Microsoft Office Specialist - validate your computer skills
Thinking what to do after the 12th Board? Do you have computer skills? If yes, then, go and take the Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate. This article gives the details like eligibility criteria, the levels to be completed and the job profiles for the course. Also, follow the step by step guide mentioned here to complete the certification.
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is one of the most recognized certifications in the field of office administration and management and back-office operations. The industry today witnesses a growing number of aspirants enrolling for it every year.
The course and the subsequent exams can be taken up by anyone who has completed his 12th class in education. But the course is also popular among the already employed personnel who do not have any such certification to support their skills in computers. The certification validates the expertise in all the features and functionality of Microsoft Office.Things you need to know
Academic Skills– It is advisable for students to take up the course after 12 years of school education. However, no such eligibility is there for the course.
Other Skills– Good Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Observation powers, Creativity and imagination Three levels of Certifications in MOS
There are three tiers of certifications in MOS based on the level, expertise and the broader skillsets for effectively utilizing the Microsoft office applications.Level 1- Microsoft Office Specialist (Associate) Certification
This certification validates a candidate's knowledge of a particular Microsoft Office program. Each product has a separate test and a separate certification. A candidate can take up more than one program but he/she has to clear a separate test and get the certificate for each Microsoft Office program. The certifications are available for:
Level 2 – Microsoft Office Specialist Expert Certification
This second tier of the certification includes validating the knowledge and expertise of a candidate towards the more advanced features of the Microsoft programs. A candidate can take up any of the following Microsoft office Products. However, he may decide to take up both the products. In such a case, he has to give separate tests for separate certificates. The certifications are available for:
Level 3 – Microsoft Office Specialist Master Certification
This certification designates that a candidate has achieved mastery over a range of Microsoft Office products. This level is more difficult as a candidate needs to get the certificates of many programs, unlike the previous two tiers where even one certificate was enough. A candidate must have a total of four certificates from the following (3 required and 1 elective):Step by step guide for the course
The MOS Certificate can be acquired by a fresher or even by an already working person. Step 1: Check your eligibility
As mentioned above, the candidate is eligible for the test only after 10th Board exams. But he also needs to have enough computer knowledge. These days, computers are taught in most schools. So, any further enrollment in other programs may not be needed. But in case, a candidate is new to computers, then he/she should first obtain basic computer skills. Then they can get enrolled in some programs to learn how to use a computer or using the internet.
The working persons who are having computer knowledge can also get extra information if required. Step 2: Enroll in Microsoft Office Course
As stated, one may have learned the Microsoft Office in his school or college. However, he may still get himself enrolled in some other professional training institute. One may not only get ample scope for practising but also get the proper training of the features of the programs. It is always advisable to brush up the learning before one takes up such professional tests.
If a candidate is already working with some program, he might not require any special training or course. Step 3: Choose your program for certification test
Choose and select the program for which you need the MOS certification. Each software program has a separate certification test. You may choose to appear in more than one test and obtain more MOS certificates. This will also help you later in level 3 i.e. in the MOS Master Certification.
MOS Certificate helps the already placed employees to get salary hikes or even promotions. So these candidates may select the program according to their requirements:
MOS Word Certificate– This is more apt for employees while creating and updating documents like the manuals, newsletters, press releases, etc.
MOS Access Certificate – This seems to be more appropriate for employees in charge of managing and creating databases.
MOS PowerPoint Certificate – This is sure to help the employees engaged with presentation activities.
MOS Outlook Certification – This is for employees hired in companies having the Microsoft Outlook as the e-mail system. Step 4: Take the test
Now, this is the final step towards the MOS certificate. Get registered in Microsoft authorized test centre. The duration of the test is 90 minutes wherein the applicant is required to complete a particular task using the appropriate tools in the said program. The applicants can see their results immediately after the tests. The successful candidates will get their MOS certificates soon through the post. However, unsuccessful candidates may appear again. Step 5: Pursue the next level
The officially certified candidates may pursue the next levels as well. They can take up the expert level that requires a deeper understanding of the programs. They can choose from the above-mentioned programs for this level. Else if they want, they can also take up more programs in the core level itself.
The MOS certification gives focus to the fresher and enables them to start their career at an early age. Along with the fresher category, the certification is more of a boost to the already placed employees working in different industries.