MO-310
Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps) credential is an entry-to-intermediate certification that verifies you can use PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps) productively in a business setting. Microsoft rates it at Intermediate level for a Business User role, and expects candidates to bring roughly 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience with the application. It is aimed at people preparing to enter the job market who need to prove industry associate-level competency with the program, or at professionals who build decks such as sales presentations, employee training, instructional materials, and kiosk slideshows.
The exam is proctored, lasts 50 minutes, and may include interactive components in addition to other item types, so you should be comfortable performing tasks in the application rather than only recalling terminology. Coverage is organized into five areas: managing presentations, managing slides, inserting and formatting text, shapes, and images, inserting tables, charts, SmartArt, 3D models, and media, and applying transitions and animations.
Preparation starts with the exam skills outline published by Microsoft, which summarizes the topics the exam covers; note that Microsoft lists no training course for this exam, so hands-on practice in the app carries most of the weight. The certification renews every 60 months, and it is offered in a wide range of languages including English, Chinese, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Vietnamese.
What you'll study
About MO-310 preparation
How long is the MO-310 exam, and what is the format?
You get 50 minutes to complete the assessment. The exam is proctored, and Microsoft states you may have interactive components to complete as part of it, so expect to perform tasks in the application rather than answer only multiple-choice items.
How much does the exam cost?
Microsoft does not publish a single global fee. The price is based on the country or region in which the exam is proctored, so check the regional pricing shown when you schedule.
What happens if I fail? Can I retake it?
Yes. You can retake the exam 24 hours after the first attempt. For subsequent retakes, the waiting period varies, so check the full exam retake policy before planning a second or third sitting.
How long is the certification valid?
The credential has a renewal frequency of 60 months, meaning you renew it roughly every five years to keep it current. Plan a renewal reminder before the 60-month mark so your certification does not lapse.
Do I need prior experience before attempting it?
Microsoft describes the level as Intermediate and expects candidates to have approximately 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience with PowerPoint. If you rarely build decks, spend several weeks creating, formatting, and animating presentations first.
What topics should I study, and in what order?
Microsoft lists five areas: manage presentations; manage slides; insert and format text, shapes, and images; insert tables, charts, SmartArt, 3D models, and media; and apply transitions and animations. Start with the official exam skills outline, then practise each area in the app.
Is there official training I can take for this exam?
Microsoft states no training is available for this exam, so self-directed practice is the main route. Download the skills outline, work through each listed task in PowerPoint, and build sample decks such as a sales presentation or training module.
Which account should I register with?
Microsoft strongly recommends registering with a personal MSA account. If you register with an organizational work or school AAD account, your exam records can be lost and unrecoverable if you leave that organization.
What languages is the exam offered in?
The exam is offered in English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Dutch, German, French, Greek (Greece), Italian, Spanish, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Japanese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Vietnamese (Vietnam). Students and educators schedule through Certiport.
What is the most common way candidates lose time on this exam?
Underestimating hands-on speed. The 50-minute limit with possible interactive components rewards knowing where commands live. Practise the tasks in the skills outline until navigating ribbon tabs, task panes, and dialog boxes is automatic rather than something you search for.