Exam Retake Policy

1. General Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam retake policy
   1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait at least 24 hours before retaking the exam.
   2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait at least 14 days before retaking the exam a third time.
   3. A 14-day waiting period is also imposed for the fourth and fifth subsequent exam retakes. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per year (12 months). This 12-month period starts the day of the fifth unsuccessful exam retake. The candidate is then eligible to retake the exam 12 months from that date. To take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must submit a request and obtain prior permission from Microsoft.
   4. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an exam, the candidate cannot take the exam again.
2. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) and Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam retake policy
   1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait 24 hours before retaking the exam.
   2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait seven days before retaking the exam a third time.
   3. A seven-day waiting period is imposed for each subsequent exam retake.
   4. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per year (12 months). This 12-month period starts the day of the fifth unsuccessful exam retake. The candidate is then eligible to retake the exam 12 months from that date. To take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must submit a request and obtain prior permission from Microsoft.
   5. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an MTA exam, the candidate cannot take it again.
3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam retake policy
   1. Retake vouchers can only be used to retake the same exam that was failed.
   2. All vouchers must be used prior to their expiration dates, without exception.
   3. Retake vouchers must be used within 30 days of the initial failed exam.
   4. As of July 1, 2014, the retake policy changed to the following:
      1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait 24 hours before retaking the exam.
      2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait 48 hours before retaking the exam.
      3. A two-day waiting period is imposed for each subsequent exam retake.
      4. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an exam, the candidate may take it again.
4. MCP beta exam retake policy
   1. Beta exams may be taken only once.
   2. This policy supersedes the general retake policy.
5. Exam-specific retake policy exceptions
   1. In some cases, Microsoft may have special policies for specific exams.

   
   

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/certification-exam-policies.aspx

Console 8 Update (V8.4) allows delivery of MTA and MCE

Console 8 Update (V8.4) allows delivery of MTA and MCE

In case you are still not aware, the latest version of Console 8 (v8.4) has now the ability to deliver Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams as well as the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam. MOS OneNote and SharePoint (2010 & 2013) are still delivered via online exam.

Version 8.4 also includes introduction of the LAN Solution feature which alleviates the internet load with respect to downloading updates in areas with limited bandwidth. The feature was released August 17 and allow CATCs greater flexibility with downloading updates by designating a specific computer in their lab (or network) to act as the server, which will facilitate the distribution of content updates to the other workstations via the CATC's own LAN, as opposed to using internet bandwidth per workstation. Additional information regarding this feature can be found here.

Previous Release Enhancements and Fixes

Console 8.3.5.1 Release Configuration:

This release will also be an optional update, but highly recommended that all Certiport Authorized Testing Centers take this update at their earliest convenience. A new Console 8 installer will not be provided for this release.

The 8.3.5.1 release includes the following enhancements and fixes:

This maintenance release address an issue where multiple MOS 2010 tiles would appear on the “Product Selection” screen. This fix allows the deploy MOS 2010 exams (MAS Compliant versions) without impacting iQsystem with these deploys. The Pending MOS 2010 exams in these languages can now be released. Additionally the following enhancements/issues were also addressed:

·         Issue that may prevent updating services from downloading the latest available files.

·         The “Register” and “Cannot access my account” always going to English pages instead of the appropriate localized page.

·         Driver and Renderer (DnR) performance enhancements and stability improvements (Note: These improvements only effect the GS3 & GS4 exams available in Console 8):

o   Removal of SQL Lite dependency.

o   Removed most dependencies of IIS Express, but still needed for now.

o   Simplified installer – reduced size and added flexibility in deployment.

Console 8.3.5 Release Configuration:

This release will be an optional update, but highly recommended that all Certiport Authorized Testing Centers take this update at their earliest convenience. A new Console 8 installer will not be provided for this release.

The 8.3.5 release includes the following enhancements and fixes:

·         Improved performance when logging into Console 8 and through the select exam pathway.

·         Improved stability of “Update Services” in low-bandwidth and unreliable regions. This was improved by:

o   Adding support for resuming downloads via “Update Services”.

o   Fixing issue where download failures could occur when bandwidth is less than 768k.

o   Adding support for importing and exporting of updated items. These can now be stored on a media device such as a USB drive and shipped to locations where updating via web is not a viable option. Click here for more information.

·         Addressed issue with MOS 2013 where a 0 score result upload is possible although the exam had scored items.

(source: www.certiport.com)

-Dexter Magalang