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.

ITIL v4 Foundation - 10 years after ITIL v3

Before I get into this post, I will mention about my previous post about how I am planning to do the new MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) in Office 365 Apps certification. However I put this on hold because there were delays of the online proctor which will start in months from now and some providers did not do the exams at the time. So until then, I decide to learn ITIL v4 until the online proctor becomes available to do the new MOS exams.

Now, let us get into ITIL v4

The reason for the title because I did the ITIL Course in 2012 and this was based on ITIL v3.
The readers who do not know what ITIL acronym is. ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library.

The reason decide to do the new ITIL v4 exams because I like to keep myself up to date with the ITIL process model.

When I look at the ITIL v4, there are few differences then the previous ITIL.
I learn about that the practice management has evolved such as Continual improvement, IT Security Management as now alot of things are now in the cloud. Portfolio Management has merge with Service Portfolio and Business Relationship management.

Unlike v3, v4 has now got 4 key framework components (Service Value System (SVS), Service Value Chain (SVC), 4 Dimensions of Service Model and ITIL Guiding Principles.
The Service Lifecycle is now become Service Value System such as Continual Service Improvement where the organisation/company evaluate the technology and resources they use (what need to keep, upgrade and change).

More information between ITIL v3 and ITIL v4:
Link = https://www.globaledulink.co.uk/the-differences-between-itil-v3-and-itil-v4

The exam:

PeopleCert now governs ITIL, Prince2, DevOps and Scrum. Even Axelos runs ITIL but I have to book the ITIL exam from PeopleCert.

I remember I book the ITIL v3 exam over 10 years ago. When I took the exam, 1st was through ISEB which I failed 1st and then I done a retake from EXIN which I pass a long time ago when I received 'ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management'.
Over a decade later into 2023. I took the v4 exam and I just passed. Even I studied and practice hard for 2 months.

I remember a decade ago technicians told me that is a dry and boring subject which I agree, even now it still is, however it is worth it.

Since I pass the exam, PeopleCert has change the rules saying that is anyone pass the ITIL v4, new version of Prince2 and other exams run by PeopleCert is now become a 3 year certification. Basically means I have to renew every 3 years which is understandable.

Link = https://www.peoplecert.org/ways-to-get-certified/keep-your-certification-valid

My view about the 3 years is I am not worried because if my new one expired as I have no plans to renew it after 3 years, I still keep the 10 year old ITIL Certificate which is good for me.

The question to IT people out there is "Is the ITIL Certification is worth it?"
I say 'Yes'. Because it may be a 'dry subject' however you will learn who the whole of how the IT Services works in general. Also many people say that this will also help you get to the IT Service Desk Role before you move up in the IT world.

Microsoft Office Specialist - Microsoft 365 Apps Certifications

Microsoft announced over a month ago about this new Office Certifications called Microsoft 365 Apps.

About this new Certification this Specialist is will be focus on 365 based subscriptions instead of 2022 version because the 365 version Office packages will always be up to date than the one-off license.

Anyone just like me who had the previous Certification which was called Office 2019/365 which was based on hybrid because it was based on 2019 now be renamed to Microsoft Office 2019. Basically, remove the word '365'.

Here is the video from Certiport:

Unlike the previous where I need to pass all 7 exams to become the Grand Slam, this one I only need to pass all 6 exams to become the Grand Slam.

The reason there are only 6 to pass to become the Grand Slam is because the Microsoft Board of examinations now only focus on the specific and essential packages. The one package they remove on this exam is Microsoft Access as this is not an essential package to the business users.

The only 6 are Word & Excel Double (Both Associates and Expert). 2 solos PowerPoint and Outlook.
Now let's got to the 2 exhibits of the Certification pathway.

Microsoft Office Specialist Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps)

I looked at my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, I only require passing any 1 exam to become the Associate otherwise I would have to pass 3 of 4 exams to become Associate.


Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps)

On my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, Including Associate Certificate I only require passing any 1 Expert exam to become the Expert otherwise I would have to pass both 2 exams to become Expert.

Once the exams are released, I be looking forward to do and pass the exams.