Alongside my work placement with the Working Travel Group, I have been completing the Microsoft Office Specialist Associate Certificate. This certificate is shown below:
As detailed on the certificate, in order to achieve the Associate level of the Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate, you must achieve a passing grade in three Microsoft programs. The programs I chose were Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
The first program I completed was the Microsoft Excel Certificate. I chose to do this one first as when I spoke to people who had previously completed the certificates, they said that Excel was the most challenging to complete. Therefore, I wanted to complete the Excel certificate first.
For each program, the GMetrix system can be used. This programme offers access to extensive and detailed study guides that helped to ensure that I knew each Excel, Word and PowerPoint in great detail. I dedicated approximately 10 hours a week to study the Excel work books and complete numerous practice tests. When I began to consistently achieve or exceed to passing grade, I booked a virtual test.
Completing the virtual Excel exam evoked feelings of anxiety, as I wanted to pass so that my dedicated wouldn’t have gone to waste. Fortunately, I passed the Microsoft Excel exam, and this boosted my confidence in completing the virtual exams.
This inspired me to begin preparing for my Microsoft Word exam, I also dedicated approximately 10 hours a week to build my confidence with the program. Similar to Excel, I booked my virtual test when I was consistently exceeding the passing grade of 70%.
Thankfully, I also passed the Microsoft Word exam and repeated the same process for the Microsoft PowerPoint exam. Due to my hard work and dedication to completing these certificates, I achieved my Microsoft Associate Certification.
The obtainment of this certificate has boosted my confidence when I use Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and I am aiming to complete the Expert Level for both Excel and Word in the near future.
Hints and Tips: Perseverance really pays off; don’t give up on something straight away, sometimes things just take a little bit of time.
Megan Curbishley.
