MOS Office 2003 Master Cert.
Printed From: CertCities.com Forums
Forum Name: MOS
Forum Discription: Discuss Microsoft's Office Specialist (formerly MOUS) certifications and related technologies here.
URL: http://certcities.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?tid=5162
Printed Date: 15 October 2007 at 9:37am
Topic: MOS Office 2003 Master Cert.
Posted by: Killraven
Subject: MOS Office 2003 Master Cert.
Date Posted: 09 July 2007 at 7:34pm
During the next twelve months, if not sooner, a work colleague and I are planning to attain MOS Office 2003 Master Certification (and, sometime in the distant future, MOS Office 2007 Master Certification).
I have had very brief experience with MOS, way back in 2001 when it was still MOUS and I successfully completed the Word 2000 Core exam. My memories of that experience, however, are fading.
We'd love to hear from others who have done the exams, or who are doing them now. What are your experiences, and what advice would you suggest for successfully completing the exams? Is there anything else that we should be aware of? Any feedback you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
I already have one big question.
Recently, my colleague did the MeasureUp Word 2003 practice exam that comes with the book 'Microsoft Office Specialist Office 2003 Study Guide' (Microsoft Press, 2004). My colleague is a highly-experienced Word user, but he found the practice exam daunting because of its pedantic and unforgiving style (eg: you had to complete tasks in a certain way, or else). The practice exam also had 'theory' questions, where you had to fill in the blanks (eg: 'Click on the ____ menu').
As I mentioned above, my memories of having done the Word 2000 Core exam back in 2001 are fading, but I don't recall the questions being difficult in the sense that you had to complete a task in a particular way (it was the end result that really mattered). As well, I don't recall having to complete fill-in-the-blank questions - each question was of a practical nature.
If yu have done any of the MOS Office 2003 Expert exams, what were they like?
Thanks very much for your help. |
Replies:
Posted by: jennie-wan
Date Posted: 25 July 2007 at 1:46pm
I have the Master Certification for Office 2003. I took the following exams: Word 2003 Expert, Excel 2003 Expert, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
To me the easiest exam was Outlook, and the most difficult was Excel. I'm still not sure how I passed that.
My suggestion is to get rid of the MeasureUp crap. You need to use the products put together by SelfTest Software. However, with the self test software you need to be careful not to necessarily use it to study with, as you will remember the questions and the answers and not really learn anything.
I would follow these steps:
1. Pick an exam/application. (Just one at a time.)
2. Buy the Step By Step book for that application. You might also want to get the Inside Out book for that application.
3. Make note of the exam objectives. They tell you exactly what you need to know for the exam.
4. Know how to do anything under those objectives.
5. Take the self test exam. Make note of your problem areas.
6. Review your problem areas. Figure out what you do not know and learn it.
7. Retake the practice exam.
8. Take the real test.
9. Celebrate. =)
I had notes where I wrote out each step. For example an objective might have been modify a picture. I made notes on how to crop the picture, resize the picture, change the colors in the picture, and so on. I was very detailed in my studying because I wanted to make sure I passed the exams.
The exams for 2007 are not set up the same. I have yet to figure out what is needed for those yet. But I'll be happy to share the info once I do.
Happy Studying,
Jennie-wan |
Posted by: jrgpg
Date Posted: 25 August 2007 at 3:39pm
Killravin, re MeasureUP, I agree with Jennie. I practiced diligently with the software. I scored between 90%-100% during each MeasureUp certification exam practice. However, I failed both Word 2003 Expert and Excel 2003 Expert exams twice! Ironically, I got exactly the same score of 563 for 3 of the 4 tests at a Certiport Testing Center, which seems strange to me.
I must admit, I learned quite a bit practicing with the software, but not enough to pass any exam.
I took the exam at a Certiport Testing Center in Washington DC. During the exams, some of the functions I needed couldn't be activated during the exam. Some of the test screens ran off the page, so I had no way of knowing if I completed some processes correctly. To make matters worse, the procter and another tester held a 10 minute conversation as I attempted to take the test, causing so much distraction!
I protested and was given another voucher by the testing center. However, all testing experiences at this center were horrible and a waste of my hard earned cash.
In any event, I'm looking for another testing center in the area. I refuse to take any additional test at the past location.
In summary, don't rely solely on MeasureUp to pass the exams. I found somethings on the exam that were not covered in MeasureUp's software.
When I called MeasureUp requesting my refund for not passing, I was told by the gentleman that I spoke with that "he heard the test had changed some." However, I was not able to get a refund due to the fact that I hadn't taken the exam within 3 months of purchasing the software.
I feel scammed by the testing center and somewhat by MeasureUp because of the 3-month policy that I wasn't aware of. However, I will not give up! |
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