Excel Practice Test 

Part 3 is a timed (one-hour) spreadsheet exam.  Excel 2007, 2003, or Quattro Pro X3 can be used to take the exam. Excel is suggested.  A valid driver's license or a student ID card is required to take the exam. 

Practice Problems

Be familiar with Microsoft Excel 2007.  The menus are not the same as the older versions of the software.  The new software is available in lab 409 of Building 4 (math and electronics building).  During spring and summer 2008 you can take the tests in the 2007 or 97-2003 version.  Choose the software that you are most comfortable using. Know that the menus are not the same in the new software but the formulas are the same.  Formatting will be different in Excel 2007, options have changed, and the menu bar is now a ribbon across the screen instead of a drop down menu bar.  If you can work the following three problems you should have no trouble with the test. 

Areas to Study:

• how to start a formula

• how to use the function bar

• conditional formatting

• if statements

• average, minimum, maximum functions

• formulas versus functions

• absolute cell reference

• order of operations

• determining percentages

• basic math formulas (division, subtraction, multiplication, addition)

• charts (including: creation, formatting, sources, titles, legends, etc.)

• formatting a spreadsheet and chart (all aspects of formatting)

• know how to set up two lines of text in a title

• merge and center options

• alignment options

• cell styles, title styles, background styles, etc

• themes

• color changes (font, background, titles)

• work the three practice problems (they are good examples of what you need to know to pass the tests).

Before you start: download the start file to your storage medium for each practice problem.  Open and print the Instruction files:  The keys have been created for you to check your work.

Instructions and KEYS for Practice problem 1:  Instructions1     Spreadsheet Key1     Excel Start File 1       

Instructions and KEYS for Practice problem 2:  Instructions2     Spreadsheet Key2     Excel Start File 2   

Instructions and KEYS for Practice problem 3:  Practice problem three can be accessed through the link at the top of the page.  You will type in the information.  There is nothing to download for problem 3. The key is on the page.

You will be given the start file on the actual CIL exam.  Be sure to work all three practice problems to ensure that you know the formulas well enough to pass the exam.  A good book on the Microsoft Suite or the HELP area of the spreadsheets program will also help you with the formulas.

You have three chances to take each exam; the first attempt and two retakes.  If you do not pass the exam, pay the cashier $5, and bring the receipt with you to take the second or third test.  The cashier is located on the second floor of the student services building.  Be sure to check your score on VISTA to see if you have passed the exam.