My 2 Microsoft Certifications has been Rechristened!

In 2019, I achieved 2 certifications I achieved was Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert and I renewed them with the Assessment test ever since.

Months ago Microsoft informed that some Certifications will be renamed because of the reflection of the technology.

Click this Link.

It was originally from August but they move it to September.

As of 6th September 2023 my 2 certifications has been changed
Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate -> Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate

Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert -> Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert

Now instead of 2 exams, you now just have to pass 1 exam to get the Certificate.

The reason why the Desktop Certification change to Endpoint is because the Desktop Support Certifications is not just about Desktop PCs and Laptop. It is more than that Desktop Support as now the Endpoint which featuring Microsoft Intune now also deal with devices such as mobile devices. Not just Microsoft, but also Macintosh OS and Samsung Android OS.
Include a bit of Linux.

Desktop Technician like myself now not just do PCs and Laptops. We also image and deploy mobile phones. At my workplace I do a lot of Intune work deploying Android OS on the Samsung Work phones and also set up Kiosk phones.

Even the name changed, however I always be the Desktop Technician guy.

Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft 365 Apps - Part 2: Word 365 Apps Double

This exam was a walk in the park as I am been expose to Microsoft Word for 2 decades and 5 years of utilising all the tools.

However I use G-Metrix practice exam to refresh my skills as I sometimes forget about all the tools because in life on the daily basis and at the workplace that we all use a fraction of the tools when using the Microsoft Office packages.

Associate Version:
I done many practices on the test and when I sit in the exam and this exam was so easy to pass. However I did not get the best score as it was almost 900 points. But still I am happy with the results because 'pass' is a 'pass' and as long as I pass. I get the certificate.

Expert Version:
The exam was tricky, however thanks to G-Metrix to refresh my skills. I manage to pass with ease. A good score of over 800 points.
Also watch out for Macros task.

Now I not just completed the Word Double, I also completed the Exam side of the exams. Now, I got only Associates left which are PowerPoint and Outlook.

Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert - Microsoft 365 Apps

After I done a retake and I become the Expert on Microsoft 365 Apps. I feel like the burden has been lifted because I have pass the beast of the Microsoft Excel Expert exam.

On my previous blog talking about completing the Excel Double aka both Excel Associate and Excel exams, where I always mention how challenging Excel Expert is. Only the Excel Expert 2016 version where I pass the exam in one go which had a better score than other versions.

The question is how did I become the 1st man in London, United Kingdom history to become MOS on Microsoft 365 Apps?

Well I tell you:

The general Certificate pathway is you have to pass Word, Excel and PowerPoint to become an Associate and pass Word Expert and Excel Expert including Associate Certificate to become Expert level.

The Certification pathway has also as an elective route. Since I have the Grand Slam in Office 2019, I only require pass any 1 of 4 Associate Exam to become an Associate Level and then any 1 of 2 Expert Exam to become an Expert.

So basically saying I got complete either Word Double or Excel Double to become an Expert in an instant.

I never know that achieving the Grand Slam gives you a shortcut to Certification goal.

This was also explain from my previous article about Microsoft Issuing me a challenge for the new Certifications and the screenshot pictures shows you hoe to get the Associate and Expert Certificate.

This is the 2nd time I become the 1st man in London, United Kingdom history to become MOS Expert on 365 Apps, 1st time was MOS Expert in Office 2019.

Now I am happy with the achievement, I will complete and pass the rest of the exams to gain the Grand Slam which is the biggest prize of them all.

Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft 365 Apps - Part 1: Excel 365 Apps Double

This exam was very interesting because I had to go through delays because of the bookings and I missed one as I was late, so it was rescheduled within a fortnight.

This time, the Training Provide use a new remote tool called 'Quick Assist'. This is a Microsoft version of 'TeamViewer'. You require Microsoft Account to use it.

My exam experience was much smoother than the previous web-based counterpart.

Let us get to the 2 Excel Exams:

Associate Version:
I done many practices on the test and when I sit in the exam, the task was a bit complex, however I learn the refresher skills on how to create basic formulas and charts. I have done well on the exam and pass with a score above 800 points which I am happy with.

Expert Version:
When it comes to Excel and the Expert exams, the Excel Expert is definitely the beast of them all because of complex formulas to learn.

When I took this exam for the 1st time, I was completely confused on how to do the formulas. Even I did a lot of practice with G-Metrix tests. The test was featuring Macros, Vlookup, Pivot Chart and tables. End up failing the exam.

After I fail the exam, I remember all the projects and tasks then I start practicing all of the tools and formulas and how to learn them as I had to refresh my Excel skills when it comes to Advance Formulas.

I spend time writing notes on each sections on how to learn the Expert skills.
I had to wait another 2 weeks to get a retake and I wish it was 1 week as I was ready for a rematch.
Then 2 weeks later, I finally had an opportunity to do a retake.
As soon as I done a retake, the project and task was in different order, but the same as the previous attempt which means I know the tasks off by heart (no, there are no dumps on Microsoft Office Exams). 

After I took the test, I thought I smashed the exam with ease because this was the exactly the same questions/tasks/projects as before.

When I got the exam results, I thought that I would get at least 800 points or more, however I pass on the dot (700 points) which was not I was expected. I was not happy at first because I pass on the dot, but I expect better results.

But at the end of the day, it does not matter how good the score is, I pass, and I am happy with it.

I am now not just completed Excel Double (Associate and Expert), I also become the 1st man in London, United Kingdom history to become certified as Microsoft Office Specialist - Expert: Microsoft 365 Apps.

Next stop: Microsoft Word Double.

Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate - Microsoft 365 Apps

After few months of announcement about my journey to MOS Microsoft 365 Apps certifications, I finally get to sit in the exam.

The layout is a bit different from the 2019 counterpart, however when I did the last exam by remote, it was via some Virtual session which was not bad and good.

This remote was using an App called QuickAssist which a Microsoft Remote Assistant App and I been told that I am the 1st person to do the Microsoft 365 Apps version of the exam.

The 1st exam was Microsoft Excel Associate which as MO-210. It was an interesting exam.

I will go more in depth with the Excel version on my next topic as I require to pass the Expert version. Not looking forward to it because Excel Expert is the toughest one.

Since I pass Excel Associate and done the Grand Slam in Office 2019 which was the prerequire, I manage to get the Associate Level.

I am happy with the exam and a lot of thinking when it comes to instructions.