LinkedIn skill assessments allow you to showcase your abilities to potential employers. Passing these tests with flying colors can give your profile a competitive edge. However, acing LinkedIn skill tests requires thoughtful preparation. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore proven strategies to help you achieve your best score.
Understand the Various LinkedIn Skill Tests
LinkedIn offers over 140 different skill assessments covering a wide range of topics. Some of the most popular tests include:
- Microsoft Office skills like Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Data analysis using Excel and SQL queries
- Software development languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python
- Adobe creative software skills including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
- AutoCAD design skills
- Bookkeeping skills
- Salesforce admin and developer skills
The content and length of each test will vary. Microsoft Excel tests may evaluate your ability to work with complex formulas while Adobe Photoshop tests your familiarity with layers, selections, and masking. SQL tests challenge your query writing skills. Knowing the focus of the test lets you hone in on the most relevant skills.
Choose Tests Relevant to the Job
Not all LinkedIn skills tests are created equal. Pick ones that align with your target job or industry. For example, taking the Excel test makes sense for data or financial analyst roles. SQL and Python are great for tech roles. Photoshop and Illustrator tests showcase creative skills.
Research typical skills required for your dream job. Recruiters look for applicants with relevant skills. Taking tests that match your goals indicates focused preparation.
Devise a Study Plan
Once you identify relevant tests, create a study plan. Estimate how long it will take to review each topic. Make sure to leave time for practice tests. Build your skills methodically. Break learning into manageable chunks.
Gather study resources like practice data sets, online courses, and reference guides. For coding tests, do hands-on programming exercises. Take detailed notes to reinforce concepts. Reviewing skills from past jobs or education can also prime your knowledge.
Schedule regular study sessions to keep yourself accountable. But avoid cramming. LinkedIn allows you to retake most tests after 30 days, so it is better to wait if more preparation is needed.
Practice Makes Perfect
After reviewing the concepts, put your skills into practice. Take advantage of any practice tests or sample questions LinkedIn provides. These let you experience the test structure and interface first-hand.
For skills like programming, data science, or graphic design, build projects that demonstrate tangible abilities. Create websites, mine datasets, or design logos. Employers want to see hands-on mastery.
Time yourself when practicing. LinkedIn tests are timed, typically 60 minutes. Train your brain to function under a time crunch. Keep practicing until you can consistently complete practice tests accurately within the allotted timeframe.
Simulate Real Test Conditions
When test day comes, make sure you replicate real testing conditions. Take the test in a quiet location without distractions. Use the same computer and browser you practiced with. Proctor yourself like it is a live test.
LinkedIn requires a webcam when taking online proctored tests. Set up your webcam properly to avoid issues. Adjust lighting so you are clearly visible. Position the cam to show your screen and face. Disable software like antivirus that can disrupt video feeds.
Do another timed practice test before the real thing. This helps you warm up your skills right before being assessed. The final practice round boosts confidence too.
Carefully Read All Instructions and Questions
Before diving into questions, slowly read all instructions and information presented. Understand exactly what the test covers and how it is scored. Make sure you know the time limit, if you can review marked questions, and any other rules.
Similarly, read each test question thoroughly before answering. Comprehend what skills are being evaluated. Watch for keywords like “best” or “most efficient” that indicate the “best” solution is expected. Underline key parts of questions.
Don’t skim or you may miss subtleties. Acing the test depends on understanding the questions completely.
Watch Out for Tricky Questions
LinkedIn tests often incorporate challenging questions to assess your true competencies. Watch for:
- Negative wording – Double negatives or “not” can subtly change question meaning.
- Real-world scenarios – Questions describe realistic situations to evaluate analytical skills.
- Similar choices – Options may seem alike but have nuanced differences.
- Overly obvious answers – The first instinct may be too simplistic.
Read extra carefully when you notice tricky phrasing or answer choices. Don’t fall for traps designed to confuse you. Parse each component of the question separately.
Use Process of Elimination to Select Answers
For questions you are unsure of, leverage process of elimination strategies:
- Eliminate blatantly wrong choices – This narrows your options.
- Watch for extreme language like “never” or “always” which hints that a choice is incorrect.
- Avoid choices that are too vague or broad if the question demands specifics.
- For “all of the above” choices, verify every option is correct. Otherwise, eliminate.
With practice, you will be able to rapidly identify and reject incorrect answers through elimination. Even guesses become more educated.
Use Context Clues
Look for context clues within the question that point to the right choice:
- Spot repeated words or ideas – Choices reflecting these are more likely to be correct.
- Align with the question’s criteria like cost, speed, metrics, etc.
- Watch for signaling words like advantages/disadvantages, benefits/criticisms – Choose the corresponding option.
- Note contrasts and comparisons – Answers should match highlighted differences/similarities.
Let the question guide you. Context offers surprisingly reliable clues once you know how to decode it.
Leverage Your Background Knowledge
For knowledge-based tests, lean on your prior education and experience. Examples include programming languages, software tools, financial regulations, etc. Analyze choices through this lens.
Reference times at work where you applied these skills or principles. What solutions did you use? Choices reflecting your real-world approach are likely correct.
Your training equips you with intuition about right responses. Trust your judgment when choices align with your background.
Watch Your Pacing and Manage Time
Since LinkedIn tests are timed, keep an eye on the clock. Gauge how much time you have available to solve each question. Don’t get bogged down early leaving insufficient time for later questions.
Jot quick notes about questions you want to revisit. Skip choices you cannot decide on quickly. Return at the end if time allows to refine guesses and confirm selections.
Rush towards the finish, but avoid sacrificing accuracy just to complete questions. Pay attention to time without letting it pressure you into mistakes.
Double Check All Answers Before Submitting
Finish your test early? Resist submitting right away. Go back over the entire test double checking your answers. Catch any careless mistakes like clicking the wrong bubble.
Verify selections using calculated thinking, not just intuition. Confirm choices align with question criteria. Solidify shaky answers.
This protects your score from needless errors. Don’t let eagerness to finish derail all your hard preparation.
How Are LinkedIn Skill Test Results Determined?
Knowing how LinkedIn determines your results helps you target the right strategies during the test. Scores are based on:
- Number of questions answered correctly – Every right answer boosts your results.
- Overall difficulty of the questions – Answering harder questions demonstrates deeper skills.
- Time taken – Quick and accurate shows mastery.
- Peer results – Your performance is ranked relative to others.
To maximize scores, focus on accuracy first. Then work quickly within the time limit. Evaluating question difficulty and choosing the most challenging tests also optimizes results.
Leverage Multiple Attempts If Needed
Most LinkedIn tests allow you a second attempt after 30 days. Use this to your advantage. On the first try, focus on learning as much as possible about the test structure and content.
Make note of any weak areas and topics to brush up. Then rework your study plan to tackle these specifically before the retake. Your scores often improve dramatically between attempts.
Don’t let initial results discourage you. The retake option lets you refine your approach and demonstrate your progress.
Showcase Your Scores Prominently on Your Profile
Passed your tests? Add your new certifications to your LinkedIn profile. Displaying them prominently signals your competencies to potential employers. Recruiters evaluating candidates specifically filter by these skills tests.
List your top skills in your profile summary. Mention certifications in your work experience descriptions. The LinkedIn “Skills & Endorsements” section also lets you showcase tests you have passed.
Promote your highest scores selectively. No need to highlight tests with mediocre results – focus on your stars. Crisply demonstrate your key abilities.
Retake Tests to Keep Skills Sharp
Consider periodically retaking select assessments. This keeps skills polished and prevents atrophying. Strive to improve results each retake.
Upgrading scores shows you are staying current. LinkedIn profiles display your most recent test date. Active maintenance of abilities is impressive.
Plus, regular practice makes it easier to ace tests on the first try. Repeated experiences ingrain the patterns.
Tips to Ace Specific LinkedIn Skill Tests
Each LinkedIn test also has its own nuances and strategies. Here are tips for acing some of the top assessments:
Excel
- Master formulas like VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS which are commonly tested
- Know how to create and modify pivot tables, charts, conditional formatting rules
- Practice modeling scenarios with large datasets
- Learn keyboard shortcuts to complete tasks faster
Word
- Know how to format documents using styles, templates, and themes.
- Practice customizing tables, images, headers, footers, and tables of contents
- Brush up on collaborating capabilities like track changes, comments, and document comparisons
- Study how to mail merge documents and letters
PowerPoint
- Review principles for creating impactful slides, visualizations, and animations
- Learn how to morph slides and reuse slide content
- Practice quickly formatting images, shapes, and icons
- Know how to embed video and audio content
SQL
- Master complex joins across multiple tables
- Practice subqueries and aggregate functions like SUM, MAX, etc.
- Work with test databases daily to reinforce concepts
- Improve speed of writing and checking queries
Python
- Know Python data structures like lists, tuples, dicts inside out
- Practice object-oriented programming principles
- Work extensively with data analysis libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib
- Review Python best practices related to modularity, exception handling, and documenting
Invest time mastering the unique strategies above for your chosen tests. Align preparation with the actual content evaluated.
Conclusion
With deliberate, strategic preparation, you can ace even the toughest LinkedIn skills assessments. Choose relevant tests, devise a study plan, leverage practice resources, and simulate real conditions.
Read questions carefully, use elimination tactics, watch your pacing, and double check answers. Understand scoring models and showcase your results prominently. Follow test-specific tips to optimize studying.
With focus and practice, you will be ready to highlight your LinkedIn skills and open new career doors.