ECDL or MOS

Discussion in 'General Microsoft Certifications' started by April1980, Dec 30, 2008.

  1. April1980

    April1980 New Member

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    Hi all,

    Which exam is the better one? The ECDL or the MOS and why?

    :confused3
     
  2. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Hi and welcome to CF!

    Better for whom? If for you - we don't know you yet!

    ECDL is a general computer knowledge cert. MOS is more specific on Microsoft apps. It will depend on what you want as to which is better. Or what a recruiter is looking for.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  3. April1980

    April1980 New Member

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    Sorry Harry :oops:

    It is for me. I am proficient with MS and have even built databases and CRM systems from scratch, I've published news letters etc. It's just that people I tell have to take my word for it as I do not have a qualification that proves what I can actually do.

    Everything I can do it self taught and (I am not blowing my own trumpet here now) people that see what I can do are always amazed and say I am in the wrong job and I could earn money by training people or building systems for people. Personally I don't think what I can do is anything special it is just something I have an interest in.
     
  4. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Hi Welcome.

    If your that proficient then I wouldn't bother with the ECDL as it will be too basic and go for the more advanced one. You may want to consider getting it in the future as with your knowledge and experience it probably wont take very long for you to do.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  5. April1980

    April1980 New Member

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    But if you say I should go straight to the MOS certificate why would I need to go back to do the ECDL? What's the difference?
     
  6. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  7. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    The differences between the MOS/MOUS and the ECDL is that:

    1. MOS/MOUS is vendor/version specific and the ECDL is suppose to be vendor/version neutral (however in order to complete the tasks in the ECDL you do have to use a required version).
    2. The MOS/MOUS one exam is one MS cert, whereas the ECDL comprises of alot of different modules in order for the full cert.
    3. MOS/MOUS is a Microsoft cert/cred, the ECDL is a qualification awarded by the BCS.

    The "business"/office cert for Office 2007 is MCAS, MOS/MOUS is for Office 2k, XP & 2k3.

    Which is better is a matter of opinion. Depending on which modules you do, the ECDL maps to level 1, 2 or 3 of the NQF. The same thing goes for the MOS, specialist is level 2 and expert is level 3.

    If you're interested in "building systems for people", have you thought about the Comptia A+ coupled with the MCDST?

    If you're interested in developing/software engineering then I would recommend looking into something like the HNC in Computing as alot, if not all, the professional IT certs in that field really require real professional experience before you get certified.

    -Ken

    p.s. Hi & welcome, please introduce yourself here, be a part of the community :)
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  8. MrNerdy

    MrNerdy Megabyte Poster

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    I've done both.
    IMO MOS is more a techie qualification where as ECDL is more basic, but good to have.
    ECDL is the "in" qualification for the NHS.
    It depends, you could do MOS & then do ECDL afterwards for Fun!!!
     
    Certifications: ECDL, CiscoIT1 & A+
    WIP: Girlfriend & Network+
  9. April1980

    April1980 New Member

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    Thanks to all of you for giving me so much more to look at.

    I really appreciate the time you took to help me with this.

    :biggrin
     

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