Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 Expert

After I obtained the MOS 2019/365 Associate and pass Word and Excel Expert. I manage to achieve Microsoft Office specialist 2019/365 Expert. Which is a MOS Master equivalent. I am proud of my achievement as I done a lot of studies.

I am now the 1st man in London, UK history to become the MOS Expert in 2019/365.

One day I will complete Outlook Associate and Access Associate.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 5: Excel Expert

I still said that just like in Word 2019 blog that I was planning to take Outlook Associate first before the expert stage. But unfortunately Outlook Associate and Access is still delay until 2020 but luckily in the 1st week of November, Excel Expert was released. I did not take the take the exam quickly because I was focusing on the other MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) exams until the other Office 2019/365 becomes available.

I expected to fail or almost pass because I had a history of failed few times because of the previous Excel Expert Exams and the nature of the advanced formulas.
It was still tricky but I was more confident than before after my skills set.

After I completed the test with few minutes remaining. I said to myself, "If I fail, then unlucky and there will be next time", the results load up very slowly and I got a pass. I pass with a good score, 750+ points (I cannot give you the exact score because of NDA reasons).

Now I pass, I am now the MOS 2019/365 Expert

Exams required:
MO-201: Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel and Excel 2019)

Microsoft Windows 7 is retiring on January 2020

I got this screenshot when you use Windows 7 and a quick message that Microsoft will not support Windows 7 after January 2020.
Get Windows 10 to get yourself up to date.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 4: Word Expert

The original plan is to do Outlook 2019 Associate before Word Expert, but because Outlook is still will release on later date and Word Expert was released before Outlook. I decide to do the Word Expert exam. This was after I pass the PowerPoint Associate and achieved the MOS Associate.

I was not ready to do the exam but this was to refresh my brain. There were new skills involved but I manage to complete the test and pass over 900+ points which was unexpected. But the expert skills sink in when I was doing the exam.
I also cannot believe I have completed the 'Word Double' (Word Associate and Expert) as I pass the Expert on the 1st day of release.

Exam required:
MO-101: Microsoft Word Expert (Word and Word 2019)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 Associate

After I pass PowerPoint Associate, I manage to receive the Microsoft Office Specialist - Associate Certificate. This is one of my best achievement so far.

I still got to do Outlook Associate when it release so I can complete the Associate Tier.

Once I complete the Associate Tier, then I will move on to the Expert Tier as I only require 2 out of 3 exams for me to get the MOS Expert, but one day, I will get them all.

Exams Passed:
MO-100: Word and Word 2019
MO-200: Excel and Excel 2019
MO-300: PowerPoint and PowerPoint 2019

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 3: PowerPoint Associate

After few attempts to do the exam. Not fail attempts but this was because the exam has crashed weeks ago as this was released.

This exam was as usual easy to manoeuvre because of my usual skills transfer from 2013 and 2016.

This exam include 3D picture. if you are used to PowerPoint exam from the past, this is no different from the 2016 version.

After I pass this exam. I have been awarded as the Microsoft Office Specialist - Associate.

Exam required:
MO-300: Microsoft PowerPoint (PowerPoint and PowerPoint 2019)

Install Microsoft Office 365 (2019 version) on Windows 7

Since Microsoft saying that Microsoft Office 2019 only supports Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 only. Some companies try to avoid upgrading to Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 to save money. But do not realise that they will not get Office 2019 as this does not meet the IT Business requirement to do so.

However what if someone can use Office 365 instead and use Windows 7. So I done a test on Windows 7 and it works as I use the subscription based Office 365 subscription instead of Office 2019 standalone product.

I done a video as of September 2019 because the Office 365 goes by the current version of the office license.

Example if you have Office 365 subscription at 2014 then you get the Office 2013 version, same as if you got subscription at 2017 then you get the 2016 version and as of 2019 you get the current 2019 version.

Mind you that Windows 7 retires on January 2020 so you might as well as getting Windows 8 or 8.1.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 2: Excel Associate

This exam was interesting as I learn something new about this:
I learn about the legend keys on data which I did not know about and there were tasks about the Text functions (not saying which one) and introduce 3D pictures.

If the exam is based on Office 2019 then when you do the formulas then you have to manually fill down. If it is based on Office 365 then it will auto fill down as 365 as the interactive features.

The point I am saying that even so Office 2019/365 are the same thing some test will be using Office 2019 and some my use 365 so you may get an easier advantage.

I score over 900 points on the exams.

Exam required:
MO-200: Microsoft Excel (Excel and Excel 2019)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 1: Word Associate

Since one of the local test centre does not provide Office 2019 certification. I found a test centre which provides the latest Office 2019 certification and it is in their house who is the Authorised Test Centre.

I am not going to go into details as this is not about the person's house at the home is the only place in London including the Central London as this is about the Word Associate.

Now, lets get down to this:

Word Associate has the same exam format as Office 2016 like it said from the Microsoft, but in a twist. You may have project which only have one task which you have to look out for. I really enjoyed the exam to be honest with you and a score above 900 points.

The exam is easy because again I learn from Word 2013 & 2016, but there will be new task as the Office has new features so again watch out for it.

Exam required:
MO-100: Microsoft Word (Word and Word 2019)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 & 365 Certification

Since I have achieve the Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 Master.
Now the MOS Office 365/2019 Specialist has just been release this month (July 2019).

Links so far from Microsoft Website:

Associate Tier:
Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate (Word and Word 2019)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Excel and Excel 2019)
Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (PowerPoint and PowerPoint 2019)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook Associate (Outlook and Outlook 2019)

Expert Tier:
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Word and Word 2019)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel and Excel 2019)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Access Expert (Access and Access 2019)

The MOS Certification has been change, now there are Certification Path and 1 is the prerequisite:
The 1st Path is known as the MOS: Associate which contains the core exams which now called the Associate. One you obtain the Associate Certificate then you have to complete the 2nd Path: Expert stages, now include Access as the Expert credentials along side with Word and Expert which will work and achieve towards MOS: Expert which is the Master equivalent.

One the Certiport website this will show you the certification path:
https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/Microsoft/MOS/Certify/Office-365-and-Office-2019

I have 2 exhibits from my Certification planner showing the Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 path:

Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 365 and Office 2019):
Pass 3 of 4 Exams to awarded as the Associate

Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019):
Pass 2 of 3 Expert Exams and Associate to awarded as the Expert. 

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 Master & the Grand Slam Champion

After the long journey of the Office 2016 and passing all 7 exams. I am not just got the MOS Master of 2016, but capture the Grand Slam for the 2nd time.

I thought I will spend over a year of completing 2 Grand Slam Masters of Microsoft Office Specialist (2013 and 2016) but it turns out it was less than a year.

I am still made history in the Test Centre as I am the only person who pass and achieved all exams in the centre.

Why do I call it historic?
This is because before I sit in all the exams, the test centre were only offer Microsoft Word Core & Expert 2013 and Excel Core 2013 only. This was because students usually takes those exams to prove the skills and stands out for job opportunities. When I willing to take all of the 2013 series, the Examiner has to download all of them as I was the only person who will take them.

The when I become the Grand Slam an MOS Master 2013, they decide to introduce MOS 2016 exams in the test centre. Basically mean that I open the doors to new test takers who want to achieve the not just the Expert status but soon to be Masters just I did.

During the MOS Masters journey I have learned a lot form the exams and skill set which was set before me, I even gained more confident withing my abilities to utilise my work and troubleshoot better than before.

Now I have complete the journey. I can now enjoy Microsoft Office 2019 and Office 365 package as my reward.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 5: Word 2016 Double

I cannot believe this that I have done Word Double, you heard it! Double! - 2 exams in one day: The Core and the Expert

1st - Word Core 2016 (77-725):
This was easy and a warm up for the Expert. The test is consist on formatting image, insert word and excel document. Learn how to modify styles and do bullet points. I am almost score a perfection on this one with over 900 score.

2nd - Word Expert 2016 (77-726):
This was tricky but I new the skill from the 2013 Expert but few queries on the exams but managed to do it. I slay the Expert with over 800 points on the test..

Now I capture the Word Double, I not just awarded the MOS Master 2016 and earn the Grand Slam.

Exams required:

77-725: MOS Microsoft Word 2016 Core (Core Document Creation, Collaboration and Communication)
77-726: MOS Microsoft Word 2016 Expert (Creating Documents for Effective Communication)

 

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 4: Excel 2016 Double

What a Excel Double it is, from the Walk in the park dead simple to the hard as 'God Mode' it is.

1st - Excel Core 2016 (77-727):
This was easy as I learn expert formulas from Excel Expert 2013 with an outstanding score.
It was matter of mastering formulas, charts and formats. I learn to adapt to SUMs, average and VLOOKUPs.
Did some practice to refresh my skills from the previous version which gave me more skill set for Excel.

2nd - Excel Expert 2016 (77-728):
Unlike the easy core skills, the Expert is one pain of the bane!
I have to learn about Cube which is completely new to me. This one took me alot of learning.
I even have to learn about the 'GetPivotData' formula which I manage to get the hang of. The condition formula which is the bane of all as you have to do the nest condition with the AND and OR function.
I had some issues with the exam which causes delay in rescheduling but after few attempts I finally passed.
On the test day before I passed I though I did not do well as there were more inconsistent formulas which I attempt to do and when the time run out I thought to myself, "there always be next time" and I thought I failed because of this.
But when when I got to the score results, I was shocked that I have passed the exam. Maybe because I did the formula correctly and require more correct answers to score enough to pass.
I am very happy that I have passed but Excel Expert will always be hard ones because of new advanced formulas to learn.

The only thing remaining is Microsoft Word, complete the double and I not just get the Master Certification but also the Grand Slam Champion.

Exams required:

77-727: MOS - Microsoft Office Excel 2016 (Core Data Analysis, Manipulation, and Presentation)
77-728: MOS - Microsoft Office Excel 2016 Expert (Interpreting Data for Insights)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 3: PowerPoint 2016

This is the last of 3 of the solo series.

This exam was very easy to pass because it is not much different between the 2013 to a 2016 version and learned a lot from the PowerPoint 2013.

Few trick questions but I manage to know then quickly.

I have passed with flying colours as I was aiming towards almost the maximum score (1000 points) but not always the case.

Now I have completed the elective and the solo stages.

All I got left are the 2 Doubles – Word and Excel 2016. Both Core and Expert.

I may be half way towards the MOS Master and Grand Slam but Word and Excel are the main event of the exams.

Exams required:

77-729 – MOS PowerPoint 2016 (Core Presentation Design and Delivery Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 2: Access 2016

This is the 2nd of the 2 elective exam (2nd is Access 2016).

Also the 2nd of 3 of the solo series.

I unlike Office 2013 exams where you do one project, you do multiple projects in one exam.

In the 2016 exams you have between 5 to 7 projects and between 4 to 7 tasks in each project.

As usual I cannot go deep into the subject because of the usual NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) rules.

In the exam, some tasks were easy and some are tricky but have to overcome task as the time is ticking. The format had some glitches which I could not so but I somehow resolve this. If I did not I would of got a lot of wrong answers and fail. If I did fail the exam due to glitch then I would definitely make a complain about it.

I have passed and score over 800 points (not saying the exact score so I put the nearest 100 on this one.

I have learn something new skills during the exam which I did not know about which is interesting.

Since I have pass both Outlook and Access which means I have completed both of the elective exams, even I need one to get the MOS Master I rather get 2 so I can aim towards the Grand Slam with the MOS Master.

Exams required:

77-730 – MOS Access 2016 (Core Database Management, Manipulation, and Query Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 1: Outlook 2016

This is the 1st of the 2 elective exam (2nd is Access 2016).
Also the 1st of 3 of the solo series.

I did a practice test and I found it easy because this was a skills transfer from the Outlook 2013 which I am certified in.

In the exam, it had some interesting task which was very tricky but I manage to learn and overcome very quick because you have to think about the exam time limit.

Also this exam is based on classic task question which is the last as the rest will be project based exams.

If anyone got certified in Outlook 2013, this should be simple to pass as you have the skill set to do so.

Exams required:
77-731 – MOS Outlook 2016 (Core Communication, Collaboration and Email Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Grand Slam Champion

Now I have passed all 11 exams in the Office 2013 Series I can now call myself the Office 2013 Grand Slam Champion.

When I work hard to get the MOS Master 2013. I said to myself “How about I go further to get the 

Solo exams to gain the Grand Slam.” And I did.

It was a long and a great journey it took to pass all of them. To the destination got passed them all. I really enjoyed it every one of them, there were few attempts on the Experts of Word and Excel to 

learn the greater knowledge.

I am also proud of my achievement to become what I am and to get here.

Now the next stop is MOS Office 2016 as there are 7 exams in this one.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 7: SharePoint 2013

This is last of the 5 solo exam series and the final exam of the Office 2013 Series

I did a lot of learning about SharePoint as I know a bit about it.

I did a lot of practice on understanding SharePoint and some exam preparation for this test.

The best tool I use to study and practise this I use Office 365 Exchange. Since I got my own Office 365 package I done practising on the Web Site.

Just like the previous exam (OneNote 2013) this is also based on double classic aka Task questions and multiple choice questions. This was a tricky exam but thanks to my Office 365 tool. I manage to pass.

Unlike the Server Side version of SharePoint where people use to do MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) test, this is the Office Specialist version of SharePoint where you learn the Content Management Side of SharePoint.

This exam also plays a major part of Office 365, if anyone gained MCSE SharePoint (the certificate has retired) in the past, you get to learn both, Server and Content Management where you can do web development. For example, Intranet for company.

I may not need the Server Side as I will focus on Web Developing side as I for Office 365 Exchange for me to learn and build my own SharePoint.

Or maybe I can learn the Server Side of SharePoint in the future.

I got a lot to learn about SharePoint.

Exams required:
77-419 – MOS SharePoint 2013

 

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 6: OneNote 2013

This is 4th of the 5 solo exam series.

I did a lot of practice on OneNote as I rarely use the OneNote package.

I pass with a better score but I have done it.
The exam is based on double classic questions. Which basically means there were task based and multiple choice question.

After I pass this exam I never know realise how useful OneNote is when using it for work and I start utilising this for my work. Well I still got to learn.

Exams required:
77-421 – MOS OneNote 2013

 

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 5: Access 2013

This is 3rd of the 5 solo exam series.

This exam was tricky but I passed because I use to design the database years ago. When I was practising for this exam, this was a mind refreshing to me because it was a long time using it. I learned bit more about the database and refresh my skills on forms and query. Also the expression when you do formulas (similar to Excel).

I pass with a good score but I have done it.
This was the exam of the 2013 series which based on project task. The last 2 (OneNote and SharePoint) will be based on the classic task based (2010 or earlier version) of the exam.

Exams required:
77-424 – MOS Access 2013

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 4: Outlook 2013

This is 2nd of the 5 solo exam series.

This exam was very interesting as I did some practice on this test.
The exam itself is based on the classic task based exam instead of project based.
If anyone used to do MOS in the past, the classic is based on each question where you do tasks. The classic is based on Office 2010, 2007 and earlier where as Office 2013 is more project based.
Again, I will not divulge more details because of the usual NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) rules.

I have learn a lot with Outlook as I do not utilise the tools as at my workplace where I never use. Now the tools I learn to practice, study and pass the exam I can start using more often.

Exams required:
77-423 – MOS Outlook 2013

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 3: PowerPoint 2013

This is 1st of the 5 solo exam series.

I spend weeks practising on PowerPoint before I study the exam.

The skills you require to pass is you have to learn about animation, transition, master slide and the custom slide show.

I pass the exam with flying colours.

Also this Certification is added to the MOS Master 2013 certificate

Exams required:
77-422 – MOS PowerPoint 2013

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Master

After I obtained the Expert stages of Word and Excel 2013. I have managed the gain the Master Status of Office 2013.

What an achievement for me. I could have took the elective stages instead but I want both Word and Excel Expert as I want to Master both Word and Excel.

I am proud of my long hard achievement as the 2 Part Expert on Word and Excel which are the 'pain in the butt'!

Now I got the Masters now I am going to get the 5 Solo Certifications which are PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote and SharePoint 2013 to get the "Grand Slam".

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 - Part 2: Excel 2013 Triple

After I completed Microsoft Word 2013 Triple (Triple as Specialist and 2 part Expert). I moved on the Excel Exam.

Since I did a lot of study in Excel the Specialist level was quite easy and tricky at the same time.

Easy as I know the formulas and learn how to do Charts and Graphs.

Tricky as you have to make sure that you must not have typos or incorrect spelling on each field as this can cost you points and end up failing.

When I started the Expert stages the exams was very hard as you are expose to deeper formulas and Charts as you ever. I have to understand more of Data tools and how to filter out the data, how to link Spreadsheet to another, even the LOOKUPS, yes, VLOOKUP as that caught me out many years ago and now learned more of it.

You also have to understand nested formulas (formulas combined inside the main formula).

I am not going to write an example on this blog because of NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) rules.

So I did so many attempts on both parts. I did pass Part 1 weeks ago. I done so many retakes for Part 2 as I have to remember the nested formulas.

I have finally passed Part 1 & 2 on the Expert level.

Exams required:

77-420 - MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2013
77-427 - MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2013 Expert Part 1
77-428 - MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2013 Expert Part 2