What is a Microsoft
Certification Exam?
As you may have heard, Microsoft provides a certification
exam for users of its software to demonstrate their skills through an
independently administered exam. Community
Business College has been selected as an official Microsoft Certification Testing Center.
As of July, 2016 the college is helping Microsoft beta test the 2016 version of
the Outlook exam.
The current Outlook exam code number is Microsoft Outlook exam number 77-423. This description covers the basic functions of
what is asked on the exam. Community Business College offers a free study guide
to all potential test takers. A summary of that study guide is listed below at
the end of this blog.
So the question that comes to mind to a lot of people is: why go to all the effort and expense to pass
the certification?
Why Go For The
Outlook Certification?
Here
are 5 good reasons to obtain an Outlook user certification:
1. Achieve industry-recognized certification;
2.
Learn the
computing skills companies want. Microsoft Outlook is an industry standard
program;
3. Boost your resume - Since most
employers who are casual users of Outlook are not aware that a certification
exists, you can describe your certificate during the job interview;
4. Differentiate yourself from other Microsoft
Outlook users;
5.
Increase your
earning potential.
At Community Business College we’ve
yet to hear of anyone who got a raise by just passing the exam but the testing
author suggests it can be an additional justification when asking for a raise.
Here are a couple of other uses along those lines:
-
Continuing Education Units. Whether your employer
requires these or not they are good to have because they demonstrate continuous
improvement.
-
Be the office Outlook expert. Every office needs somebody who can help when
a coworker gets stuck. By getting certified, you have a better chance about
filling that roll.
What Are The New Exams Like?
A.MOS 2010 and earlier versions
provide a variety of brief tasks to complete using Office application tools and
functions. The new exam format for MOS 2013 presents a short project that the
candidate must complete, using the specifications provided. This creates a
real-world testing experience for candidates. For more information, check out
the View the MOS 2013 demo video.
Skills Measured In the Microsoft Outlook 77-423 Exam
This exam
measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below. The
percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.
The higher the percentage, the more questions you are likely to see on that
content area on the exam.
Here are the
categories on the Microsoft Outlook exam:
Manage the Outlook environment (25–30% of the exam)
·
Customize Outlook settings
o
Set outlook to include original messages with all reply
messages, change text formats for all outgoing messages, customize the
Navigation pane, block specific addresses, configure views, manage multiple
accounts, set Outlook options
·
Automate Outlook
o
Change quoted text colors, create and assign
signatures, use “Quick Steps,” create and manage rules, create auto-replies
·
Print and save information in Outlook
o
Print messages, print calendars, save message
attachments, preview attachments, print contacts, print tasks, save messages in
alternate formats, create data files
·
Search in Outlook
o
Create new search folders, search for messages,
search for tasks, search for contacts, search calendars, use advanced find, use
“Search by Location”
Preparation resources
Manage messages (25–30% of the exam)
·
Create a message
o
Create messages, forward messages, delete messages,
add/remove message attachments, add Cc and Bcc to messages, add voting options
to messages, reply to all, reply to sender only, prioritize messages, mark as
private, request delivery/read receipt, redirect replies, delegate access
·
Format messages
o
Format text, insert hyperlinks, apply themes and
styles, insert images, add a signature to specific messages, format signatures,
create and use “Quick Parts”
·
Organize and manage messages
o
Sort messages, move messages between folders, add
new local folders, apply categories, configure junk email settings, clean up
messages, mark as read/unread, flag messages, ignore messages, sort by
conversation, set attachment reminder options
Preparation resources
·
Configure junk email settings in Outlook
Manage schedules (30–35% of the exam)
·
Create and manage calendars
o
Adjust viewing details for calendars, modify
calendar time zones, delete calendars, set calendar work times, use multiple
calendars, manage calendar groups, overlay calendars, share calendars
·
Create appointments, meetings, and events
o
Create calendar items, create recurring calendar
items, cancel calendar items, create calendar items from messages, set calendar
item times, categorize calendar items, use the scheduling assistant, change
availability status, schedule resources, utilize Room Finder
·
Organize and manage appointments, meetings, and
events
o
Set calendar item importance, forward calendar items,
configure reminders, add participants, respond to invitations, update calendar
items, share meeting notes
·
Create and manage notes, tasks, and journals
o
Create and manage tasks, create and manage notes,
attach notes to contacts, create journal entries, update task status
Manage contacts and groups (15–20% of the exam)
·
Create
and manage contacts
o Create new contacts, delete contacts,
import contacts from external sources, edit contact information, attach an
image to contacts, add tags to contacts, share contacts, manage multiple
address books
·
Create
and manage groups
o Create new contact groups, add contacts to
existing groups, add notes to a group, update contacts within groups, delete
groups, delete group members
How much does the Microsoft
Outlook exam (77-423)
cost? The voucher prices range from $89 to $130 depending upon whether you
choose the single exam voucher or the voucher
with the retake. The retake voucher is a bit more expensive but is handy,
especially for first-time test takers because it gives you a second attempt at
the exam if you fail the first time, without having to pay the full price for a
whole new exam voucher. It kind of gives you a de facto practice test.
Need a voucher to take the Microsoft
Outlook exam? Community Business College offers discounts on vouchers. A
voucher purchased through our college can be used at any Microsoft testing
center throughout the United States. You can purchase an exam voucher through
our Amazon store or
directly from Community
Business College at http://www.cbcwebcollege.com/shopcart/
