Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 4: Excel 2016 Double

What a Excel Double it is, from the Walk in the park dead simple to the hard as 'God Mode' it is.

1st - Excel Core 2016 (77-727):
This was easy as I learn expert formulas from Excel Expert 2013 with an outstanding score.
It was matter of mastering formulas, charts and formats. I learn to adapt to SUMs, average and VLOOKUPs.
Did some practice to refresh my skills from the previous version which gave me more skill set for Excel.

2nd - Excel Expert 2016 (77-728):
Unlike the easy core skills, the Expert is one pain of the bane!
I have to learn about Cube which is completely new to me. This one took me alot of learning.
I even have to learn about the 'GetPivotData' formula which I manage to get the hang of. The condition formula which is the bane of all as you have to do the nest condition with the AND and OR function.
I had some issues with the exam which causes delay in rescheduling but after few attempts I finally passed.
On the test day before I passed I though I did not do well as there were more inconsistent formulas which I attempt to do and when the time run out I thought to myself, "there always be next time" and I thought I failed because of this.
But when when I got to the score results, I was shocked that I have passed the exam. Maybe because I did the formula correctly and require more correct answers to score enough to pass.
I am very happy that I have passed but Excel Expert will always be hard ones because of new advanced formulas to learn.

The only thing remaining is Microsoft Word, complete the double and I not just get the Master Certification but also the Grand Slam Champion.

Exams required:

77-727: MOS - Microsoft Office Excel 2016 (Core Data Analysis, Manipulation, and Presentation)
77-728: MOS - Microsoft Office Excel 2016 Expert (Interpreting Data for Insights)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 3: PowerPoint 2016

This is the last of 3 of the solo series.

This exam was very easy to pass because it is not much different between the 2013 to a 2016 version and learned a lot from the PowerPoint 2013.

Few trick questions but I manage to know then quickly.

I have passed with flying colours as I was aiming towards almost the maximum score (1000 points) but not always the case.

Now I have completed the elective and the solo stages.

All I got left are the 2 Doubles – Word and Excel 2016. Both Core and Expert.

I may be half way towards the MOS Master and Grand Slam but Word and Excel are the main event of the exams.

Exams required:

77-729 – MOS PowerPoint 2016 (Core Presentation Design and Delivery Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 2: Access 2016

This is the 2nd of the 2 elective exam (2nd is Access 2016).

Also the 2nd of 3 of the solo series.

I unlike Office 2013 exams where you do one project, you do multiple projects in one exam.

In the 2016 exams you have between 5 to 7 projects and between 4 to 7 tasks in each project.

As usual I cannot go deep into the subject because of the usual NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) rules.

In the exam, some tasks were easy and some are tricky but have to overcome task as the time is ticking. The format had some glitches which I could not so but I somehow resolve this. If I did not I would of got a lot of wrong answers and fail. If I did fail the exam due to glitch then I would definitely make a complain about it.

I have passed and score over 800 points (not saying the exact score so I put the nearest 100 on this one.

I have learn something new skills during the exam which I did not know about which is interesting.

Since I have pass both Outlook and Access which means I have completed both of the elective exams, even I need one to get the MOS Master I rather get 2 so I can aim towards the Grand Slam with the MOS Master.

Exams required:

77-730 – MOS Access 2016 (Core Database Management, Manipulation, and Query Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 - Part 1: Outlook 2016

This is the 1st of the 2 elective exam (2nd is Access 2016).
Also the 1st of 3 of the solo series.

I did a practice test and I found it easy because this was a skills transfer from the Outlook 2013 which I am certified in.

In the exam, it had some interesting task which was very tricky but I manage to learn and overcome very quick because you have to think about the exam time limit.

Also this exam is based on classic task question which is the last as the rest will be project based exams.

If anyone got certified in Outlook 2013, this should be simple to pass as you have the skill set to do so.

Exams required:
77-731 – MOS Outlook 2016 (Core Communication, Collaboration and Email Skills)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Grand Slam Champion

Now I have passed all 11 exams in the Office 2013 Series I can now call myself the Office 2013 Grand Slam Champion.

When I work hard to get the MOS Master 2013. I said to myself “How about I go further to get the 

Solo exams to gain the Grand Slam.” And I did.

It was a long and a great journey it took to pass all of them. To the destination got passed them all. I really enjoyed it every one of them, there were few attempts on the Experts of Word and Excel to 

learn the greater knowledge.

I am also proud of my achievement to become what I am and to get here.

Now the next stop is MOS Office 2016 as there are 7 exams in this one.