Master Key 5.6

If you're looking for a way to improve your typing skills that gives you detailed readouts and stats on how you're doing, then Master Key could be for you.

Master Key is a rather basic looking but very effective typing tutor which takes you through a huge series of drills in order to bring your typing speed up to scratch. Master Key includes drills for U.S., Dvorak, French, and German keyboard layouts and if the huge number of drills aren't enough for you, you can import your own text files, eBook pages and even create your own drills.

When you setup Master Key, you're asked whether you want to store pupil files individually on your hard drive or in the Applications folder so that other users on a network can access the records. The interface is very basic - it looks very dated - but it's full of handy tips and hints to prepare you before you type. To get started, click New Pupil and enter your name. You then have a huge range of drills and sub-drills to choose from.

As you type, there are Accuracy, WPM and Error dials at the top of the interface. An error noise sounds if you make a mistake but the basic aim on the test I tried (Learning QWERTY) was to type letters and the spacebar in as fast a time as possible. The score readings and stats are incredibly in-depth when you've finished. There's even a game called ParaTyper which involves saving paratroopers as you type although I couldn't access this because its probably only available in the full version which you are prompted to upgrade to every time you start a new test.

Master Key may look simple and a bit dated but its incredibly complete and will cover every possible angle of your typing skills.