Prove you know – Microsoft Office

Following on from Prove you know – Google Workspace – let’s take a look at the other major player with Microsoft Certificate.

The Microsoft Office Specialist exams, are the only end-user application options from Microsoft.

All other MS certificates cover the technical systems.

They have been been around since MS Office 1997 and are updated with each new version of the office suite.

Applications Covered

Unlike other certificates MOS is not only specific to the Microsoft applications, but also to a version.

The current version available is for Office 2019 and Microsoft 365.

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook
• Access

Exams for Office 2013 and 2016 are still available.

What Tests are Available?

The MOS exams have two levels – Associate and Expert.

Looking at the most recent options (Office 2019/365)

Associate Level

Previously called the Core level, this is the standard level.

Available for:

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Outlook

Expert Level

The higher or more advanced level.

Available for:

• Word
• Excel
• Access

Certification Options

You can take a single exam and achieve a certificate for that program/level when you pass.

Associate

If you take and pass 3 of the associate levels you receive an Associate Certification (in addition to the individual ones).

Expert

As with the associate level, you can take any of the individual exams, or you can aim for the Expert Certificate.

To receive this, you need to have first received the Associate Certificate.

Then pass 2 (out of the 3 available) Expert level tests.

The Tests

Each exams has a number of projects (between 5-9).

For each project there’s a scenario, with a related file and a number of tasks to be completed.

As you complete a task you mark it complete and move to the next one.

When you’ve completed a project (5 or 6 tasks on average) it’s saved and the next one opened.

If there’s a question that you’re not sure about, you can mark it and return afterwards – either at the end of the project or before you finish the test.

Once you’ve completed the final project – and returned to any questions you marked – finish the exam.

Your results are displayed immediately.

The exam time is 50 minutes.

Passing Scores and Validity

The exams are scored on a maximum of 1,000 points or 100%.

Pass is 700 or 70%.

Note: Some applications are different, but most are set at 70%.

A passed exam has no expiry date.

But, remember they are for a specific version of MS Office, so become out of date as latest version is released.

Personal Experience – MOS

This is the option/certificate that I have the most experience with, starting with the first version for MS Office 97 (around 1997) though to the current option for Microsoft 365/Office 2019.

As an IT Trainer, specialising in Microsoft Office, I take these tests for two reasons:

1. To prove my skills in the program and version
2. To be able to talk about them from experience

Because of my knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office, I find it easy to pass the associate level – and let’s be honest if I can’t pass them something is wrong.

However, I don’t take the expert ones quite as lightly, and will take practice exams until I’m confident.

Should you take a Microsoft Certificate?

If your work revolves around using Microsoft products, and you want to be able to prove your skills – then this is a good option for you.

You are talking about an investment in time – learning commands that you need to know but may not use currently – and money.

If you use a different office suite, or you want a more general certification, then MOS is not for you.

More Information

For more information, look at the official site – Certiport MOS.

Next Steps

What should you think about and plan for your computer coaching? How to Get the Most Out of Your Computer Coaching

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