Measuring Skill Levels through an Excel Assessment

Proficiencies in the use of popular software applications for word processing, database manipulation and spreadsheet applications are important in the exercise of any office position. You can use any of the three to check on basic familiarity as far as commands, environment, shortcuts and menus are concerned. However, for a deeper understanding and more specialized use of the software, the assessment should be very specific. For positions that require the use of numbers, charts and statistical tools, the best tool to measure proficiencies in the said areas is an Excel Assessment .

An Excel Assessment can be designed to determine the rank of a person in terms of the depth of understanding and skill proficiency for specific instructions and data manipulation. To classify a person’s skill level, there are three major categories of Excel test to administer. These are the use of the basic tools, data manipulation, and structuring and reporting.

Excel test s on basic tools include the understanding of the use of the icons and tools as well as the specific shortcuts to perform a specific instruction. This level is the lowest level but it is a prerequisite of the other levels. This means that an Excel test on the succeeding levels cannot be administered if the lower level of test is not successfully passed. This ascending approach is an indicator of the Excel proficiency that a person has.

Data manipulation skills can be measured through a particular project that defines exactly what the output should look like. In the Excel Assessment process, when a project is used to measure proficiencies, you will have a better demonstration of the skills because of the real-time approach that can be observed while working on the project. With a checklist while you observe the skills, you can see how advanced a person’s Microsoft skills are. You can also use this in testing the structuring and reporting proficiency levels.