MCAS useful to have?

KGhaleon

My office is going to be deploying Office 2007 this year, and most of our IT staff is already using it. However noone here is skilled or certified in it, so we are stumbling around half the time trying to find stuff as we are still in the 2003 mindset.

I just passed my HP vendor certification and was looking at something else to take. I'm still working on my MCSA, but I thought this MCAS would be fun.

Is this the ideal cert to grab for microsoft office?

WanBoy67

Depends on if you are deploying it or using and supporting it. If you are deploying it taking 70-624 would be more beneficial; if you are using and supporting it then doing the MCAS exams would help you out more.

If you are looking for a pay rise I would look to finish MCSA first.

ilcram19-2

i never i had to get certified on any of the office versions they all seem pretty easy and straght forward to use to me it just seems pointless

KGhaleon

Well, sure, office is fairly easy to figure your way through. I am looking to become a POC for the suite though, and I imagine that would require more thorough knowledge of the software applications.

KGhaleon

I am going to run by a bookstore in a little less than an hour, so I'll see what kind of books they have on the subject. MCAS sounds like a useful cert to have, and I imagine it will be around for quite some time.

Only bad thing about MCAS is the number of exams you have to pass, as well as a crummy vista exam which I don't need. I'll have to look into how much each exam is going to cost.

the_Grinch

I was looking into becoming a MCAS, thanks for the thread!

WanBoy67

MCAS: Microsoft Certified Application Specialist

They are individual exams, unlike the older MOS which required you to pass 4 exams you can pick and choose which MCAS exams you want to take. So you won't need to take the Vista exam, just whatever packages you prefer.

KGhaleon

Nice, it seems you get MCAS for just one exam. So you get nothing for passing all the office exams?

I picked up a nice Office 2007 MS press book for the MCAS exams after leaving work two hours ago. It covers everything but the vista exam, it's perfect. I will begin studying starting tomorrow.

May take two exams to start off. Perhaps Word and Outlook or powerpoint, since those are fairly easy programs.

WanBoy67

Nothing extra for taking all 4, 5, or 6 exams. The old MOS setup was a bit confusing for non-IT people who had ventured in to the exams and maybe took 1 or 2 exams but weren't recognised as a full MOS as they didn't take all 4 exams. It works out better this way I think and hopefully they will keep it as MCAS as it has been MOUS & MOS and now MCAS. A bit of an alphabet soup at this stage. If they version it as MCAS 2007 & MCAS 2010 it will become more recognised. Good luck with the tests.

KGhaleon

The book itself was only $39.99, so it was a nice buy.

Memetrus

Hey guys,
I've passed all the MCAS exams and got the Master degree " Instructor " 2 months ago. The books may be alittle helpful cuz the exams are based on applying and completing certain tasks so you got to perform and recognise how to do it and I suggest there are many MCAS courses may help you the most.
p.s: If anyone want the MCAS exams, pm me
Rgds,

KGhaleon

Still studying. Pretty intimidating with the number of features in these applications.

germanicus

Be sure to locate a Certiport testcenter before you put too much into it.

I read the book, Certiprep practice test. Then i discovered that there are no longer a testing center in my entire country. I'm attending TechEd in Berlin, so hopefully I can take the exam there.