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