HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION EXAMS - Paper

Sep 30, 2026

Microsoft Office is a critical competency for business majors and is widely required by employers. The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, issued by Microsoft, offers objective validation of mastery in Office Productivity Applications. This paper explains how educators teach and support students to pass MOS certification exams, including implementation steps and practical tips. It also reflects lessons from running a MOS Exam program at the authors’ institution, helping other faculties avoid common pitfalls.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Research Question and Methodology

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION EXAMS Thomas L. Ngo-Ye, Alabama State University, [tngoye@alasu.edu](tngoye@alasu.edu) Jae J. Choi, Pittsburg State University, [jchoi@pittstate.edu](jchoi@pittstate.edu) Dexter Gittens, Alabama State University, [dgittens@alasu.edu](dgittens@alasu.edu) ABSTRACT Microsoft Office is an important skill for all business major students, and this skill is demanded by many employers. Microsoft Office specialist (MOS) Certification issued by Microsoft, validates one’s skills in Office Productivity Applications and provides objective proof of the individual’s mastery of such skills. In this paper, we report how we teach and help students to pass MOS Certification exams. We also share our experience of undertaking the MOS Certification Exam program at our institution. We provide detailed steps and tips for implementing this program. This study will help other faculties who are considering implementing theMOS program identify what to expect, and pitfalls to avoid. Overall, we believe that the MOS program is beneficial to students because it provides technical credential, boost their computer self-efficacy, and improve their career perspective. MOS program is also useful for higher education institutions because it provides an objective metric to demonstrate the added value of the higher education. Keywords: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certification Exam, Help Students Prepare MOS Certification Exam, Become a Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC) INTRODUCTION In modern society, information technology (IT) has become an indispensable part of personal, social, and professional life. Currently, more than 50% of jobs require some technology skills, and the percentage will grow to 77% in the next decade as predicted by experts (Microsoft, 2018) . Basic computer skills such as Microsoft Office are required for both academic success and professional career success (Ngo-Ye & Choi, 2015). According to a recent report commissioned by Microsoft, Microsoft Office proficiency is one of the most requested skills students need for the top high-growth and high-wage jobs (Microsoft, 2018) . In fact, Microsoft Office is the only software appearing in the top 20 skill list required for high-growth and high-wage positions. Employers surveyed by McKinsey/Manpower indicated that they have the highest talent deficiency since 2007 (Manpower Group, 2017) . More than 50% of employers expressed that they are very challenged to find IT-qualified employee who are comfortable and competent in the Microsoft Office. While around 72% of colleges believe their new graduates are ready to enter the workforce, only 42% of employers agree that graduates are actually ready for the jobs. In other words, there is a big disconnect between reality and expectations on computer literacy skills (IDC, 2012) . In recent years, the demand for computer literate and certified job candidates has grown by 26% annually (IDC, 2012) . The main reason employers cannot fill open positions is because job candidates lack the training and certification needed. In general, IT certification helps an individual’s career advancement, promotion and pay raise (Pearson, 2016) . To address the above issue of Microsoft Office talent gap and better equip our business students for the job market, we initiated the endeavor to help students pass Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is issued by Microsoft and recognized in the industry. Overall, IT certification tends to help students enhance their professional image and boost their marketability (Ngo-Ye & Choi, 2016) . In this paper, we first present the research question and research methodology. Next, we describe what is Microsoft Office Specialist certification and its benefits. Then we highlight what we have done to help students pass the MOS certification exams. Next, we report how we implem

FAQs

Why is Microsoft Office proficiency important for business students?

Microsoft Office skills are required for academic success and professional career success, and they are consistently demanded by employers.

What does MOS certification validate?

MOS certification validates proficiency in one or more Microsoft Office applications and provides objective proof of mastered Office productivity skills.

How does the paper suggest helping students prepare for MOS exams?

The paper reports an approach that includes clear research focus, qualitative observational methods, detailed implementation steps, and tips derived from administering a MOS program at the institution.

Sep 30, 2026

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