| Desktop computing proficiency is becoming increasingly important in today's business world. As a result, when screening, hiring, and training employees, more employers are relying on the objectivity and consistency of technology certification to ensure the competence of their workforce. As an employee or job seeker, you can use technology certification to prove that you already have the skills you need to succeed, saving current and future employers the trouble and expense of training you. The Microsoft Business Certification program is designed to assist employees in validating their Windows Vista skills and 2007 Microsoft Office program skills. There are two paths to certification: A Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) is an individual who has demonstrated worldwide skill standards for Windows Vista or the 2007 Microsoft Office suite through a certification exam in Windows Vista or in one or more of the 2007 Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007, and Microsoft Office Access 2007. A Microsoft Certified Application Professional (MCAP) is an individual who has taken his or her knowledge of the 2007 Microsoft Office suite and of Microsoft SharePoint products and technologies to the next level and has demonstrated through a certification exam that he or she can use the collaborative power of the Office suite to accomplish job functions such as Budget Analysis and Forecasting, or Content Management and Collaboration.
After attaining certification, you can include the MCAS or MCAP logo with the appropriate certification designator on your business cards and other personal promotional materials. This logo attests to the fact that you are proficient in the applications or cross-application skills necessary to achieve the certification. Selecting a Certification Path When selecting the Microsoft Business Certification path that you would like to pursue, you should assess the following: The program and program version(s) with which you are familiar The length of time you have used the program Whether you have had formal or informal training in the use of that program
Candidates for MCAS-level certification are expected to successfully complete a wide range of standard business tasks, such as formatting a document or spreadsheet. Successful candidates generally have six or more months of experience with Windows Vista or the specific Office the program, including either formal, instructor-led training or self-study using MCAS-approved books, guides, or interactive computer-based materials. Candidates for MCAP-level certification are expected to successfully complete more complex, business-oriented tasks utilizing advanced functionality with the combined 2007 Microsoft Office suite of products. Successful candidates generally have between six months and one or more years of experience with the programs, including formal, instructor-led training or self-study using MCAP-approved materials. Becoming a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Every MCAS and MCAP certification exam is developed from a set of exam skill standards that are derived from studies of how Windows Vista and the 2007 Office programs are used in the workplace. Because these skill standards dictate the scope of each exam, they provide you with critical information on how to prepare for certification. To become certified as a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for Microsoft Office Word 2007, you must demonstrate proficiency in these six areas: Creating and customizing documents. You must demonstrate the ability to quickly create and format documents; lay out documents by formatting pages; make documents and content easier to find; and personalize Word 2007 by customizing options. Formatting content. You must demonstrate the ability to format text and paragraphs, including creating and modifying styles and setting tabs; manipulate text by cutting, copying, and pasting it, and by finding and replacing it; and control pagination with page breaks and sections. Working with visual content. You must demonstrate the ability to insert and format pictures, clip art, SmartArt graphics, and shapes; insert graphic text by using WordArt, pull quotes, and drop caps; and insert, format, and link text boxes. Organizing content. You must demonstrate the ability create and use Quick Parts (building blocks); create, modify, and sort lists; create and format tables, including merging and splitting cells and performing calculations; insert and format captions, bibliographies, and tables of figures and authorities; and use mail merge to create form letters, envelopes, and labels. Reviewing documents. You must demonstrate the ability to move around in a document and switch to a different view; compare and merge documents; and manage tracked changes and work with comments. Sharing and securing content. You must demonstrate the ability to prepare a document for sharing by saving it in the appropriate format, removing inappropriate or private information, and marking it as final; restrict permissions to a document, set a password, and protect it; and attach a digital signature.
Taking a Microsoft Business Certification Exam The MCAS and MCAP certification exams for Windows Vista and the 2007 Office programs are performance-based and require you to complete business-related tasks using an interactive simulation (a digital model) of the Windows Vista operating system or one or more programs in the Office suite. Test-Taking Tips Follow all instructions provided in each question completely and accurately. Enter requested information as it appears in the instructions, but without duplicating the formatting unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise. For example, the text and values you are asked to enter might appear in the instructions in bold and underlined (for example, text), but you should enter the information without applying these formats. Close all dialog boxes before proceeding to the next exam question unless you are specifically instructed otherwise. Don't close task panes before proceeding to the next exam question unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise. If you are asked to print a document, spreadsheet, chart, report, or slide, perform the task, but be aware that nothing will actually be printed. Don't worry about extra keystrokes or mouse clicks. Your work is scored based on its result, not on the method you use to achieve that result (unless a specific method is indicated in the instructions), and not on the time you take to complete the question. If your computer becomes unstable during the exam (for example, if the exam does not respond or the mouse no longer functions) or if a power outage occurs, contact a testing center administrator immediately. The administrator will restart the computer and return the exam to the point where the interruption occurred with your score intact.
Certification At the conclusion of the exam, you will receive a score report, which you can print with the assistance of the testing center administrator. If your score meets or exceeds the passing standard (the minimum required score), you will be mailed a printed certificate within approximately 14 days. For More Information To learn more about the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist exams and courseware, visit http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcas/ To learn more about the Microsoft Certified Application Professional exams and courseware, visit http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcap/ |
