Microsoft Office Specialist Certification presented by Chuck Elliott Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook 2002 Microsoft Office Specialist Expert: Excel 2002 this presentation available online at or by sending request to

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Agenda What is the Microsoft Office Specialist Program? What is the Microsoft Office Specialist Program? Certification Tracks Certification Tracks Benefits and Costs Benefits and Costs Preparation Preparation Exam Format Exam Format My Personal Experience My Personal Experience Ideas For Continuing Professional Development Ideas For Continuing Professional Development Online Resources Online Resources

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program What is the Microsoft Office Specialist Program? Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the globally recognized standard for validating expertise with the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity programs. Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the globally recognized standard for validating expertise with the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity programs. It’s also the only standard It’s also the only standard

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Three Certification Tracks for Office 2000/XP/2003 Specialist Certification Specialist Certification Must successfully complete any one of the following Specialist exams: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook. Must successfully complete any one of the following Specialist exams: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook. Expert Certification Expert Certification Must successfully complete any one of the two Expert exams: Word, Excel. Must successfully complete any one of the two Expert exams: Word, Excel. Master Certification Master Certification Must successfully complete the two Expert exams (Word and Excel), the PowerPoint exam, and either the Access OR the Outlook exam. Must successfully complete the two Expert exams (Word and Excel), the PowerPoint exam, and either the Access OR the Outlook exam.

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Benefits to Individuals Earning Office Specialist certification acknowledges your expertise to work with Microsoft Office programs. Earning Office Specialist certification acknowledges your expertise to work with Microsoft Office programs. Office Specialist-certified individuals report increased competence and productivity with Microsoft Office programs as well as increased credibility with their employers, co-workers, and clients. Office Specialist-certified individuals report increased competence and productivity with Microsoft Office programs as well as increased credibility with their employers, co-workers, and clients. Office Specialist certification sets you apart in today’s competitive job market, bringing employment opportunities, greater earning potential and career advancement, in addition to increased job satisfaction. Office Specialist certification sets you apart in today’s competitive job market, bringing employment opportunities, greater earning potential and career advancement, in addition to increased job satisfaction. Microsoft Office Specialist certifications have been recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit. Candidates who achieve certification can apply for college credit through participating ACE member institutions. Microsoft Office Specialist certifications have been recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit. Candidates who achieve certification can apply for college credit through participating ACE member institutions. Often earn extra $ when teaching Often earn extra $ when teaching

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Benefits to Businesses Up to 87 percent of employers observe increased competency in their Office Specialist-certified employees. Up to 87 percent of employers observe increased competency in their Office Specialist-certified employees. Up to 83 percent of employers feel their Office Specialist-certified employees are more productive. Up to 83 percent of employers feel their Office Specialist-certified employees are more productive. Up to 77 percent of employers feel Office Specialist certification has a positive effect on employee credibility among co-workers. Up to 77 percent of employers feel Office Specialist certification has a positive effect on employee credibility among co-workers. Up to 74 percent of employers feel Office Specialist certification has a positive effect on employee credibility with customers and clients. Up to 74 percent of employers feel Office Specialist certification has a positive effect on employee credibility with customers and clients. Up to 82 percent of employers believe Office Specialist certification directly benefits an organization. Up to 82 percent of employers believe Office Specialist certification directly benefits an organization. Up to 67 percent of employers feel Office Specialist simplifies hiring and advancement decisions. Up to 67 percent of employers feel Office Specialist simplifies hiring and advancement decisions.

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Co$t$ The suggested retail price for each Office Specialist exam is $75 The suggested retail price for each Office Specialist exam is $75 Time studying and preparing Time studying and preparing Cost of study materials Cost of study materials Travel and testing time Travel and testing time

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Preparation Microsoft Office Step-By-Step Training: available free to MU faculty/staff and - via the UCF image - students Microsoft Office Step-By-Step Training: available free to MU faculty/staff and - via the UCF image - students Third-party training materials (books, CBT, etc.) Third-party training materials (books, CBT, etc.) Course Technology Course Technology Certiport, others Certiport, others Commercial training vendors Commercial training vendors Plenty of free resources on the Internet Plenty of free resources on the Internet

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Exam Format using PowerPoint 2002 as example Performance-based This Microsoft Office Specialist exam is performance-based, requiring you to perform a series of tasks using the Microsoft Office application. Performance-based This Microsoft Office Specialist exam is performance-based, requiring you to perform a series of tasks using the Microsoft Office application. Scenario- based Many of the questions in Microsoft Office Specialist exams require you to complete a series of tasks to create or modify a typical business document. Scenario- based Many of the questions in Microsoft Office Specialist exams require you to complete a series of tasks to create or modify a typical business document. For example, on the PowerPoint exam you might be instructed to… Modify the presentation as follows: For example, on the PowerPoint exam you might be instructed to… Modify the presentation as follows: On slide 4, Sales Report, insert the image named Sales Chart located in the My Pictures folder. On slide 4, Sales Report, insert the image named Sales Chart located in the My Pictures folder. Apply the Spin animation scheme to all slides in the presentation. Apply the Spin animation scheme to all slides in the presentation. How hard can it be ? How hard can it be ? How hard can it be ? How hard can it be ?

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program A Score Report is available immediately

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program The official certificate arrives within about 2 weeks

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program My Personal Experience After 6 months of moderately paced study…failed my first test After 6 months of moderately paced study…failed my first test Inspired by images of that smiling 5 year old kid Inspired by images of that smiling 5 year old kid Confidence comes with practice, studying weaknesses, and putting new skills to use Confidence comes with practice, studying weaknesses, and putting new skills to use Certification is just the beginning Certification is just the beginning Teaching a subject to others will improve your proficiency Teaching a subject to others will improve your proficiency

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Ideas For Continuing Professional Development Let others know you’re available to help Let others know you’re available to help Seek ways to use what you have learned Seek ways to use what you have learned Teach Teach Subscribe to magazines and electronic newsletters Subscribe to magazines and electronic newsletters Woody’s Office Watch newsletter Woody’s Office Watch newsletter Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter

presented Nov 19, 2003 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program Online Resources Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Information Microsoft’s Office Specialist Certification site Microsoft’s Office Specialist Certification site Microsoft’s Office Specialist Certification site Microsoft’s Office Specialist Certification site Microsoft’s FAQ for Office Specialist Certification Microsoft’s FAQ for Office Specialist Certification Microsoft’s FAQ for Office Specialist Certification Microsoft’s FAQ for Office Specialist Certification Certiport’s Office Specialist Certification site Certiport’s Office Specialist Certification site Certiport’s Office Specialist Certification site Certiport’s Office Specialist Certification site Find a testing center Find a testing center Find a testing center Find a testing center CramSession CramSession CramSession CertCities Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Reviews CertCities Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Reviews CertCities Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Reviews CertCities Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Reviews Exam Fee Reimbursement for Military and Veterans Exam Fee Reimbursement for Military and Veterans Exam Fee Reimbursement for Military and Veterans Exam Fee Reimbursement for Military and Veterans Resources For Learning Microsoft Office Applications PC Magazine’s Office Solutions PC Magazine’s Office Solutions PC Magazine’s Office Solutions PC Magazine’s Office Solutions PC World’s Application Tips PC World’s Application Tips PC World’s Application Tips PC World’s Application Tips Chuck Elliott’s Microsoft Office Resource Page Chuck Elliott’s Microsoft Office Resource Page Chuck Elliott’s Microsoft Office Resource Page Chuck Elliott’s Microsoft Office Resource Page Recommended textbooks and practice tests Recommended textbooks and practice tests Course Technology Course Technology Course Technology Course Technology Microsoft Press Microsoft Press Microsoft Press Microsoft Press Study Guides Study Guides Study Guides Study Guides Practice Tests Practice Tests Practice Tests Practice Tests Recommended free Newsletters Recommended free Newsletters Woody’s Office Watch Woody’s Office Watch Woody’s Office Watch Woody’s Office Watch Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter Microsoft’s “Inside Office” newsletter TechRepublic’s Office Suite newsletter TechRepublic’s Office Suite newsletter TechRepublic’s Office Suite newsletter TechRepublic’s Office Suite newsletter Certiport Newsletters Certiport Newsletters Certiport Newsletters Certiport Newsletters

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