As the spreadsheet software of the Microsoft Office suite, Excel serves as the standard data analysis and management tool across many industries. Candidates for positions of this sort are usually asked to successfully complete an Excel assessment test to evaluate their proficiency level in Excel use. Tests often cover basic features and operations, but some positions may require more advanced skills. Tests for accounting positions, for example, will require a higher proficiency level than clerical positions. Whichever position you are applying for, our Prep Pack will get you ready for your test.
The three types of Excel tests provided by CEB SHL are: Interactive, Interactive–Essentials and Adaptive. Each test is made up of a number of questions which must be completed under a time limit.
This test is taken on interactive software simulating the usage of Excel’s actual interface. A task and accompanying data will be presented for each question and the user must complete the task in the amount of time given. Unlike actually working with Excel, the interactive software does not allow much room for trial and error, so formulas and functions must be spelled correctly. Also, some Excel shortcuts you may be accustomed to using will be inactive.
The test consists of a maximum of 30 questions with a time limit of about 35 minutes (1 minute and 10 seconds per question).
Similar to the Interactive Test, it covers only the most crucial and generally used operations.
The test consists of a maximum of 20 tasks with a time limit of about 25 minutes (1 minute and 15 seconds per question).
Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) is a computer-based method of testing in which the test constantly adapts to the examinee's level. This test is comprised of Multiple Choice Questions of varying difficulty, which are determined based on your previous performance on the test. For instance, if you answered an intermediate question correctly, the next question will be of equal or of higher level of difficulty, and vice versa. From the examinee’s point of view, it is as if the test were tailor-made specifically for him or her.
The test consists of a maximum of 30 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 90 minutes. However, it usually takes much less time to complete (around 20 minutes). Adaptive Tests are more efficient at measuring skill, so they take less time to arrive at equally accurate conclusions than other types of tests.
Because the type of test you will be asked to take is not always clear, here at JobTestPrep, we have built a special Excel Preparation Pack featuring both multiple choice CEB SHL style questions and an interactive Excel simulating software for you to practice on. You will also receive three great tutorials to help get your skills up to the level necessary to pass the test.
The CEB SHL Excel assessment tests cover the following topics:
| Formulas and Functions | Excel's Interface | Working with Multiple Worksheets | Tables and Charts |
| Formatting | Entering and Manipulating Data | General Features | Print and Page Views |
Questions range in difficulty from basic level commands, such as printing and saving, through to intermediate level ones, such as using Sort, Filter and writing basic formulas, up to more advanced ones like PivotTables and Macro commands.
Test your skills now. Below are a few examples of questions that are likely to appear on your test (in some version or another).
Copy the table below to a new SpreadSheet in Excel and carry out the following operations. If you don’t understand what to do or how to proceed, don’t worry, our preparation package will teach you about these topics and many more.
| Customer (A1) | Occupation | Married | Year of Birth | Mothly Income (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan | Teacher | No | 1988 | 5,500 |
| Abby | Teacher | Yes | 1988 | 6,000 |
| John | Doctor | Yes | 1980 | 7,600 |
| Mitch | Lawyer | Yes | 1979 | 7,500 |
| Jess | Lawyer | No | 1985 | 6,000 |
How would you select non-contiguous cells?
For more sample questions with answers and full explanations click here.
After you complete the test, a proficiency grade on a scale of 1 to 5 is calculated based on your success. That score is compared against a comparison or a norm group to generate a percentile score (from 0 to 100). This score signifies the percentage of people from the norm group you outperformed.
Your absolute score does not matter as much as how you compared to other examinees.
The relevant norm group is chosen by the employer out of several options offered by CEB SHL. These groups are defined by two factors: industry and job level.
For instance, when compared against the Finance and Banking industry, a much higher absolute score is required to achieve a high percentile than when compared against the Public Sector. Accurate evaluation of your possible norm group will help you get a sense of how skilled you must be.
The report delivered to the employer also breaks down your correct answer rate by each level of question difficulty and according to specific Excel operations.
For instance, an overall rate of 80% could break down into a rate of 90% on basic questions, 85% on intermediate questions and 65% on advanced questions. The Adaptive test also generates a verbal report stating the candidate's level of knowledge for each difficulty level.
In addition, the employer will find in the report a detailed list of all the questions asked, their difficulty level, whether the candidate answered them correctly and how long it took him or her.
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JobTestPrep is not a part of CEB and/or SHL and is not related to them in any way. JobTestPrep offers preparation services for assessment tests.
