Overview of the B2i certificate

A trademark registered by the Ministry of Education

To ensure equal opportunities for everyone, the national education system must provide each future citizen with training in the use of information and communication technologies so that he or she can:

Acquire a reasonable level of proficiency in its use;
Be aware of the possibilities and limitations of computer processing;
Demonstrate sound judgment with regard to the the results of this processing;
Be aware of the legal and social constraints imposed by judicious use of these technologies.

The purpose of this certificate is to attest to the proficiency level acquired by pupils in the use of multimedia and Internet tools. It currently includes:

Level 1, which has been integrated into primary school programmes since the beginning of the 2002 school year;
Level 2, which concerns middle school pupils and those in Year 10;
Level 3, as defined by the Circular of 25 April 2002 sent out to all Chief Education Officers: this level was tested through a pilot programme in general and technical high scchools (LEGT), vocational high schools (LP) and apprentice training centers (CFA) during the course of the 2002-2003 school year.

In February 2001, the Ministry of Education registered the trademark "B2i - Brevet informatique et internet" (IT and Internet Certificate). This trademark designates and specifies the skills that must be acquired in order to obtain the certificate. It also provides protection against any use of the certificate that could mislead the public about the nature, characteristics and spirit of the B2i.

How is proficiency verified ?

In both primary and secondary schools, ICT is primarily a learning tool, used in the teaching of both specific subjects and cross-related disciplines. It is in these varied contexts, in which pupils use the new technologies as needed, that teachers verify the acquisition of the skills required for the IT and Internet Certificate.

The Level 1 B2i requires that pupils demonstrate proficiency in five areas:

Mastering the basics of computer technology;
Adopting a responsible attitude with regard to the information provided by computing tools, when handling data needed for learning activities and following in-class discussions;
Producing, creating, modifying and saving documents using a word processing software;
Searching for and gathering information using a multimedia product (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, website, etc.);
Communicating using an electronic messaging service, by actually sending and receiving emails.

The Level 2 B2i presupposes proficiency in all Level 1 skills with the addition of six more skills :

Setting up documents for processing using a spreadsheet program;
Setting up complex documents including tables, formulas and links to other documents;
Finding information and documentation using a web browser and a search engine;
Organizing the workspace by managing files and directories according to their needs;
Communicating by email, including sending and receiving files;
Understanding the limitations regarding the use of personal data as well as those required by compliance with intellectual property rights.

A B2i Greta was also introduced for adults, as well as an ICT proficiency certificate, the C2i, for higher education.

BO, November 2006

IT and Internet proficiency certificate (B2i)
primary schools, middle schools and secondary schools (mainstream and technical schools, vocational schools)
english version

What is the purpose of the B2i?

In today's world, everyone should be able to use information and communication technologies.

That's why the B2i (IT and Internet Proficiency Certificate) was created via an official memorandum issued by the Ministry of Education's Directorate for Primary and Seconday Education

Official Education Bulletin no. 42 of 23/11/2000
English version

Official Education Bulletin (BOEN) no. 42 of 23/11/2000

What are the objectives of the B2i ?

The B2i certifies that the pupil is capable of using, in an autonomous and rational way, the information and communication technologies provided by schools, to read and produce documents, search for information as needed and communicate using email.

Who is concerned by the B2i?

In 2001-2002, the B2i certificate was primarily used in middle schools; but as of the start of the 2002-2003 school year, it has also been integrated into primary school curriculums.

"The Level 2 B2i can be assessed through course work by Year 10 pupils at general and technical high schools."

B2i - Level 1
english version
B2i - Level 2
english version

(Official Education Bulletin
(BOEN) no. 13 of 29/03/2001)

French version

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Date de publication : 19/11/2007 19:15