Want to Know How to Pass the Excel Certification Exam? Master These 4 Basics

Last Updated on September 30, 2022

With as fluid and unpredictable as the job market is at this time, any skill that can give you an edge over the competition should be pursued. With a Microsoft Excel Certification, you have the foundational skills to take that extra step that some of your counterparts might be unable to take.

Excel Certification combines several disciplines into one multifaceted skill set, enabling certificates to broaden the scope of their job search and have any pick of positions offered to them. And while Microsoft Excel classes and training can get you the actual certification, learning the basics can help those courses make a lot more sense.

Here are some base-level skills you should learn if you want to know how to pass the Excel Certification test:

Create and Manage Workbooks and Worksheets

Workbooks and worksheets are at the heart of Excel, so knowing how to not only create but manage and navigate through them is a critical skill. You should know not only how to create a new workbook, but how to use Excel’s existing templates as well as how to import from another file.

Adding worksheets to an existing workbook as well as the ability to customize and edit worksheets and workbooks are necessary skills. Can you split windows, assign shortcuts, and insert watermarks?

Create Cells, Ranges, and Tables

Cells and ranges are fundamental building blocks in Excel.  You should understand the methods and shortcuts to insert data into cells and cell ranges.  You should also be familiar with the various options available for formatting cells and ranges.

Tables are core knowledge for the specialist exam.  Can you create and modify tables?  You will also need to understand how to filter and sort data tables.

Understand How to Apply Formulas and Functions

Are you familiar with the common formulas and functions used in Excel, to help save time and create more accurate outcomes? If not, it would be smart to brush up on them, as well as how to use them within a workbook or sheet.

Functions, such as SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and more are in place to help you make potentially complex calculations easier and more accurate. You should know how to apply these to your data sets, as well as how to use “conditional logic” – “if” statements – to manipulate your data.

Create Objects and Charts

Prior to the Excel assessment test, not only should you be well-versed in creating sensible charts and graphs using original data, but you should be able to add additional data to an existing chart or graph to make the change seamless. Excel provides a useful Quick Analysis tool for critiquing your charts and graphs, and experts should know how to use this tool to their advantage.

A chart isn’t very useful without formatting and contextual information to explain its purpose. Those who want to ace the Excel Certification exam should know how to add useful formatting in the form of legends, keys, and labels. Charts have virtually limitless customization options, too, so you should feel comfortable changing your chart parameters, appearance, and more.

Much more than just a data-manipulation tool, Excel has countless options for text box insertion and formatting, object insertion and formatting, and editing of objects, images, and other items. Brush up on the ways in which users can manipulate, edit, and style objects and images within Excel to boost your exam-success potential.

Excel has far more capabilities than many people know; its power with regards to creating reports, budgets, team performance reviews, invoices, and much more is robust. It’s not just for numerical data, as users can perfect their ability to add images, charts, graphs, objects, and more to enhance whatever they may be creating, but from a presentation one.

Figuring out how to pass the Microsoft Excel Certification test can be the big-ticket needed to push you past similarly qualified applicants for the job of your dreams. Once you’ve mastered the above tactics, contact ONLC Training Centers to sign up, train, and march toward your professional goals.