Microsoft Excel Tests For Interview

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A Microsoft Excel test is a tool that employers use during the recruitment process to
check how proficient candidates are with Excel. Spreadsheets allow users to input and
analyse data efficiently, and are used in all kinds of office jobs; as such, these tests are
becoming increasingly common.

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.

Typical Format of an Excel Test

The Excel test may be presented as a series of multiple-choice questions or it may use
interactive software to simulate the use of Excel’s interface.
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.

Microsoft Excel Tests

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Basic Excel Test

A basic Excel test is used for positions that require candidates to be comfortable
performing the most common Excel tasks. The test may form part of an application for
entry-level and administrative jobs.

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.
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Intermediate Excel Test

An intermediate Excel test is used for jobs where candidates will need to work with Excel
at a higher level. Along with the skills assessed on the basic test, tasks may include:

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.

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Advanced Excel Test

The advanced Excel test is used for jobs where applicants will need to be confident
using the full range of Excel’s features and understand how best to apply them.

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.

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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.

SHL Microsoft Excel Tests

SHL provides three different types of Excel skills test: Interactive, Interactive-Essentials
and Adaptive. Let's examine each of those:

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.

Price per Total

Category (A1) Product Name Quantity Inventory
Unit Price

Office
Binder 2 20 12.99 25.98
Supplies

Office
Pencil 20 20 0.99
Supplies

Electronics Samsung 4K Smart TV 1 5 399.00

Electronics Bluetooth Speakers 4 5 44.49

Lenovo X230 12in

Computers 2 2 279.90
Laptop

Basic Level Questions

Example Question

1. Change the format of the “Total Price” column to “Currency” format.

Example Question

2. Turn on filtering for the table.

Example Question

3. Sort the table by column “Category” (A) from A to Z.

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Intermediate and Advanced Level Questions
Example Question

1. Under “Total Price”, in cell F3, calculate the total price of the product (Quantity * Price
per Unit). Apply the formula to cells F4:F6 as well.

Example Question

2. Create a Pivot Table for Total Price per Category.

Example Question

3. In the “Inventory” column (D), use Conditional Formatting to highlight out-of-stock

products in red. (Product is out of stock if “Quantity” is greater than or equal to amount in
“Inventory”).

Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

Basic Level Multiple-Choice Questions
Example Question

1. All Formulas in Excel must start with:

a) # sign
b) @ sign
c) + sign
d) = sign

Example Question

2. Which of the following actions will “select” all cells in a sheet:

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.

Example Question

3. What is the function “Wrap Text” used for?

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.

Intermediate and Advanced Level Multiple-Choice Questions

Example Question

1. Assume you are copying cell A1 to cell C3 as in the picture below. If cell A1 contains
the formula =B1+C$1, how would this formula change when copied to cell C3?

a) =D3+E3 < br > b) =B3+C 1

c) =D3+E1
d) =B3 + C 1

Example Question

2. Which of the following formulas has a syntax error / is incorrect:

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”, )))

Example Question

3. When a cell is cut and pasted into a new cell, what will be pasted in the destination cell?

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.

Excel Interview Questions

Excel is used across many industries and businesses, so employers may ask you
questions about Excel during an interview, even if you are not required to perform a skills
test.

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:

1. What is Microsoft Excel?

2. What is an Excel cell?
3. How do you add more rows or columns to an Excel sheet?
4. What is a formula and what is a function?
5. What is the VLOOKUP function?
6. What is a PivotTable?
7. Explain the different kinds of COUNT function Excel offers.
8. What types of charts does Excel offer?

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.

Practive with JobTestPrep

Practise your timing. Remember that even when time is not limited, it is being
measured and will affect your final score. Aim for speed as well as accuracy. Taking
practice tests will help you to work quickly and confidently.
Do your research. If possible, ask about the test provider and the type of test you will
be taking. Then practise accordingly. Assessments often include Word proficiency
tests too, so practise these as well.

Check where the test will be held. While some companies will ask you to take the
test at their offices, online tests taken at home are becoming more popular. In this
case, you will receive an email with a link to start the test. Make sure you are
somewhere quiet, free of distractions or interruptions.

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