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Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel skills assessments are typically designed to evaluate an individual's proficiency and knowledge of using Microsoft Excel, a popular spreadsheet software. These assessments are commonly used by employers during the hiring process, as well as by educational institutions and training programs to gauge a student's or learner's Excel skills.

The assessments may cover a wide range of topics and functionalities within Microsoft Excel, including but not limited to:

Basic Spreadsheet Navigation:

Understanding the Excel interface, navigating worksheets, and using various commands and tools.

Data Entry and Formatting:

Entering data, applying different formatting options such as fonts, colors, cell borders, and adjusting cell alignment.

Formulas and Functions:

Knowledge of Excel's built-in functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, etc.) and ability to create formulas for calculations and data manipulation.

Sorting and Filtering Data:

Sorting data in ascending or descending order and using filters to display specific data subsets.

Charts and Graphs:

Creating different types of charts and graphs to visualize data effectively.

Data Analysis Tools:

Utilizing Excel's data analysis tools such as PivotTables and PivotCharts for advanced data analysis.

Conditional Formatting:

Applying conditional formatting rules to cells based on specific criteria.

Data Validation:

Setting up data validation rules to restrict data input within certain parameters.

Working with Worksheets and Workbooks:

Managing multiple worksheets within a workbook, copying, moving, and linking data between them.

Collaboration and Sharing:

Understanding how to collaborate with others by sharing workbooks, protecting data, and tracking changes.


Talevation has multiple assessments that take various formats, such as multiple-choice questions, hands-on tasks requiring actual Excel usage, or a combination of both. The difficulty level of the assessment can vary depending on the intended purpose, from basic skills evaluation for beginners to more advanced challenges for experienced users.


Microsoft Excel is a vast and versatile software, and there is always more to learn. Thus, the assessments are intended to provide a snapshot of the candidate's current proficiency rather than a comprehensive evaluation of all Excel capabilities.

The MS Office simulation assessments have multiple versions. Which one should I use?

Most of the Kx MS Office product assessments (up to version 2019) contain a mix of basic, intermediate and advanced questions; the difference is the ratio.

Normal User:

The Normal User version is considered the most “basic” of the options as it contains the most questions on that category (versus intermediate or advanced).

Power User:

Power User focuses on more advanced features (like pivot tables, macros and V-LOOKUP for Excel).



Whole Test:

Whole Test which combines the questions from the other two.

Normal User:

The Normal User version is considered the most “basic” of the options as it contains the most questions on that category (versus intermediate or advanced).

Power User:

Power User focuses on more advanced features (like pivot tables, macros and V-LOOKUP for Excel).

Whole Test:

Whole Test which combines the questions from the other two.

If your position doesn’t require advanced knowledge immediately, the Normal User version may be the best choice.