What Are Microsoft Excel Tests?

Microsoft Office skills are a common requirement for many job vacancies, and if that job involves dealing with large amounts of data, Excel proficiency is likely top of the list.

To assess a candidate’s capability in this area, employers may opt to use an Excel test at some point in the recruitment process.

If you’ve been asked to sit such an assessment, it can feel like a daunting prospect. But don’t worry, this guide covers all you need to know on how to pass a test on your Microsoft Excel skills.

What Is a Microsoft Excel Test?

In itself, Excel is a powerful piece of software. As a highly advanced spreadsheet program, its range of formulas and functions facilitate complex mathematical actions in quick time, and additional tools allow users to store, categorize, export and analyze data effectively.

A Microsoft Excel test is specifically designed to measure a candidate’s knowledge of the software, and their ability to perform tasks within it relative to the role for which they have applied.

In some cases, you may be asked to sit an informal Excel test, that is, an assessment designed by the employer in-house. These typically involve completing specific actions within Excel itself, overseen and scored in person by an appointed assessor.

Far more common, though, is a professional Excel test, designed and administered by a third-party test provider.

These are more akin to other skills and psychometric assessments. Instead of using the Excel program, you’ll complete tasks within a simulated version and your scores will be determined by an automated system.

Job Roles That May Require an Excel Test

Many career paths require a level of digital competency, and as the world’s most widely adopted spreadsheet program, it’s no surprise that Microsoft Excel skills are a prerequisite for a range of job openings.

Of course, the Excel capability you’re expected to hold will depend on the nature of the post applied for. Some common professions that use Excel tests in the employment process include:

• Accountants
• Auditors
• Administrative assistants
• Business analysts
• Cost estimators
• Financial analysts
• Bankers
• Loan officers
• Project managers
• Sales managers

This list is by no means exhaustive. Excel is used to some degree in almost every employment sector imaginable and you’ll need to check each job description carefully to see what level of skill may be needed, and if it’s likely you’ll have to demonstrate this through assessment.

Typical Format of an Excel Test

Your Microsoft Excel test may be presented as an interactive simulation, a multiple-choice questionnaire, or a combination of both.

Multiple-choice Excel tests assess your overall familiarity with the software. Instead of working within the program, you’ll answer randomly selected questions on its layout, features and functions.

Questions cover every area of Excel, and since they’re pulled at random, there’s no predicting what you might be challenged on. This makes multiple-choice tests tricky, especially since you won’t have access to the spreadsheet for reference.

So, if taking this style of Excel test, be sure to revise the program’s layout, where each function can be found and how it’s applied correctly.

Interactive simulations require you to perform specific tasks within an interface that mimics Excel. Since this assessment style shows your ability to actually utilize the software, interactive simulations are the most commonly adopted test format.

These are usually administered by a third-party test provider and are designed to cover different levels of ability; basic, intermediate and advanced.

Basic Excel Test

You may face a basic Excel test if applying for an administrative post, or any role that requires working with data in simple terms, such as entry-level sales, marketing or finance.

You’ll be expected to quickly navigate around the program, apply common shortcuts, and perform basic tasks associated with layout, formatting, file management and standard calculations.

Common tasks set in a basic Excel test include:

• Saving files in multiple formats and accessing recently closed workbooks.
• Formatting cells correctly, including alignment, text wrapping, number and currency formatting, and borders.
• Applying standard functions such as SUM, MIN, MAX, COUNT and AVERAGE to automatically calculate values.
• Correctly appointing cell references across multiple worksheets.

Intermediate Excel Test

Intermediate tests are used for roles where data forms an integral part of the decision-making process; for example, for project managers, business analysts and auditors.

As data manipulation and analysis are more complex at this level, candidates will be expected to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Excel’s functionality.

Alongside skills assessed at a basic level, an intermediate test will also measure your ability to:

• Make use of relative and absolute references
• Apply conditional formatting to distinguish data of differing criteria
• Utilize advanced functions at a basic level including VLOOKUP, IF, COUNTIF and SUMIF
• Create customized charts and graphs from large data sets
• Apply data validation rules

Advanced Excel Tests

If you’re applying for a role that involves the creation and management of large databases, or that centers around complex calculations and analysis, you’ll need to prove a high level of Excel proficiency.

Top-level accountants, financial analysts, scientists or executive-level positions are all examples of posts that may require you to sit an advanced Excel test.

At this level, you’ll be expected to demonstrate confidence in:

• Using functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, SUMIF and COUTIF at an advanced level and in conjunction
• Combine conditional formatting with complex formulas
• Create macros to automate specific tasks
• Extrapolate and display data effectively through the use of pivot tables and sophisticated charting techniques

Whatever level of Excel test you sit, it’s important to note that you’ll be assessed on both accuracy and speed.

Your score will be dictated by both the precision of your answer and how long it took you to formulate, regardless of whether there is a set time limit on the assessment or not.

Excel Test Providers

Multiple companies design and administer Microsoft Excel tests. Below we look at two of the most popular – SHL and Kenexa.

SHL Excel Tests

SHL is a well-established publisher of skills, aptitude and personality tests. It’s one of the most popular providers of psychometric testing, used by companies around the world.

There are three versions of the SHL Excel test:

• SHL Interactive – This is a timed assessment, 35 minutes in duration, and with a maximum of 30 questions to complete. Simulation software mimics the Excel interface and candidates are required to complete specific tasks, working with the data provided.
• SHL Interactive – Essentials – This is a basic-level assessment, measuring fundamental skills required for Excel use. Again, the test is timed, with a maximum of 20 questions to be completed in a 25-minute time frame.
• SHL Adaptive – This multiple-choice questionnaire is what’s known as a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT). This means the questions administered vary in difficulty according to your performance on the question prior.

Essentially, if you do well, the following question will be harder, or vice versa such is the case. There’s a total of 30 questions and a time limit of 90 minutes, though most candidates do not require that long to complete the test.

For the interactive versions of SHL’s Excel test, precision is key. The simulation software does not allow for trial and error, and many shortcut functions will be unavailable to you, so you’ll need to know exactly what you’re doing to perform well.

Kenexa Excel Tests

Kenexa has been providing talent management solutions since 1987 and was acquired by IBM in 2012. Its psychometric tests are hugely popular and it offers Microsoft specific assessments under its Kenexa Prove It! Series.

Kenexa does not provide a multiple-choice Excel test, but administers two variations of its interactive simulation:

• Normal User – This covers basic-level Excel knowledge including standard functions and formulas, formatting, and file management. Task prompts will appear on screen and candidates will need to complete each one within the simulation software before progressing, with 30 tasks in total.
• Power User – Again, candidates will work in simulation software, with prompts for 25 tasks in all. These revolve around more complex commands for advanced users.

Kenexa tests are not timed but your pace will still be accounted for in your score. As with the SHL tests, certain shortcuts will be disabled and you’ll need to input formulas and functions correctly as you’ll only get one shot to get the question right.

As they are part of the wider Prove It! series, Kenexa Excel tests are typically part of a broader assessment covering various Microsoft programs.

Sample Questions for Interactive Excel Tests

To complete the following questions, copy and paste the table below into an Excel spreadsheet and work through each in turn before referring to the answers below.

Basic Level Sample Questions:

Q1. Insert a new row between product code 7764 and product code 1322.

Q2. Reformat the text alignment of all header rows to centered.

Q3. Rearrange the table by sorting column A (Product Code) numerically, from smallest to largest.

Intermediate to Advanced Level Sample Questions:

Q1. Using conditional formatting, highlight every cell with a profit of over $20 in light red.

Q2. In the Profit Margin column, insert a formula in cell E3 to calculate the % profit margin. Continue this formula down through cells E4 to E6.

Q3. Create a pivot table to show monetary profit per product code.

Basic Level Answers:

Q1. Insert a new row between product code 7764 and product code 1322:

• Step one – Select the row below where you want to insert your new row, in this case, the row containing product code 1322.
• Step two – Navigate to the Insert dropdown of the Home tab.
• Step three – From the dropdown that appears, select Insert Cells.

Q2. Reformat the text alignment of all header rows to centered:

• Step one – Select all header rows by clicking on cell A1 (Product Code), holding down shift and clicking on cell E1 (Profit Margin).
• Step two – Navigate to the alignment section of the Home tab and select Centre.

Q3. Rearrange the table by sorting column A (Product Code) numerically, from smallest to largest:

• Step one – Select cell A1 (Product Code).
• Step two – Make your way to the Data tab and select Sort.
• Step three – In the command box that appears, go to Column – Sort By and select Product Code. Below Sort On select Cell Value, and below Order select Smallest to Largest.
• Step four – Click OK.

Intermediate to Advanced Level Sample Answers:

Q1. Using conditional formatting, highlight every cell with a profit of over $20 in light red:

• Step one – Highlight all cells in the Profit column by selecting cell D2, holding down shift and selecting D6.
• Step two – Click on the Conditional Formatting dropdown in the Styles group of the Home tab.
• Step three – In the dropdown that appears, hover over Highlight Cells Rules and select Greater Than.
• Step four – In the open dialogue box, input 20 under Format cells that are GREATER THAN, then select Light Red Fill from the ‘with’ dropdown.
• Step five – Click OK.

Q2. In the Profit Margin column, insert a formula in cell E3 to calculate the % profit margin. Continue this formula down through cells E4 to E6:

• Step one – Select cell E3 and ensure it is formatted as Percentage in the Number section of the Home tab.
• Step two – In the formula bar, insert a formula that divides the profit by the sale price, in this case, $20.50/$34.50. Your formula should read =D3/B3 and result in an answer of 59.42%.
• Step three – Copy the formula in cell E3, hold down shift and select cell E6 to paste the formula down.

Q3. Create a pivot table to show monetary profit per product code:

• Step one – Highlight the entire table by selecting cell A1, holding down shift, and selecting cell E6.
• Step two – Navigate to the Insert tab and select PivotTable from the Tables group.
• Step three – A new dialogue box will open, change nothing, click OK, and a new worksheet will open.
• Step four – In the PivotTable Fields list, click and drag Product Code into the Rows box, the click and drag Profit into the Values box.

Sample Questions for Multiple-Choice Excel Tests

Basic Level Sample Questions:

Q1. Which of the following signs must precede all formulas in Excel?

a) =
b) /
c) >
d) @

Q2. What are non-contiguous cells in Excel?

a) Cells that are not next to each other
b) Cells that have no formula assigned to them
c) Cells that do not contain numerical data
d) Cells with no data at all

Q3. Choose the correct version of the following formula: multiply cell A3 by 8, then divided the resulting figure by 2.

a) =A3\8\2
b) =A3\8/2
c) =(A3\8)/2
d) =A3/8*\2

Intermediate to Advanced Level Sample Questions:

Q1. What does the conditional formatting tool allow you to do?

a) Format cells by number type
b) Apply a default format to selected cells
c) Apply formatting to one or more cells based on specific criteria
d) Apply a formula to selected cells

Q2. What keyboard shortcut is used to edit a formula?

a) F7
b) SHIFT + F2
c) CTRL + F7
d) F2

Q3. Which of the following functions is not located under the Data tab?

a) Forecast Sheet
b) What-If Analysis
c) Queries & Connections
d) PivotTable

Basic Level Sample Answers:

Q1. Which of the following signs must precede all formulas in Excel?

Answer: a) =

Q2. What are non-contiguous cells in Excel?

Answer: a) Cells that are not next to each other

Q3. Choose the correct version of the following formula: multiply cell A3 by 8, then divided the resulting figure by 2.

Answer: b) =A3*\8/2

Intermediate to Advanced Level Sample Answers:

Q1. What does the conditional formatting tool allow you to do?

Answer: c) Apply formatting to one or more cells based on specific criteria

Q2. What keyboard shortcut is used to edit a formula?

Answer: d) F2

Q3. Which of the following functions is not located under the Data tab?

Answer: d) PivotTable

Tips for Excel Test Preparation and Test-Taking

Now we’ve covered what the assessment involves, let's focus on how to pass a test on your Microsoft Excel skills. Follow the tips below to give yourself the best chance of success.

Find Out What Type of Test You’ll Be Taking

If you’re able to do so, contact your prospective employer for information on the exact nature of your Excel test well in advance. Knowing whether it’s a multiple-choice exam, an interactive simulation or a combination of the two will allow you to plan your preparation more effectively.

It’s also useful to know which test provider the company uses, as some may have practice tests available. Use these to familiarize yourself with the format and structure, and the interface you’ll be using on your official test day.

Use Online Resources for Practice

As well as the official test providers, multiple sites offer preparation tools, tutorials and practice assessments for Excel tests. Here are a few that come highly recommended:

• JobTestPrep offers free sample questions, practice tests and PrepPacks for a variety of aptitude and skills assessments, including Microsoft Excel.
• Mr Excel is a handy online resource, with a Q&A forum, educational articles and tips for anyone looking to improve their Excel knowledge.
• Wise Owl Training also offers practice tests alongside online training courses covering basic, intermediate and advanced level topics, and several specialist Excel courses.
• Onlineexceltraining.co.uk is a dedicated Excel course delivered through video tutorials. The syllabus covers beginner to advanced knowledge, focusing on Excel theory and practice tasks.

An Excel test is not something you can attempt to stumble through. You either have the right knowledge or you don’t, so practice and preparation are key.

Focus on Both Speed and Accuracy

A key thing to remember for your Microsoft Excel test is that both precision and pace contribute to your score. It’s important to find a balance between the two to show you can work quickly and accurately.

Making this a point of focus in your practice tests will increase your confidence here.

Check How You’ll Be Taking Your Test

Some employers will ask you to take your test at an assessment center or their offices, while others will administer online tests that can be taken at home.

In the first instance, make sure you know exactly where you need to be and when to avoid any last-minute stress. If taking the test online, find a quite spot with a strong internet connection, and make sure you won’t encounter any disruptions throughout.

Other Common Skills and Aptitude Tests Taken at Interview

It’s important to note that a Microsoft Excel test may not be the only assessment you’re required to sit, as companies that use skills tests in the recruitment process tend to combine several assessment types.

Employers want to ensure they progress candidates with the highest potential and those that demonstrate the right culture fit for the organization.

With that in mind, you may be tested on a range of skills, key competencies, working preferences and personality traits.

Here are some other assessments commonly taken alongside a Microsoft Excel test:

Data Entry Tests

These test your ability to input data with both speed and accuracy. Information may be presented verbally, or in written or audio format, and you’ll typically be dealing with numerical data like units, quantities and model numbers. You’ll also be tasked with cross-referencing data to identify errors.

Word Skills Tests

As another widely used Microsoft program, Word Skills tests are often taken in conjunction with Excel tests. These look at things like layout and formatting, editing, and more complex actions. Like Excel tests, they are delivered at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Personality Tests

Focused on your personal characteristics rather than skill set, personality tests give employers a good indication of how you’ll fit into the relevant workplace, and how well suited you are for the role on offer.

Depending on the test provider used, you’ll face questions on things like your communication style, social preferences and professional motivations.

Situational Judgement Tests

Another test used to assess suitability beyond job-specific skills and knowledge, situational judgement tests assess a candidate on their reaction to a range of hypothetical scenarios commonly encountered in the workplace. They focus primarily on soft skills, like decision making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Aptitude and Reasoning Tests

This encompasses a range of assessments, measuring various aptitude and reasoning skills. Depending on the role, you may be tested on verbal ability, numerical ability or analytical ability. Though they differ in terms of test content, these assessments all measure your capacity to process information and draw logical conclusions.

Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned, an Excel test is not something that you can attempt to muddle through. The tasks you’ll be faced with require specific knowledge, so you’ll need to be familiar with the program and its features.

Thankfully, as with many types of skills test, the knowledge you need is easily acquired, and there are plenty of online resources to help with your preparation.

Following the steps outlined here and completing plenty of practice tests will allow you to approach your Microsoft Excel test with confidence, and perform to a high standard that sets you apart as a strong candidate.