SharePoint Config

Microsoft will shortly be releasing a new SharePoint 2010 exam that targets “Information Workers”. Between now and the 1^st of June you have the opportunity to take the exam for free while it is in a beta testing stage. While it isn’t explicitly stated I imagine this works like most new exams and the beta period is used to evaluate the exam content but if you pass the beta exam you gain the full certification.

This exam isn’t particularly technical and is focused on power users more than developers/IT pros so is open to a wide range of people. It also covers a lot of the basic features so if you are starting out with SharePoint 2010 you could use the exam as a motivator to get up to speed with the core SharePoint functionality. The Exam 77-886: SharePoint 2010 exam overview states the intended audience as:

Candidates for this exam are users who provide structure for information, extend out-of-the-box site features, solve business problems through composite applications, and facilitate collaboration with other site users.

Users perform all site user tasks. They optimize Web Part pages for team use by adding and configuring Web Parts from the Web Part gallery. They customize dashboards to target the information presented. Users focus on adapting SharePoint sites to their teams’ needs and improving productivity.

In regards to the beta program the Born to Learn blog contains more details and a list of participating test centres. You will need to contact your local test centre to get a voucher for the beta and schedule in a time slot. If you don’t have a test centre nearby you can email Certiport’s beta coordinator, Stacey Tilley, at betacoordinator@certiport.com to see if one can be organised in your region.

For more details about what the exam covers have a look at the skills measured on the official exam detail page. The exam contains 87 questions (most items are simulations but there are some multiple choice items) and you have 3 hours to complete everything.

[Update] If you are in the UK the test can be arranged at the following test centres (note you will also need to get a voucher by emailing learning@prodigysolutions.com):