Exam Syllabus

The Microsoft MO-201 exam covers many topics, so it is vital to learn them in detail. Thus, you should be ready that the questions will be formed according to the following sections:

• Manage Workbook Options & Settings

  The first topic makes up 15-20% of the exam content. It covers the details that include the management of workbooks, preparation of workbooks for collaboration, as well as usage and configuration of the language options.

• Manage & Format Data

  The next subject area constitutes about 20-25% of the content. It will evaluate your skills in filling cells based on existing data, formatting and validating data, and applying advanced conditional formatting and filtering.

• Create Advanced Formulas & Macros

  This next domain is the largest one and makes up about 30-35% of the exam questions. It covers the individuals’ performance of logical operations in formulas, ways to look up data with the use of functions, as well as usage of the advanced date and time functions. You need to be able to troubleshoot formulas, perform data analysis, and create and modify simple macros as well.

• Manage Advanced Charts & Tables

  The last section that you will have to study comes with 25-30%. It will test your knowledge of how to create and modify charts, PivotTables, and PivotCharts.

Skills Tested

Before opting for MO-201 exam you should gain skills in working with workbooks, prepare them for collaboration, and implement language options. For that you should be able to copy macros between workbooks, enable them in workbook, know and work with their versions, protect workbook structure, manage comments, and utilize language-specific features. Then, you should be proficient in managing and formatting data, that’s why you should possess skills in filling cells by using Flash Fill and advanced Fill Series, grouping and ungrouping data, configuring data validation, creating and managing custom conditional formatting rules. The next section you should be skilled in deals with creating advanced formulas and macros. This implies your skills in using advanced data and time functions, performing logical operations in formulas and providing data analysis, as well as troubleshooting formulas and working with simple macros. And the final part of the exam is all about advanced charts and tables. Here your skills in creating and modifying advanced charts, PivotTables, and PivotCharts will be checked.

Your ability to integrate Excel in your work effectively will help you pass this Microsoft exam.

Books and Study Guides

To pass the test effortlessly, you should not neglect preparation with credible training resources, even if you have prior experience using Microsoft Excel. Furthermore, study material reminds the lost information and clarifies the things you may not have a clue about something. Thus, you can purchase the following books on Amazon to help you be ready for the final test.

• Excel 2019 Bible 1st Edition by Michael Alexander, Richard Kusleika, and John Walkenbach

  This complete guide will not only help you prepare for your MO-201 exam but also familiarize you with the powerful new features and capabilities of Excel 2019. Moreover, the author is a Certified Application Developer (MCAD) with more than 16 years’ experience consulting and developing Office solutions. So, in this book, he will show you how to use Excel to make worksheets for home management or for technical work. Also, by ordering this edition on Amazon, you will obtain the workbook that will also aid you in making pivot tables, master formulas, and formatting. As you understand, if you have no experience with Excel 2019, this guide will give you all the examples you need to navigate it.

• Excel 2019 Basics: A Quick and Easy Guide to Boosting Your Productivity with Excel (Excel 2019 Mastery) by Nathan George

  Even when you have been using Excel for years, this book will teach you something you do not know, especially when it comes to the new version of Excel 2019. The author, Nathan George, is an experienced data analyst and programmer and, as a digital entrepreneur and author, he uses simple guides that assist you to master simple to complex Excel hacks for your comprehensive preparation covering all MO-201 exam objectives and even more. Filled with numerous screenshots, you get direct instructions of how to complete tasks without necessity to read longs texts and find the gist. Using this book in your preparation, you will easily become skilled with Excel.

• MOS Study Guide for Microsoft Excel Expert Exam MO-201 1st Edition by Paul McFedries

  Paul McFedries runs a technical writing company and has been running it for over 25 years. He has also experience writing technical books and has a wealth of knowledge of computers. Therefore, in this book, you will receive all the material in a simple understandable language you need for practice exams including knowledge of how one can use Excel in managing tasks and projects in various fields like engineering, data analyses, and accounting among others. In other words, this study guide will help you sharpen your skills and pass the Microsoft MO-201 exam on the first try.

Career Opportunities

One of the main reasons why anyone goes for a Microsoft certification is because it will help them get a better job. The same is the case with the Microsoft MO-201 exam and its associated certificate. Excel is an important tool that is used in almost every industry and that is why the companies need the certified individuals who know how to work with it. With the relevant certification under your belt, you can apply to the following positions:

• Executive Assistant;
• Office Manager;
• Staff Accountant;
• Administrative Assistant;
• Operations Technician.
• Microsoft Office Specialist;

Once you pass the exam and get the certificate, you will find it easier to land a decent job and earn a higher average salary of about $56,000 per year.

Reference: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/mo-201?wt.mc_id=learningredirect_certs-web-wwl