The final step is to take the certification exam or exams. MOS certification exams are only administered through testing centers authorized by Microsoft. Each certification exam takes about 90 minutes to complete. Exam questions ask applicants to complete a task using the appropriate tools within the software program. For example, the MOS PowerPoint certification exam might ask exam takers to make a slideshow with embedded video links. Test takers are able to immediately view their results after completing the exam. Those who pass the exam are recognized as officially certified and will receive an MOS certification certificate through the mail. Those who do not pass the exam have the opportunity to challenge answers marked incorrect or retake the exam. Jobs seldom require this certification, but it can certainly boost an applicant's employment potential. Examples of jobs for which this certification can be helpful include paralegal and secretary, or administrative assistant. Paralegals and legal assistants earned a mean annual salary of $54,500, according to May 2018 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Secretaries and administrative assistants earned an average of $38,030 as of the same year, also per the bureau.
