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 the essential concepts related to search strategies, updating information and content in the digital environment, and identifying different types of websites. They also cover the analysis and assessment of data source reliability, and the organization and treatment of digital content in a structured environment (downloading files, using images and forms, etc.).

Communication and Collaboration

This domain covers the proficiency in the use of digital tools and technologies in collaborative processes (social networks, online conference, online discussion, etc.), as well as the collaborative creation of appropriate data and resources. Questions also include referencing, the ability to use public and private digital services, and managing a digital identity.

Digital Content Creation

Candidates are tested on their ability to understand the enforcement of copyright laws and legal aspects of different types of licenses. They are also tested on making and editing digital content in various formats (social networks, messaging, etc.) and their ability to modify, improve and integrate information into an existing body of knowledge using different operations systems, RSS feed, etc.

Digital Safety

This domain covers skills such as protecting devices and digital content with anti-malware applications. Candidates are tested on their ability to limit the 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.

Problem Solving

This domain includes questions on identifying and solving technical problems when operating devices in digital environments. It also includes questions on technological monitoring tools to improve and develop digital skills, and on the implementation of a lifelong digital skills development.

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.

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: