Excel Interview Prep with Excel Practice: 30-Minute Daily Plan
By ZonoTools6 min read
What interviewers usually test
Most Excel interview rounds check three things: - Can you select the right formula quickly? - Can you avoid logic mistakes under pressure? - Can you explain your formula clearly?
Practice should target all three, not just syntax memorization.
30-minute daily prep routine
- 10 minutes: core formulas (`IF`, `SUMIFS`, `COUNTIFS`).
- 10 minutes: lookup scenarios (`XLOOKUP`, `INDEX + MATCH`).
- 10 minutes: explain one solution in plain language.
Explaining your logic helps you perform better in live interviews.
High-frequency interview formula set
- `IF`, `IFS`, `IFERROR`
- `SUMIF`, `SUMIFS`, `COUNTIF`, `COUNTIFS`
- `XLOOKUP`, `VLOOKUP`, `INDEX + MATCH`
- `TEXT`, `DATE`, `EOMONTH`
Covering this set gives strong baseline coverage for analyst and ops roles.
How to self-evaluate each day
- Did your first attempt return the expected result?
- Did you use the minimal clear formula?
- Could you explain each argument without hesitation?
Keep a short log. Small daily improvements compound fast.