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You will find a wide variety of Excel training courses in the LinkedIn Learning library including the Cert Prep: Excel 2016 Associate-Microsoft Office Specialist (77-727) coursefor Office 2019 and Office 365 course, which specifically relates to the MOS Excel Certification.

Demonstrate your advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel by becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). This course, created by Microsoft Certified Trainer Jennifer McBee, helps you prepare for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam for Excel 2016, which focuses on creating and managing worksheets and workbooks, managing data cells and ranges, creating tables, performing operations with formulas and functions, and creating charts and objects. The course begins with an overview of the certification program and how to prepare for the exam. Next, Jennifer walks you through all the certification objectives. Throughout the course, she provides you with opportunities for hands-on practice with exercises and chapter challenges, and wraps up with a full-length practice test that emulates exam 77-727.

Topics include:

  • Creating and managing worksheets and workbooks
  • Managing data cells and ranges
  • Creating tables
  • Performing operations with formulas and functions
  • Creating charts and objects

Take Practice Exams through GMetrix.

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GMetrix is a service offered by the iSchool that provides practice tests for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam.  These practice tests help students accurately determine their skill and knowledge level prior to taking the certification exam.  GMetrix tests are provided as a service to better prepare students for their Excel Certification examination.

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  1. Qualified iSchool students must go to the GMetrix web site and create an account using your @syr.edu email address.
  2. Using your Syracuse University email address, send your Syracuse University ID number to Jeff Fouts, Associate Director of Career Services Specialistand Data Analytics: jlfouts@syr.edu  who will provide you with an authorization code.
  3. Once your account is created, you can start taking practice exams.  There are nine practice exams that cover all the skills required to pass the MOS Excel Exam.  Six are delivered as question/answer, and three are delivered as a cumulative project.  Any of these nine exams will count towards the requirements.  Exams that are specific to the Excel Specialist certification have names that start with “Excel 2016 core”.  (The Certification exam is project based.)  

Prospective test candidates should also be aware that taking a very small amount of exams (such as 1-2) repeatedly and scoring above 800 does not constitute adequate preparation and does not fulfill the preparatory requirement.

You can see how many Gmetrix exams you’ve taken, their scores, and what areas you need to work on, by logging into gmetrix.com using your Gmetrix username and password, and clicking the “Completed” button ““Completed Tests” option (found under tests) on the left side of the page.  You   You may take an unlimited number of GMetrix practice exams in preparation for your actual certification exam. 

Ways to access GMetrix Practice Exams

  • Windows Laptop – If you own a Windows laptop with Microsoft Office 2016 installed, you can log into your GMetrix account and download the software.  Unfortunately, GMetrix is not available for Apple computers and laptops but you can remote in using your Apple computers (see below)For Remote Access – You can access GMetrix remotely by going to Syracuse University Remote Desktop Service.
  • Public Computer labs on Campus – GMetrix has been installed on a variety of public labs on campus (see list of public labs below).
  • Public Labs on campus (more info):
    • Brockway 202
    • CST 1-114
    • Goldstein Student Center 107
    • Graham 016
    • Huntington 020
    • Kimmel 029
    • Lawrinson 202
    • Physics 115
    • Schine Student Center 126A
    • Schine Student Center Ludwig Lounge 035

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    • Eggers Hall 040
    • Eggers Hall 034
    • Eggers Hall 240 (undergrads only)

Register for the Certification Exam

Requirements: Any iSchool student, faculty or staff desiring to take the MOS Excel Certification exam will observe the following required steps:

  • Complete three different practice exams using GMetrix. Please note, the following criteria must be met:
    • Each qualifying practice exam will have a minimum score of 800.
    • Each qualifying practice exam will be taken within one month of your desired exam date.
    • Satisfy these requirements before registering for the exam.
  • If you fail the exam on the first attempt, you must then complete five different practice exams using GMetrix (each with a minimum score of 800) before registering for the second attempt.

After ensuring the above steps are taken, email jlfouts@syr.edu and include your Syracuse University ID number to request your test date. Please include a screen shot of the three practice tests with a minimum score of 800 or better.

You have the option of taking the exam remotely or in the Maxwell School Testing Center, located in Eggers Hall room 030.

Excel Certification Testing:
When you are ready and eligible to take the exam, email testingcenter@syr.edu with your preference of a remote or in person exam and to request the next available dates and times. Please note: exam availability is limited and by reservation only. We cannot guarantee a specific date and time.

Candidates must register for a Certiport account here  BEFORE you take the exam.

  • Before the day of your exam, create an account with Certiport. This account will be used to log into the exam: Certiport User Registration.
  • You must be available 15-minutes prior to the start of the exam.
  • Students must present their Syracuse University ID to take the exam.
  • iSchool students are allowed two attempts at the Certification exam at no charge. Students wishing to take the exam after their second attempt must pay for subsequent exam attempts.

Important Information About Certification Exams

A certification exam follows a general but specific guideline: you will be tested on your knowledge of specific categories/topics that have been selected specifically to demonstrate proficiency in a particular skillset or area.

While the categories are specific, the questions will be random. This means that you probably will not see the same questions you saw using GMetrix, but you may see questions that are topically similar. This is because a certification exam is designed to certify that you know how to solve a problem – not just that you know the answer.

  • The exam you will take is called: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel 365/2019.
  • The test is delivered by Certiport, a Microsoft Partner and Authorized Testing Authority.  This means that Microsoft has approved all of the test content.
  • The exam will be administered/proctored by Maxwell staff.
  • The score required to pass is 700.
  • It is a time-metered test – maximum allowable time is 50 minutes.  The Maxwell Staff has no control over the exam time.  (Note: There is an option for students with disabilities to get additional time. To request additional time for the exam please go to Certiport and fill out the form.  Your paperwork will be submitted to Certiport’s accommodation group along with proper documentation showing a diagnosis of a condition that requires additional time. The turnaround for the accommodations request is 10 business days.)
  • If you do not achieve a score of 700 or higher, you’ll be permitted to reschedule the exam one additional time (maximum 2 exam attempts per semester)
  • Cell phones and/or other network/internet connectable devices are not allowed during the test.