AAVIT Launches Largest Digital Skills Assessment for Students in Czechia

AAVIT has officially launched the fifth edition of the IT Fitness Test, the largest digital skills assessment initiative for primary and secondary schools in Central Europe. The initiative is held under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, with the support of partners including ESET Czech Republic, XR Edufy, Czech News Center, Alza, ÁMOS Vision, and Česko.Digital.

This year’s certification phase runs from 18 March to 31 October 2026 and is open to primary school pupils, secondary school students, and their teachers.

Over the past four editions in Czechia, more than 260,000 participants have taken part. Across the V4 countries, the initiative has reached over 670,000 participants, highlighting its growing role as a benchmark for digital skills across the region.

“After four years of implementation, we are convinced that the IT Fitness Test brings real added value to schools, not as another obligation, but as a tool that allows them to see where their students stand and adapt teaching based on real data. At a time when Czechia faces a shortage of digitally prepared graduates and workers, it is not enough to assume that digital competencies develop on their own. They need to be measured, gaps need to be identified, and their development must be addressed systematically. This is exactly what the IT Fitness Test enables,” says Jaromír Hanzal, Director of AAVIT.

A widening skills gap across Europe

According to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), 44% of Europeans still lack even basic digital skills. The European Union has set a target for at least 80% of citizens to possess basic digital competencies by 2030 – but current progress suggests this goal is unlikely to be met.

At the same time, Europe faces a significant shortage of ICT specialists, estimated at nearly 10 million workers.

The importance of digital skills now extends far beyond technical roles. Research shows that up to 90% of jobs require some level of digital competence – making digital literacy a fundamental prerequisite for participation in today’s labour market.

Evaluating practical digital competencies in real-world scenarios

The IT Fitness Test addresses this challenge by providing schools with an objective, internationally comparable view of the actual digital skills of their students and teachers.

Rather than relying on self-assessment, the test is based on practical tasks that evaluate participants’ ability to navigate the digital environment, critically assess information, and effectively use available tools and applications.

The structure of the test follows the European DigComp framework and covers four key areas:

• internet and information skills
• security and computer systems
• office tools
• collaborative tools and social networks

The assessment is available in two main versions:

• Primary school test – 16 questions, designed for pupils in grades 8 and 9 (and equivalent levels in multi-year grammar schools)
• Secondary and higher education test – 16 questions, intended for secondary school, tertiary students, teachers, and the wider public

Top-performing participants can also take the IT Master Test, which includes 12 advanced, problem-solving tasks.

All participants receive a digital certificate upon completion, while the best students, classes, and schools are eligible for prizes provided by project partners.

Through its annual implementation, AAVIT contributes to building a robust data base for evidence-based education policy. At the same time, it supports teachers in systematically developing their students’ digital competencies and helps bridge the gap between education and labour market needs.

The IT Fitness Test is therefore more than just an assessment tool – it is part of a broader effort to ensure that digital education in Czechia reflects European standards and prepares the next generation for the realities of the digital economy.