AIQ Institute

Strands / Fluent stream

3. Tool landscape and model choice

Pick the right model and app for the job, and stay free to switch.

The ladder, level by level

The modules listed against each level describe what a provider's curriculum is mapped against. The institute assesses and certifies; it does not teach them.

  1. 1Spark₹299

    Capabilities

    • Names frontier and open models and what each is good at
    • Knows the app layer: chat, IDEs, browser agents, automation tools

    Modules mapped to this level

    • Frontier models vs open models; what each is good at
    • The app layer: chat, IDEs, browser agents, automation tools

    Assessment 25 min adaptive live oral and practical with the AI examinerPass mark 70%Validity 24 months

    Sit level 1 in strand 3
  2. 2Torch₹699

    Capabilities

    • Picks the right tool for a given task and defends the choice
    • Reads pricing, limits, subscriptions versus API

    Modules mapped to this level

    • Pricing, limits, subscriptions vs API

    Assessment 45 min practical task in a live sandbox, then a vivaPass mark 70%Validity 24 months

    Sit level 2 in strand 3
  3. 3Beam₹1,499

    Capabilities

    • Runs a tool evaluation against written criteria
    • Switches tools or models without lock-in
    • Keeps a living tool map for a team

    Modules mapped to this level

    • Choosing, switching, avoiding lock-in

    Assessment 90 min performance exam in a live sandbox plus portfolio reviewPass mark 75%Validity 18 months, annual currency pulse

    Sit level 3 in strand 3
  4. 4Beacon₹3,999

    Capabilities

    • Sets tooling policy for an organisation
    • Produces vendor comparisons for procurement
    • Tracks the landscape and briefs leadership quarterly

    Modules mapped to this level

    • Tooling policy and procurement input (capstone)

    Assessment Portfolio, two-hour defended case, peer panel of twoPass mark 75%Validity 18 months, annual currency pulse

    Sit level 4 in strand 3
  5. 5Luminary₹9,999

    Capabilities

    • Publishes evaluations the community uses
    • Examines candidates at levels 1 to 3
    • Licensed independent trainer for this strand

    Modules mapped to this level

    • Examiner practicum

    Assessment Panel of three human examiners, teaching demonstration, contribution recordPass mark Panel decisionValidity Annual contribution record

    Sit level 5 in strand 3
  6. 6NovaBy nomination

    Contribution

    Level 6 is the same in every strand: a documented contribution to the strand that others have adopted (a method, tool, dataset, curriculum, standard or published finding), examined by the standards council on nomination by two Luminaries.

    Assessment Standards council review, by nomination onlyValidity Lifetime, listed in the public register

Currency

This is a fast strand. It changes quickly, so its currency pulses matter most. Levels 3 and 4 need one 20 minute currency pulse a year to stay valid, and subscriptions cover every pulse in every strand.

Currency pulses and subscriptions · Fees and pass marks for every level