Database Certification Spotlight: Office Specialist

If you use Microsoft Access as a regular part of your job, or you hope to gain employment in the field of user-level databases, you may wish to consider the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program's Access 2003 track. This program (formerly known as the Microsoft Office User Specialist or MOUS program) allows users of the popular desktop database to prove their knowledge in a structured exam environment.

The certification, while not quite as popular as the more technical MCP, MCSE and MCDBA programs, is a nice addition to the resume. Currently, Microsoft only offers one MOS examination for database users -- the Access 2003 Core exam. Unlike many other certification exams, the MOS tests are performance-based. Don't walk into your test expecting to be asked a series of multiple choice questions. Instead, you'll be presented with a functional copy of Access (with the help features disabled!) and asked to perform several common tasks to prove your proficiency. The computer will analyze your performance and determine whether or not you've passed muster.

The exam is based upon four core competencies chosen by Microsoft and listed below. Each of these competencies has several subtasks that you should be able to complete. If you feel that you can easily complete all of these tasks, you're probably ready for the exam!

1. Structuring Databases
• Create Access databases
• Create and modify tables
• Define and modify field types
• Modify field properties
• Create and modify one-to-many relationships
• Enforce referential integrity
• Create and modify queries
• Create forms
• Add and modify form controls and properties
• Create reports
• Add and modify report control properties
• Create a data access page
2. Entering Data
• Enter, edit and delete records
• Find and move among records
• Import data to Access
3. Organizing Data
• Create and modify calculated fields and aggregate functions
• Modify form layout
• Modify report layout and page setup
• Format datasheets
• Sort records
• Filter records
4. Managing Databases
• Identify object dependencies
• View objects and object data in other views
• Print database objects and data
• Export data from Access
• Back up a database
• Compact and repair databases

If you successfully complete the Microsoft Access certification exam, you may be interested in pursuing the Microsoft Office Specialist Master Certification. This credential requires you to complete four examinations: the Access 2003 Core exam you've already taken (the Outlook 2003 exam may be substituted for this test), the Word 2003 Expert exam, the Excel 2003 Expert exam and the PowerPoint 2003 exam.

Good luck with your certification ventures!