The Exam - The following information describes the testing and scoring methods for Microsoft Officer Specialist exams:

• Read the test instructions carefully. Once you have started, the instruction box will indicate the question with which you are currently working (e.g., question 3 0f 50).
• A typical exam has a time limit of 45 to 60 minutes. You will not receive credit for tasks that are completed after your time expires.
• Instructions are displayed in a separate window.
• Your score will be based only on the tasks you are asked to complete. Doing anything more or less than the assigned task may cause you to miss the question.
• Because Microsoft Office Specialist exams run within live Microsoft Office applications, if anything abnormal happens during the exam (toolbars disappear, sub-menus not available, or if the application crashes by mistake) stop and contact the administrator. The administrator will restart the test from where you left off.
• You will be notified on-screen whether you passed or failed the exam.
• The administrator will give you a printed report.
• If you complete the exam successfully, your Microsoft Office Specialist certificate will be delivered within 2-3 weeks.

• Carefully read the instructions.
• Respond to each question as if the test administrator will see your answer.
• Pay close attention to how each question is worded. Your answers must be precise, and they must resolve the question as asked, exactly.
• Scoring is based on the end result, not on the route or time taken to complete the task. Errant keystrokes or mouse clicks will not count against your score as long as you achieve the correct end result. The “result” is what counts.
• Remember that the overall test is timed. While spending a lot of time on an individual answer will not adversely affect the scoring of that particular question, taking too long may not leave you with enough time to complete the entire test.
• On the Microsoft Office 97 and Microsoft Office 95 exams, answers are either right or wrong. You do not get credit for partial answers. However, the Microsoft Office 2000 exam does offer partial credit.
• Important: Check to make sure you have entirely completed each question before clicking the Next button. Once you press this button, you will not be able to return to the question.
• Study Macros for the Microsoft Access 97 Expert exam.
• Save your results page. This page prints at the end of the exam. It is your confirmation that you passed the exam.

• Close all dialog boxes, tool bars, help windows, menus, etc.
• Make sure all of a task’s steps are completed. For example, when entering data or a formula into a cell in Microsoft Excel, press the appropriate key to make sure the information has been accepted (i.e., the Enter key, an arrow key, etc.). When the information has been accepted or confirmed, the word Ready will appear in the bottom left corner of the Excel task bar.
• Make sure the application has completed the task calculations or functions before clicking the Next button.

• Do not leave dialog boxes, tool bars, help windows, or menus open.
• Do not leave tables, boxes, cells “active” (or highlighted) unless instructed to do so.
• Do not click the Next button until you have completely answered the question.
• Do not scroll in the screen window unless instructed to do so. Leave your answer visible.