Microsoft Office Specialist Testing Centre Procedures
Arrival Details
• Please provide your Confirmation Form to the invigilator and sign your name on the sign in sheet.
• Enter the room and sit at your assigned computer.
• The invigilator will load your exam.
Signing In
The first step is for you to complete an online registration form. Spell your name carefully and exactly as you would like it printed on your certificate (i.e., Sue Smith, not sue smith).
• The invigilator cannot answer any questions about the actual test once you have begun.
• Upon completion, please raise your hand quietly and the invigilator will check your exam results. If you are scheduled to take a second exam, remain at your computer and the invigilator will start your second exam.
• The invigilator will give you a print out of your final test score(s).
• Please remember to respect your fellow students. Remain quiet at all times—talking, including discussion of exam results, is not allowed.
• Once you have completed your testing and have received your printout, you may exit the exam room.
The exam itself
• Read the test instructions carefully. Once you’ve started, a box in the bottom right corner will indicate the question on which you are currently working (e.g., question 3 of 60).
• The exam runs within a fully functional copy of Microsoft 2000 (just like SAM.) However, you may no longer use the Help menu.
• Exam times are approximately 45 minutes.
• Instructions are displayed in a separate window. You can close the instruction window by clicking on it. You can restore it by clicking "Instructions" on the test information bar at the bottom of the screen.
• 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.
• If anything abnormal happens during the exam, or if the application "crashes" by mistake, stop and contact the invigilator. They will restart the test from where you left off.
• Scoring takes a short time, depending on the examination. You will then be notified on-screen whether you passed or failed the exam. The minimum requirement changes depending on the exam.
• You will receive a printed report with your score. A copy of the report will be kept with Q College to indicate your success.
• If you successfully complete the exam, your Microsoft Office Specialist certificate will be delivered within two to three weeks to the address you entered during the online registration.
General Tips
• Read the directions carefully and pay close attention to how each question is worded.
• Turn on paragraph markers.
• Try to answer all questions, as they have equal value.
• Scoring of answers is based on the end result, not the route or time taken.
• Remember that the test is timed.
• When asked to print, do the appropriate steps.
• Check to make sure you have completed the question before clicking NEXT. Once you click NEXT, you can not return to that question.
To help ensure that a question is properly completed do the following:
• Close all dialog boxes, tool bars, menus, etc. that you have activated.
• Make certain nothing is selected before clicking NEXT.
• Make sure all question tasks are completed.
• Make sure the task calculations, etc. have completed before clicking NEXT.
DON'T do the following:
• Don’t leave dialog boxes, Help menus, Tool Bars, open.
• Don’t leave tables, boxes, cells “active or highlighted” unless instructed to do so.
• Don’t click NEXT, until you have completely answered the question.
• Don’t scroll in the question unless instructed to do so. Leave your answer visible.
• Don’t test your answer (checking help/wizard) unless the question asks you to do so.
