Beginner | Specialist | Expert | Exam | Schedule | Pricing

Microsoft IT Academy

The Microsoft IT Academy Programme is a global programme that has developed as part of the Partners in Learning Initiative run by Microsoft Corporation. The programme was designed to allow accredited academic institutions to deliver a premium education in cutting edge Microsoft technologies. The Business Management Institute, as an Authorised Microsoft Office Specialist Testing Centre, delivers a global standard for developing and identifying superior proficiency in desktop computing skills.

The Microsoft IT Academy programme is the only Office certification recognised and endorsed by Microsoft and businesses worldwide. Institutions that offer Microsoft Office Specialist certification provide the means to enhance computer skills and prove an individuals industry-required expertise in computing and Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office Specialists are currently helping to meet the demand for qualified and knowledgeable people in the modern workplace.

Benefits:

• A portable qualification recognised around the world
• The largest and fastest growing computer qualification in the world
• It proves one has the required skills to use Microsoft Office to its fullest potential
• It is the official and only qualification from Microsoft in Microsoft Office, which is an industry standard and used by over 90% of organisations around the world

Microsoft Office Specialist Exam Skill Standards

Exam skill standards are categories of examination tasks, identified by subject-matter experts that certify an ability to productively use Microsoft Office Programmes. Each Office Programme is organised within skill sets representing the basic functions of each application.

The Business Management Institute offers the following Levels of Microsoft Office Certification.

1. Microsoft Office Beginners

IC3 is ideal for beginners or those with a basic knowledge of computers. It is a professionally validated, standards-based certification program that provides employers and academic institutions proof that an IC3 certified individual has essential computing knowledge and skills.

IC3 is a basic computing and Internet literacy qualification that provides a gateway to other certification programs. IC3 is comprised of three modules.

Module A - Computing Fundamentals

This module covers the skills and knowledge required to recognise the internal and external components of a personal computer and how these components work together. The module also covers the principal of memory storage as it applies to hardware components like floppy and hard disks. It examines performance issues relating to processor speed and memory.

Module B - Key Applications

This module covers the knowledge and skills required to perform functions common to all Microsoft Windows applications with an emphasis on the common functionality between Microsoft Word and Excel. The ability to start and exit programs, modify the display elements, use online help, and perform file management, editing, formatting and printing functions.

Module C - Living Online

This module covers the knowledge required to identify common terminology associated with computer networks and the Internet, components and benefits of networked computers, the difference between different types of networks (LAN and WAN), and how computer networks fit into other communications networks (like the telephone network).

2. Microsoft Office Specialist

Specialist Certification is recommended for anyone using any Microsoft Office application on a regular or daily basis. The Business Management Institute offers Office Specialist courses in Office 2003 in the following applications:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint

(a) Word 2003

• Creating Content
• Insert and edit text, symbols and special characters
• Insert frequently used and pre-defined text
• Navigate to specific content
• Insert, position and size graphics
• Create and modify diagrams and charts
• Locate, select and insert supporting information
• Organising Content
• Insert and modify tables
• Create bulleted lists, numbered lists and outlines
• Insert and modify hyperlinks
• Formatting Content
• Format text
• Format paragraphs
• Apply and format columns
• Insert and modify content in headers and footers
• Modify document layout and page set-up
• Collaborating
• Circulate documents for review
• Compare and merge documents
• Insert, view and edit comments
• Track, accept and reject proposed changes
• Formatting and Managing Documents
• Create new documents using templates
• Review and modify document properties
• Organise documents using file folders
• Save documents in appropriate formats for different uses
• Print documents, envelopes and labels
• Preview documents and Web pages
• Change and organise document views and windows

(b) Excel 2003

• Creating Data and Content
• Enter and edit cell content
• Navigate to specific cell content
• Locate, select and insert supporting information
• Insert, position, and size graphics
• Analysing Data
• Filter lists using AutoFilter
• Sort lists
• Insert and modify formulas
• Use statistical, date and time, financial, and logical functions
• Create, modify, and position diagrams and charts based on worksheet data
• Formatting Data and Content
• Apply and modify cell formats
• Apply and modify cell styles
• Modify row and column formats
• Format worksheets
• Collaborating
• Insert, view and edit comments
• Managing Workbooks
• Create new workbooks from templates
• Insert, delete and move cells
• Create and modify hyperlinks
• Organise worksheets
• Preview data in other views
• Customise Window layout
• Set-up pages for printing
• Print data
• Organise workbooks using file folders
• Save data in appropriate formats for different uses

(c) Microsoft PowerPoint® Comprehensive

• Creating Content
• Create new presentations from templates
• Insert and edit text-based content
• Insert tables, charts and diagrams
• Insert pictures, shapes and graphics
• Insert objects
• Formatting Content
• Format text-based content
• Format pictures, shapes and graphics
• Format slides
• Apply animation schemes
• Apply slide transitions
• Customise slide templates
• Work with masters
• Collaborating
• Track, accept and reject changes in a presentation
• Add, edit and delete comments in a presentation
• Compare and merge presentations
• Managing and Delivering Presentations
• Organise a presentation
• Set up slide shows for delivery Rehearse timing
• Deliver presentations
• Prepare presentations for remote delivery
• Save and publish presentations
• Print slides, outlines, handouts, and speaker notes
• Export a presentation to another Microsoft Office program

3. Microsoft Office Expert

Expert Certification is recommended for regular users of Microsoft Word or Excel and who need to have an extensive knowledge of either or both for their jobs, e.g. an Accountant using Excel or a Legal Secretary using Word.

(a) Microsoft Word Expert

• Formatting Content
• Create custom styles for text, tables and lists
• Control pagination
• Format, position and resize graphics using advanced layout features
• Insert and modify objects
• Create and modify diagrams and charts using data from other sources
• Organising Content
• Sort content in lists and tables
• Perform calculations in tables
• Modify table formats
• Summarise document content using automated tools
• Use automated tools for document navigation
• Merge letters with other data sources
• Merge labels with other data sources
• Structure documents using XML
• Formatting Documents
• Create and modify forms
• Create and modify document background
• Create and modify document indexes and tables
• Insert and modify endnotes, footnotes, captions, and cross-references
• Create and manage master documents and subdocuments
• Collaborating
• Modify track changes options
• Publish and edit Web documents
• Manage document versions
• Protect and restrict forms and documents
• Attach digital signatures to documents
• Customise document properties
• Customising Word
• Create, edit, and run macros
• Customise menus and toolbars
• Modify Word default settings

(b) Microsoft Excel Expert

• Organising and Analysing Data
• Use subtotals
• Define and apply advanced filters
• Group and outline data
• Use data validation
• Create and modify list ranges
• Add, show, close, edit, merge and summarise scenarios
• Perform data analysis using automated tools
• Create PivotTable and PivotChart reports
• Use Lookup and Reference functions
• Use Database functions
• Trace formula precedents, dependents and errors
• Locate invalid data and formulas
• Watch and evaluate formulas
• Define, modify and use named ranges
• Structure workbooks using XML
• Formatting Data and Content
• Create and modify custom data formats
• Use conditional formatting
• Format and resize graphics
• Format charts and diagrams
• Collaborating
• Protect cells, worksheets, and workbooks
• Apply workbook security settings
• Share workbooks
• Merge workbooks
• Track, accept, and reject changes to workbooks
• Managing Data and Workbooks
• Import data to Excel
• Export data from Excel
• Publish and edit Web worksheets and workbooks
• Create and edit templates
• Consolidate data
• Define and modify workbook properties
• Customising Excel
• Customise toolbars and menus
• Create, edit, and run macros
• Modify Excel default settings

Exam

The examination runs within a fully functional copy of the appropriate Microsoft application. All features, including help and wizards, may be used. The examination will be held on completion of the relevant course. Exams are taken on-line in the Business Management Institute.

The following points should be noted.

1. You will need to present a picture ID (driver's licence or passport) to sit the exam.
2. Your Certiport username and password is required if you have already registered to do a Microsoft Office Specialist or IC3 exam.
3. You will be asked to complete the candidate information section, which provides the information necessary to complete your Microsoft Office Specialist certificate.
4. A typical exam has a time limit of 45-60 minutes. You will not receive credit for tasks that are completed after the time expires.
5. Instructions during the exam are displayed in a separate window.
6. Your score will be based only on the tasks you are asked to complete.
7. You will be notified on-screen whether you passed or failed the exam.
8. You may ask the administrator to give you a printed report.
9. If you complete the exam successfully, your Microsoft Office Specialist certificate will be delivered within 2-3 weeks.

Schedule

• Each module is scheduled over a two-day period from 9.30am to 5.00pm.
• Part-time courses are offered over a seven week period comprising of one evening per week from 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Pricing per Module

• IC3 €250
• Microsoft Office Specialist €270
• Microsoft Office Expert €300

These courses are run subject to demand. Please email info@bmi.ie for the next start date.