Microsoft Application Specialist Certification
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist is one of three certifications included in the Microsoft Business Certifications collection. This certification proves your ability to perform business-level skills at advanced stages. Requirements include testing in a Microsoft operating system, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access or Outlook. Often misnamed as the Microsoft Application Specialist Certification, this credentialing exam is available at certified testing facilities, and courses are available for preparation both online and in a classroom environment.
Other People Are Reading
-
What's in a Name?
-
Do not confuse the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist certification with the MCAS testing standards used in some schools. In the state of Massachusetts, students must pass the MCAS in order to graduate high school. The Massachusetts MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.
Benefits of the MCAS Certification
-
The MCAS Certification demonstrates your ability to perform at an advanced level in Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, preparing for the exams requires you to learn the applications at a much higher level than you otherwise may have worked with them.
-
The MCAS Testing Process
-
After careful preparation and study, schedule a date for your test. Take a pretest to gauge your preparedness, if you like. Take the actual tests at a local testing facility, being sure to briing the required fee. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam, and you will know immediately upon completing the exam if you have passed.
What Is the Test Like?
-
Be prepared for a combination of multiple-choice questions and the performance of certain commands and tasks to display your knowledge of a particular topic. You will perform tasks in a simulated lab-type situation to demonstrate your knowledge and the ability to complete the task. Don't worry about trick questions. The number of questions varies, and Microsoft does not advise of the exact number to maintain the integrity of the exam process.
Steps After Taking the Exam
-
If you pass the exam, print out your transcript as proof of your certification, and you will receive a certificate. You may also be entitled to a certification logo to display on business documents. If you do not pass the exam, you can take it again, however if you fail it a second time, you must wait a minimum of 14 days before registering for the exam again.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hands symbol image by Julydfg from Fotolia.com
