise typing case numbers and dates, which appear in almost every order.
- If your state accepts Kruti Dev, confirm it in the notice before you commit to it.
- Short tests reward a fast start; warm up for a couple of minutes before a mock test.
- Read ahead by a few words so long legal words do not surprise you.
Frequently asked questions
What typing speed is needed for a court clerk?+
It varies by court. Around 40 WPM English and 30 WPM Hindi are common targets. Check your recruitment notice.
Do courts accept Kruti Dev?+
Many Hindi-speaking states have used Kruti Dev for years, but some now require Unicode (InScript or Remington Gail). Follow the notice.
Are the passages in legal language?+
Usually yes: orders, notices or parts of judgments. Our court passages are written in a similar style.
How long is the typing test?+
Commonly 5 to 10 minutes. This page defaults to 10 minutes; change it in the settings.
Is there negative marking for errors?+
Most courts deduct for errors, either through net speed or through separate marks. Our net WPM shows the usual effect.
Is this an official court test?+
No. This is an independent practice tool.