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Microsoft Office Skill Assessment

Most jobs don’t need expert Office knowledge, but they need the ability to do basic and intermediate tasks. Our tests for Microsoft Office include:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • Combination tests covering multiple programs
TARGET JOBS

Administrative and office jobs (all industries)
Manager
Sales
Customer Service

QUESTION TYPE

Interactive questions & tasks that simulate Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PPT)

DIFFICULTY

Basic, Intermediate and Advanced

ADMINISTRATION TIME

25 minutes (estimated)

About Our Microsoft Skills Test

Almost a third of the American workers have limited tech skills. If you hire these less-skilled applicants, without testing them, these issues can come up:

  • Higher training costs.
  • Annoyed current staff, that cover for their less-skilled co-workers.
  • More turnover, which starts the hiring cycle all over again.

Interested in learning more? Read all about the importance of Microsoft Office skills.

 

How Are The Microsoft Office Skills Tests Scored

Our system instantly emails scores when the Microsoft office skills assessment is finished. The test taker does not see the results. The reports are highly detailed and cover the below topics:

  • Percent of Correct Answers (80%, 50%, 100%, etc)
  • Skill Level: Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced
  • Correct/Incorrect and time spent per question
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Microsoft Office Test Levels

Intermediate level is the overall “snapshot” of skills in each program (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Beginner tests include basic editing and formatting tasks, while advanced tests focus on more critical tasks. Intermediate level is most commonly used.

You can customize tests to match the job requirements (minimums may apply) and timed tests are available too. Tests are available in 365 (aka 2019) and 2016 versions.

View Topics for Microsoft Word

View Sample Score Report

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How Our Microsoft Office Proficiency Test Helps To Avoid Bias

Using our Microsoft Office test is one way to avoid bias in the hiring process.

Using research-based, validated pre-hire tests reduces bias that may come from work or educational experience.

All tests follow the EEOC and US Department of Labor’s Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection.

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EmployTest FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft office skills test

What is a Microsoft Office skills test?

This test evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications. It measures how well a person can perform tasks within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and sometimes Outlook, through both task based simulations and questions to assess their ability to use tools and features. This Microsoft office skill assessment ensures candidates are well-versed in essential functions required for the job.

How to test job candidates for Microsoft office skills?

Test job candidates for Microsoft Office skills by using specific interactive assessments for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Include practical tasks such as document creation, data analysis, and presentation design to evaluate their understanding of various features and functionalities. Multiple choice questions or self-surveys are not recommended because candidates can guess or may not recognize their low skill level.

How are the tests measured?

Microsoft skills tests are measured by scoring the accuracy, efficiency, and completeness of tasks performed. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to use different features and tools within the Microsoft Office suite, with scores reflecting their overall proficiency and readiness to perform job-specific tasks.

What specific Microsoft office skills are covered in your pre-employment tests?

The pre-employment assessment typically covers creating and formatting documents in Word, using formulas, formatting and charts in Excel, and building presentations in PowerPoint. Advanced assessments might also test data analysis in Excel and email management in Outlook.

Why should businesses prioritize Microsoft office skills in pre-employment tests?

Businesses should prioritize Microsoft Office skills in pre-employment tests to ensure that new hires can efficiently handle essential tasks such as document creation, data analysis, and presentations. EmployTest’s assessments help identify candidates with strong Office skills, reducing onboarding time and enhancing overall productivity from the start.

Why are Microsoft office skills important for business?

Microsoft Office skills are important because they ensure employees can complete work tasks such as data management, report generation, presentation creation, and effective communication. Proficiency in these tools increases productivity, reduces time spent on tasks, and supports professional quality of work.

Which Microsoft Office skills should businesses prioritize when hiring?

Businesses should prioritize Microsoft Office Skills like Excel for data management and analysis, Outlook for email management and calendars, and Word for document formatting and file management. The specific focus will change based on the job. As an example, financial roles may require advanced Excel skills, while admin roles may focus on intermediate level skills across all three applications.

How does this test benefit businesses in evaluating candidates?

Microsoft Office skills tests help businesses verify that candidates can effectively use essential software for tasks such as document creation, data analysis, and presentations. This ensures that new hires can contribute immediately, reducing training time and increasing productivity, so that it improves business operations

Microsoft office skill assessment

What kind of questions are on the Microsoft office skills assessment?

The Microsoft Office skills assessment includes tasks related to creating and editing documents in Word, using formatting and managing data in Excel, and creating presentations in PowerPoint. Questions may also cover email management in Outlook and other common tasks that require proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. This comprehensive Microsoft office skill assessment ensures a thorough evaluation of a candidate’s capabilities.

Why is your pre-employment test valuable for assessing Microsoft office skills in candidates?

EmployTest’s pre-employment test helps to assess MS Office skills because it provides a thorough evaluation of candidates’ proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. By simulating real-world tasks, our test ensures that candidates can effectively use these essential tools, reducing training time and enhancing productivity from day one.

How can your pre-employment assessment ensure candidates meet our Microsoft office skill requirements?

EmployTest’s pre-employment assessment ensures job candidates meet your Microsoft Office skill requirements by providing detailed performance reports with an overall score and a breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses. This targeted evaluation helps you identify candidates who have the skills to perform job-specific tasks efficiently, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute effectively from day one

Microsoft office proficiency test

How do pre-employment tests assess candidates' Microsoft office proficiency?

Pre-employment tests assess candidates’ Microsoft Office proficiency through simulation questions that replicate real-world tasks, such as creating documents, analyzing data, and preparing presentations. This provides a comprehensive evaluation of both practical, hands-on knowledge.

How to help an employee with their Microsoft proficiency?

To help an employee with their Microsoft office proficiency, EmployTest recommends providing access to advanced training sessions, online tutorials, and hands-on practice opportunities. Encouraging the use of Microsoft Office in daily tasks and offering mentorship can also improve their skills, leading to better performance and confidence on the job.

How does this test help businesses ensure quality?

EmployTest’s Microsoft Office proficiency test helps businesses ensure quality by verifying that job candidates can perform critical tasks accurately and efficiently. By assessing skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, our test ensures that employees can maintain high standards of work, contributing to consistent and reliable business operations.

 

Why do businesses use Microsoft proficiency tests in hiring?

Businesses use Microsoft proficiency tests to make sure job candidates have the skills to efficiently use software tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These tests help in evaluating a candidate’s ability to perform common Office tasks, to reduce the need for costly training and ensure immediate productivity.