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Data Analyst Interview Questions: Excel and SQL Essentials

What entry-level data analyst interviews actually test in 2026 — SQL fundamentals, core Excel functions, business case questions, and how to stand out.

By ApnaWorker - reviewed by ApnaWorker Editorial Team - updated 2026-06-16T13:37:58.187813+00:00

Data analyst interviews in 2026 test a clear set of skills: SQL, Excel, and the ability to turn data into answers a business can act on. The good news is that for entry-level roles, solid fundamentals plus a couple of real projects will carry you a long way.

This guide breaks down what these interviews actually cover, the specific SQL and Excel skills to master, and how to stand out beyond just answering questions.

SQL is non-negotiable

SQL appears in roughly 85% of data analyst interviews, so it is the first thing to master. You access and shape data with it, so interviewers will test it directly.

At minimum, be fluent in JOINs, GROUP BY with HAVING, subqueries, and basic window functions like ROW_NUMBER, RANK, and SUM OVER. Practise writing these from scratch and explaining them out loud.

  • SQL appears in about 85% of these interviews.
  • Master JOINs, GROUP BY/HAVING, and subqueries.
  • Know basic window functions: ROW_NUMBER, RANK, SUM OVER.

Do not underestimate Excel

Many candidates focus only on SQL and Python, but interviewers consistently test Excel because it is where most stakeholders interact with data every day. Strong Excel skills set you apart.

Be comfortable with XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS/COUNTIFS/AVERAGEIFS, IF/IFS/IFERROR, text functions like TRIM and TEXTJOIN, dynamic arrays (SORT, FILTER, UNIQUE), pivot tables, and ideally Power Query for transforming data.

  • Lookup: XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH.
  • Conditional aggregation: SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS.
  • Pivot tables and, ideally, Power Query.

Business case and analysis questions

Beyond tools, expect open-ended business cases: "how would you find why sales dropped?" or "what would you measure for this feature?" These test whether you can turn a vague question into an analysis.

For entry level, the focus is fundamentals — data validation, simple statistics, and clean reasoning. Structure your answer: clarify the question, decide what data and metrics you need, and explain how you would reach and check a conclusion.

  • Expect open-ended business case questions.
  • Entry level focuses on fundamentals and clear reasoning.
  • Clarify the question, pick metrics, then validate.

Behavioural and communication rounds

Landing a data role usually means clearing three hurdles: a SQL technical round, business case problems, and behavioural stories. Communication matters because analysts must explain findings to non-technical people.

Practise telling a clear story about a project: the question, what you did, and what changed as a result. Calm, structured answers show you can be trusted with real business decisions.

  • Expect SQL, case, and behavioural rounds.
  • Practise explaining findings simply and clearly.
  • Tell project stories: question, action, result.

How to stand out

What moves entry-level candidates forward is demonstrable ability — projects that show you can clean messy data, answer a real business question, and communicate the result clearly. One or two solid projects beat a long list of courses.

Build something with real data, write up what you found, and be ready to walk through it. On ApnaWorker you can find data and analyst roles and create a profile that links to your work.

  • Build one or two projects with real, messy data.
  • Show you can answer a real business question.
  • Be ready to walk through your work clearly.

Frequently asked questions

How important is SQL for a data analyst interview?

Essential — SQL appears in roughly 85% of data analyst interviews. Master JOINs, GROUP BY with HAVING, subqueries, and basic window functions (ROW_NUMBER, RANK, SUM OVER), and practise writing and explaining them.

Do data analysts still need Excel?

Yes. Interviewers consistently test Excel because it is where most stakeholders work with data. Know XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS/COUNTIFS, IF/IFERROR, dynamic arrays, pivot tables, and ideally Power Query.

What do entry-level data analyst interviews focus on?

Fundamentals: SQL, core Excel, data validation, simple statistics, and clear reasoning on open-ended business cases. They look for potential and the ability to turn a vague question into a sound analysis.

How can I stand out as an entry-level analyst?

With demonstrable ability — one or two projects using real, messy data where you answer a genuine business question and communicate the result clearly. That beats a long list of courses with nothing to show.

Research sources