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Did you know that office workers spend nearly 40% of their time using Excel? But most of them have never received any formal Excel training! This fact alone makes Excel one of the most sought-after skills in workplaces.
Getting Microsoft Excel certified comes with a lot of benefits, as you have solid proof of your proficiency in such an important tool. If you are unaware of what kind of certificates you can get on Excel, then this blog is your perfect guide.
There are numerous benefits to getting Microsoft Excel certified. As it is one of the most used tools for almost any organisation, there is always a demand for Excel experts in any company. Let’s look at some of the best reasons why you would want to get Excel certified.
When your resume contains Microsoft Excel as one of your areas of expertise, you are instantly a better hire than most candidates. Excel proficiency is in high demand in professional spaces, no matter the field – from finance and accounting to project management and marketing. You can have years of experience using Excel, but without a certificate, there is no solid proof. As a result, it’s best to get certified for better chances of landing the job you always wanted.
If you are a beginner when it comes to using Excel, you will find that even a simple task is taking longer to complete. Having a better idea of how to use MS Excel will significantly increase your productivity. You will create tables in seconds, conduct complex calculations using formulas, and create visually appealing and working reports that can impact your next team meeting.
Overall, having a better understanding of Excel will make your professional life easier, as you will finish your tasks in due time, sometimes even faster. This higher level of efficiency will help you get ahead in your career.
As you become proficient in Excel, your ability to handle complex and large amounts of data also improves. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the presence of a huge data set, your mind can already sort them out with the help of Excel. As a result, you become a valuable asset to your organisation.
Did you know that getting Microsoft Excel certified will give you global recognition in the job market? If you try to apply for a foreign organization, your certification will have the same value as it does in your own country. The certificates are valid worldwide, and you are able to show your skills across borders.
Currently, Microsoft offers three official Excel certifications. Each of them caters to different skill levels and professional needs. These certificates are under a program called the Microsoft Office Specialist or MOS. Here are the three types of certifications you can get for Excel:
This is the most basic level of certificate you can get in Excel. With it, you will learn how to operate the applications in the Microsoft Office ecosystem, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and so on. Currently, this program teaches the 2019 version of Excel. To get this certificate, you will have to pass a designated exam.
Key skills include:
The MOS Expert certification is the next level and requires more advanced skills in Excel. It builds upon foundational knowledge and focuses on more complex functionalities and tools within Excel. Earning the MOS Expert certification is ideal for those who want to use Excel for data analysis, reporting, or advanced data management tasks. This certification means that you have a higher level of expertise in Excel, demonstrating advanced functions that go beyond basic usage.
Key skills include:
The MOS Master certification is the highest level in the MOS program and is reserved for those who have mastered Excel at an expert level. To earn this designation, you need to pass multiple MOS exams, demonstrating comprehensive skills in Microsoft Office with an emphasis on Excel. The MOS Master certification is often pursued by data analysts, financial professionals, and others who rely on Excel for sophisticated data processing, reporting, and visualisation tasks.
Key skills include:
You do not need to have any kind of professional or academic eligibility to apply for an official Microsoft Excel certification. However, you do need a computer and the following software installed for the online exams:
If you have a Windows computer, you will likely have most of the above.
To pass the MOS exam, you will need to score at least 700 points, where the total point is 1000, and the exams usually last up to 60 minutes. You will be given the option to schedule your exam, and it typically costs around US$100. There are authorised testing centres all around the world where this exam is taken. The exam centres are called Pearson VUE or Certiport.
You may expect around 40-60 questions for the Associate level exam. For the expert level, there may be about 25 questions in a 50-minute timeframe.
Here are the steps you need to follow to get your own official MS Excel certification:
As described above, there are three types of certification programs available from Microsoft for Excel and other Office applications. You need to figure out which one you would want to pick. If you are a beginner, a regular Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam can be the right start.
After selecting a program, you need to start studying for it. The best way to do it is via online courses. Sikkhon provides several courses on Excel for beginner and expert-level exams where you can learn from experts. With courses like these, you will have the proper guidance and will also be able to take practice exams that will prepare you for the real one.
When you are ready, you can schedule your exam via an authorised testing centre such as Certiport. There are both online and in-person exams, and you can choose from either.
After scheduling the exam, go to the provided address for the testing centre or log in early if you pick an online exam. Get ready to complete practical Excel tasks based on your program.
You will get the results of your exam fairly quickly. As we mentioned, a 700-point score is necessary to pass the exam out of 1000 points. If you fail, you can retake the exam after 24 hours. Some certifications need renewals to maintain the certification.
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