

Some tests will be timed, some will have multiple choices some tests will have straightforward questions and some will try to trick you. How best to prepare for an Excel test How best to prepare for an Excel test Error checking can help with this by identifying cells that contain errors, and providing suggested solutions. 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. You can also use Conditional Formatting to highlight cells that meet certain criteria, such as those that contain a specific value or text string. For example, you could format all cells that contain a value greater than 10 as green. Conditional FormattingĬonditional Formatting is a feature in Microsoft Excel that allows you to format cells based on certain conditions. 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). 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. 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. They make it quicker and easier to sort, summarise or repurpose data, especially when tracking and comparing sums and creating reports. Pivot tablesĪ tool used to organise data from more extensive tables. Filled maps, dynamic visuals and form controls are all Excel features you should be well acquainted with if your job involves data presentation. If you’re working on a project and want to share your findings, graphs and charts will be useful. 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 Does the job require budgeting? Data formatting? Presentations? Research into the company and the specifics of the position to gain useful insight. So how should you prepare for the job you want? Each job will have its own requirements, prioritising some Excel skills over others. It’s important you prepare for the Excel Test knowing what is expected of you. 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). You may think you’ll be able to learn on the job, but with budgeting and calculating expenses, there is no room for mistakes. Imagine applying to be a financial analyst or project manager. 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. It’s not unusual for candidates to exaggerate their skill levels when applying for a job.

An advanced-level test, which requires intricate knowledge of pivot tables, conditional formatting and charts.An intermediate-level test, which will introduce questions about functions and specific formatting for a spreadsheet.
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There are three levels of Microsoft Excel test assessing candidates’ knowledge: 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. 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.Įxcel 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.
