A recent online assessment of digital competencies among students in the Visegrád countries (V4) and Ukraine indicates a positive trend in basic digital skills but underscores the need for improvement in complex problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. The findings come from the IT Fitness Test, a large-scale evaluation designed to measure students’ digital proficiency.
According to the Association for a Digital Hungary (IVSZ), which coordinated the Hungarian segment of the study, around 184,000 students, including final-year primary and secondary school students, participated in the test last year. The results revealed several key insights.
Students performed best in internet-related tasks, demonstrating solid knowledge in web navigation and usage. In primary schools, cybersecurity and computer system tasks were the second and third most successfully completed categories. However, older students in most countries struggled more with these topics. Many students showed weaknesses in using office tools such as word processing and spreadsheets. Hungarian and Slovak students scored highest in this area, but overall proficiency remained low. A significant portion of students found it difficult to tackle tasks requiring higher cognitive skills, such as algorithmic reasoning and complex digital problem-solving. Many also lacked essential skills needed for further education and employment.
The performance rankings varied between primary and secondary school students. Among primary school students, Slovakia led the rankings, followed by Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. In secondary education, Slovak students also performed best, followed by the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.
For the first time, the IT Fitness Test included tasks focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The results showed that secondary school students are familiar with AI tools and can use them intuitively, yet there is still room for deeper understanding and the integration of them into the education system.
When compared to employer expectations, secondary school students’ skills in office applications remained inadequate, particularly in word processing and spreadsheet management. Data storage tasks also posed difficulties, and students struggled significantly with interpreting security alerts.
Overall, the findings suggest that students in the region perform well in routine digital activities but face challenges in more advanced and cognitively demanding tasks.
The IT Fitness Test was first introduced 13 years ago in Slovakia as an initiative of the European Commission. Over the past 12 years it has expanded to the V4 countries and Ukraine. The test assesses practical and advanced IT knowledge, offering valuable insights for students, educators, and policymakers.
By providing a clear picture of students’ digital competencies, the results help educators refine curricula and policymakers develop strategies to enhance digital education across the region.
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