So about the 2003 exams. Well, if you write any of the 2003 exams, you are a Microsoft Office Specialist. There's no changing that. That's what the exams are called for 2003. Period. For 2007, they have a new name, to tie in with the different organisation of the exams. They're called MCAS now (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist). So now there's one exam per application, instead of the Core and Expert levels there used to be for Word and Excel. But the skills are basically just the same, with the new 2007 stuff added in.

If you're looking for 2007 textbooks, to see what the changes are, I'd recommend starting with your local library. Our library has the ability to order books in on demand, and also to share them as eBooks online. Not all of them, but it's a start. I'd see if they have the Step by Step series, which is published by Microsoft Press. It's a good series, and it's only real let down is that it's not in colour.

If you've got 2003 on your home computer, don't buy 2007 yet. There's a compatibility pack available from Microsoft here which will allow you to at least read those pesky.docx files (and it will give you my favourite font ever *Calibri*!). Try your local community colleges and such to see who has 2007 where you can try it out. Maybe your lobrary has computer access too, with 2007 already? It's worht a try, because 2007 is AMAZING. I absolutely love it. It takes a little getting used to, but the best way to learn about it to to actually use it. Grab a book and a library computer and explore to your hearts content. I don't usually rave about MS products this much, but I find Word 2007 a genuinely easy product to get used to!

Good luck Mary. Please let me know if you have any more questions!

Jess

Basically there is no difference for regular users between 2002 and 2003, other than visually. There are some differences with how 2003 interacts with other Office programs, and the internet, but essentially it's the same thing. Microsoft don't seem keen on makin fundamental changes to Acces, and even in 2007, there aren't a whole lot of differences.

Hope that helps!

Jess