Spreadsheets
What this domain tests
Spreadsheet questions test cell references, formulas, common functions, charts and basic data handling. You must be able to read a formula and predict its result.
Core rules
- A cell address combines column and row, e.g. C5. A range is written A1:B5.
- Every formula begins with =; without it, =SUM(A1:A3) would be treated as text.
- Operators follow arithmetic order: brackets, exponent, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction.
- Relative references change when filled; absolute references such as $A$1 stay fixed.
- Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, IF. Example: =IF(B2>=40,"Pass","Fail").
- Sorting rearranges rows; always select the whole data range so records stay together.
- Charts display data; choose bar for comparison, line for trend, pie for parts of a whole.
Worked example
Marks 45, 62, 38, 75, 55 are in B2:B6. Find the average and decide pass/fail for B2 using 40 as the pass mark. =AVERAGE(B2:B6) adds the five marks and divides by 5, giving 55. =IF(B2>=40,"Pass","Fail") tests 45 ≥ 40, so it returns Pass. If the formula is filled down, B2 changes to B3, B4 and so on because the reference is relative.
Traps
- Including a heading in a range can cause #VALUE! or a wrong count.
- Forgetting $ when copying a fixed rate cell gives wrong answers.
- #DIV/0! means division by zero or an empty divisor.
- A circular reference occurs when a formula refers to its own cell.
- Sorting only one column can separate marks from names.