The #1 question that any educator or parent ask: without a standardized test, how does one prove his/ her education? In this two-part series, we seek to first explore this question and second, to give an answer based on a deeper question “how do you prove one’s worth?”.

The question about the standardized test is not merely about a piece of paper, but a deep longing that is ingrained in all social traditions—the rite of passage towards adulthood.

Simple solutions to complex problems: The highest Maasai jumper gets the girl; does the highest scoring graduate get the best job?

In the pre-industrial past, one proved to be an adult by taking increasing responsibilities, either by helping his/ her family, taking on an apprenticeship or assuming certain (usually hereditary) roles. It was rare to change vocations between generations—if you were born to a farming family, there was a good chance you would be a farmer.

Of course, there were exceptions. Isaac Newton’s father was a farmer, and his mom wanted to make him one too. Thankfully, history turned out otherwise.

But as societies became industrialized, the requirements became increasingly complex with specialization of skills. Employers, organizations, and governments yearned for a simple solution of standards. One old approach was employment based on identity and network; a Hainanese chef, an Indian barber, or a Singh watchman. Even today, this is common among the Malaysian society—a Nepali guard, a Bangladeshi construction worker, or a Chinese Businessman. Employment flowed through the internal networks that were tied strongly to the identity and tribes. One might even argue that the quality of work was ensured by the reputation and pride of the tribe.

Clearly, there is only a limit relying on networks and identity. The most obvious alternative was certifications—pieces of paper recognized and governed by a trusted party to prove one’s worth. Since a large amount of modern knowledge resided in universities, governments and occasionally, associations, they became the de-facto issuer and authority of certificates. The mandatory factory-styled education system initiated by almost all governments allowed a construction of a clear, rigid path to these papers.

It is certainly a better alternative than choosing a career solely based on one’s ethnic tribe. So, it seemed like the paper was a perfectly reasonable outcome of our human history of matching supply and demand of services and skills.

Revisiting the Age-old Questions

Imagine this: you are transported to any point in time (both past and future) and at any civilization, and have the ability to communicate in the local language. Assume that you are not killed or rejected, how will you make yourself useful to the society or find a job? First, you will need to prove your worth.

I believe that providers of opportunities will always ask these questions:

Can I trust you?
Are you capable of the mission/ job?
How can you prove that you are capable?

These questions apply to all, including exceptions. Throughout history, people proved their worth in various ways, but the outstanding ones overcame real difficult challenges. Our history is littered with such examples: Hang Nadim saved Temasek from Todak fish, David versus Goliath, Thomas Edison and the invention of the light bulb.

Did they prove their worth through qualification or certification? Or did they hone their skills over time and took the courage to persevere and act?

The Age of Google

Now, let’s consider the age of Google and the Internet:

What are the skill sets for the 21st century digital age? Is it having fixed skill sets, or something that is more dynamic and adaptive—knowledge to learn and character to be?
Where do you find the deepest, most immersive learning experiences? Is it Universities or somewhere else?
Where are the tribes and networks where you can hone your skills, and pursue your deepest interests and calling? Are they (the tribes and networks) physical or virtual?
How do the very best companies seek employees? Do they consider qualifications or acquire tough problem solvers?
How do the toughest and most challenging problems seek solutions?

If one explore these questions deeply, do you believe in standardized tests, university degrees, certifications as a solution to answer the age-old question of proving one’s worth?

Especially in an exciting and unknown future; where virtual reality becomes widespread and you read this through an immersive narrative instead of a piece of text. Will you still consider reading a CV or find out someone’s worth through other means?

We explore how we do this in Acton Academy in part 2.