Preparing for a written exam for a Data Analyst position at the Ethiopian Agricultural
Transformation Institute (ATI) involves understanding both the technical aspects of data
analysis and the context of agricultural development in Ethiopia.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, key topics, and how to prepare effectively:
🔍 1. Understand the Role at ATI
The ATI focuses on transforming Ethiopian agriculture through evidence-based planning, policy,
and implementation. A Data Analyst at ATI would likely be involved in:
Collecting and analyzing agricultural data
Supporting policy and program decisions with data
Communicating insights to stakeholders
Working with tools like Excel, Power BI, R, Python, or STATA
📚 2. Types of Questions to Expect
A. Technical Skills – Data Analysis
You’ll likely face questions testing your practical knowledge. Examples include:
Excel/Power BI: Pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, charts, data cleaning
Statistical Tools: STATA, R, or Python basics (if used at ATI)
SQL: Writing basic queries (SELECT, JOIN, GROUP BY)
Data Cleaning: Handling missing data, outliers
Data Visualization: Best practices for dashboards or charts
Example Questions:
"Given a dataset with missing values and outliers, describe your data cleaning
approach."
"Write a SQL query to summarize total crop production by region."
"Explain how you would visualize time-series data on crop yields."
B. Analytical Thinking & Interpretation
These questions test your ability to draw insights from data.
Interpreting graphs or charts
Making recommendations from trends
Scenario-based problem-solving
Example:
"Given the below yield data, what recommendations would you make to improve
productivity in Oromia?"
C. Knowledge of Agriculture and Ethiopian Context
ATI works on agriculture, so expect:
Basic knowledge of Ethiopia’s agricultural system (crops, regions, challenges)
Government initiatives (e.g., AGP, PASDEP, Growth and Transformation Plan)
Food security, market access, climate impact, smallholder farming
Example:
"Explain the role of data in improving productivity for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia."
D. Report Writing or Communication
You may be asked to write a short report or summary based on data.
Clear, concise writing
Use of data to support arguments
Logical flow
Example:
"Summarize the findings of a dataset showing declining maize yields over 5 years."
✅ 3. How to Prepare Effectively
A. Brush Up on Tools
Excel: Filtering, pivot tables, formulas
Power BI/Tableau: Creating dashboards (optional)
STATA / R / Python: Basic commands, data import, summary statistics
SQL: Learn basic querying
B. Practice with Real Agricultural Data
Use FAO, World Bank, or Ethiopia's CSA datasets
Practice cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data
C. Review Agricultural Reports
Read ATI’s publications: [Link]
Familiarize yourself with key programs and data use cases
D. Mock Tests / Practice
Time yourself answering a data analysis scenario
Interpret charts or create summary reports from dummy data
4. Sample Study Plan (1 Week)
Day Focus
Day 1 Review Excel functions and pivot tables
Day 2 Practice SQL + data cleaning techniques
Day 3 Read ATI reports + understand agricultural priorities
Day 4 Practice interpreting and visualizing datasets
Day 5 Write mock reports and answer scenario-based questions
Day 6 Review Ethiopian agriculture policy context
Day 7 Take a full-length mock test
Would you like me to create a custom practice test or help you review sample ATI data for
practice?
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yes
ChatGPT said:
Great! Here's what I’ll provide to help you prepare:
✅ Custom Practice Test for Data Analyst – ATI
This mock exam is structured to reflect the likely format for the Ethiopian Agricultural
Transformation Institute (ATI).
🧠 SECTION A: Technical Data Analysis (Excel / SQL / STATA / Python)
Q1. Excel (Data Cleaning & Analysis)
You are given the following simplified dataset (imagine it in Excel):
Region Crop Year Production (Ton) Area (Ha) Yield (Ton/Ha)
Oromia Maize 2021 120000 40000 3.0
Amhara Maize 2021 85000 30000 2.8
SNNP Maize 2021 28000
Tigray Maize 2021 30000 12000 2.5
Tasks:
1. Identify and describe two issues in this data that need cleaning.
2. Write an Excel formula to calculate "Yield (Ton/Ha)" if missing.
3. What chart type would you use to compare production by region and why?
Q2. SQL (Basic Query Writing)
You have a table called crop_production with the following columns:
region, crop, year, production, area
Task:
Write a SQL query to get the total maize production by region for the year 2021, sorted by
production descending.
Q3. STATA or Python (Choose One)
Suppose you are given a CSV file with yield data by region and crop.
What STATA or Python commands would you use to:
1. Import the data
2. Get summary statistics (mean, min, max) of yield
3. Create a plot of yield by region
📊 SECTION B: Data Interpretation and Insights
Q4. Interpretation
You are given a graph showing declining wheat yields in Oromia from 2018 to 2022.
What potential factors could cause this trend?
What data would you collect to investigate further?
Suggest one intervention to reverse the trend.
🌍 SECTION C: Context – Agriculture and ATI
Q5. ATI Knowledge
1. What is the role of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI)?
2. How does ATI use data to improve smallholder productivity?
3. Mention two challenges facing Ethiopia’s agriculture sector today and how data could
help solve them.
📄 SECTION D: Report Writing
Q6. Short Report (150–200 words)
Based on the sample data below, write a short summary for a Ministry of Agriculture audience:
Region Crop Yield 2021 Yield 2022
Oromia Wheat 2.4 2.1
Amhara Wheat 2.5 2.3
SNNP Wheat 2.3 2.2
Tigray Wheat 2.0 1.7
Your report should:
Highlight the trend
Identify potential concerns
Recommend what should be done
🔧 Would you like the Excel version of this test to practice
with real formulas?
I can generate a downloadable Excel file and optionally help you write the answers one by one.
Let me know if:
You want to practice Excel or SQL more deeply
You prefer working in Python or STATA
You’d like help writing the short report
