MS Word Efficiency Test: Complete Guide

Everything you need to pass the MS Word computer efficiency test in RSMSSB LDC and HCRAJ LDC — task types, scoring, keyboard shortcuts, and how to practise.

Contents

  1. What Is the Efficiency Test?
  2. Task Types Covered
  3. Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
  4. How Scoring Works
  5. Common Mistakes
  6. How to Practise
  7. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is the Efficiency Test?

The MS Word computer efficiency test is a qualifying round in RSMSSB LDC and HCRAJ LDC. You are seated at a computer with MS Word open, given a pre-typed document, and presented with a list of formatting tasks to complete within approximately 15 minutes.

ParameterDetails
Duration~15 minutes
FormatPre-typed document + task list; you apply formatting
SoftwareMS Word 2010 or 2016 (exam centre computers)
TypeQualifying (pass/fail; does not add to merit marks)
Internet accessNo — offline exam environment

Failing the efficiency test eliminates you from document verification regardless of your written GK score.

2. Task Types Covered

Text Character Formatting

TaskHow to apply
Bold / Italic / UnderlineCtrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U
Font nameHome tab → Font dropdown
Font sizeHome tab → Font Size box; or Ctrl+Shift+P
Font colourHome tab → Font Color arrow
Text highlightHome tab → Text Highlight Color
Strikethrough / Superscript / SubscriptHome tab → Font group buttons
Change caseShift+F3 cycles UPPERCASE / lowercase / Title Case

Paragraph Formatting

TaskHow to apply
Left / Centre / Right / Justify alignmentCtrl+L / Ctrl+E / Ctrl+R / Ctrl+J
Line spacing (1.5, Double)Home → Line and Paragraph Spacing button
IndentationHome → Increase/Decrease Indent; or Format → Paragraph
Paragraph spacing (Before/After)Format → Paragraph → Spacing

Styles

Select text → Home tab → Styles gallery → click the target style (Heading 1, Heading 2, Normal, Title). Practise finding each style in the gallery in under 3 seconds.

Tables

TaskMethod
Insert tableInsert → Table → select rows × columns
Merge cellsSelect cells → Layout tab → Merge Cells
Apply bordersTable Design tab → Borders dropdown
Apply shadingTable Design tab → Shading dropdown
Auto-fit columnsLayout tab → AutoFit → AutoFit Contents

Table Design and Layout tabs only appear when your cursor is inside a table.

Headers, Footers & Page Numbers

Insert → Header / Footer / Page Number. Always double-click the header or footer area to enter edit mode before typing. Double-click the document body (or press Esc) to exit.

Find & Replace and Page Setup

Ctrl+H opens Find & Replace. Use Replace All for document-wide substitution. Page setup (margins, orientation, paper size) is under the Layout tab (called Page Layout in Word 2010).

3. Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Ctrl+BBold
Ctrl+IItalic
Ctrl+UUnderline
Ctrl+LLeft align
Ctrl+ECentre align
Ctrl+RRight align
Ctrl+JJustify
Ctrl+Shift+POpen font size box
Ctrl+HFind & Replace
Shift+F3Cycle text case

Candidates who rely on menus for everything consistently run out of time. Memorise these shortcuts before the exam — they save 3–5 seconds per task, which adds up to minutes over the full test.

4. How Scoring Works

Each task is scored on completion and correctness. Applying the right formatting to the wrong text selection scores zero — even if the formatting action itself is correct. Read each task carefully and select precisely before clicking.

ResultScore
Correct formatting applied to correct selectionFull marks
Correct formatting applied to wrong selectionZero
Task skippedZero

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

6. How to Practise

MedhaV.in's Word Efficiency simulator runs entirely in your browser — no MS Word installation needed. It replicates the full exam experience: Home ribbon with all formatting buttons, a live document, and a task list with seeded tasks covering all the categories above.

Recommended practice schedule:

7. Frequently Asked Questions

What tasks appear in the RSMSSB LDC MS Word efficiency test?

The test includes text formatting (bold, italic, underline, font size, font colour), paragraph formatting (alignment, line spacing, indentation), table creation and formatting (borders, shading, merge cells), applying styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, Normal, Title), inserting headers and footers with page numbers, Find & Replace, and page setup (margins, orientation, paper size).

How long is the MS Word efficiency test?

The RSMSSB LDC MS Word efficiency test is approximately 15 minutes. You are given a pre-typed document and a list of formatting tasks to complete within that time.

Which MS Word version is used in the exam?

Most RSMSSB LDC exam centres use MS Word 2010 or MS Word 2016. The interface is nearly identical for the tasks tested. Practise on whichever version you have access to — the ribbon layout and keyboard shortcuts are the same.

Is the MS Word test scored or just qualifying?

The computer efficiency test is a qualifying test — you must pass it to proceed to document verification, but your score does not contribute to the merit list. Passing requires completing all or most tasks correctly within the time limit.

What keyboard shortcuts must I know for the efficiency test?

Essential shortcuts: Ctrl+B (Bold), Ctrl+I (Italic), Ctrl+U (Underline), Ctrl+L (Left align), Ctrl+E (Centre), Ctrl+R (Right align), Ctrl+J (Justify), Ctrl+H (Find & Replace), Ctrl+Shift+P (Font size). For table tasks, use the Table Design and Layout contextual tabs — they only appear when your cursor is inside a table.

Can I practise the MS Word efficiency test online without installing Word?

Yes. MedhaV.in offers a full browser-based MS Word efficiency simulator with the same ribbon, document area, and formatting tasks as the actual exam. No download or installation required — practise directly in your browser.