The Microsoft Business Certification Program

Desktop computing proficiency is becoming increasingly important in today's business world. As a result, when screening, hiring, and training employees, more employers are relying on the objectivity and consistency of technology certification to ensure the competence of their workforce. As an employee or job seeker, you can use technology certification to prove that you already have the skills you need to succeed, saving current and future employers the trouble and expense of training you.

The Microsoft Business Certification program is designed to assist employees in validating their Windows Vista skills and 2007 Microsoft Office program skills. There are two paths to certification:

A Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) is an individual who has demonstrated worldwide skill standards for Windows Vista or the 2007 Microsoft Office suite through a certification exam in Windows Vista or in one or more of the 2007 Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007, and Microsoft Office Access 2007.
A Microsoft Certified Application Professional (MCAP) is an individual who has taken his or her knowledge of the 2007 Microsoft Office suite and of Microsoft SharePoint products and technologies to the next level and has demonstrated through a certification exam that he or she can use the collaborative power of the Office suite to accomplish job functions such as Budget Analysis and Forecasting, or Content Management and Collaboration.

After attaining certification, you can include the MCAS or MCAP logo with the appropriate certification designator on your business cards and other personal promotional materials. This logo attests to the fact that you are proficient in the applications or cross-application skills necessary to achieve the certification.

Selecting a Certification Path

When selecting the Microsoft Business Certification path that you would like to pursue, you should assess the following:

The program and program version(s) with which you are familiar
The length of time you have used the program
Whether you have had formal or informal training in the use of that program

Candidates for MCAS-level certification are expected to successfully complete a wide range of standard business tasks, such as formatting a document or spreadsheet. Successful candidates generally have six or more months of experience with Windows Vista or the specific Office the program, including either formal, instructor-led training or self-study using MCAS-approved books, guides, or interactive computer-based materials.

Candidates for MCAP-level certification are expected to successfully complete more complex, business-oriented tasks utilizing advanced functionality with the combined 2007 Microsoft Office suite of products. Successful candidates generally have between six months and one or more years of experience with the programs, including formal, instructor-led training or self-study using MCAP-approved materials.

Becoming a Microsoft Certified Application SpecialistWindows Vista

Every MCAS and MCAP certification exam is developed from a set of exam skill standards that are derived from studies of how Windows Vista and the 2007 Office programs are used in the workplace. Because these skill standards dictate the scope of each exam, they provide you with critical information on how to prepare for certification.

To become certified as a Windows Vista Product Specialist, you must demonstrate proficiency in these seven areas:

Protecting your computer. You must demonstrate the ability to manage Windows Firewall, manage malicious software protection, configure Windows Update settings, lock a computer, manage Windows Internet Explorer security, and configure local user accounts.
Managing mobile and remote computing. You must demonstrate the ability to manage the computer power state, network connections, and remote access to your computer; connect to another computer; and access files stored in shared network folders when your computer is offline.
Managing software, disks, and devices. You must demonstrate the ability to manage software, storage disks, devices, and drivers; manage display settings; configure multiple monitors; and install and configure a printer.
Managing files and folders. You must demonstrate the ability to manage Windows Explorer settings; manage, organize, and search for files and folders; secure and share folders; and back up and restore files and folders.
Collaborating with other people. You must demonstrate the ability to collaborate in real time and present information to an audience through Windows Meeting Space, and to communicate in real time by using Windows Live Messenger.
Customizing your Windows Vista experience. You must demonstrate the ability to modify the Start menu and the taskbar, personalize the desktop and system sounds, and manage Windows Sidebar.
Optimizing and troubleshooting your computer. You must demonstrate the ability to increase processing speed, locate the information about your system needed to troubleshoot a problem, repair a network connection, recover from software errors, troubleshoot printing errors, recover the operating system from a problem, and request and manage Remote Assistance.

Taking a Microsoft Business Certification Exam

The MCAS and MCAP certification exams for Windows Vista and the 2007 Office programs are performance-based and require you to complete business-related tasks using an interactive simulation (a digital model) of the Windows Vista operating system or one or more programs in the Office suite.

Test-Taking Tips

Follow all instructions provided in each question completely and accurately.
Enter requested information as it appears in the instructions, but without duplicating the formatting unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise. For example, the text and values you are asked to enter might appear in the instructions in bold and underlined (for example, text), but you should enter the information without applying these formats.
Close all dialog boxes before proceeding to the next exam question unless you are specifically instructed otherwise.
Don't close task panes before proceeding to the next exam question unless you are specifically instructed to do otherwise.
If you are asked to print a document, spreadsheet, chart, report, or slide, perform the task, but be aware that nothing will actually be printed.
Don't worry about extra keystrokes or mouse clicks. Your work is scored based on its result, not on the method you use to achieve that result (unless a specific method is indicated in the instructions), and not on the time you take to complete the question.
If your computer becomes unstable during the exam (for example, if the exam does not respond or the mouse no longer functions) or if a power outage occurs, contact a testing center administrator immediately. The administrator will restart the computer and return the exam to the point where the interruption occurred with your score intact.

Certification

At the conclusion of the exam, you will receive a score report, which you can print with the assistance of the testing center administrator. If your score meets or exceeds the passing standard (the minimum required score), you will be mailed a printed certificate within approximately 14 days.

For More Information

To learn more about the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist exams and courseware, visit

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcas/

To learn more about the Microsoft Certified Application Professional exams and courseware, visit

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcap/