Microsoft Excel Skills Tests

What is a Microsoft Excel test?

A Microsoft Excel Test is designed to test your knowledge of the program, from how to use basic functions to creating complicated data graphics and charts.

Excel Tests can come in different forms: they can be multiple-choice questions or an interactive test created especially by the company, depending on the skill level required for the job in question.

The questions in an Excel Test will cover the skills needed for the specific job, which means no two tests will ever be the same.

There are three levels of Microsoft Excel test assessing candidates’ knowledge:

• A basic-level test , which will include simple data input, basic calculations and knowing how to create a drop-down list within a worksheet;
• An intermediate-level test , which will introduce questions about functions and specific formatting for a spreadsheet;
• An advanced-level test , which requires intricate knowledge of pivot tables, conditional formatting and charts.

Why do employers use them?

It’s not unusual for candidates to exaggerate their skill levels when applying for a job. And although the phrase ‘fake it until you make it’ may be useful sometimes, there are situations where employers will use aptitude tests to assess a prospective employee’s suitability.

Imagine applying to be a financial analyst or project manager. You may think you’ll be able to learn on the job, but with budgeting and calculating expenses, there is no room for mistakes. Employers will ask you to take an Excel Test to make sure you’re up for the task (perhaps in conjunction with a Microsoft Word test).

Key Excel skills that are most in demand

It’s important you prepare for the Excel Test knowing what is expected of you. Each job will have its own requirements, prioritising some Excel skills over others.

So how should you prepare for the job you want?

Research into the company and the specifics of the position to gain useful insight. Does the job require budgeting? Data formatting? Presentations?

If you’re aiming to develop Excel skills before looking at jobs, here is a list of key Excel skills that are frequently in high demand:

Graphs and charts

If you’re working on a project and want to share your findings, graphs and charts will be useful. Filled maps, dynamic visuals and form controls are all Excel features you should be well acquainted with if your job involves data presentation.

Pivot tables

A tool used to organise data from more extensive tables. They make it quicker and easier to sort, summarise or repurpose data, especially when tracking and comparing sums and creating reports.

Basic macros

Macros allow you to record and save a sequence of actions, which can save you much time when you need to carry out repetitive tasks or actions in Excel. You can use them to highlight duplicate values or store a backup for a workbook, running the same action as many times as you want.

Key functions

Perhaps the five most important functions you need to know are SUM (which returns the sum of the values supplied), TEXT (which returns a value converted to text in a specific format), VLOOKUP (to get data from a table organised vertically), AVERAGE function (which returns the average of a range of cells) and CONCATENATE (to join together up to 30 pieces of text or values).

Conditional Formatting

Conditional Formatting is a feature in Microsoft Excel that allows you to format cells based on certain conditions. For example, you could format all cells that contain a value greater than 10 as green.

You can also use Conditional Formatting to highlight cells that meet certain criteria, such as those that contain a specific value or text string.

Error checking & problem-solving

Users of Microsoft Excel may experience a range of error messages and in a work-related scenario it’s important to be able to know to spot errors quickly and efficiently. Error checking can help with this by identifying cells that contain errors, and providing suggested solutions.

How best to prepare for an Excel test

How best to prepare for an Excel test

Some tests will be timed, some will have multiple choices; some tests will have straightforward questions and some will try to trick you.

There is no certain way to prepare for an Excel test, but there are definitely ways to prepare effectively. Before taking the test, make sure you’ve covered all of the basics:

Practice using excel worksheets as much as you can

There are plenty of Excel online practice tests online, so make sure you’re taking as many as possible. Practice does make perfect and you never know what questions may come up during your actual test — being ready for anything may just be the key to ace the test.

Time yourself

The Excel Test will likely be timed, so use a timer during your practice tests as well. It will not only help you to be quicker, but it will also give you an insight into what questions take you the longest to answer, pinpointing what you need to practice more.

Control your surroundings

There is nothing worse than being interrupted when taking an Excel Test, so make sure you have a quiet place to do it. It can also be helpful to recreate the same environment when practicing.

Memorise a range of functions

When it comes to preparing for an online Microsoft Excel skill test, one of the best things you can do is memorize a range of functions. This way, when you’re taking a test or working on a project, you’ll be able to quickly recall the information you need.

There are a few different ways that you can memorize Microsoft Excel functions. One method is to create a list of all the functions you need to know, and then review them regularly. Another method is to use mnemonic devices, such as creating acronyms or rhymes, to help you remember the information.

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you review the material frequently so that it stays fresh in your mind. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to memorize all the Microsoft Excel functions you need to know!