Skills evaluation and analysis

The GMetrix Skills Management System (SMS) is a performance-based testing program that can be used for identifying areas of need for training in preparing for a certification exam. Practise tests are available for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access titles and are designed to complement the Microsoft Certification exams by providing tests in a similar format to the actual exams. The program is downloaded onto your own machine giving you unrestricted access to work on it. You have the option to operate it in either training (assisted) or test mode. A scored report with areas for review is available to you after completing a practise test.

Note: It is recommended that you achieve a pass rate of 80% on the practice tests before sitting an exam.

Overview of GMetrix test features

• The software can be downloaded onto any suitable computer but you must have a complete installation of Microsoft Office 2010 on your computer to use Gmetrix software (see below for more information on GMetrix system requirements)
• Practise tests map to the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam objectives so provide a good familiarity with both the test environment and content
• All tests are in-application or performance-based simulations to provide the best assessment of skills using the actual application
• All tests have both a testing and a training mode providing step-by-step help on each question
• Each application has 50+ questions in training mode covering all objectives
  • 3 pools of 30 questions each for Word & Excel 2010
  • 2 pools of 30 questions each for all other Office 2010 products
• Progress at your own pace: save a test to resume later and /or return to skipped questions
• A detailed, printable score report is given and highlights areas requiring further review
• A 'Flag for Review' feature enables you to create a custom test based on problematic test questions
• Test results from multiple previous attempts are saved in your user profile
• You may re-take practise tests as each access code can be used for up to 50 test instances

GMetrix SMS System Requirements

• Processor: 1.00 GHz processor or higher
• RAM: minimum of 1 GB
• Free disk space: 150 MB Display: 1024x768 or higher resolution monitor
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 3, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 MS Office
• Software: For MS Office Practice Tests - Full installation of any version of MS Office 2010
• Internet: requires a high-speed internet connection
• Supported browsers: Internet Explorer 7 or higher
• Adobe Flash Player: Current version

See the GMetrix Links box on the right to download the software and user guides.

GMetrix Links

• Download GMetrix software here
• Video tutorial on installing and using GMetrix software
• GMetrix User Guide (PDF, 1,253 KB)

Information on registering for the MOS program.

Contact details

Sonny Evans

Tel: 01334 46(2951)

Email: IT-Training@st-andrews.ac.uk

Training to prepare for MOS exams

The GMetrix Skills Management System (SMS) software will help identify your weak skill areas. Once your training needs have been established there are various resources available to help you prepare for an exam:

• The GMetrix SMS software is itself a training tool as it includes an assisted training mode where detailed instructions are given after each test question. The software will also provide a "Flag for Review" training test consisting of the failed questions from a practise test, thus providing a very targeted review mechanism. As these practise tests are similar in format and content to the actual exam, the training mode tests are a valuable resource for the specific skills required. See the Skills Evaluation tab for information on downloading the GMetrix software and user guides.

• The University of St Andrews is a member of the Microsoft IT Academy. This is an online training centre offering online tutorials covering the full MOS syllabus. To access the the IT Academy material you need sign up for a Windows LiveID to login to the site and the specific Access codes for the the e-learning resources. Use the Computer Support link in the side panel to visit the IT Academy page for information on how to access the IT Academy resources.

• University staff and research post-graduates may also book onto the existing program of training courses run by IT Training through CAPOD. These courses are run as a rolling series of courses throughout the year covering a wide variety of topics in the Microsoft Office suite. View the complete list of courses. Bookings on the currently available courses can made through the Personal Development Management System (PDMS).

Note: Microsoft IT Academy training resources listed on this page are available to all staff and students for IT training outwith the MOS program.

Computer Support: About Microsoft IT Academy

Microsoft IT Academy E-Learning site

Contact details

Sonny Evans

Tel: 01334 46(2951)

Email: IT-Training@st-andrews.ac.uk

The exam procedure

Create an exam account

• You must register with the exam accrediting body, Certiport, and create an account. See the links in the side panel for a video on creating an account and registration.

• You will need these registration credentials to login to the exam portal when you sit an exam.

Booking for an exam

• Exams are delivered in an invigilated environment in the Swallowgate computer classroom (the classroom is housed within the School of Classics).
• There will be monthly scheduled exam dates during the 2012-2013 session;
  
  • when the dates are available, you will be able to book onto a date through the Personal Development Management System (PDMS)  and will subsequently be emailed with a time slot to come to sit an exam.
  • All exams must be completed by 30 April 2013.
• The exam process will take 90 minutes, though the actual exam will be approximately 1 hour.
• Your exam results are stored in your user account at the exam authority, Certiport, and are accessible by logging into your candidate account portal. Exam transcripts remain part of your permanent exam record.
• You may print your own copy of exam results for up to a year after the exam date. Authorised copies can be ordered through Certiport for a fee. There is also the option to have authorised transcripts sent direct to employers.
• Further information on certificates is available through the Certiport Candidate Certificate page.

Retake policy

• If you do not pass an exam you will need to book to retake the exam.
• You will not be able to sit an exam for a different application until the the resit has been passed.
• Resit exams must be booked within 30 days of the initial failed exam. There will be additional exam sessions made available should resits be required.

Information on how to register for the MOS program

Video:creating a Certiport Account
Certiport Test Candidate Portal

Information on how to register for the MOS program

Exam essentials

• All exams are performance-based, in a live or simulated environment.
• The pass mark varies from 640 to 780 points (of a possible 1000 points).
• Exam result reports are available as a PDF file at the end of the exam.
• The exam license expires on 30 April 2013, so leave enough time to complete the process.

Contact details

Sonny Evans

Tel: 01334 46(2951)

Email: IT-Training@st-andrews.ac.uk