The Microsoft Excel assessment on LinkedIn is a skills-based test that evaluates a candidate’s proficiency with Microsoft Excel. It aims to validate whether a job applicant or LinkedIn member has the Excel skills required for a specific job role or professional goal.
What skills does the Excel assessment test?
The LinkedIn Excel assessment focuses on the following key skills:
- Entering and formatting data in Excel worksheets
- Performing calculations using formulas and functions
- Modifying and manipulating data in worksheets
- Filtering, sorting, and validating data
- Creating and modifying charts and graphics
- Working with pivot tables and pivot charts
- Collaborating with other users on workbooks
These skills represent many of the common Excel tasks performed in various office jobs and business environments. The assessment aims to determine how well a candidate can use Excel tools and features to execute these critical functions.
What’s on the Excel assessment?
The LinkedIn Excel assessment typically contains around 25-30 questions that test a broad range of skills. Some key topics and tasks covered include:
- Entering and formatting data: inputting text, numbers, dates/times; applying formatting like fonts, colors, alignment; merging cells
- Formulas and functions: using arithmetic operators and formulas; utilizing common functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, COUNT, VLOOKUP
- Data manipulation: sorting, filtering, removing duplicates
- Charts and graphics: creating various chart types like column, bar, pie, scatter plots
- PivotTables and PivotCharts: creating PivotTables from datasets; adding fields and manipulating data; generating PivotCharts
- Workbook management: applying cell styles, themes, and file protection; creating named ranges; validating data
The assessment presents candidates with realistic scenarios and sample data, then asks them to utilize Excel tools to analyze the data, perform calculations, build models, and create visualizations. The questions get progressively harder through the duration of the test.
Question types
LinkedIn uses a varied set of question types to evaluate Excel skills, including:
- Multiple choice – Pick the correct answer from 3-4 choices
- True/false – Determine whether a statement is true or false
- Matching – Match Excel features or functions with their definitions or capabilities
- Interactive – Click on parts of a sample spreadsheet to complete tasks or answer questions
- Numeric input – Input a specific number, date, or calculation result
Using interactive, hands-on questions allows the assessment to gauge not just theoretical knowledge, but how well a candidate can actually navigate Excel worksheets and demonstrate skills.
| Question Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | Which formula would add the values in cells A1 through A10? a) =ADD(A1:A10) b) =SUM(A1:A10) c) =ADDITION(A1:A10) d) =PLUS(A1:A10) |
| True/False | The VLOOKUP function performs exact matches by default. True or False? |
| Matching | Match the Excel feature with its description: 1) Sorting 2) Filtering 3) PivotTable a) Rearranges data based on criteria b) Extracts filtered data into a summary report c) Allows viewing selective data that meets criteria |
| Interactive | Click on the cell in the spreadsheet below that contains the maximum value. |
What’s a passing score?
The passing score varies based on the difficulty level of the Excel assessment. For intermediate skills tests, candidates typically need to earn 60-70% to pass. More advanced assessments often require 70-80% or higher to meet the threshold.
Candidates receive an overall score percentage, as well as a breakdown of how they performed in each skill category. Even if you barely fail, this can help identify areas for improvement to study before retaking.
Example passing rates
| Difficulty | Passing Score % |
|---|---|
| Basic | 50-60% |
| Intermediate | 60-70% |
| Advanced | 70-80% |
| Expert | 80%+ |
How long does it take?
The length of the assessment depends on the difficulty level, but is typically around 25-35 minutes for intermediate skills and 30-45 minutes for advanced. Candidates wanting to brush up may also take a shorter 10-15 minute basic level test.
Estimated test duration
| Difficulty | Length |
|---|---|
| Basic | 10-15 minutes |
| Intermediate | 25-35 minutes |
| Advanced | 30-45 minutes |
Some tips for pacing yourself on the assessment:
- Quickly skim through the test to gauge the number and types of questions.
- Allot 1-2 minutes for multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions.
- Allow more time for detailed interactive questions.
- Keep an eye on the remaining time as you proceed.
Are there different versions?
LinkedIn offers several versions of the Excel skills assessment tailored to different proficiency levels and job roles. Some key options include:
Microsoft Excel 2016
- Basic – Tests core Excel functionality
- Intermediate – Evaluates moderately advanced tools like formulas, functions, formatting, charts, etc.
- Expert – Assesses in-depth skills for accounting, financial analysis, data modeling, etc.
Microsoft Excel for Office 365
- Basic
- Intermediate
- Advanced – Includes newer Excel 365 features like Power Pivot, Power Query, collaboration, etc.
Excel for Business Professionals
- Basic
- Certified – Tests key business functions like forecasting, PivotTables, lookups, dashboard creation
There are additional tailored assessments for Accountants, Financial Analysts, Data Analysts, and other roles. Candidates can choose the test version that aligns with their skill level and professional requirements.
Can you retake the assessment?
If candidates fail the Excel assessment the first time, they are able to retake a different version after waiting one week. This gives time to brush up on skills before attempting a new test.
LinkedIn does limit the number of retakes, typically allowing 2-3 failed attempts before locking the assessment. But overall, retaking provides an opportunity to demonstrate improved skills and achieve a passing score.
How is the Excel assessment scored?
LinkedIn Excel assessments are automatically scored immediately after completion. The score is based on the number of correct answers provided across all questions, which cover a range of difficulty levels.
For each Excel test version, LinkedIn determines a threshold passing score, typically as a percentage. Scores are then issued on a scale of 0-100%. Any score meeting or exceeding the passing threshold is deemed passing.
Scoring Method Example
- 30 question intermediate Excel assessment
- Passing score is 70%
- Candidate answers 22 questions correctly
- 22 / 30 = 73% score
- Since 73% exceeds passing score of 70%, the candidate passes
In addition to the overall score, candidates receive information on performance in each skill area. This allows them to identify strengths and weaknesses.
What are the benefits of passing?
There are several advantages to passing the LinkedIn Excel assessment:
- Verify skills to employers – Passing serves as a signal to hiring managers that you possess the Excel abilities needed for a job.
- Showcase credentials – You can add the assessment to your LinkedIn profile and include it in resumes.
- Gain confidence – Excel mastery can help secure a job and boost productivity and performance once hired.
- Higher visibility – LinkedIn profiles with completed skills assessments appear higher in search results.
- Higher match rate – Passing may increase recommendations of jobs requiring Excel skills.
How can you prepare?
Here are some recommendations for preparing for the LinkedIn Excel skills assessment:
- Review Excel core concepts – Study worksheets, cells, formulas, functions, charts, data tools like filtering and PivotTables.
- Take practice tests – Take sample tests to experience the format and identify weak areas.
- Use Excel regularly – Improve skills through regular practice with datasets, dashboards, models.
- Learn keyboard shortcuts – Hot keys save time and improve efficiency when working in Excel.
- Study with training resources – Take LinkedIn Learning courses, Microsoft tutorials, online classes, videos.
- Focus on formulas and functions – Master commonly used functions like SUM, AVERAGE, VLOOKUP, COUNT.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn Excel skills assessment provides candidates with an opportunity to validate their proficiency with Microsoft Excel. By measuring core Excel abilities like data analysis, visualization, and workbook management, passing the Excel test can demonstrate readiness for various finance, accounting, data analysis, and office management roles.
With preparation using online courses and practice tests, LinkedIn members and job seekers can sharpen their Excel skills to pass the assessment and take advantage of benefits like increased profile visibility. The Excel test serves as a standardized benchmark for evaluating a candidate’s functional knowledge of one of the most ubiquitous business tools.