MOS 2010 Excel Expert Beta Exam Information (77-888)

The Excel Expert beta exam is accepting registration now.

The beta exam is free, but you will face more questions than that from actual exam.

The exam content objectives be found from this link:

Just taken the exam today, I think is about 80% tougher than the "specialist" one.
Besides formula building, more steps were needed for each questions to be done.
(In my opinion, this exam do have more advanced topics than that in 2000~2003 experts exam, e.g. array formula)

When preparing for this exam, make sure that you have some experience on those sub-objectives
(i.e. "This objective may include but is not limited to...")
You will meet MOST (almost all) of them in the exam.
Besides, just like all other MS exams, there should have some questions about 2010 new features.

Here are the objectives that "expanded" for a little bit
Sharing and Maintaining Workbooks

•Apply workbook settings, properties, and data options.
This objective may include but is not limited to: setting advanced properties, saving a workbook as a template, and mapping/importing/exporting XML data

•Apply protection and sharing properties to workbooks and worksheets.
◦This objective may include but is not limited to: protecting the current sheet, protecting the workbook structure, restricting permissions, and requiring a password to open a workbook

•Maintain shared workbooks.
◦This objective may include but is not limited to: merging workbooks and setting Track Changes options

Applying Formulas and Functions
•Audit formulas.
◦This objective may include but is not limited to: tracing formula precedents, dependents, and errors, locating invalid data or formulas, and correcting errors in formulas

•Manipulate formula options.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: setting iterative calculation options and enabling or disabling automatic workbook calculation

•Perform data summary tasks.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: using an array formula and using SUMIFS function (Remember the brothers of SUMIFS) 

•Apply functions in formulas.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: finding and correcting errors in functions, applying arrays to functions, and using lookup, Statistical, Date and Time, Financial, Text, and Cube functions
(Common function from each of the above categories)

Presenting Data Visually
•Apply advanced chart features.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: using Trend lines, Dual axes, chart templates, and Sparklines, "Dynamic Chart" (i.e. chart with filtered data)

•Apply data analysis.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: using automated analysis tools and performing What-If analysis (i.e. Scenario/Goal Seek), Data Consolidation

•Apply and manipulate PivotTables.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: manipulating PivotTable data and using the slicer to filter and segment your PivotTable data in multiple layers

•Apply and manipulate PivotCharts.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: creating, manipulating, and analyzing PivotChart data

•Demonstrate how to use the slicer.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: choosing data sets from external data connections ("External" means pivot table that other than currently selected)

Working with Macros and Forms
•Create and manipulate macros.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: running a macro, running a macro when a workbook is opened, running a macro when a button is clicked, recording an action macro, assigning a macro to a command button, creating a custom macro button on the Quick Access Toolbar, and applying modifications to a macro

•Insert and manipulate form controls.◦This objective may include but is not limited to: inserting form controls and setting form controls properties


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Last Updated at: 2010-12-24

Excel 2010: Where is the "Office button -> Prepare" in Excel 2010?

The Prepare Tab in office button of Excel 2007 has been reorganized completely into Info Tab of File menu in Excel 2010.

If you are going to take MOS 2010 Exam, it is better to take a look at the new locations:

Properties: (The most "hidden" one) Now you can go to advanced properties with fewer click(s).

Inspect Documents

Encrypt Documents, Add a Digital Signature & Mark as Final

The Encrypt Document is the same as Tools->General Options->Password to Open in the Save As dialog box

Run Compatibility Checker:

MOS 2007 logo changes

Just a very short blog about MCAS (Microsoft Certified Application Specialists)

This month, MCAS title and logo has been changed back to Microsoft Office Specialists

New logo

Old logo

 

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist(MCAS) credential change

According to wendyj, the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) will be rebranded to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) at June/2010.

It seems that the new brand (MCAS) like MCITP doesn't heard by many employers.
Many of the employer's still only knows about MCSE but not MCITP (We can find it out from the recruit).


Besides, there are far too more MOSs than MCASs in the world.

Anyway, there will have new logos for the MOS.
About the old MCAS certificates or cards with MCAS logo, you may use them for lighting up the BBQ stove. :)

MCAS Practice Test Excel (70-602) Suggested Solutions

(Last Updated 2010-02-28)
Belows are the suggested solution of the practice test.
The steps below is not the only answer.
There may have other ways or even shortcut leading to the same result.

Part I Q1-Q10 Part II Q11-Q20 Part III Q21-Q25

Question 1.

1. Remove the duplicated entry of Vendor Name(Column B) from the range "A3:K159".
Solution:

1. Highlight the range "A3:K159".
2. Data Ribbon > Data Tools Group > Remove Duplicates
3. Make sure that ONLY the box of "Vendor Name" (or Column B) is checked. (Uncheck all others) and then click on OK.

2. Name the cell range "B4:B107": Vendors.

1. Highlight the range "B4:B107".
2. Formulas Ribbon > Defined Name Group > Define name.
3. Enter "Vendor" in the Name box and then click on OK.

MCAS Practice Test Excel (70-602) Q21~25 of 25

(Last Questions Updated: 2010-02-28)

Here is the Third part of the MCAS Excel Practice Test series
For instructions, please refer to the Part I , Part II

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Question 21

Complete the following THREE tasks:
1.On the current worksheet, insert a chart that compare the products (Column B) with Total Cost Total (Column C), Sales Amount (Column D) and Profit/Loss (Column E) as a clustered cylinder chart (notes: accept all default settings).
2. Move the chart to new worksheet (notes: accept all default settings).
3. Format the chart on the discounts worksheet with the chart style 10.

MCAS Practice Test Excel (70-602) Q11~20 of 25

(Last Questions Updated: 2010-02-28)


Here is the second part of the MCAS Excel Practice Test series
For instructions, please refer to the Part I , next part: Part III

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Question 11

Complete the following TWO tasks:
1.Insert a function in cell G2 that counts only those customers owned 2 or more cars "G5:G29".
2.Set the sheet tab color as "Orange, Accent 6, Lighter 40%".

MCAS Practice Test Excel (70-602) Q1-10 of 25

(Last Questions Updated: 2010-02-21 Fixed 1st Q/4th Q)
Part II Q11-Q20 Part III Q21-Q25 Solutions

In the following weeks, I will keep posting practice questions/solutions about MCAS.
The questions are inspired from the practice test provided by Arashi (Website in Chinese). Most of the sample data are obtained from SQL Server Adventure works sample database.

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Instructions
- Each questions consists of 1 to 5 sub-tasks.
- The "Excel format" below is built with editGrid. Those excel could be downloaded for practice. By clicking on the small triangle at the left hand conner of each table, and then click on "Download Excel" option.
- Practice File could also be downloaded with this link
- Column Name / Cell Range are in italic format
- Manual Entries are marked in blue color e.g. Vendors

*Important: the exercises belows by no means copying from actual exam questions, it's just for practice purpose. There is no guarantee on pass even if you finish all the questions below. However, if you know about all of the question, it will be too hard for you to get a low score.

**Welcome for Feedback! please feel free to leave a message at the link in the bottom of this blog.

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Question 1

Complete the following TWO tasks:
1. Remove the duplicated entry of Vendor Name(Column B) from the range "A3:K159".
2. Name the cell range "B4:B107": Vendors.