2012 MSDE BMF SUMMER
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
MS EXCEL CERTIFICATION
DR. NICOLE BUZZETTO-MORE
NOW ABOUT THE TEST
HOW THE TEST IS DEVELOPED
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Microsoft dictates to Certiport the tasks that should be
included on the certification exams.
A test is developed around these skills and several versions
of the same question are created each of equal difficulty.
The test does not change once it is developed until a new
version of Microsoft is introduced.
What this means is that every certification test is inherently
the same as every other certification test whereas each test is
comprised of the same tasks with variations in the wording
of the question and the task specifics.
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The tests are skill based and take place in a simulated application environment.
Most questions have multiple tasks and the examination is assessed based on both the outcome
and the clicks involved.
Microsoft wants to insure that users can locate and utilize key feature. With this in mind, test
takers are not required to do much typing.
Rather, the test requires users to locate the necessary feature and click appropriately.
The questions are not worded to be tricky or misleading.
For success a test taker just needs to be well versed in the software application, ready to be
persistent and search for the correct answer, and pace their self.
TIPS
• Learn all of the tabs and associated groups
• Be familiar with the MS Office button or in 2010 Backstage view
• Learn Excel Options
• If you are not sure about a question, select skip to move ahead. You will be able to return
to the question at the end of the test.
• If you think that you have clicked too many places looking for the answer, you can reset
the question and start again and you will not be penalized.
• Keep track of the time. You neither want to move too sluggishly nor at a hurried pace.
• Do not over think questions.
• Stick to the literal.
If a question asks you to change the initials of a user, you may be include to change the
author’s information. This would be incorrect. The author information is part of a
document’s properties and is specific to a single document. The user is set at the
software level by visiting Options.
COMPARING THE 2003, 2007, AND 2010 TESTS
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The 2003 tests were very easy to pass and used the most common features. Do not
use them to set your expectations for the 2007 or 2010 tests.
The 2007 tests are more complicated than the 2003 tests.
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The test is around 24 questions.
The test covers a lot of the software and makes you use all of the tabs available in Excel.
Several questions use the Microsoft Office Button.
A couple of questions use Excel Options.
More work with tables required.
2010 tests are comprised of more questions than the 2007 tests. 2010 test is 18
questions.
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2010 test does not cover as many components
Covers all relevant new features (elements in Backstage view, sparklines, artistic effects,
new smart art graphics, file recovery, etcetera)
No pivot tables
More modification of formulas required.
2007 EXAM TASKS (SEE HANDBOOK)
2010 Test Objectives
Managing the Worksheet Environment
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Navigate through a worksheet.
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Print a worksheet or workbook.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Hot keys, name box
This objective may include but is not limited to: printing only selected worksheets, printing an entire workbook, constructing
headers and footers, and applying printing options (scale, print titles, page setup, print area, gridlines)
Personalize environment by using Backstage.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Manipulate the Quick Access Toolbar, manipulate the ribbon tabs and groups,
manipulate Excel default settings, import data to Excel, import data from Excel, demonstrate how to manipulate workbook
properties, manipulate workbook files and folders. apply different name and file formats for different uses by using save and
save as features
Creating Cell Data
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Construct cell data.
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Apply AutoFill.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: using paste special (formats, formulas, values, preview icons, transpose rows
and columns, operations, comments, validation, paste as a link), and cutting, moving, and select cell data
This objective may include but is not limited to: Copy data using AutoFill, fill series using AutoFill, copy or preserve cell
format with AutoFill, select from drop-down list
Apply and manipulate hyperlinks.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Create a hyperlink in a cell, modify hyperlinks, modify hyperlinked-cell
attributes, remove a hyperlink
Formatting Cells and Worksheets
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Apply and modify cell formats.
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Merge or split cells.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Hide a column, unhide a column, hide a series of columns, hide a row, unhide
a row, hide a series of rows
Manipulate Page Setup options for worksheets.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Print row and column headings, print rows to repeat with titles, print columns
to repeat with titles, configure titles to print only on odd or even pages, configure titles to skip the first worksheet page
Hide and unhide rows and columns.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: using Merge & Center, Merge Across, Merge cells, and Unmerge Cells
Create row and column titles.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: aligning cell content, applying a number format, wrapping text in a cell, and
using Format Painter
This objective may include but is not limited to: Configure page orientation, manage page scaling, configure page margins,
change header and footer size
Create and apply cell styles.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Apply cell styles, construct new cell styles
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Managing Worksheets and Workbooks
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Create and format worksheets.
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Manipulate window views.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Insert worksheets, delete worksheets, copy, reposition, copy and move, rename, grouping,
apply coloring to worksheet tabs, hiding worksheet tabs, unhiding worksheet tabs
This objective may include but is not limited to: splitting window views, arranging window views, and opening a new window with contents
from the current worksheet
Manipulate workbook views.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: using Normal, Page Layout, and Page Break workbook views, and creating custom views
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Applying Formulas and Functions
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Create formulas.
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Enforce precedence.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Create a formula with values that match your conditions, edit defined conditions in a
formula, use a series of conditional logic values in a formula
Apply named ranges in formulas.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Relative, absolute
Apply conditional logic in a formula.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Order of evaluation, precedence using parentheses, precedence of operators for percent vs.
exponentiation
Apply cell references in formulas.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Use basic operators, revise formulas
This objective may include but is not limited to: Define, edit and rename a named range
Apply cell ranges in formulas.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Enter a cell range definition in the formula bar, define a cell range using the mouse, define
a cell range using a keyboard shortcut
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Presenting Data Visually
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Create charts based on worksheet data.
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Apply and manipulate illustrations.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Clip Art, SmartArt, shapes, screenshots
Create and modify images by using the Image Editor.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: making corrections to an image (sharpen or soften an image, changing
brightness and contrast), using picture color tools, and changing artistic effects on an image
Apply Sparklines.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: using Line, Column, and Win/Loss chart types, creating a Sparkline chart,
customizing a Sparkline, formatting a Sparkline, and showing or hiding data markers
Sharing worksheet data with other users
Share spreadsheets by using Backstage.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: sending a worksheet via E-mail or Skydrive, changing the file type to a
different version of Excel, and saving as PDF or XPS
Manage comments.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: inserting, viewing, editing, and deleting comments
Analyzing and Organizing Data
Filter data.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Define, apply, remove, search, filter lists using AutoFilter
Sort data.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: using sort options (values, font color, cell color)
Apply conditional formatting.
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This objective may include but is not limited to: Apply conditional formatting to cells, use the Rule Manager to Apply
Conditional Formats, use the IF Function and Apply Conditional Formatting, icon sets, data bars, clear rules
2010 EXCEL TEST CONTENT (EXAM TASKS IDENTIFIED)
 Formatting
Split Worksheet
Use Format Painter
Hide or Show Columns
Delete Rows
Show Ink
Change Margins
Edit Header/Footer
Show File Name
Display File Path
Modify Style
Change Tab Color
Show Formulas
Modify Page Set Up Options
Merge Cells
Paste Only Values
Modify Comments
Delete Comments
Modify Heading Style
Convert to Table
 Document Management
Save As Other File Type (csv, pdf)
Change Comment Display
Insert a new comment
Copy Worksheet
Move Worksheet
Modify Print Options
Manipulate Print Area
Protect Worksheet
Edit Autosave Options
 Design Elements
Move position of a picture
Change SmartArt Graphic
Add Effects to SmartArt Graphic
Change Direction of Graphic
Remove Background of Image
Scale Chart or Image
Correct Image
 Formulas
Create Formulas Using Named Ranges
Create a Formula Across Sheets
Reference Cells Across Sheets
Absolute References
Find Maximum
Modify Logical Formula (If)
Change Order of Evaluation In A Formula
 Manipulating Data
Edit Named Ranges
Filter by two criteria
Sort By Two Levels
Custom Auto-filter
Create or Edit Range
Insert Sparklines
Apply Conditional Formatting
Find and Replace
CERTIPREP
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Performance-based technology similar to the certification exams offers an authentic
certification exam experience
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Each Office application features a Practice Test and Learning Mode—giving test-takers
self-paced learning and a testing experience that's just like sitting for the actual exam
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The Practice Test provides a testing experience (including time limitations and interface)
that uses the same certification exam technology to assess initial skills and certification
exam preparedness
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The Learning Mode provides feedback and step-by-step instruction for each question.
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The large bank of test items aligns to specific certification skill objectives
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Network licenses can be tracked and managed through the same Web interface used for
the certification exams
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Network licenses work in tandem with Web-based reporting that details group or
individual performance to illustrate growth or pinpoint areas for improvement
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The Certiprep Study Guide maps to learning resources for further study and displays
results by skill objective that can be printed or shared electronically
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Overview of features:
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• Practice tests map to the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam objectives
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• All tests are in-application or performance-based simulations to provide the best assessment of real-world experience
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• All tests have both a testing and a training mode providing step-by-step help on each question
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• 50+ questions per test in training mode covering all objectives
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• Progress at own pace, save test to resume later, return to skipped questions
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• Detailed, printable score report highlighting areas requiring further review
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• Integration with Learning Management Systems (available Q2 11)
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Overview of Administrator features:
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• Online administration and tracking tool for teacher/manager
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• Online dashboard for each student to his or her own track progress
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• Create/manage student accounts
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• Create/manage groups of students
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• Create customized tests from question pools to target specific areas of study
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• Activate/De-activate test access codes, customize codes to your unique requirements, control expiration dates, number of
retakes, access to all or just certain tests
• Online dashboard for each student for tracking his or her own progress
YOUR CURRENT STRATEGIES
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Make sure you are familiar with all the tabs and features.
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Really, examine all the tasks that will be on the test. Go through and find in Excel
where each feature is located.
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First time do it with some direction
Next do it with no guidance and make sure you can locate features quickly
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Take practice tests in Learning Mode to get familiar with questions and use built
in assistance
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Write down questions that were difficult
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Ask Muna, Magdi, and Myself lots of questions we will work with you one on one
and as a group
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Use the handbook and the Exam Reference book
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Take practice tests in test mode (don’t try to memorize questions exactly as they
will not be identical just similar)
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THE MS WORD HANDBOOK INCLUDES ALL THE
SAME INFORMATION FOR MS WORD 2007 AND
2010
• QUESTIONS?