Multiple surveys suggest that certifications earned through validated testing of skills are more highly valued by students than test scores earned through course completion. These certifications provide concrete proof of an individual’s expertise and proficiency in specific areas, offering a standardized, reliable measure of their abilities. By passing rigorous standards-based exams, individuals demonstrate their mastery of relevant skills, which are recognized and respected by academic institutions, employers, and industry professionals. This credibility not only helps an individual stand out as a candidate, but also assures organizations that they are hiring or promoting someone with proven, verified competencies in their field. According to Indeed, certificates based on a universal standard can be even more valuable than a degree, because the criteria is the same no matter where you take the course and exam.

Using test scores to earn certifications transforms raw data into recognized credentials that are more easily valued and leveraged. While test scores measure skill, certifications provide official validation of those abilities, making them more attractive to employers, educational institutions, and professional networks. Certifications are also more versatile, offering clear proof of expertise that can be showcased on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job applications. This recognition allows individuals to unlock new opportunities and distinguish themselves in competitive markets, by turning test scores into tangible, career-enhancing assets. Certificates motivate students to stay in programs and excel. For example, student retention was increased by 10% when the BYU-Pathways program introduced stackable micro-credentials.

In the report Making Languages our Business, 9 out of 10 employers reported they relied on employees with language skills. While employers may depend on bilinguals, potential bilingual candidates may find it difficult to document their skills. For many, a test score can measure and evaluate your language skills and abilities, but it may not be the easiest way to share what you know with employers or academic institutions. The chart below compares how test scores and certificates differ, and underscores the value of taking a language proficiency test that can also qualify for a certificate.

In the academic world, the Competency-Based Education (CBE) model focuses on student outcomes and skill mastery rather than time spent in class. Certificates in these programs are earned by collecting evidence of skills, which includes the testing of specific-skills. Competency-based testing that leads to certification is a strategic tool to advance careers, increase earning potential, and unlock new job opportunities. Testing language proficiency for an industry credential can support a variety of career fields including medicine, law, business, journalism, education, and more. Providing bilinguals in any area of study a testing opportunity to document and certify their language skills gives them access to many more career options and provides them with an easy way to stand out from other candidates. In fact, 60% of U.S. employers prefer bilingual candidates, and the demand for bilinguals grew over 56% in the UK in the past year. Forward-thinking university programs are adding Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) courses to further support bilinguals in a variety of fields with career-specific vocabulary and training. As a result, student engagement deepens, retention rates improve, and—most importantly—students feel a greater sense of satisfaction and pride in their decision to attend the selected university.   

Students aren’t the only ones linking workplace certifications to better job opportunities—employers value them too. Certifications on a resume provide employers with a quick, clear way to verify proven skills, making candidates stand out. Certifying one’s bilingualism is an easy way to provide employers with a verifiable measure of language proficiency and infer the highly sought after soft skills associated with second language acquisition such as the ability to communicate, work in a team, and problem solving. In fact, bilingual employees have a 50% higher chance of being hired over monolingual applicants, and data suggests that bilinguals are 45% more likely to be promoted in the first five years of their career.

In conclusion, language proficiency certificates empower bilingual students by validating their real-world communication skills in a way that test scores alone cannot. Unlike end-of-course grades or degrees, which can vary in quality based on the program or institution, certificates are explicitly aligned with current industry standards, offering a clear, consistent, and international measure of relevant skills. These certifications offer shareable proof of their abilities, opening doors to career opportunities and giving them a competitive edge in a globalized job market.

The Global Seal of Biliteracy is a free, stackable international language certification program that offers recognized, tangible, and digitally-shareable proof of language proficiency. Available in over 120 languages, the program certifies individuals at one of three tiers of language skill, providing a valuable credential for both academic and professional settings.