The difficulty of the test varies depending on the position applied for but employers will certainly test candidates’ ability to perform basic functions such as printing, formatting cells and inserting tables. It is also likely that employers will be looking for an understanding of relative, absolute and mixed references – concepts that are crucial to Excel. Where candidates are expected to have a more thorough knowledge of Excel they will be asked to demonstrate more advanced functions such as VLOOKUP, SUMIF and COUNTIF, and creating custom charts. Some companies will set a test they have built themselves. This would usually be an interactive test and will often involve working with Excel software itself. In the majority of cases, companies will use specifically designed software from a test provider. Multiple-choice tests will include questions covering every area of the software, so candidates will need to be very familiar with key functions and layout. The multiple-choice questions are pulled at random from a large pool of possible questions, so no test is the same. The simulation format is more common for Excel tests. Here candidates must complete a series of tasks on an Excel spreadsheet, according to their skill level. Candidates will be asked to sit a basic, intermediate or advanced level test, depending on the position they are applying for. We’ll cover each in turn. The types of tasks included in the basic Excel test might include:

Using basic functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, MIN and COUNT. Formatting cells – especially currency formatting, and also borders, shading, alignment, number formatting and wrapping text. Creating basic charts. Performing simple tasks such as saving a file in more than one format.

Creating more sophisticated formulas such as IF and LOOKUP. Formatting cells – conditional formatting, text columns, adjusting page and print layouts. Performing more sophisticated tasks such as using text strings, customising charts and data validation.

Candidates for accountancy positions, or other jobs where Excel is used for financial calculations or to manage large databases, may be required to take an advanced Excel skills test. Tasks may include:

Complex versions of the “IF” and “CONCATENATE” formulas. Formatting functions such as locking cells, using group and outline. Creating and using PivotTables and PivotCharts. Setting up a database.

Excel Test Providers

Many of the psychometric test companies that candidates might be familiar with from previous job application assessments also provide Excel skills test. The most popular are the SHL Microsoft Excel tests and the Kenexa Prove It! Excel tests.

Interactive Test

This is taken on interactive software that simulates the use of Excel’s interface. Each question consists of a task for the user to complete, along with accompanying data. There are a maximum of 30 questions with a time limit of around 35 minutes. Unlike working with Excel for real, the interactive software does not allow much room for trial and error, so formulas and functions must be spelled correctly. Some Excel shortcuts will also be inactive.

Interactive-Essentials Test

This is similar to the Interactive Test above but covers only the most vital and commonly used Excel operations. There are a maximum of 20 questions or tasks with a time limit of about 25 minutes.

Adaptive Test

This Excel skills test uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), which constantly adapts the test as it progresses according to the examinee’s level. It’s made up of a series of multiple-choice questions of varying difficulty. These are selected based on the candidate’s previous performance on the test. So if a candidate answers an intermediate level question correctly, the next question will be of the same level or harder, and vice versa. The Adaptive Test has a maximum of 30 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 90 minutes, although most candidates will complete it in around 20 minutes.

Kenexa Prove It! Excel Tests

Like the SHL Interactive tests, the Kenexa Prove It! Excel tests are interactive and simulate real Excel software. There are two levels:

Normal User is a basic Excel test with 30 tasks to complete. Power User is an advanced Excel test with 25 tasks.

Usually, the test will include a number of Microsoft Word tests and typing assessments, with Excel among them. Tasks pop up at the bottom of the screen and candidates must complete each one before moving on to the next. There are no multiple-choice questions. Again, the Prove It interface does not allow for trial and error in the way that actual Excel software does. Some shortcuts cannot be used and formulas have to be typed out correctly with no help from the programme. There will only be one correct answer, even if there are a number of ways to perform the action. Unlike the SHL Excel tests, time is not limited on the Prove It! exams. However, it is measured and will affect the final result.

Sample Questions and Answers for Excel Tests

Below are a few examples of the types of questions you might see in an Excel skills test. These cover both the interactive and multiple-choice style of test, and there are questions for basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Sample Interactive Test Questions

Copy the table below into a new Excel spreadsheet, making sure that the cell marked with (A1) is pasted in cell A1 in the spreadsheet. Once the table is in place, move on to the questions below. You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs.

Intermediate and Advanced Level Questions

a) # sign b) @ sign c) + sign d) = sign a) Clicking on a column’s letter (e.g. A, B, C…) b) Selecting the first cell in column A and, while holding Shift, selecting the last cell in column A. c) Clicking on the space between the first row (marked as number 1) and first column (marked as letter A). d) Clicking on row number 1. a) Left-aligning contents of a cell. b) Center-aligning contents of a cell. c) Adding a border around a cell. d) Breaking long content into multiple lines in a cell. a) =D3+D3+D3+E3
b)=3
b) =3
b)=B3+CCC1 c) =D3+D3+D3+E1 d) =B3+CB3+CB3+C1 a) =IFS(A1 = 5, “Excellent”, A1 = 4, “Very Good”, “Good”) b) =IF(A1 = 5, “Excellent”, IF(A1 = 4, “Very Good”, “Good”)) c) =IFS(A1 = 5, “Excellent”, A1 = 4, “Very Good”, A1, “Good”) d) =IF(A1 = 5, “Excellent”, IF(A1 = 4, “Very Good”, IF(A1, “Good”, ))) a) Any content (e.g. text, numbers, formula) of the original cell. b) Any content (e.g. text, numbers, formula) and formatting of the original cell. c) Only text or number content of the original cell. d) Only formatting of the original cell. e) Only conditional formatting rules of the original cell. While this part of the interview may be relatively short (depending on the type of role you are interviewing for and the level of Excel knowledge required), it is still worth considering a few questions you may be asked. Here are some examples of basic Excel interview questions: The more Excel knowledge the job role requires, the more in-depth the questions will be. An employer will want to see you have a suitable level of Excel knowledge to fit the role requirements.

Tips for Excel Test Preparation and Test-Taking

You can’t bluff your way through an Excel skills test, so make sure you’re clear about what you will need to know. Spend some time refreshing your skills and becoming familiar with any features you haven’t used before. Even if you are an experienced Excel user, the pressure of test conditions can affect your performance. Remember that the interactive tests do not allow for trial and error. Below are a few hints and tips to help you perform at your best:

Use online tutorials and practice tests. JobTestPrep has a range of PrepPacks for Excel tests for job interviews, including practice tests and tutorials. Wise Owl Training also has a range of Microsoft Excel tests to try, and Mr Excel is a useful source of advice and information.

The exam you are asked to take will be determined by the job role you have applied for. How hard you find the exam will depend on your Excel ability. For job roles that require an advanced understanding of Excel, you will need to show that you can use complex functions, such as VLOOKUP and COUNTIF. You will also need to refresh your Excel skills and knowledge. Practice using Excel as much as possible, as this will help you to become familiar with the program’s functionality. You can find many online preparation resources for the Kenexa Prove It Excel Tests, including practice tests and assessments. Answering a range of different practice questions will help you to identify any areas you need to work on and help you to feel more confident on the day of the test.