DigComp Certification
Why certify in digital literacy with DigComp?
DigComp is a reference framework for digital competence in educational and professional environments. Widely used to structure and assess essential skills in information and digital literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, problem solving, and digital safety, DigComp provides a common framework for understanding and developing digital competence. A DigComp certification helps students and job seekers demonstrate their proficiency in digital literacy competencies and supports their academic success and long-term career readiness.
DigComp-based certification measures practical digital competence with no prerequisites. It is well suited for students and adult learners who want to validate their skills in information and digital literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, problem solving, and digital safety.
Skills Assessed
The Tosa DigComp certification exam evaluates five key domains:
Information and Data Literacy
The questions in this domain cover essential concepts related to search strategies, updating information and content in a digital environment, and identifying different types of websites. They also cover analyzing and assessing the reliability of data sources, as well as organizing and managing digital content in a structured environment (downloading files, using images and forms, etc.).
Communication and Collaboration
The questions in this domain cover proficiency with digital tools and technologies in collaborative processes (social networks, online conferences, online discussions, etc.), as well as the collaborative creation of appropriate data and resources. Questions also cover referencing skills, engaging with public and private digital services, and managing a digital identity.
Digital Content Creation
The questions in this domain assess candidates’ understanding of copyright enforcement and the legal aspects of different types of licenses. It also evaluates their ability to create and edit digital content in various formats, such as for social networks and messaging platforms, and to modify, improve, and integrate information into an existing body of knowledge using different operating systems, RSS feeds, and related tools.
Digital Safety
The questions in this domain cover skills around protecting devices and digital content with anti-malware applications. Candidates are tested on their ability to limit risks and take security measures to protect personal data in different contexts (social networks, emails, etc.), as well as their knowledge on the environmental impacts of digital technologies.
Certification Exam Specifications
Test Format
The Tosa certification for DigComp lasts one hour and uses a 35-question adaptive exam drawn from a pool of more than 400 items, including multiple-choice, interactive, and live in-application tasks. The test evaluates a candidate’s skills and knowledge in the five domains presented above and selects questions from five difficulty levels depending on the abilities of the test taker.
Exam Conditions
Tosa certification exams are not open book. The certification tests must be taken in a secure environment and are proctored at all times in accordance with the Tosa Exam Policy. Adaptive testing produces a unique sequence of items for each candidate, reducing the risk of cheating and item memorization. In-person and remote proctoring options are available.
Validity and Retakes
The certification is valid for 3 years. Earners may retest anytime to improve their score or to maintain their certification. There is a minimum 24-hour waiting period between two retakes. Candidates receive a new version of the test with each attempt.
Score, Proficiency Level, and Award
The result of the exam is a numeric score between 1 and 1000 points associated to a proficiency level. It is calculated using a pattern-scoring model (IRT). The minimum score required to earn the certification is 351. Certification earners receive a Tosa certification diploma that indicates the test date, the score, and the proficiency level achieved. It contains a unique authentication code for online verification. Earners with a score of 551 and above are also eligible to receive a Credly digital badge.
| Score | Proficiency Level | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1-350 | Beginner | Certificate of Completion |
| 351-550 | Basic | Diploma |
| 551-725 | Productive | Diploma and Credly Digital Badge |
| 726-875 | Advanced | Diploma and Credly Digital Badge |
| 876-1000 | Expert | Diploma and Credly Digital Badge |
Preparing for a Certification Exam
Reaching a productive level or higher typically requires around 150 hours of training and hands-on practice with DigComp, depending on prior knowledge and learning format. To prepare for the Tosa exam, we recommend that learners:
Utilize the Tosa Exam Blueprint
Take a Tosa practice assessment
Each Tosa certification includes two practice assessments to be used as a pre-course assessment and a post-course assessment. The pre-assessment helps determine the initial skill gaps to cover during the course. The post-assessment allows for progress measuring and ensures exam readiness.
Access a free sample of the DigComp practice assessment test.
Complete a Tosa-aligned course
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