How to Get Excel Certified

As a professional, becoming Microsoft Excel certified can open new doors for career growth and advancement. Excel certification is designed to demonstrate your proficiency and expertise in using Microsoft Excel. It can help you stand out to prospective employers and increase your chances of getting hired for a role that requires advanced Excel skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to get Excel certified, covering the various certification options available, the requirements, and how to prepare for the exams.

What is Excel Certification?

Excel Certification is a professional credential that certifies your expertise in using Microsoft Excel. This certification has been designed for professionals who want to validate their advanced Excel skills, showcase their proficiency to employers, and enhance their Excel knowledge and capabilities.

Why Get Excel Certified?

Becoming Excel certified offers numerous benefits. It helps you stand out in a competitive job market, showcase your Excel skills to potential employers, and gives you a professional edge over those who haven’t been certified. Additionally, being Excel certified increases your earning potential and gives you access to exclusive job opportunities.

How to Get Excel Certified?

Step 1: Choose the Right Certification

The first step to Excel certification is identifying the right certification to pursue. Microsoft offers distinct certifications, such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT).

Step 2: Fulfill the Requirements

Each Excel certification has a specific set of requirements that applicants must meet to earn the certification. These include passing one or more exams, having a certain level of experience with Excel, etc.

Step 3: Prepare for the Exam

Preparing for the certification exam is essential to earning your certification. Some certification providers offer training and online resources to help you prepare yourself. Additionally, you can use online courses, tutorials, and practice exams to prepare yourself for Excel certification exams.

Step 4: Take the Exam

After fulfilling the requirements and preparing for the certification exam, you can proceed to take the exam. The exam can either be taken online or at a testing center, depending on the certification provider. Once you pass the exam, you’ll receive your Excel certification.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to boost your Excel knowledge and skills, Excel certification is an excellent step to take. It demonstrates your level of expertise and proficiency with Microsoft Excel and can open new doors for career growth and advancement. Follow the steps outlined above to start your Excel certification journey today.

Choosing the Right Certification

The first step to getting Excel certified is understanding the different certification options available and choosing the right one for you. There are several Excel certifications, including Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). These certifications vary in terms of complexity, prerequisites, and cost.

If you’re just starting with Excel, MOS certification is the best place to begin. MOS certification offers three levels of competency: Specialist, Expert, and Master. This certification validates your fundamental knowledge of Excel, including creating and managing worksheets, working with formulas and functions, formatting cells, and managing workbooks.

MCSE certification, on the other hand, is designed for IT professionals who use Excel as part of their day-to-day job responsibilities. This certification focuses on advanced Excel topics, such as data analysis, business intelligence, data visualization, and automation using VBA.

If you want to teach Excel to others, MCT certification is your best bet. This certification validates your technical knowledge and skills, including your ability to design and deliver Excel training programs effectively.

Fulfilling the Certification Requirements

After choosing the right Excel certification, the next step is to fulfill the certification requirements. The requirements vary by certification type and level of proficiency.

For MOS certification, you’ll need to pass one or more MOS exams. These exams test your proficiency in fundamental Excel skills and advanced Excel skills. To earn Expert or Master-level MOS certification, you’ll need to pass multiple exams.

For MCSE certification, you’ll need to fulfill specific prerequisites, such as having relevant IT experience, taking specific training courses, and passing one or more MCSE exams.

To become an MCT, you’ll need to fulfill specific technical and instructional prerequisites, including having relevant technical experience, passing a certification exam, and demonstrating instructional skills.

Preparing for the Certification Exam

Once you’ve fulfilled the certification requirements, the next step is to prepare for the certification exam. Preparing for the certification exam is essential to passing the exam and earning your certification.

Start by reviewing the exam objectives and identifying areas where you need to improve your skills. You can use online courses, tutorials, and practice exams to prepare yourself for the exam. Additionally, Microsoft offers free official resources to help you prepare for the MOS certification exam.

The MOS certification exams are performance-based, meaning you’ll be asked to complete tasks using Excel. Practice, practice, practice, is the best way to prepare yourself for these exams. The more familiar you are with Excel and the tasks you’ll be asked to perform, the better your chances of passing the exam.

Taking the Certification Exam

After fulfilling the certification requirements and preparing for the certification exam, you can then take the exam. Microsoft offers certification exams online or at a testing center, depending on the certification provider.

The exams typically range from 50 to 120 minutes, depending on the certification type. You’ll be asked to perform tasks related to the exam objectives using Excel. The exams are scored on a Pass/Fail basis, and the passing score varies by exam and certification type.

If you don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, don’t worry. You can retake the exam after a waiting period or take a different certification exam to build related skills and knowledge.

Conclusion

Excel certification is an excellent way to validate your proficiency in Excel and demonstrate your expertise to employers. Understanding the certification options available, fulfilling the certification requirements, preparing for the exam, and taking the exam are the essential steps to getting Excel certified. With these steps, anyone can become Excel-certified and take their Excel skills to the next level.

FAQs

Here are some common questions related to Excel certification:

What is the importance of Excel certification?

Excel certification helps demonstrate your proficiency in using Microsoft Excel. It’s a valuable credential recognized by employers worldwide, and it can give you a competitive edge in a job market that requires advanced Excel skills.

What are the different certification types available?

Microsoft offers different types of certifications, such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Depending on your experience level and career goals, you can choose the right certification that meets your requirements.

What are the prerequisites for Excel certification?

The prerequisites for Excel certification depend on the type of certification you’re pursuing. For MOS certification, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of Excel, and for MCSE certification, you may need to have relevant IT experience. For MCT certification, you’ll need to demonstrate technical and instructional skills.

How can I prepare for the Excel certification exam?

You can prepare for the Excel certification exam by reviewing the exam objectives, using online courses, tutorials, and practice exams. Additionally, Microsoft offers free official resources to help you prepare for the MOS certification exam.

Can I retake the Excel certification exam if I fail it?

Yes, you can retake the Excel certification exams after a waiting period or take a different certification exam to build related skills and knowledge.