The Microsoft 77-420 exam evaluates candidates’ core knowledge of Microsoft Excel 2013. In this test, individuals must show their understanding of the Excel environment as well as the ability to perform tasks independently. This test is a requirement for two Microsoft certificates, namely Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013 and Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Master. And if in the first certification it’s the only exam one has to pass, in the latter designation, candidates have to pass 2 more compulsory exams, 77-425 and 77-426, and one more elective evaluation from the pool of exams offered on the vendor’s website.

Intended Audience

The target candidates for the Microsoft 77-420 exam are individuals who know the principal features of Excel 2013 and are able to apply them. The test-takers planning to take this exam should be capable of creating and editing a workbook with several sheets for various purposes and situations. The examples comprise team performance charts, exercise logs, sales invoices, and professional-looking budgets. This exam suits a wide range of individuals, including clerical workers, instructors, bookkeepers, students, and others.

Details of the Exam

Exam 77-420 can be taken by candidates in several languages such as English, German, Russian, Arabic, among others. To register for the exam, you need to create an account with Pearson VUE, the official administrator of the test, and pay a registration fee of $100. The questions that can be expected in the evaluation include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop items, and others. The exam includes 38 questions that you need to complete within 50 minutes. There is no official training offered by Microsoft for this particular evaluation. However, applicants can explore numerous third-party study materials offered on reputable online platforms.

Detailed Overview Of Exam objectives

The content of the Microsoft 77-420 exam covers five extensive topics, that candidates need to develop competency in before sitting for the test. They are the following:

Domain 1. Create and managing workbooks & worksheets

• Creating workbooks & worksheets

  This subtopic measures the skills of test-takers in creating new blank workbooks using templates. Besides, they need to know how to import files, open non-native files directly in Excel, copy and move worksheets, as well as add worksheets to existing workbooks.

• Navigating through workbooks & worksheets

  The skills measured within this section involve searching for data across a workbook; modifying worksheet order, pasting hyperlinks, as well as using Go To and Name Box.

• Formatting workbooks & worksheets

  This section check your skills in changing worksheet tab color and workbook themes; pasting and deleting columns and rows; modifying page setup; altering row height and column width; using watermarks; setting headers, footers and data validation.

• Customizing views and options for workbooks & worksheets

  Within this subsection, test-takers need to demonstrate that they are capable of hiding worksheets as well as rows & columns. They should also possess competency in customizing the Quick Access toolbar and the Ribbon. Besides, examinees must have proficiency in managing macro security, modifying workbook views, adding values to workbook properties, and so on.

• Configuring workbooks & worksheets to print or save

  This subject area measures your skills in setting a print area, printing separate worksheets, saving workbooks in various file formats, setting print scaling, maintaining backward compatibility, etc.

Domain 2. Creating ranges and cells

• Inserting data in ranges & cells

  Test-takers need to have expertise in appending data to worksheets, looking up and substitute data, copying & pasting data, utilizing AutoFill, and so on.

• Formatting ranges & cells

  The subtopic comprises various skills of examinees, including merging cells, modifying font as well as font styles, adjusting cell indentation & alignment, utilizing Format Painter. Candidates should also be able to apply Number format, highlighting, as well as cell styles. The ability to change texts to WordArt and wrap the text within cells is also measured.

• Ordering and grouping ranges & cells

  The subsection tests the skills of examinees in implementing conditional formatting; transposing rows and columns, inserting sparklines and subtotals, as well as making named ranges.

Domain 3. Creating tables

• Creating tables

  The subtopic tests candidates based on their ability to move between ranges & tables, add and delete cells within tables, as well as identify titles.

• Modifying tables

  The examinees should have proficiency in applying styles to tables, removing styles from tables, inserting total rows, as well as banding columns and rows.

• Filtering & sorting tables

  Here you need to demonstrate that you are able to sort data on several columns, modify sort order, and remove duplicates.

Domain 4. Applying formulas and functions

• Utilizing cell ranges & references in functions as well as formulas

  The focus of this subtopic is to measure your expertise in using various types of references, identifying the order of operations, as well as referencing cell ranges in formulas.

• Summarizing data using functions

  This subsection evaluates the ability of candidates to utilize the following functions: SUM, the MIN & MAX, COUNT, and AVERAGE.

• Utilizing conditional logic within functions

  Here you will need to demonstrate that you know how to utilize such functions as SUMIF, AVERAGEIF, and COUNTIF.

• Formatting and modifying texts using functions

  The last subsection within this domain measures the ability of test-takers to make use of the following functions: UPPER and LOWER; RIGHT, LEFT and MID; TRIM; CONCATENATE.

Domain 5. Creating objects & charts

• Creating charts

  The competencies required here include creating graphs and charts, using Quick Analysis, adding extra data series, as well as alternating between columns and rows in source data.

• Formatting charts

  Within this subtopic, candidates need to demonstrate their proficiency in adding legends, resizing charts and graphs; adjusting the parameters of graphs and charts, applying chart styles as well as layouts, positioning graphs and charts.

• Inserting and formatting objects

  Test-takers will be asked to demonstrate their ability to insert text boxes, images, and SmartArt. Besides, they will require skills in adding borders to objects, modifying object colors and object properties, positioning objects, and so on.

Study Guides

The best strategy to fully understand Excel 2013 is to practice using it as much as possible.

Below, find the a list of books and guides that have proved to be effective in preparation for the 77-420 evaluation.

• Exam 77-420 Microsoft Excel 2013 1st Edition

  This book is the only official resource published by Microsoft Official Academic Course that will give enhance your workforce skills with Excel 2013. This book covers all exam objectives and hone our skills in creating forms, reports, processing data, numerical formatting to mention a few. It also offers tasked-based assignments that allow you deal with real-world problems. The included tool, known as OfficeGrader corrects these assignments, and saves you time for other important teaching activities. So, this printed edition equips you with knowledge and skills that can be applied in various fields such as finance and IT.

• Excel 2013 Bible 1st Edition

  This book is designed for both beginners as well as professionals who have used Excel 2013 for many years. It has unique strategies and techniques that are helpful to individuals who wish to exploit this program to its fullest potential. It is also a step-by-step guide that will take you through all the Excel 2013 features and functions. What is more, when you acquire this resource, you will gain access to a website that contains many templates and worksheets that you can download and practice with.

Сareer Opportunities

The certificates earned after completing the Microsoft 77-420 exam can be beneficial for establishing a career in a wide range of roles and across a variety of industries. The skills obtained while preparing for this evaluation will enable you to work in such fields as telecommunication, IT, administration, finance, and many more. The specific roles that you can apply for include Office Manager, Project Manager, Executive Assistant, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Staff Accountant, IT Support Technician, Business Analyst, Procurement Specialist, among others. As for the annual average salary you can get with these job roles amounts to $54,000, as estimated by PayScale. However, the real remuneration will depend on numerous factors, including your level of experience.

Conclusion:

Exam 77-420 is the right choice if you need skills to deal with Excel 2013 in your job. Knowing the exam domains, exam details, and books to use in your prep process will assist you in gaining skills to pass the test on the first try. In addition, after taking this exam, you will become a certified specialist, as it’s a requirement for two certifications – Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013 and Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Master. Advance your career by taking this exam, be effective at your workplace. Wish you success!