Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 7: Access Expert

Before week for the exam, I did a practice test which was refreshing and walk in the park. When I booked the exam, I was going to take a day off to do the exam.

However, because my manager plan to take a week off which he did I could not and decide to take 2 hours off my IT work as I get to do the exam in my office during the working hours, some of my work colleagues know about it.

And how do I end the final exam of the 2019 series?

At my workplace where all Microsoft Office Specialist Journey ends.

On the day I had to tidy up the office and set up the PC, put a ‘Exam in progress’ sign on the door to get it prepare and not to get disturbed.

On to the exam:

The exam itself was tricky, even the task was easy, however some were very tough which I manage to overcome.

It involved tables, linking table relationships and editing queries, Report and Forms.

When I completed the exam. I got lucky as there are more task so I can increase the odds of better scoring of the exam.

I manage to pass by over 50 points, when I pass I was overjoyed as I am not just completed all of the Expert Tier of the MOS 2019/365 and I now become the Grand Slam.

After this there are no more Microsoft Office Specialist exams left as I have completed it all.

Link for Online Proctor for Certiport:

https://prodigylearning.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360007467517

Exams required:

Exam MO-500: Microsoft Access Expert (Access Expert and Access Expert 2019)

Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 - Part 6: Outlook Associate

During the pandemic the last 2 exams were on severe delay of it and then finally officially released this month (June 2020) because of the lock down. But I have been told that is was released at end of May 2020.

Even I am the 1st man in London, UK history to become Microsoft Office Specialist Expert in 2019/365 I decide to get the last 2 MOS exams, Outlook and Access Expert to get the Grand Slam and complete the set.

When I use the G-Metrix practice test, it was not just practice test, there was also questions to take to test your knowledge.

Because of the lock down I cannot book the exam in the classroom so it was decided to do the exam at home or office.

The exam was done at home in my house. The proctor Administrator will provide you the link by email and you get to the live exam session on the time you book. Once the time is scheduled you be RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) like you log in to another PC or Server by remote via a website.

Once you been RDP to the classroom PC you choose the exam you want to take the test, follow the procedure and let the Proctor Administrator type his credentials. After that you start your exam right at my home.

On the exam itself. Only Outlook uses to classic task based questions as Outlook is not a project package, but understand the fundamentals of how you use it.

I learn something new, which is the @user on the body text which is new feature on Outlook which is called a 'mention' when you mention someone's name.

I done well on the exams and passed with flying colours as it become much easy when you learn the previous versions of Outlook and the exam layout is the same.

Since I have passed Outlook Associate. I have completed all of the Associate Tier of the MOS 2019/365.

I really enjoyed taking the exams at home as it was comfortable as long as you do not abide by the Online Proctor rules.

Link for Online Proctor for Certiport:

https://prodigylearning.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360007467517

Exams required:

Exam MO-400: Microsoft Outlook (Outlook and Outlook 2019)

Online Proctor exams & Microsoft 365 Fundamentals

At the workplace when in the future the company upgrade to Microsoft 365 (used to called Office 365), even other companies already got Microsoft 365, especially the company bureau we run (not naming the company one this blog) also have Office 365. My line manager and I decide to learn more about Microsoft 365. Since I am certified on MCSA Office 365 which means I have the knowledge and experience in Office 365.
However throughout the years the Office 365 has changed a lot, even 3rd party MSP (Management Service Provider) will also tell you that it changes a lot with features, hence the reason the name changed from Office 365 to Microsoft 365.

I learned a lot from Microsoft 365 since I got Office 365 myself.
The book I used is the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Exam reference guide as there are no office study guide at the time as of this date of the blog and use Microsoft learn to know the more about how Microsoft 365 works as when it comes to cloud, there are more and new features since the Office 365 days.

Because of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic all training centres are close during the pandemic. So I decide to try out OnVue Online Proctor which Pearson VUE uses.
I could of easily book the exam in my home but because I got a lot stuff in my bedroom, I decide to book it at my workplace as this is due to Online Proctor policy.

I use the small meeting room at my workplace and clear the area and set up the PC. I use the Kiosk PC. In the workplace I have to use the Guest network as Online Proctor do not allow connect to Corporate Network due to VPN, Security and Firewall which is required not to use for the exam. Also do not forget not recommend Wireless network and must have Webcam in place.

The Online Proctor Process:
Wen you log in to you Microsoft Account, you have to go to the scheduled exam and when you sign in, you have to download the OnVue software for remote login for the examiner with the access code.
Then you will be ask to use your mobile phone and will provide you a link to go to on your personal mobile, then one you go to the web link.
On the web link, 1st it will ask you for a selfie picture. 2nd, it will ask you to take a photo of your ID, either your passport or Drivers license. Once verified, you will ask to take 4 pictures of each side of your desk (front, back, left and right).
You can try again and make sure each pictures are high quality and not blur as the proctor will not accept it and you got to take it again.

After you complete the photos and all verified, you go back to the PC and refresh.
Finally you tick agreement before you start, this is where you wait for the Proctor to talk to you (this takes minutes) and once it all clear, you can start the exam.

I have done this exam twice as the 1st time I fail as I was close and this time I pass with a huge score as a comeback.

My experience as doing Online Proctor it is a different environment from the training centre and I enjoyed it.

My advice to anyone who taking exam in the workplace make sure you print a Test Exam signs on the door (Exam in progress, Do not disturb, please be quiet, etc) so no one can knock at the door or come in or else the exam gets cancelled - This this Proctor rules or you can try during booking 'Out of Office' hours if the managers allow you to.
Also make sure if you have to set up the PC, do this in 1 hour before the exam as you still have to do the ID check in process before the exam.

I will you all well if you are thinking about Online Proctor.

More information about Online Proctor:
https://www.pearsonvue.co.uk/Test-takers/OnVUE-online-proctoring.aspx

Microsoft Certifications Retirement Extension

I did a previous post about all of the On-Premises Certification (MCSA, MCSE, MCSD) will retire on 30th June this year.

Good news for people who is still plan to earn the certifications.

Due to the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic, the retirement will be now be extended to 31st January 2021. So you got plenty of time to do so.

Since as of this blog I am posting I cannot book any exams for now as most of the training centres are closed.

I may have to try online proctor which will be the best course of action.
As for the last 2 Microsoft Office Specialist 2019/365 Exam as I got the last 2 left (Outlook and Access Expert) which are still not released yet. (Again as of this post)

For more information:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog-post.aspx?BlogId=8&Id=375289

Microsoft On-Premises Certification Retiring in July

I was looking up some IT forums and been inform that all of the Premises Certifications (MCSA, MCSA & MCSD) are retiring and removing the 3rd Generation Certifications and focus more on the 4th Generation Certifications as Microsoft Role based exams.

What is 3rd and 4th Generation Certifications?
Then I will explain:
Each generation goes by the Microsoft Desk Side and Server Side OS and Technologies. The table will show you:

You notice that there are no Windows Server, Exchange and SharePoint 2019, that is because they will be integrated with Azure and Microsoft 365 which is cloud (4th Generation).

Basically the 4th Generation will be cloud based certifications which Microsoft will be focus on and no more Premises Certification. You see the 1st to 3rd Generations were the days of MCSA, MCSE, MCSD, MCP, MCTS, MCITP.

If you are doing the remaining 3rd Generation exams to achieve MCSA or MCSE then you got to achieve them before July as you will no longer obtain the Certifications.

If you have obtain the Certification before 30th June, this will be remain active on the Transcript.

More Information:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-is-retiring-its-mcsa-mcsd-and-mcse-certifications-in-june-2020/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/retired-certifications.asp