CertiPort: New MOUS Rollout Deadline Feb. 14
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.
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Post your comment below, or better yet, go to our Discussion Forums and really post your mind.
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Current  user Comments for "CertiPort: New MOUS Rollout Deadline Feb. 14"
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| 1/16/02 - Sally says: |
I've heard that the MOUS exams now "fail" you if you run out of time before you finish the last question. With Office '97 if you run out of time the questions remaining are automatically "wrong"...but that doesn't necessarily mean you fail! Is this just a nasty rumor? |
| 1/17/02 - Bill says: |
What a surprise, the deadline has been pushed back |
| 1/17/02 - MOUS says: |
Just talked to Certiport regarding Sally's question. This is a nasty rumor. MOUS exams do not fail test candidates for exceeding the maximum allotted time. If a test candidate has earned a passing score before their time expires, they will be awarded a MOUS certification. Regarding Bill's question, they said the Feb 14 extension is a planned upgrade window extension to allow for normal iQcenter business cycles and to minimize business interruption. Sounds like a good thing. |
| 1/18/02 - Sally says: |
MOUS--thank you for your prompt answer. That is quite a relief. Plan to take group of students to take the Excel 2000 (Core) exam VERY soon. |
| 1/18/02 - Matt says: |
Where would be the best place to start preparing for the MOUS exam? Books, classes, online practice tests...? |
| 1/19/02 - DAVE says: |
RE:MATT-01/18/02-GET THE SYLLABUS OFF THE MOUS WEBSITE,GET SOME RELEVANT LIBRARY BOOKS (BUT NOTHING TOO HEFTY OTHERWISE IT BECOMES AN ORDEAL TRYING TO PLOW YOUR WAY THROUGH IT ALL),GET SOME RELEVANT CD'S ie. THE "LEARNKEY" CD'S ARE USUALLY VERY GOOD. IF YOU ARE IN THE UK AT THE MOMENT THEN THE 'TEACHING-YOU' SERIES OF CD'S ARE ALSO WORTH A LOOK AT.YOU MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO BORROW THESE CD'S FROM YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY.YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH EACH CORE EXAM FROM SCRATCH WITHIN ABOUT 2-4 WEEKS, EACH EXPERT EXAM MAY TAKE ABOUT TWICE AS LONG (FROM SCRATCH). Finally, please excuse my uppercase, I just prefer it that way!!!! |
| 1/20/02 - Anonymous says: |
Does this mean it is a requirment that the testing centers offer XP and 2000 exams? I hope so, some centers are still offering only 97. There also needs to be an improvement of the staff at testing centers. When the testing cnadidates know more than the centers it does not show the MOUS program in a good light. Testing center personel should be required to take an exam about exam registration, loading and giving exams and how to print the results off. |
| 1/30/02 - Certifried Fred says: |
(name intentional) For a study aid, I read at least two MOUS study books for each test type because I found that one author/publisher doens't always address everything on the MOUS exams. After all that, I came across an Excel Computer Based Training resource at www.cbtnuggets.com that summed all that material up for me. I should have gone the CBT route, much easier and a lot less time involved. |
| 2/7/02 - Maxine from Augusta, GA. says: |
Taking the Excel MOUS examination at a center here was a very unfriendly experience. The mouse did not work, the machine took anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds to load the next question, the instructions was all over the screen, the monitor screen was too, too small and I paid for that. I ask the personnel if they would upgrade the equipment and they said No, that's just the way it is, so I decided never to return to that testing center again. So if you are losing customers, it is like the previous read wrote bad personnel who does not know enough to be administering a technical test. I went to another center that had the latest equipment and the testing was nice. |
| 2/7/02 - Maxine from Augusta, GA. says: |
Taking the Excel MOUS examination at a center here was a very unfriendly experience. The mouse did not work, the machine took anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds to load the next question, the instructions was all over the screen, the monitor screen was too, too small and I paid for that. I ask the personnel if they would upgrade the equipment and they said No, that's just the way it is, so I decided never to return to that testing center again. So if you are losing customers, it is like the previous read wrote bad personnel who does not know enough to be administering a technical test. I went to another center that had the latest equipment and the testing was nice. |
| 3/31/02 - Anonymous from Houston, TX says: |
I have been looking at this cert for several months, and frankly I am still disappointed by MS lack of commitment to the product. Afterall, MS Office is at least half of what put MS on the map. It really should be THE gateway into an IT career. I have seen users so amazed with what you can do with Pivot Tables that they decided to leave a database in excel as opposed to buying software for the purpose. They were really excited with Excel's capabilities out of th box. A MOUS Master with the entry-level hardware and networking certifications would be a fantastic addition to a small firm or department. And quite frankly, the MOUS acronym stinks. The first thing that comes to mind is Mickey MOUS. If MS would use half the marketing savvy it's known for, it would come up with something more professional, like MCOM--Microsoft Certified Office Manager or MCSS--Microsoft Certified Support Specialist . I think those designations would have an immediate appeal and make it the purpose and intent of the certifications more transparent. Why not allow Powerpoint, Frontpage and even MapPoint be electives. In certain office enviroments, you are going to use some of these more than others. |
| 12/9/02 - Angela from Texarkana AR says: |
I would like to know if we still have to "free" training materials that was once offered....I have some "Microsoft in Education" materials that I used in some training classes....Does this ring any bells with anyone? |
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