MOUS Certification -- What it is?

MOUS certification is the universally accepted standard assessment of desktop proficiency for the Microsoft office suite of applications. When potential employees are certified, hiring managers know they can hit the ground running. They know time and money won't be wasted on training and support. That's why more companies are recognizing the MOUS program as a standard assessment that differentiates proficient employees.

The MOUS program gives you proof you know how to use Microsoft Office applications efficiently and productively.

Becoming a Proficient or Expert Specialist means you are more valuable to an employer, and more marketable as an employee.

How do I obtain MOUS certification?

Step 1: Choose a level of participation

Microsoft Office Proficient Specialist. This level is available for Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
To obtain this certification, you will need to pass any one Proficient Level Exam (Word or Excel).
Microsoft Office Expert Specialist. This level is available for Microsoft Office applications, as well as other applications within the extended Microsoft Office family, such as the Microsoft FrontPage™ 97 Web authoring and management tool.
To obtain this certification, you will need to pass any one Expert Level Exam.
Microsoft Office Expert. This level indicates you have attained Expert status in each of the Microsoft Office applications and have proved - through the Office Integration Exam - your ability to integrate these applications. This is the highest level attainable.
To obtain this certification, you will need to pass four Expert Level Exams and the Office Integration Exam

Step 2: Assess your experience and get prepared

While there are many ways to assess your experience and prepare for an exam, the bottom line is that skills like these aren't acquired overnight. Training helps ensure you get the support, guidance, and hands-on practice you need to become a Proficient or Expert Specialist.

Try assessment tests.
Review appropriate Exam Preparation Guides
Prepare by training with approved courseware
Try out your new skills in a real-world environment - practice, practice, practice

Step 3: Take and pass an exam

The Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) exam is not a written test. Instead, it features real-world assignments based on the way you actually use your computer. The exam software runs concurrent with an actual copy of Microsoft Office and provides you with tasks to perform on a real document. You move at your own pace; but be aware that the exam is timed and you will be penalized if you take too long to complete it.

Tests are conducted at Authorized Client Testing (ACT) Centers throughout the United States. To find the one nearest you, simply call 1-800-933-4493. The estimated retail price per test is $50.

Exams are based on real-world assignments, not written tests. Using an actual document, you'll be asked to perform a series of tasks that clearly demonstrate your skills.
All exams take less than an hour-and in some cases, only about 30 minutes. Once you've completed an exam you will be presented with your score, which will indicate if you've passed or not.
Upon passing required tests, you receive an official Microsoft Office User Specialist Certificate.
- A valuable credential when applying for a job
- Validation of your experience or training
- Proof that you've got the desktop-computing skills necessary to work more productively and more efficiently than many of your co-workers