How to Pass Your Microsoft Word Skills Test

If you have been invited to attend a job interview, it is increasingly likely you will be asked to complete a series of tests as part of it. These tests allow hiring panels and recruiters to understand more about your technical capabilities and proficiencies, as well as learning about your approach to work-based tasks.

One of the most common test types is the Microsoft (MS) Word test.

This is not designed to check how quickly you can type or how accurate your spelling and grammar is. Instead, this test sees if you can use the software effectively and if you can edit, format and share documents with minimal input or support from other colleagues.

If you are worried about what to expect from an MS Word test or assessment, then this article will help you understand what it involves and how to fully prepare. By the end, you should feel confident you know how to pass a test on your MS Word skills.

What Is a Microsoft Word Test?

Microsoft Word is a core component of the Microsoft Office suite of computer programs.

Most companies worldwide use MS Word as it has huge capabilities for word processing. You will likely be well acquainted with the software already, likely having used it for homework or study tasks, writing your cover letter, CV or resume and using it as a key element of your typical working day.

The MS Word test will look at how capable you are when using the software.

Some employers may create an informal test that allows them to see how you use the software. The employer wants to know that you have the office skills required to simply get on with the task at hand, rather than asking others how to do basic activities like formatting tables, inserting graphics, using the spelling/grammar proofing tool or creating a mail-merged document.

Alternatively, an employer may invest in a formal MS Word test to measure your ability. Numerous third-party companies provide official MS Word tests that can be administered and assessed on the employer’s behalf.

This article will look at a couple of the common external testing companies and explain what you may expect and how you can pass the Microsoft Word test.

What Types of Jobs May Require You to Pass a Microsoft Word Test?

If word processing is a key element of your job role’s daily activities, then it is likely you will be asked to pass a Microsoft Word test.

There are different types of tests available, from basic administration through to intermediate and advanced assessments.

You may find that the test you are given by your prospective employer differs per your experience and level of seniority (for example, those applying for managerial roles may be offered an advanced MS Word test).

Common job roles routinely expecting participants to pass a Microsoft Word test include:

• Administrative assistants
• Editors
• Interns
• Production assistants
• Researchers
• Transcribers
• Virtual assistants

What Format Is a Microsoft Word Test Likely to Be?

As you may expect, your assessment is highly likely to be interactive.

You will be asked to complete certain tasks replicating Microsoft Word’s day-to-day use.

Your task will pop up at the bottom of the screen and you will have to complete it before moving on to the next. There will likely also be questions to test your theory.

Interactive vs Multiple Choice Questions: The Difference Between Practice and Theory

Within your Microsoft Word test, you may find a mix of interactive tasks to complete as well as some multiple-choice questions.

This is so the employer can differentiate between your practical capabilities (your ability to complete tasks within the software) as well as your theoretical knowledge of the application (your ability to answer questions about how to use it).

You will likely find the interactive scenarios easier to complete because you will likely have intrinsic, intuitive knowledge of how to use the program quickly and easily, whereas the multiple-choice questions require a detailed, conscious knowledge of the various functions and layout of the program.

Understanding Your Expected Microsoft Word Proficiency

As mentioned above, there are different levels of Microsoft Word proficiency. The MS Word test that your prospective employer chooses will depend upon what capabilities you are expected to have.

Here is a quick breakdown of the three proficiency levels and what you can expect within those tests:

Basic MS Word Users

At this level of ability, you should know the fundamentals of using MS Word.

This includes how to write, edit and save documents and recognition of basic icons.

Intermediate MS Word Users

Intermediate users should have a greater understanding of MS Word’s capabilities.

You should understand how to use advanced editing tools, such as how to insert images, wrap text and create borders, headers and footers.

You should also be able to change page layouts, insert columns and page breaks, and work across multiple windows.

Also, you should be able to edit PDF documents in MS Word and use the mail merge function to send letters to multiple people.

Advanced MS Word Users

Advanced users will have greater insights into making the most from MS Word. You will know how to compare and combine documents, use macros, restrict editing functionality and add passwords to your document.

You should also know how to use and insert specific characters and include custom color sets and custom fields in your document.

Top tip! It is helpful to understand the difference between the expected knowledge at different proficiencies because you can use these insights to add any specific Microsoft Word skills to your resume.

Who Are the External MS Word Test Providers?

If the prospective employer has used a third-party company to administer the test, then you could ask the recruiter to confirm who the test provider will be.

This will allow you to align your pre-interview study with that specific provider.

Knowing what the test is likely to entail allows you to use your time to study so you pass your Microsoft Word test.

ISV.online

ISV specializes in providing candidate testing and training for employers.

It has a variety of tests dedicated to the Microsoft Office suite, for differing ability levels and knowledge areas. It also has an online testing platform that can be fully branded and set up to match an employers’ look and feel.

As well as having some pre-determined MS Word tests available, the company also allows firms to set up their own, which could link in specifically with a certain job description.

ISV uses a variety of question types to test proficiency, including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and consecutive ordering. There are also dedicated videos available as part of the assessment.

It should be noted that different assessments are available for different versions of MS Word, from 2010 up to 2019.

As a participant, you should be clear with your prospective employer which version of MS Word you use, as different updates will have different functionalities.

Participants can expect to receive between 25 to 40 questions within a 15 to 20-minute test.

With ISV, participants can also participate in a series of practice questions before starting their official assessment, which can help settle their nerves and feel at ease. The difficulty of the test will be determined by the skill needed for the job position.

As the skills testing is available online, participants can take part in the MS Word tests from anywhere in the world.

Some employers may ask you to conduct the assessment in their office, whilst those who are working from home for the foreseeable future and are conducting virtual interviews may ask you to take the test from the comfort of your own home.

IBM Kenexa Prove It! Word Tests

The Kenexa Prove It word tests are another variation of MS Word assessment commonly used by employers.

Kenexa tests typically use interactive, task-based questions, showing participants’ practical abilities.

The Kenexa tests are broken down into two distinct subcategories:

• The normal user test (which is 30 questions) – The normal user test will be for those with a basic/intermediate understanding of Microsoft Word. Users can expect questions on basic skills such as text formatting, layouts and general properties such as saving or printing.
• The power user test (which is 25 questions) – The power user test looks at the more complicated aspects of MS Word, as it is designed for intermediate/advanced users. You may be questioned on areas including mail merges, templates, and inserting tables.

In some instances, an employer will ask prospective candidates to complete a dual test which will encompass both the normal and power user tests.

However, this is time-consuming, and most employers will base their choice of test on the seniority of the position that they are recruiting for.

The Kenexa tests are more attuned to testing your practical abilities to use MS Word rather than your theoretical knowledge.

This can suit many candidates who instinctively know how to use the software and will be able to navigate their way around the MS Word toolbar.

However, Kenexa tests do not offer the opportunity to practice in advance, unlike the ISV tests.

You only have one opportunity to get your question right, so you must feel confident in your answer. You may find that, because of the interactive nature of the test, some functions or shortcuts within MS Word may be unavailable, so if you need to be aware of multiple ways accessing certain toolbars/functions.

Officially, it is not a timed test. However, the amount of time you take may influence your final score.

Example Questions and Answers for Microsoft Word Tests

To help you understand how to pass a test of your MS word skills, here are examples of the types of questions to expect.

Both basic and advanced level answers are given to show the difference in expectations.

Example MS Word Interactive Test Questions

Please cut and paste the following text into a new word document:

Group #1

Jane Blogs
Mark Webster
Ronan Graham
Julie Weatherby

Group #2

Bridget Duncan
Stephen Duffy
Helen Donnelly
John Diggs

Basic Level Questions:

Perform the following:

1. Save the document to your desktop using the filename ‘MS Word test – yourname’.
2. Add bold and underlined formatting to the headings ‘Group #1’ and ‘Group #2’.
3. Put each group of names into alphabetical order.
4. Add bullet points to each group of names.

Basic Level Answers:

1. Click on ‘File’, ‘Save A Copy’, ‘Browse’ and find the ‘Desktop’. Type the file name, set ‘file type’ to ‘docx’ and click ‘Save’.
2. Select and highlight the text that you want to format. Either use the pop-up box that appears and click on the ‘B’ and ‘U’ icons, or find these icons in the ribbon under ‘Home’. A third option is to right-click your mouse and navigate your cursor to ‘Font’. Here, you can choose your underline/bold style.
3. Select the text in the first list then click on the ‘AZ Sort’ icon within the ‘Home’ ribbon. Sort by ‘Paragraphs’ and ‘Text’ and click ‘OK’.
4. Select and highlight the group of names. Use the bullet point icon in the ‘Home’ ribbon and choose your bullet type.

Advanced-Level Questions:

Perform the following:

1. Add a headline at the bottom of the page that says, ‘Visit the group website’ and add in a hyperlink to www.thisisthegroupwebsite.com.
2. Show how you would find the readability statistics of your document.
3. Show how you would add password protection to your document.

Advanced-Level Answers:

1. Type the headline text then highlight it, right-click your mouse and click ‘Link’. Under ‘Address’, add in the website URL and click ‘OK’.
2. Navigate to the ‘Review’ tab and click the ‘Editor’ icon. Once the spelling and grammar check is concluded, your readability statistics will appear. Alternatively, as a shortcut, you can press F7.
3. Click ‘File’ and navigate to ‘Info’. Click ‘Protect Document’ and select ‘Encrypt with Password’. Type your preferred password and click ‘OK’. Enter the password again to confirm.

Example MS Word Multiple-Choice Questions

Basic Level Question:

Pick the correct answer from the options below. How would I create a second version of an open document?

a) Highlight and select all text and copy and paste into a new document
b) Open the file again from Windows Explorer
c) Use ‘Save As’

The correct answer is c) Use the ‘Save As’ feature to save the file with a different file name.

Advanced Level Question:

How do you search a document for a specific word/phrase using the ‘Open Find Box’?

a) Ctrl + F
b) Ctrl + K
c) Ctrl + G
d) Ctrl + H

The correct answer is a) Ctrl + F. This will allow you to search for specific words/phrasing and make replacements if required.

Practical Tips to Help You Prepare for and Pass Your MS Word Test

If you are concerned about how to pass your Microsoft Word Test, here are some handy practical tips that may help you prepare:

1. Do Your Research

Do not be afraid to ask your recruiter or prospective employer what to expect from the test. It is in their interest for you to successfully pass the test, so they will likely tell you whether it will be an in-house or third-party test (for example, ISV or Kenexa) and whether it will be remote or in-office.

Remember – everything in the test should be directly related to the job role itself. Therefore, pay close attention to the job description and expectations of the job role.

Make sure you are clear on the tasks your potential job entails and use them as a starting point for what to expect in the MS Word test.

For example, if you are applying for a senior position, you may need to know how to create templates and password protection on a word document, whereas for an entry-level job you can expect the test to be focused more on basic functionality.

2. Make the Most of Online Tutorials and Practice Tests

Prepare in advance with the numerous practice tests and online tutorials available. If you know the company who will be giving the test, you can tailor your practice.

There are thousands of questions that could be asked in an MS Word test, so try to be clear about the differences between basic, intermediate and advanced tests to refine your study.

Reputable sites include:

• JobTestPrep
• Wise Owl Training
• Practice Aptitude Tests

Each site has a comprehensive write up of what to expect from a Microsoft Word test, as well as sample questions that you can use as part of your practice.

There are also further practice tests available here.

Also, you can look at the official Microsoft certifications.

There is a wide range of certificates available (broadly priced at $100), which provide a guarantee to employers as to your level of knowledge. Through online training and distinct modules, they improve your expertise.

As well as being highly sought-after by employers and valuable to have on your resume or CV, these certificates could help you to pass your MS Word test with flying colors.

3. Practice Your Timing

During your preparation and test practice sessions, you should pay close attention to how long it takes you to read and interpret the questions and long you take to find the correct answer.

The ISV tests should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes and the Kenexa ones consider your time as part of your score.

Therefore, you need to be confident enough in Microsoft Word to use it quickly and competently.

Whilst speed is important, do not sacrifice accuracy for it. You may wish to remind yourself of the proverb, ‘More haste, less speed’.

There May Be Further Aptitude and Psychometric Tests

Although the focus of this article has been the Microsoft Word test, you should be prepared for the employer to ask you to participate in a series of tests to determine your suitability for the role.

Recruitment is extremely expensive, and employers need to feel confident that they are making the right choice the first time around. Thanks to a the variety of employment tests, they can use data to see who you are and how you would fit into their team.

Common tests include:

• Administrative Tests – This is where you may be asked to complete a series of admin-based tests that will judge your ability to handle your workload. Common examples of administrative tests include understanding numerical reasoning, understanding written materials and checking your concentration abilities.
• Microsoft Excel Skills Tests – Like the MS Word tests, there are also various testing options to check your proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the wider suite of Microsoft Office products. This test is commonly used when spreadsheets and data calculations are a heavy part of the job. You may be asked to showcase how you can formulate a spreadsheet or make the software to automatically undertake calculations for you.

• Personality Tests – A core part of any recruitment campaign is finding the right personality fit that matches the other people within the team. The personality/culture fit of recruits is almost as important as have the experience and understanding to perform the job role, and many unsuccessful hires are due to a lack of chemistry between applicants and their colleagues.

  Therefore, many employers are turning to personality tests. They want to understand what motivates a potential employee, how they approach tasks and whether they have any key personality traits which could indicate leadership potential.

• Aptitude and Reasoning Tests – There are a variety of reasoning tests available that allow employers to look at how a candidate can react to a specific piece of information. Two examples are tests for logical and analytical reasoning. The employers can find out how an applicant will interpret and apply logic to the given information to create an answer or solution.

  In job roles that rely on understanding and interpreting data (such as IT, engineering or even the military), you can expect to be asked to complete a wide range of aptitude and reasoning tests including analytical reasoning, verbal or non-verbal reasoning, and mechanical reasoning, amongst many others.

• Situational Judgment Tests – You may also be asked to participate in situational judgment tests. These assessments find out how you would react or cope in particular work-based simulations. Using hypothetical scenarios, an employer can look at some of your decision-making skills, ability to react under pressure and how you work as part of a team. These tests can give them a far greater understanding of who you are as a person and whether you are the right candidate for the job.

Top Tip! On Psychometric Success, there are informative articles about a wide range of tests that employers use extensively during recruitment.

Are You Ready to Pass Your MS Word Test?

It is increasingly common for employers to ask prospective candidates to participate in various aptitude tests. It therefore should not come as a surprise if you are asked to complete a Microsoft Word test.

After all, the employer needs to know that you have the technical capabilities to get on with the task at hand without requiring assistance for simple tasks.

Millennial and Generation Z workers who have grown up in the digital era, now make up most of the workforce.

If you are of these generations, you will likely have basic word processing abilities. But you should also learn less obvious MS Word functions such as formatting, mail merges and password protection/editing restrictions.

Improving your awareness of MS Word will help you pass your test and also provide you with new skills and attributes to add to your resume.

Even if you are confident in your MS Word ability, still take the time to prepare for your MS Word test.

You will have your personal preferences for using MS Word but need to be aware of other options available as well. This is particularly important for preparing for a Kenexa test, which sometimes limits functionality within MS Word. The last thing you want is to find that your usual working method is unavailable to you in the middle of an assessment.

Therefore, it is important to find out from your recruiter how they plan to administer the test. You need to clarify what you may be expected to know within the test, whether you will be quizzed on your practical ability, your theoretical knowledge or both, and whether you will be asked to complete an interactive quiz or answer multiple-choice questions.

With this information and some pre-test study, you will ace the Microsoft Word test.JobTestPrep