Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Boost your Microsoft Office skills and earn a globally recognised qualification — free for all University of St Andrews staff and students.

MOS Programme Registration

• Registration for the 2025–26 MOS certification programme is now open to all University staff and students. See the Registration Process page for details.
• External candidates should contact it-training@st-andrews.ac.uk for information on sitting exams at our testing centre.

Upcoming Events 
Briefings and drop-in sessions are scheduled throughout the year. Brefings deliver a run-through of everything you need to know about gaining certifications; see the link in the listing to book your place. Can't make the briefing? Come to a MOS drop-in session to ask anything MOS related and to see resources in action. (see below)

• Next briefing session: 26 Sept 2025,13:00–14:00, (Microsoft Teams). Book your place on the MOS Briefing.
• Next drop-in session: 29 Sept 2025, 13:00–14:00, (Microsoft Teams); Join at this link to ask questions or see resources in action. Open to University staff and student only.

MOS Exam Session Dates (2025)

Session dates later in the year will be posted as they become available. Registered participants can book exam places using the link provided in your Certification Pack.

Upcoming Dates:
Oct: 8 (10:00), 29 (14:00)
Nov: 12 (15:00), 26 (11:00)
Dec: 3 (10:00), 17 (13:00)

What are MOS Certifications?

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is an industry-standard certification that validates your skills in Microsoft Office applications. To gain each MOS certification you must pass an invigilated, task-based exam approved by Microsoft.

• The University of St Andrews is an authorised MOS testing centre
• Exams are based on Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows
• Certifications are available in each application at graduated levels
• Exams last 50 minutes, exam dates are scheduled twice a month
• MOS certifications will appear in the HEAR section of your University transcript
• Certifications are controlled and authorised by Certiport, a Microsoft partner organisation (MOS overview from the Certiport website)

What MOS Certifications are available?

There is a separate exam for each certification; only sit the ones you want to achieve. The following certifications are awarded in the MOS 365 App version (except where noted):

• Associate level (core competencies)
  Available in: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Expert level (denotes greater experience and skill)
  Available in: Word Expert, Excel Expert, Access Expert**
• Higher Aggregate Certifications: Awarded for a specified range of passes denoting greater fluency and expertise.
  Available: Associate 365, Expert 365

** Access Expert available in 2019 version only

How do you gain MOS Certifications?

Certifications are awarded for passing a practical, in-application exam. Self-led learning resources are available for exam preparation to ensure flexibility for participants to prepare for exams around their other commitments. The basic certification process is as follows (full detail on the preparation and exam process are provided when you join the programme).

1. Skills Analysis
   GMetrix Skills Management System (SMS) is a downloadable program that delivers CertPrep practise tests, exam-like tests used to assess your current skill level and identify areas for improvement. More information on CertPrep tests.
2. Exam Preparation
   Access self-paced courses via the Microsoft Imagine Academy and CertPrep tests in training mode to address weak skill areas. Resources are tailored to each MOS exam. Further information on Imagine Academy courseware.
3. Certification Exam
   When you feel ready, book a place on an in-person exam session. Results are available immediately and certificates and result transcripts are stored in your own candidate account. More information on the specification and objectives of each certification exam.

Important Note for Mac Users

MOS exams and GMetrix practice software are for Windows-only. Mac users can prepare using GMetrix in University PC labs or run practise tests in a simulated Windows environments on your own machines, but ultimately you need to be familiar with Office for Windows.

Who Can Participate?

• All University of St Andrews staff and students: Free access to exams and resources.
• External Candidates may sit exams with a purchased voucher — contact it-training@st-andrews.ac.uk for details.