The Microsoft Business Certification Program

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 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 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 a 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 with

• 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 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 SpecialistMicrosoft 2007 Office System

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 a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist of 2007 Office programs, you must demonstrate proficiency in these areas:

Objective Domain	Skill Sets
70-601: Using Microsoft Office Word 2007	Creating and Customizing Documents Formatting Content Working with Visual Content Organizing Content Reviewing Documents Sharing and Securing Content
70-602: Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007	Creating and Manipulating Data Formatting Data and Content Creating and Modifying Formulas Presenting Data Visually Collaborating and Securing Data
70-603: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007	Creating and Manipulating Data Formatting Data and Content Creating and Modifying Formulas Presenting Data Visually Collaborating and Securing Data
70-604: Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007	Managing Messaging Managing Scheduling Managing Tasks Managing Contacts and Personal Contact Information Organizing Information
70-605: Using Microsoft Office Access 2007	Structuring a Database Creating and Formatting Database Elements Entering and Modifying Data Creating and Modifying Queries Presenting and Sharing Managing and Maintaining Databases

Becoming a Microsoft Certified Application Professional

To become certified as a Microsoft Certified Applications Professional, you must demonstrate proficiency in these areas:

Organizational Support

• Managing a Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Team Site

• Managing Communication

• Tracking, Maintaining, and Sharing Information

• Presenting Information

• Managing Digital Information

• Organizing and Facilitating Meetings

Creating and Managing Presentations

• Preparing the Presentation Collaboration Environment

• Creating and Managing Elements for Re-Use in Presentations

• Creating Effective Presentations

• Creating Effective Presentations

• Finalizing, Distributing, and Delivering Presentations

Content Management and Collaboration

• Creating a Collaborative Environment

• Configuring SharePoint Site Structures and Processes

• Administering an Office SharePoint Server 2007 Site

Budget Analysis and Forecasting

• Obtaining and Managing Data

• Securing Information

• Managing Collaboration

• Manipulating and Analyzing Data

• Reporting and Presenting Data

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 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.

• Close all dialog boxes before proceeding to the next exam questions unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise.

• Don't close task panes proceeding to the next exam questions 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, and not on the time you take to complete the question.

• If your computer becomes unstable during the exam 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 that passing standard (the minimum score required), 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

www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcas/

To learn more about the Microsoft Certified Application Professional exams and courseware, visit

www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcap