Everything you need to know about TOSA PowerPoint certification

Whether it is to achieve specific professional goals or to validate a skill, certification is often requested to attest to the completion of a training course. In the Microsoft world, and more particularly in relation to PowerPoint, the TOSA (Test on Software Applications) certification is one of the most important and most common validations on the market. It is recognized internationally and certified by the Isograd organization, which makes it a reliable proof of your skills in various software. TOSA tests provide an objective and standardized assessment of your office and computer software skills, ensuring that you really know the tools you claim to know, which can be an asset in a job interview, or when asking for a raise or other benefits. Having a TOSA certification is a good competitive advantage in today's job market, and taking a course that delivers it is a guarantee of trust and quality.

In this article, we'll try to answer the most frequently asked questions about TOSA certification.

What is TOSA certification?

Simply put, the TOSA (Test on Software Applications) certification assesses and certifies the skills of users in various software and digital technologies.

There are four variants of TOSA: TOSA Desktop, TOSA Graphics, TOSA Digital, and TOSA Code. The TOSA we are interested in is TOSA Desktop, which includes a wide range of office software, including the Office Suite and Google (Google Slides, for example).

TOSA offers different levels of certification, from Beginner to Expert to progress throughout your professional life on various important topics, as well as more free evaluations. Assessments take place online in free conditions, while certifications take place under exam conditions in an approved center or remotely, via an integrated e-surveillance solution.

A beginner's guide to TOSA training

Why become TOSA certified?

TOSA offers numerous professional advantages: you will be more recognized for your digital skills, you will be able to value it on your resume and in interviews, and you increase your employability by clearly stating your level of mastery.

On a personal level, this allows you to validate your knowledge and develop new skills that can save you valuable time in your daily life.

According to the Ministry of Labor, TOSA is the computer certification most requested by companies under the Personal Training Account (CPF).

Typical TOSA training content :

The TOSA Desktop certification is available from several authorized organizations that deliver courses that meet TOSA requirements. You can thus use many diverse companies, such as PowerPoint agencies, schools or others, which have obtained the certification by providing quality courses and which cover all the points mentioned in the certification. The TOSA Desktop-PowerPoint allows you to master software themes and models, object management, and text management. You will get to know the entire PowerPoint environment to be faster and more efficient, thanks to multiple methods for creating professional and memorable slideshows.

Here are some of the things you need to know to get certified:

• Manage mask mode layouts
• Customize themes and manage templates
• Create and modify graphic objects and manage their display
• Create and manage animations
• Insert media objects, manage the OLE protocol
• Use advanced text features
• Apply various attributes specific to paragraphs and tables
• Apply different formatting to text from a character perspective
• Use the main functions of the software
• Manage the different display modes and customize your environment
• Create, manage, and customize slideshows

Note that depending on the organization, you will not see exactly the same points of detail, so it is important to determine, with the company you are interested in, the program that will be addressed.

The certification is offered by more than 1650 authorized centers and used in 22 countries.

How do I prepare for the TOSA exam?

The TOSA certification is an exam to take as a result of your training, so your organization can create with you a study schedule and a memo of the important points that will be addressed during the evaluation. Depending on the organization, you will have manuals, how-to videos, online tutorials, discussion forums, and other learning methods available. You may also be required to take practical tests to become familiar with the exam format.

Don't worry: if the chosen organization is TOSA certified, it's because the content of its training prepares you for certification. Thus, if you have studiously followed the courses provided, there will be no problem when passing the certification.

Pass the TOSA exam

You have two options as to how to take the exam: you can take it online -under e-surveillance- or in an approved center.

Each section will have a time limit as well as a different structure. For example, certification PowerPoint 2019 lasts 1 hour and includes 35 questions. Each question is timed and invites you to perform a specific action on the software; you may, for example, be required to create a theme, to make the ribbon appear or disappear, to insert a transition, etc.

Each test is unique and the algorithm adapts the difficulty of the questions according to the candidate's response level, to deliver a level ranging from “beginner” to “expert”. The final score is determined by a scale of 1 to 1000 and a minimum of 351 points is required to validate at least one level.

Good thing to know, the Microsoft PowerPoint TOSA certification does not have an expiration date!

TOSA Training FAQ

What are the differences between TOSA certifications and other certifications?

Many organizations have created their certification to validate a range of skills that are useful in business. Their main differences relate to their more or less advanced content, the examination conditions and the acceptance of these certifications by companies.

Other similar certifications include the MOS certification (Microsoft Office Specialist), issued by Microsoft and therefore very popular with companies around the world (be careful, however, it only deals with Microsoft Office tools, compared to TOSA, which also uses Google Slides, Google Sheets and others); or the ICDL certification (International Computer Driving License), which is particularly well known in Europe and in governmental organizations.

Your choice can therefore focus on the reputation of the certification and what you want to do with it.

How long does it take to prepare for a TOSA certification?

This figure depends on your initial level, but it is estimated that it takes a few weeks to a few months to complete the training and then take the exam.

How much does TOSA certification cost?

The cost of the training itself varies depending on the training provider. If you also want your training to be Qualiopi certified, then you will need to count €790 per participant or €3,000 per business group, according to the Qualiopi grids. The cost of taking the TOSA exam also varies by test center and country, but in general, it is between €80 and €120 per exam.

Is the TOSA certification internationally recognized?

Absolutely! It is used in some fifty countries, and officially recognized in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.

What are the requirements for a TOSA certification?

No prerequisites are required, since the certification awards titles ranging from Beginner to Expert. On the other hand, if you want to reach the Expert level, it would be wise to have a good level beforehand.

Conclusion

The TOSA PowerPoint certification is a major asset for anyone looking to prove and improve their presentation skills. By validating your proficiency in PPT, this certification allows you to stand out on the job market, improve your professional efficiency and guarantee high-quality presentations.

With levels adapted to each profile, from beginner to expert, and international recognition, TOSA certification offers a reliable and standardized assessment of your skills. Investing in this certification will bring you tangible benefits and open up new career opportunities.