Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)

A cell style is a defined set of formatting characteristics available in Excel, such as fonts and font sizes, number formats, cell borders, and cell shading. A cell style is used to apply several formats quickly. It also ensures that cells have consistent formatting. Several built-in cell styles are provied by Microsoft Excel that can be applied on cells. Users can also modify these styles to create custom cell styles.

An index is a list of words arranged alphabetically at the end of a book. Index helps a reader to find the information quickly and easily. The words in the index are given along with the page numbers where they occur to help the reader to quickly go to the desired word.

An index is a list of words arranged alphabetically at the end of a book. Index helps a reader to find the information quickly and easily. The words in the index are given along with the page numbers where they occur to help the reader to quickly go to the desired word.

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification is designed to validate skills in using the 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Windows Vista operating system and meeting the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. This certification can help you differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities by displaying your advanced skills, and result in higher earning potential. Candidates who successfully complete the program by passing a certification exam show that they can meet globally recognized performance standards.

To get Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification, you have to pass any one of the following tests:

The MCAS certification is the globally recognized standard for validating expertise with the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Reasons for Microsoft Business Certification include career advancement, personal improvement, skills enhancement, and higher salaries.

The MCAS exams are performance-based and conducted in a “live,” or simulated environment. You have to perform a series of tasks to clearly demonstrate your skills. For example, an Office Word 2007 exam might ask a user to balance newspaper column lengths or keep text together in columns.

The Microsoft exam 77-605 consists of simulation questions. In the simulation type questions, you will be given an environment of Microsoft Access 2007 and you have to perform a given task. The Microsoft test 77-605 measures your ability to design databases and database objects. Before taking the 77-605 test, you should practice the following:

1. Methods of creating databases.
2. Various ways of formatting database objects.
3. Ways of managing databases.
4. Ways of inserting, retrieving, and deleting data.
5. Ways of formatting data.
6. Use of datatypes.
7. Ways of connecting forms and reports to a table in a database.

The Microsoft exam 77-603 consists of simulation questions. In the simulation type questions, you will be given an environment of Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 and have to perform a given task. Before giving the exam, you must have hands-on practice to accomplish the following tasks:

1. Creating presentations
2. Customizing slide master and its elements
3. Arranging slides
4. Inserting and formatting text boxes
5. Manipulating text
6. Adding and linking existing content to presentations
7. Applying and customizing animation
8. Creating and modifying SmartArt diagrams
9. Customizing illustrations
10. Inserting and modifying charts
11. Inserting and modifying tables
12. Reviewing presentation

The Microsoft Office 2007 introduces a new file format that is based on XML. It is called Open XML Formats. It applies to Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007. The benefits of Open XML Formats are as follows:

1. Compact Files: Files are automatically compressed in Open XML Formats. They can be up to 75 percent smaller in some cases. Zip compression technology is used to store documents. It offers potential cost savings as it reduces the disk space required to store files and decreases the bandwidth needed to send files across the Internet. When a user opens a file, it is automatically unzipped. When a user saves a file, it is automatically zipped again.

By getting MCAS certified, you can prove your expertise in using the latest Microsoft Office programs and the Windows Vista operating system. Getting certified will help you to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities by displaying your advanced skills, and result in higher earning potential. Research indicates that certified individuals have increased competence, productivity, and credibility with their employers, co-workers, and clients.

Candidates must pass one certification exam in order to earn the MCAS credential:

1. MCAS: Windows Vista for the Business Worker (Exam 77-600)
2. MCAS: Microsoft Office Word 2007 (Exam 77-601)

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification validates the productivity skills of candidates for using Microsoft Office 2007 applications and the Windows Vista operating system. It helps a candidate to meet the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. Individuals interested in validating their skills can take hands-on certification tests for Windows Vista, Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Office Access.