Who is it for?
The ICDL certification program is for anyone who needs to develop their skills and/or demonstrate that they are fully competent in the use of a computer and common computer applications. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are becoming increasingly widespread in society. People must now use ICT (primarily via desktop computers/laptops) on a daily basis in order to engage in society and the environment around them. A competent level of computer skills (or digital literacy) is now a life requirement for personal, educational and professional engagement with society.
Those enrolling on the ICDL program come from many different sectors in society, including second-level and third-level students, teachers, employees, retired people, and the elderly. Their reasons for enrolling in the program may vary, and the skills learned will be employed in a wide variety of ways related to their personal or professional situation.
As an internationally-recognised certification and standard, ICDL can improve job prospects and equip people to advance further in their existing careers. It also can provide a platform from which to move on to more specialised ICT training and education.
ICDL testing can only be taken at an approved test centre. The ICDL national operator is responsible for approving test centres and auditing them on a regular basis to ensure they meet ICDL US's quality assurance standards.
How much Training is Required?
People usually take training on each module prior to taking the test, although training is not compulsory. Some candidates may feel competent enough in one area to forego training and move directly to testing, whereas others may require full training before testing. The amount of training needed will depend on the candidate’s existing skills levels prior to commencing training and the type of training - for example, instructor-led or e-learning. Typically the average training time for those without prior experience is approximately 30 hours per module.
How Long are the Tests?
Each module is tested separately with each test lasting no longer than 45 minutes. The seven tests can be attempted in any order.
Vendor Neutrality
ICDL is unique in that it has been designed to be vendor neutral. This means that the skills requirements in ICDL Syllabus are not linked with any specific software. Candidates therefore have the flexibility and freedom to acquire ICT skills and confidently apply them in a range of software environments
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