SHL Excel test practice
SHL's Excel assessment is a simulation: SHL says its Office tests measure skills by having you do tasks, not by asking about them. It covers managing workbooks, analysing and formatting data and working across several tabs. Practise with timed, hands-on tasks that use more than one sheet.
ExcelReady is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by SHL. We don't have their questions. Our practice tests use the same format and skills, so you can prepare for whichever version you get.
What the SHL Excel test is like
- SHL says its Microsoft Office assessments "use simulations to measure each candidate's proficiency".
- SHL lists Excel content such as managing workbooks, analysing and formatting data, working across multiple tabs and printing.
- Test-prep sites report an interactive Excel test of about 35 minutes with up to 30 questions. Other estimates differ, because employers choose the version and length.
Practise in the same format
Timed, no hints, marked at the end. Runs in any browser on Mac or Windows, with no Excel licence needed.
Basic Excel skills test
10 tasks in 15 minutes on an orders table: totals, averages, COUNTIF and SUMIF, an IF flag, absolute references and a filter.
Admin, office, customer service and entry-level roles.
Intermediate Excel skills test
12 tasks in 25 minutes on an HR roster: XLOOKUP across sheets, SUMIFS and COUNTIFS, IFS, text and date formulas, conditional formatting and a PivotTable.
Analyst, operations, HR, finance and sales support roles.
Advanced Excel skills test
11 tasks in 30 minutes on a sales ledger: dynamic arrays, two-way and multi-criteria lookups, SUMPRODUCT, sorting by two keys and a two-way PivotTable.
Financial analyst, data analyst, business intelligence and consulting roles.
Skills to practise
Tips for the day
- Check which tab a task is about before you start. Multi-tab tasks are where people lose time.
- Use lookups instead of copying values by hand: graders often check the formula still works.
- Keep an eye on the clock. If a task takes more than two minutes, flag it and move on.
Questions people ask
Is the SHL Excel test hard?
It depends on the level the employer picks. Basic versions cover formulas and formatting; harder ones add lookups, multiple tabs and data analysis. Timed practice is what makes the difference.
How long is the SHL Excel test?
Test-prep sites report about 35 minutes, but lengths vary because employers choose the version. Your invitation email usually says how long you'll have.
Do I need Excel installed to practise?
No. ExcelReady's practice tests run in your browser on Mac or Windows, with no Excel licence needed.
Sources
Test names are trademarks of their owners. Test details change and employers set their own versions, so check your invitation for the time limit and format.