1/16/2002 -- Certiport told CertCities.com today that the deadline for testing centers to implement the company's new testing software -- which makes all MOUS XP exams automatically available at all testing centers -- is now Feb. 14.

CertiPort originally told CertCities.com that the deadline would be Jan. 14 (See: "U.S. Rollout of MOUS Exams To Be Complete Jan. 14"), which was the date the software was released. However, Certiport officials told us that they are giving testing centers extra time to implement the software. "We are allowing some centers to run versions 3.2 and 4.0 concurrently [for a month]...the new software has higher system requirements, mainly RAM, and some centers need time to upgrade their current machines," said Steve Clinger, director of worldwide customer service for Certiport. Clinger said that the company has doubled its support staff to help with the roll-out.

Clinger told us that although specific numbers aren't available yet on how many testing centers have implemented the new software since its release on Monday, he estimates that a majority already have or are in the process of doing so right now.

Clinger also said that, after Feb 14, some centers may no longer provide MOUS exams if they can't upgrade their hardware to meet the requirements. He said that this is a small percentage of the centers, and that when and if the centers do upgrade their hardware, they will be welcomed back into the MOUS testing program.

Certiport also told CertCities.com that the Access, Outlook and PowerPoint 2002 exams did go live in late Dec., but that the status of the exams has not yet changed on the Microsoft Web site (as of press time, next to each exam it still says "coming soon."). A spokesperson for Microsoft verified that the exams are indeed now live, and that the Web site would be updated shortly. - B.N.