South Africa Typing Tests — Department of Public Service & Administration
The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) coordinates clerical recruitment across South African national and provincial government departments under the Public Service Act framework. The Public Service Commission, an independent constitutional body, oversees merit-based appointments. English is the de-facto working language for national administration, with provincial-language considerations gaining prominence in regional postings (Afrikaans in Western Cape, isiZulu in KwaZulu-Natal, etc.).
- Authority
- DPSA · PSC · DOJ
- Language
- English (working)
- Speed
- 40 WPM English
- Window
- 5-10 minutes
Available typing tests
Each tile links to a dedicated practice page with full passage simulator, scoring, and a four-week prep plan.
Admin Clerk (Levels 4-7)
National-department entry-level clerical cadre. PSA-aligned competency assessments plus typing at 40 WPM English.
Gauteng / Western Cape / KZN provincial
Provincial recruitment with provincial-language considerations. Afrikaans in WC, isiZulu in KZN local councils.
Secretary / Personal Assistant (Levels 5-9)
Senior secretary cadre. 45-50 WPM English plus diary management and document-handling skills.
Department of Justice clerical
Court Clerk roles in DOJ. Typing tests at 40 WPM English alongside court-procedure familiarity.
Frequently asked questions
South Africa recognises 11 official languages constitutionally, but English serves as the de-facto national working language. Provincial considerations: Afrikaans in Western Cape, isiZulu in KwaZulu-Natal, isiXhosa in Eastern Cape, Setswana in North West. Typing speed is generally tested in English with regional language fluency assessed in interview rather than typing test.
40 WPM English is the practical baseline. Some provincial recruitments accept 35 WPM as the minimum threshold; the marginal advantage above 50 WPM is small.
Court reporters use specialty stenotype certification through the Stenographic Association of Southern Africa. This is a separate professional credential — selection is by certification plus interview, not generic typing assessment.
Yes — Public Service Commission competency assessments are distinct from typing tests. They cover written communication, ethics, and PSA-framework knowledge. Typing tests are a supplementary skill check at agency level.
Our South Africa DPSA typing test page provides administrative-style English passages at the 40 WPM target. Standard QWERTY only; no provincial-language layouts are required for typing tests.
South Africa public service candidates frequently also target Canada CR-04, Australia APS 1-3, and UK Civil Service AO — Commonwealth-style English-medium clerical patterns with similar competency frameworks.