What SHL says
- Today, SHL's site lists a Microsoft Excel test among its business skills tests, for checking how a candidate manages workbooks and analyses and formats data. The page gives no length or format.[1]
- Microsoft Excel 365 (New), as SHL's catalogue described it in July 2025: you carry out operations in a simulated MS Excel; it is rated entry-level and takes about 35 minutes.[2] The topics listed:[2]
- applying formulas and functions
- creating and analysing data
- formatting cells, data and content
- managing workbooks and worksheets
- presenting data visually
- printing and views
- sharing, maintaining and securing workbooks
- Microsoft Excel 365 – Essentials (archived 2021) used the same simulated format and topic list, at about 30 minutes.[3]
- MS Excel (New) (archived 2021) was different: a short multiple-choice test of about 6 minutes, offered for levels from entry to manager.[4]
So "the SHL Excel test" can mean more than one product, and an employer picks which one to send. The invitation may say how long it is; if it doesn't, it's fine to ask. Question counts and time limits quoted on prep sites are not from SHL.
What that means for practice
- A simulation tests doing, not knowing. You are asked to carry out a task in something that looks like Excel. Being fluent with the formulas themselves is the part you can practise anywhere.
- Follow the instruction literally. A simulation may record the steps you take, so if a task names a function or a menu, use that one.
- The topic list is wider than formulas. Printing, views, charts and protecting a workbook are on it. This site covers the formulas and data tasks; open Excel itself and try the Page Layout, View and Review tabs for the rest.
- Practise under a clock. A timed set of tasks is the closest thing to the real experience that you can do on your own.
Skills to have ready
Each is a free challenge that takes a few minutes. For the full list by role, see what Excel tests check.
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