How to pass a 20-minute Excel test for an office job
Admin, reception and office jobs often ask applicants to complete a short Excel test, and 20 minutes is a common length. That's not much time, but these tests are usually practical rather than tricky. They check that you can do everyday spreadsheet work without looking things up. Every employer's test is different, so treat this as a general guide and ask the recruiter for details if you can.
What a 20-minute office Excel test usually covers
- Basic formulas: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX and simple math such as =B2*C2
- Copying a formula down a column, and using a $ sign when a reference must stay fixed
- Formatting: bold headings, currency and percentage formats, column widths and wrapped text
- Sorting a list and filtering it to show only some rows
- Sometimes IF, COUNTIF or SUMIF, for example counting orders over $500
- Occasionally a simple chart or a VLOOKUP
Some tests are hands-on, in a real or simulated spreadsheet. Others are multiple choice, asking which formula or button you'd use. It's normal to ask the recruiter which kind you'll get and how long it lasts.
How to use the 20 minutes
A 20-minute test often has somewhere between 5 and 15 tasks, which leaves only a couple of minutes for each. Pacing matters as much as knowing the formulas.
- Read every task first, so nothing surprises you near the end
- Do the quick ones first, such as totals, formatting and sorting
- If a task stalls you for more than two minutes, move on and come back
- Leave a minute at the end to check the answers that are easy to get wrong, like a total that misses a row
A 3-day prep plan
| Day | What to practice |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | The basics: entering data, SUM, AVERAGE, MIN and MAX, copying formulas down, and number formats |
| Day 2 | Logic and references: IF, COUNTIF, SUMIF and absolute references with $ signs. Then sort and filter a list |
| Day 3 | A timed run: set a 20-minute timer and do a full practice test, then redo anything that was slow |
Do each task yourself in a sheet rather than watching a video about it. Doing it is what makes it quick on the day.
Shortcuts that save the most time
| Windows shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Z | Undo the last change |
| Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V | Copy and paste |
| Ctrl+Arrow key | Jump to the end of the data in that direction |
| Ctrl+Shift+Arrow key | Select to the end of the data |
| F2 | Edit the selected cell |
| F4 | While editing a reference, add $ signs to make it absolute |
| Alt+= | Insert a SUM of the cells above |
On a Mac, most of these use Cmd instead of Ctrl, and a few are different keys. Check the ones you rely on before the test.
If you're starting from scratch
If spreadsheets are new to you, start with the free beginner lessons. They cover typing data, your first formulas, SUM, copying formulas down and formatting, one idea at a time. Then move on to the practice tasks above.
More guides
DeskReady is an independent practice tool, not affiliated with any software vendor or employer. Tests vary, so use this as a general guide.