...like me, who spend all day in Office rather than running hypervisor on bare metal. I told a colleague in our business worker certification team that I'd let people know that we have opportunities for Office 2007 users to get certified for free, and help the exam development process, by taking the beta exams* for two of our new Microsoft Business Certifications.

• Exam 77-602  MCAS: Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 
• Exam 77-603  MCAS: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007

YT took the Word beta (passed!) and the PowerPoint beta (I don't have my results yet) and it was fun.

How to participate: Beta seats are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to take a beta. Sometimes they are not available in every country. To find a test center and register by e-mail or phone<updates 7/11/2007 in italics>, see the list of participating centers in UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong, below. No special code is needed to register for the beta exam. If you could go ahead and send your questions to Bizcert@microsoft.com (and not to me), that would be greaaaaaat.  How to prepare:  See the prep guides linked below:

• MCAS: Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• MCAS: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007

An update from Barbara:

Thanks to all of you who took the time to contact me regarding the testing center mess for the Excel and PowerPoint betas. I have more information, and a special offer for you below.

• Test centers for these are in Singapore, Hong Kong, USA, UK, and Canada at the moment.
• To register for these betas, call the nearest testing center (see the scrubbed list in the table below). Apologies that there are so few--we're working on it. No code needed, just call and make an appointment prior to the last day of this month.
• Please note that we are, in fact, running live exams, and betas for the same exams. We are running a beta for a second batch of items.
• For your trouble, we’ve created the below offer for anyone who would like to take one of our live exams. This is good for the first 200 exam vouchers purchased. 50% discount on ANY of the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist. 50% Coupon Code: CASP050200 - Expires: September 30, 2007. To purchase, click here.
• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Using Microsoft Office Word 2007
• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Using Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Using Microsoft Office Access 2007
• For training/readiness on 2007 Office, check out these offers.

TEST CENTER LOCATIONS

*_{A beta exam is an exam in the final quality assurance phase that is offered to qualified candidates. The results of the beta exam are used to determine which exam items will appear on the released version of the exam. If you pass the exam in the beta form, you will receive the certification! You will receive a free gift for participating in the beta}.