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Quizzes > Business & Finance

Clerical Skills Test: Typing, Filing, and Office Basics

Quick, free clerical ability test. Instant results and tips to improve.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Muwanguzi GonzagaUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of keyboard phone and files on sky blue background for clerical skills quiz

This clerical skills test helps you check typing, filing, email accuracy, and phone etiquette so you can spot strengths and gaps for office work or hiring exams. For broader practice, try a basic office skills test, a basic computer skills test, or a customer service skills test.

Which key combination is the standard Windows shortcut to copy selected text in a document?
Ctrl + Z
Ctrl + V
Ctrl + X
Ctrl + C
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When answering a business phone, what is the most professional first line?
Please hold
Hello?
Good morning, [Company], this is [Your Name], how may I help you?
Yeah, go ahead
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A memo should include which elements in its heading?
To, From, Date, Subject
Shipping address and tracking number
Title page, Abstract, References
Dear, Sincerely, Signature
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A professional email subject line for rescheduling a meeting should be
Meeting
URGENT!!!!!
Reschedule Request: Project Sync 10/12 2 PM
Hey can we move it
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When taking a phone message, which detail is essential for a return call?
Caller's name, phone number, and reason for calling
Only the time of call
Caller's favorite color
Your guess of the issue
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Which action best reduces background noise on a business call in an open office?
Use a headset with noise-canceling microphone
Speak louder than the noise
Cup your hand over the phone
Ignore the noise
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Which document format preserves layout and is widely used for final distribution?
PDF
CSV
TXT
RTF
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The best way to verify accuracy when entering numerical data from paper invoices is to
Type faster to finish quickly
Skip decimals to reduce errors
Rely on autocorrect for numbers
Double-enter and reconcile totals
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In a shared calendar, which time zone setting prevents scheduling errors for remote attendees?
Enabling automatic time zone conversion
Disabling time zone display
Setting all events to UTC-0 only
Inviting attendees without time details
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What is the appropriate action when a caller refuses to provide their name but requests confidential information?
Place them on hold indefinitely
Transfer to any available coworker
Provide limited information only
Decline the request and refer to policy or a supervisor
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Which is the correct way to write a date in an international business letter to avoid ambiguity?
15/09/25
09/15/25
09-15-25
15 September 2025
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What is the primary purpose of a transmittal form?
To record mileage for reimbursement
To summarize meeting minutes
To document what materials are being sent and to whom
To request time off
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Which printer setting saves the most paper for internal drafts?
High-resolution color on single-sided
Single-sided with large margins
Cover page enabled
Double-sided (duplex) printing, multiple pages per sheet
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For meeting minutes, what is the correct practice regarding action items?
Record speaker names for every comment
Record discussion but omit decisions
Record owner, deadline, and specific task
Record only the task, no owner
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Under the alphabetic filing rule for personal names, which surname is filed first: Ann Marie Clark or Ann M. Clarke?
Ann M. Clarke
Ann Marie Clark
They are considered identical; file by first name
They must be cross-filed under both
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In a numeric filing system using terminal-digit order, which portion determines the primary sort?
Digits are ignored; sort by name
The last group of digits
The first group of digits
The middle group only
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Which is the most secure way to send a document containing personal identifiers?
Postal mail in an unsealed envelope
Encrypted email with password sent separately
Unencrypted email attachment
Fax to a shared machine without notice
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Using the 10-key keypad, which fingering technique maximizes speed and accuracy?
Random finger selection for comfort
Left-hand only for all keys
Alternating hands for every digit
Right-hand home position on 4-5-6 with thumb on 0
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In an alphabetic filing system, how are hyphenated last names filed?
Split into two separate files
Under the second surname only
Always under the first name
As one unit, ignoring the hyphen
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To ensure ADA-friendly digital documents, which practice is essential?
Use built-in heading styles for structure
Omit alternative text for images
Embed text as images only
Use color alone to convey meaning
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Study Outcomes

  1. Evaluate Typing Efficiency -

    Measure your typing speed and accuracy to understand how you perform on a clerical skills test and set benchmarks for improvement.

  2. Assess Filing and Organization Techniques -

    Apply best practices for sorting, labeling, and storing documents to enhance your overall clerical office skills.

  3. Demonstrate Professional Phone Etiquette -

    Practice clear communication techniques and proper phone protocols to excel in any office environment.

  4. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses -

    Analyze your results to pinpoint areas of mastery and those needing growth in your clerical skills assessment test.

  5. Prepare for Future Exams -

    Use insights from this clerical exam practice test to focus your study plan and boost your confidence before real assessments.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Typing Speed & Accuracy -

    Improve your words-per-minute (WPM) and consistency by setting daily touch-typing goals and using reputable online tests from university computer centers. For example, practice the "ASDF JKL;" mnemonic to anchor home-row finger positions and gradually increase speed by 5 WPM each week. Maintaining accuracy above 95% ensures you shine on any clerical skills assessment test.

  2. Filing Systems & Organization -

    Master alphabetical, numerical, and alphanumeric filing systems by following guidelines from academic libraries like the University of Wisconsin's Digital Collections. Use the P-A-R rule - Prepare your documents, Arrange them in order, Review for completeness - to keep every file traceable. A well-organized cabinet boosts efficiency and confidence during a clerical exam practice test.

  3. Phone Etiquette & Professional Communication -

    Adopt the 3 Cs - Clear, Concise, Courteous - when answering calls, as recommended by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Begin with a friendly greeting, identify yourself and your department, then actively listen and take notes using shorthand or bulleted lists. This structured approach ensures you handle inquiries smoothly and professionally.

  4. Data Entry & Spreadsheet Fundamentals -

    Build proficiency with core Excel functions - SUM, AVERAGE, and VLOOKUP - by completing tutorials from Microsoft Learning or academic publishers like Cengage. Memorize essential shortcuts (Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + S) to accelerate data manipulation. Accuracy checks, such as double-checking formulas against manual calculations, will elevate your clerical office skills.

  5. Time Management & Prioritization -

    Apply the Eisenhower Matrix - categorizing tasks as urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, or neither - to optimize your workday, a method endorsed by Harvard Business Review. Use the ABCD mnemonic (A = critical, B = high priority, C = routine, D = delegate) to assign clear action steps. Effective prioritization keeps you on track during any clerical skills test.

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