Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Tips

A typical Microsoft Office Specialist exam has a time limit of 45 to 60 minutes.

Task instructions (exam questions) are displayed in a separate window at the bottom of your screen.

When you finish the tutorial and begin working, the instruction box will indicate the question with which you are currently working and the total number of questions (for example, question 3 of 50).

Most questions comprise one or more tasks, which are scored individually.

Once you click the Next button and proceed to the next question you will not be able to return to any prior questions.

Your score will be based only on the tasks you are asked to complete. Please be aware that doing anything more or less than the assigned task may affect your score.

Errant keystrokes or mouse clicks will not count against your score as long as you achieve the correct end result.

At the end of the exam you will be presented with a score report which will indicate whether you passed or failed the exam.

The testing center should also provide a printed score report. Save your printed score report; it provides an additional confirmation of your result.

If you complete the exam successfully, your Office Specialist Welcome Kit, including your certificate, will be delivered within 2–3 weeks.

Carefully read the instructions.

Read the pre-exam tutorial and the instructions for each exam question carefully.

Give precise answers that resolve the question exactly as specified.

Ensure that you have completed each task entirely before clicking the Next button. Once you proceed to the next question, you cannot return to any prior questions.

Remember that, in most cases, scoring is based on the result of your work rather than the method or time taken to complete the task. However, in cases where you are instructed to use a specific application feature, use of that feature is scored.

Remember that the overall exam is timed. While spending a lot of time on an individual answer will not adversely affect the scoring of that particular question, taking too long may not leave you with enough time to complete the entire test.

Close dialog boxes, tool bars, and menus, but do not close the primary application window where the exercise is displayed.

Do not leave tables, boxes, or cells "active" (highlighted) unless instructed to do so.

Do not scroll in the screen window unless instructed to do so. Leave your answer visible.

Make sure all of a task's steps are completed. For example, when entering data or a formula into a cell in Microsoft Excel, press the appropriate key (for example, the Enter key or an arrow key) to make sure the information has been accepted. When the information has been accepted or confirmed, the word "Ready" will appear in the bottom left corner of the Excel task bar.

Make sure the application has completed the task calculations or functions before clicking the Next button.

Simulation exams use interactive digital models of Microsoft programs rather than a "live" version of the program. Consequently, Microsoft Office functionality that is not directly relevant to the completion of a question may not be available. All questions, however, may be completed using standard menu, toolbar, and keyboard commands.

Microsoft Office Specialist exams for Office XP and Office 2000 use "live" or real Microsoft Office programs and Microsoft Office 2003 Edition exams use simulated Microsoft Office programs to provide the most direct and authentic evaluation of your Microsoft Office knowledge, skills, and abilities. These methods of testing require that multiple complex components run simultaneously. While every effort is made to ensure that these components operate harmoniously, in certain circumstances the computer on which you are taking the exam may stop responding or produce an error message.

In anticipation of such difficulties, the examination software saves your answers as you complete each question. If you experience a computer interruption, notify the testing center administrator immediately to restart your exam. When the exam is restarted, the software will return to the point in the exam where you were interrupted and will retain both your score and keep your remaining time intact. We apologize if such an interruption should occur, but believe that the use of live Microsoft Office applications provides the optimal measurement of your ability when compared to examination alternatives.