How To Test Excel Skills In An Interview

Key Excel Skills That Are Most In Demand

Its important you prepare for the Excel Test knowing what is expected of you. Each job will have its own requirements, prioritising some Excel skills over others.

So how should you prepare for the job you want?

Research into the company and the specifics of the position to gain useful insight. Does the job require budgeting? Data formatting? Presentations?

If youre 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

If youre working on a project and want to share your findings, graphs and charts will be useful. Filled maps, dynamic visuals and form controls are all Excel features you should be well acquainted with if your job involves data presentation.

Pivot tables

A tool used to organise data from more extensive tables. They make it quicker and easier to sort, summarise or repurpose data, especially when tracking and comparing sums and creating reports.

Basic macros

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. 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.

Key functions

Perhaps the five most important functions you need to know are SUM , TEXT , VLOOKUP , AVERAGE and CONCATENATE .

What Are Macros In Excel Create A Macro To Automate A Task

Macro is a program that resides within the Excel file. The use of it is to automate repetitive tasks that you would like to perform in Excel.

To record a macro, you can either go to the Developer tab and click on Record Macro or access it from the View tab.

Now that we are done with the intermediate level of the Excel interview questions, lets move on to the advanced level of Excel interview questions.

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Why Do Employers Use Them

Its not unusual for candidates to exaggerate their skill levels when applying for a job. 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 employees suitability.

Imagine applying to be a financial analyst or project manager. You may think youll be able to learn on the job, but with budgeting and calculating expenses, there is no room for mistakes. Employers will ask you to take an Excel Test to make sure youre up for the task .

Complexity Levels Of Excel Employee Assessment Tests

Microsoft Excel harbor very basic calculations to very advanced data processing and analysis that requires in-depth knowledge of every tools of Excel. Depending on the position candidate is applying for you are likely to face a pre-employment Excel test with varying level of difficulty. Microsoft Excel Employment Assessment tests can be categorized into at least three levels of difficulty:

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Advanced Excel Assessment Test

The Advanced Excel Skills Test which is also called Advanced Spreadsheet Proficiency Test used questions to ensure that candidates know how to choose formulas, functions, or charts to execute specific tasks or format data in Microsoft Excel. Advanced Excel Test questions include images of sample data in an Excel spreadsheet and require a candidate to answer which function was used to make the data look a certain way, or which functions should be used in a formula to perform an action.

The test enables you to evaluate a candidates proficiency with Excel formulas, conditional formatting, and data visualization by testing whether a candidate can:

Here Is A Problem How Would You Proceed To Solve It

Give them some time to work on a solution. Work-related problems, situations that can realistically happen in their new job are your best bet, since someone may find it easy to solve math problems, but they will struggle with certain situations on the workplace.

Positive signs to notice:

• They ask you additional questions to gather more information about the situation .
• Writing notes, drawing charts- they try to understand the interrelation of given data, and do not make quick assumptions).
• Offering more than one solution to the problem- world is not black and white for them, they inspect different possibilities, play with different ideas.

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How Do You Find Duplicate Values In A Column

To find duplicate values in a column, you can either use Conditional Formatting or the COUNTIF function.

1. Conditional Formatting

First, go to the Home tab, then under Conditional Formatting, select Highlight Cells Rules. Then choose Duplicate Values.

Below, we have highlighted the cells in the Name column that have been repeated.

2. COUNTIF

You can write a COUNTIF function to check if the values in a particular column are repeated.

In the below example, we are fetching the duplicate names using the COUNTIF function.

What Is The Difference Between A Function And A Subroutine In Vba

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Why Do Employers Ask Excel Interview Questions

Since Excel is a common spreadsheet software, employers ask Excel interview questions to gauge your knowledge and ability to use the features of the program. Companies use your responses to determine your mastery of Excel and ability to use its various functions, data formats, and formulas.

Because of its wide range of applications, employers typically focus on the most essential features and benefits of Excel related to their role. Many of these are situational interview questions designed to gauge your ability to apply the knowledge of MS Excel to everyday tasks. This makes it vital to learn how to answer Excel interview questions to boost your employability.

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Microsoft Excel was released over thirty years ago, but its still one of the most useful applications on the market. It owes its enduring popularity to a huge number of features that allow users to analyze data quickly and easily. Since Excels launch, many competitors have unsuccessfully tried to displace it as the tool of choice for data analysis. Nevertheless, Excel still reigns supreme.

Because spreadsheets are so popular and useful many companies conduct Excel interviews before extending job offers. This helps ensure that job applicants are qualified and comfortable using Excel on the job.

If youve got an upcoming Excel interview, youre probably wondering what sorts of questions you might get. Recruiters are generally vague on details, and it can be scary to walk into a conversation like this one blind.

So, weve provided our list of the 10 most common Excel interview questions so that you can get some practice in before you exam. With a little bit of advance preparation, youll feel prepared and confident on interview day.

1. What are the most important data formats seen in Excel, and how are they used?

2. What is the order of operations used when evaluating formulas in Excel?

• Parentheses
• Addition
• Subtraction

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What Is The Kenexa Prove It Excel Test

One of the more popular Excel exams that many big companies use if the Kenexa Prove It Excel Test. Kenexa’s Prove It Excel test evaluates your skills in performing tasks in Microsoft’s Excel software. Many companies will send an email during the interview process, which includes a link to the Excel test. The test may include Microsoft Office subtests.

Mention The Charts Available In Microsoft Excel And Their Primary Uses

Interviewers typically ask this question if the role involves data analysis. Your response should demonstrate how to use Excel to analyze and explain data points to non-data inclined people.

Example answer: Excel charts are used primarily to create a graphical representation of trends and relationships in data to make the information easily accessible and understandable. The different chart types include the bar, line, pie, scatter, and column.

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How Do You Lock A Worksheet To Prevent People From Editing It

Its possible to password protect worksheets in Excel. This is useful if you have a table of data that, if changed, would impact other dependencies, and for other reasons like user hierarchy authorizations. To demonstrate understanding, provide a simple explanation of how to complete this process.

Example:An easy way to do this is using the menu bar. Go to Review, select Protect Sheet and enter a password when prompted.

What Are Advanced Excel Skills

Advanced knowledge of Excel means possessing the ability to use spreadsheets, graphing, tables, calculations, and automation efficiently to process large quantities of data relevant to business tasks.

The way Excel is used depends on the needs and duties of specific departments or job roles.

Lets take a look at the three tiers of Excel skills and then well expand on the specific skills an advanced Excel user should have. After that we’ll cover Excel proficiency tests and other ways to assess Excel skills.

Basic Excel skills include common Excel keyboard shortcuts, using cell references, styles, and ranges with data. Different view options like zooming in or out and showing formulas, and basic spreadsheet formatting also belong to the basic skillset for Excel.

Intermediate Excel skills include more advanced formulas and functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and SUMPRODUCT for efficient use of spreadsheets. Intermediate users should also have a working knowledge of charts.

Advanced Excel skills are all about mastery over formulas, VBA programming, and other Excel features for handling complex tasks. Experts can use Excel for more advanced purposes like data analytics and simulation.

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How To Assess Excel And Data Management Skills In A Job Interview

Excel and data management skills are often assumed upon finance and accounting professionals. However, some positions are better served by those who are exceptionally strong in this area. How does a hiring manager assess Excel and data management

• It’s hard to assess Excel skills in interviews
• Ask what functions they’ve used, such as “sumif,” “vlookups,” and “if”
• Ask what their favorite advanced funciton is
• Ask about classes, certifications, and online training
• Before the interview, ask them to bring an Excel analysis they’ve done to discuss
• Present an Excel file and ask them to complete it, fix it, interpret it, etc
• Ask about what the conadidate believes are his/her potential Excel weaknesses
• Ask them to create a pivot table or other advnaced function
• Attempt to understand their willingness and ability to learn new things
• Plus much more below!

Here’s another take on how to get to the bottom of an applicant’s Excel skills:

How Can You Restrict Someone From Copying A Cell From Your Worksheet

1. First, choose the data you want to protect.

2. Hit Ctrl + Shift + F. The Format Cells tab appears. Go to the Protection tab. Check Locked and click OK.

3. Next, go to the Review tab and select Protect Sheet. Enter the password to protect the sheet.

Lets now move onto our next question on our list of Excel interview questions.

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Basic Indeedcom Excel Assessment Test

As part of Basic Indeed Microsoft Excel Skills test candidates are being tested for their ability to navigate the Excel user interface quickly and efficiently in order to access the right features and perform simple tasks from determining the best way to open a recently closed Workbook to using the correct formula to perform automatic calculations. Candidates will be required to answer multiple-choice questions based on Excel spreadsheets, charts and tables filled with sample data, as well as images of Excel buttons and tools, testing their ability to:

• Apply simple fill patterns, formatting, and styles to cells.
• Identify the proper keyboard shortcuts to accomplish tasks more quickly.
• Follow the correct steps to make one spreadsheet look like another.
• Choose the right formula and cell references to automatically calculate values.
• Perform basic tasks like hiding rows, preventing cell overflow, and pasting data.
• Since each question comes with a strict time limit , the test will also measure a candidates ability to quickly format, isolate and manipulate data under a significant amount of pressure without any outside help.

Top 50 Excel Assessment Test Questions And Answers

Top 50 Excel Assessment Test Questions and Answers PDF EBook teaches you everything you need to get ready for Basic and Intermediate Microsoft Excel Interview and prepare for Excel Assessment Test. You will practice most frequently asked questions on the exam and will learn what to do when you arrive at the exam testing center, how to manage your time when taking the exam, tips to manage your time during assessment test, tricks for answer questions in different formats and much much more.

Excel Assessment PDF EBook – 34 page work book with 10 Sample Questions from the real Excel Pre-Employment Exam. Answers and explanations included!!!

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What Is A Pre

A pre-employment Microsoft Excel test is an assessment given to job candidates to determine their current grasp of the spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel. When used during the hiring process, this test can help you narrow down your pool of candidates by weeding out those applicants who donât have the software knowledge you need.

How Should I Prepare For The Interview Excel Test

Make sure you come prepared for your interview excel test. Take a JobTestPrep Excel Practice test and gain access to:

• Easy to use downloadable Microsoft Excel training software
• Full-length Excel practice tests
• 180 extra practice questions by topic
• Detailed answers with explanations
• Smart score reports which outline your strengths and weaknesses
• Up to 100 uses for a one year period
• Simulations which mimic the real exam
• The practice pack also includes expert project practice

Remember in this competitive job market it is important to do everything in your power to get the job you want!

Title Photo: Tim Gouw / Unsplash

This article was contributed by Jennifer Feldman. She is a speech and language expert and writer at JobTestPrep. She specializes in writing about the employment hiring process. JobTestPrep is a market leader in preparation for pre-employment exams. It has helped more than 500,000 people achieve their career goals.

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How Is A Formula Different From A Function In Excel

Now, lets head to our next question in our list of Excel interview questions.

Conducting Excel Proficiency Tests To Assess Skills

An Excel proficiency test can show you how well a candidate applies advanced Excel skills.

Ideally, this should be done either after the initial screening right before the interview or after a round of interviews.

Opting for free exams found online means that your candidates may also be able to find the answers to these online. If you want to avoid this, its better to bring in an expert who can design an exam just for you. If that’s not an option, TestGorilla has a general Excel proficiency test, an advanced Excel proficiency test, and a test to gauge a candidate’s skill in financial modelling with Excel.

Heres an example of a free advanced Excel practical exam from eExcel LTD:

General Excel proficiency test

TestGorilla’s general Excel test evaluates a candidates ability to read and interpret Excel spreadsheets, perform basic calculations, and manipulate tables. That way you can hire candidates who understand how to use Excel as part of the Microsoft Office suite.

This test is a good option if you’re looking to hire managerial assistants, executive assistants, or other job roles that require a good understanding of the basic functionality of Microsoft Excel.

You can take a look at some sample questions in our Test Library. If you like what you see, .

Advanced Excel proficiency test

If this is what you’re looking for take a look at some sample questions in our Test Library. If you like what you see, .

Financial modeling Excel proficiency test

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