If you are required to demonstrate that you can create pivot tables, and you not only know what they are and how they work but also figured out how to do it in a brand new software suite within 10 minutes under stressful conditions, you have succeeded. Committing obscure UX patterns to memory is far less important than your ability to understand concepts and find ways to apply them.

I understand a manager may prefer to supply someone with Microsoft Office 2001 Alpha Deluxe Edition (& Knuckles) and see them hit the ground sprinting but the time spent looking for such a person might be greater than what it would take for a motivated person to reach that level.