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Your quick guide to the EPSO case study

Got that invite to the Assessment Centre? Congratulations! You are now in the last few stretch of the EPSO competition. But before any celebrations, make sure that you are making the best of these final stages and have all your study efforts leading up to this count.

Coming this far means you have met the eligibility requirements and scored one of the highest overall combined marks for the preselection tests. In this phase, you will be tested for your general and specific competencies through four tests. The EPSO Case Study is one of those.

Helping you to ace the EPSO Case Study test, we have prepared a great backgrounder just for you. After all, the foundation of success is getting the basics right. We got you covered with the things you need to know before taking the test, keeping you in the loop and helping you prepare for what is to come.  

EPSO Case Study: What Is It?

The EPSO Case Study exam is part of the Assessment Centre phase. Through it, you will be assessed for the following four competencies:

• Analysis and Problem Solving  – the ability to identify critical facts in complex issues and develop creative and practical solutions.
• Delivering Quality and Results  – the ability to take responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard of quality within set procedures.
• Prioritising and Organising  – the ability to prioritise important tasks, work flexibly, and organize own workload efficiently
• Communicating  – the ability to communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing.

According to the official EPSO website, a case study is “generally a computer-based test based on a relevant scenario, in which candidates are faced with various problems that they are asked to solve or to which they must react, relying solely on the material provided”.

However, not all EPSO competitions are made equal. Some of them don’t require you to take a Case Study test. So before you dig deep, it helps to check what kind of competition you are in.

What Happens During the EPSO Case Study?

Now that you have an understanding of the areas that you need to focus on when taking the EPSO Case Study, it is time to look at them in the grand scheme of things. Below is a view of how the EPSO Case Study will go:

During the actual computer-based test, you will be given approximately 15 pages worth of information regarding a subject matter that relates to the competition you are applying for.

You will have to analyse a problem, interpret data, and produce a written report that describes your proposed solutions and recommendations. From this, you will have to formulate the report within 90 minutes.

Below is an example of an actual case study test:

As you can see, you will be given what is called the ‘Assignment”. This is the most important document that you will receive during the case study. It contains important instructions about the exercise as well as the necessary role you have to assume in the given situation together with the time and questions you are about to solve.

EPSO Case Study Practice Tests

Are you ready to apply what you have learned so far? You are in luck. With the vast resources available out there, you can freely practice with some great mock case study tests.

One great place you can look for all your EPSO test essentials is at EPSO Training. To help you start the lifetime EU career you deserve, EPSO Training has the most realistic and efficient way to train for EU competitions. Check out their question packs here .

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Pefect preparation on your EPSO case study

You have been invited by EPSO to take a case study on the computer and are looking for sample tasks to help you prepare? Then you are right here

• The case study

Train the assessed competencies!

The case study confronts the applicant with a "real" problem that needs to be solved. This involves a series of documents, such as e-mails, reports, newspaper articles, etc., which must be analysed. Applicants write a text at a computer which is evaluated.

By our case study the following competencies can be trained:

• Analyis and problem solving
• Quality and result orientation
• Written communication
• Prioritising and organising

The case study is available in German and English:

Case study with individual evaluation or without

Case study "Mining" (as pdf) - with solution - EUR 29,00 (incl. VAT)

Case study "Mining" (as pdf) - with solution + individual evaluation of your text - EUR 89,00 (incl. VAT)

Case study "Mining" (as pdf) - with solution + individual evaluation of your text + De-briefing session (max 30 minutes) - EUR 129,00 (incl. VAT)

If you are interesed in receiving a case study, contact us! We will send all further information to you!

I am interested!

Booklet no. 13 "The case study"

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• Tips & Tricks
• EPSO Glossary

8 Steps To Ace The EPSO Case Study

The admission results are out and the pre-selection phase is finally over. Congratulations to everyone who has been invited to the Assessment Centre!

Today is a day to celebrate the good news, but from tomorrow you will have to look ahead again as the hardest part is yet to come.

The next step in landing an EU job is the Assessment Centre (or AC), and the first exam to sit is the Case Study. For many people this is the scariest part of the whole EPSO competition process, but fear not: you have a month left to prepare and we have created this step-by-step guide to help you plan and schedule your preparation to become a Case Study pro by the time you enter the exam room.

Step #1: Re-read the notice of competition

Along with the communications you receive to your EPSO account, the notice of competition is your #1 official source of information from EPSO. Read it again! It tells you all the basic information about the structure of the AC and the competencies tested by each exercise.

The case study is designed to assess general competencies. and for some specialists, their competence in their field as well (but this will be mentioned clearly in the Notice of Competition). Your notice of competition will state explicitly which are the competencies measured by the case study in your case, as this can vary slightly depending on your field and the grade of the position.

For AD generalists the 4 competencies are:  Analysing and Problem Solving, Communication, Delivering Quality and Results and Prioritizing and Organizing.

Step #2: Consult a more comprehensive summary material

The notice of competition is a good starting point, but it does not give you any guidance on the details. The competencies are listed, but they are not explained and there is no information on the possible scenarios, the test procedure, or the scoring system.

EPSO has two sample case studies on their website , which are great sources to familiarize yourself with the task you will be facing. I would recommend you to download them, maybe scan through them quickly, but do not plunge into reading them in details yet. They will be much more beneficial at a later stage as practice materials, once you are familiar with the exam setup and the details of what is expected from you to obtain a good score.

The Perfect Case Study Guidebook is a free resource written by a former EPSO selection board president. This booklet gives you a comprehensive summary of the EPSO case study exam and advices on preparation strategy. One of its most valuable assets is the detailed explanation of the assessed competencies and the list of positive and negative indicators for each one of them. These are the things EPSO markers will be looking for in your essay and your score will be based on how well these come through from your work.

It is good to keep something in mind: Having the competencies is one thing, showing it in your essay that you have them is another. Practically, the preparation is learning how to master the latter.

Case Study Insights Webinar  are useful tools for this. They not only introduce you to the case study exam system, but also give practical advice on best practice exam strategies, from time management to writing tips, to make your essay both professional and appealing to the markers.

Step #3: Catch up with EU affairs and know the EU institutions 

EPSO case studies simulate real life, EU-related scenarios.  Although you will have the key background materials provided, to quickly grasp the context of the assignment it is important to be familiar with current EU affairs and to know how EU institutions work.

You might be asking yourself: What could the possible subjects be this year? It is hard to guess. It can be a hot EU topic as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Maybe one of its sub-sections is of special interest, like GMOs. Or it can always be an EU evergreen, such as unemployment, climate change or gender equality policies. The best thing you can do is refresh your knowledge and be up to date with EU related news.    Here are a few websites you can start with:

For EU institutions and legislation:

• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/glossary.html
• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/chapter/institutional_affairs.html
• https://europa.eu/european-union/law_en
• http://www.europarl.europa.eu/aboutparliament/en/Powers-and-procedures.html
• http://euobserver.com/
• http://www.euractiv.com/
• https://voxeurop.eu/en
• http://www.politico.eu
• http://europa.eu/rapid/search.htm

Pick your favourite from these news sites, bookmark 1 or 2 of them, and read them on a daily basis.

Step #4: Try a mock case study early in the preparation process  

No reading can replace practice, so you should try practicing as much as you can. Trying an EPSO-style case study simulation test (remember to select Assessment Centre to view this service offering) at the beginning of your preparation process can help you in two ways.

First: You will get to know the test situation and the test interface. You can experience for yourself how difficult it is for you personally to read all the materials and write your essay within the 60-minute time limit. Plus, you will become familiar with the test software and its functionalities won’t surprise you, so on the day of the exam you won’t be wasting precious time by things like finding out how to copy and paste text in the EPSO editor. (No, ctrl+c / ctrl+v won’t work.)

Second: You can get detailed feedback from someone who has marked case studies in real EPSO exam situations. Taking into account the comments you receive and your own experience, you can find out where you are at in the preparation process. Make a list of your biggest mistakes and the focus points you need to improve on.

Step: #5 Create a preparation roadmap

Once you know where you are, and know where you want to be, it’s time to think about how you are going to get there. Consider the areas you need to improve and plan how you are going to do it. Do you run out of time because you cannot read through the background documents fast enough? Practice speed-reading . You get lost in long, wordy sentences? See what the European Commission recommends on how to write clearly , also view  Claire’s Clear Writing Tips  and practice your drafting skills by writing some more texts.

These are just a few basic examples, but the point is:  if you see what needs to be done you will know what material to look for, and how much time and effort the tasks will need. Taking into account the time you will actually have, you can structure and schedule your steps to make the most of your preparation. It’s good to write all this down, so it becomes clearer for yourself too.

Step #6: Practice, practice, practice

While improving specific skills, do not lose the big picture. It is important to practice speed-reading, because it will add to your overall performance, but keep in mind what your ultimate goal is. It is to master EPSO-style case study writing in its entirety, and the best way to do it is by practicing it like that.

Pull out the EPSO sample studies and complete the assignment. Also, attached to the case study webinar on EU Training is a sample case study and sample solution. Even if you do not complete it, read the task and the corrected solution. This will give you a deeper insight into the common mistakes you should avoid, and general advices like ‘Be specific!’ are demonstrated in practice, and are much easier to grasp.

You can review the webinar and the guidebook from time to time, focusing on the sections which are more relevant to you personally. The more you practice, the better you will understand the task and its difficulties and the tips will find their context.

Step #7: Take a second simulation test

If you feel the need for reinforcement, take a second trial test about 10 days before the exam. This can serve as your dress rehearsal.

Before you start, look at the list of the mistakes and focus points you made earlier and, needless to say, try to avoid them. Receiving your feedback and seeing your progress should comfort your confidence, and it will let you double-check whether you keep repeating any errors.

Step #8: The day before the exam, rest and relax

Take it easy the day before the exam. Do a bit of news reading, and scan through your list of focus points one more time. Don’t panic, or start some last-minute learning frenzy. Get an early sleep, and rest assured: if you prepared, it will show in your score.

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11 Completely Free EPSO Test Resources

Are you trying to prepare for an EPSO competition but don’t feel like investing in EPSO test preparation package from various prep services like ours? Maybe you are on a budget or don’t know yet if you actually will sit the test? Relax, we have you covered. Below we have compiled 11 completely free and trusted resources that will help you prepare for the EPSO exam.

We recommend you going through each resource as all of them will help you in their own way. Also, if you know of any other resources that you think we should include, drop us an email at [email protected] so that we can make this list even more extensive.

1. EPSO Sample Test

EPSOs own sample question database also called self-assessment test. Do not miss this website. It holds a great deal of valuable information and among them is the sample test part that can be accessed at the EPSO website . The number of questions included in the samples is mostly limited to 10 per category which doesn’t provide a lot of material to practice with but as it is directly from the source it should not be underestimated.

The tests are also available in all EU official languages, giving you the opportunity to practice in your native language. Expert tip: some of the questions included in the EPSO sample tests are known to show up on the real EPSO tests.

Unfortunately, EPSO doesn’t provide the correct answers or explanations to the questions but does inform you how many correct questions you had in each category. If you would like to know the correct answers and the explanations login on EPSOprep.com and find the videos containing the answers and explanations under the “Lessons” section.

2. Facebook groups

Facebook is the biggest social network where applicants to various concourses create groups and discuss questions, share tips, example questions and solutions, news & concerns. Some of these groups have been active for several years and hold very valuable materials that will give you great insights in how the competitions work. Users post comments about their experiences, what kind of questions they encountered and help each other out. This is especially valuable for those that are new to the competitions and have never sat an EPSO test or applied for a job through EPSO. Links to some of the biggest groups:

Assessment center group :

EPSO CAST group :

E-Tray group

Secretaries/Clerks

Administrator Generalist Exams (AD5)

3. EPSOprep demo with 70 free online EPSO test questions

All users that sign up on www.epsoprep.com for free get 70 questions with full explanations across 7 categories. After each test you can see the correct answer and read the explanations. Several abstract reasoning questions also have video explanations. It is also useful to analyze how you performed compared to other users and see how fast you answered each question in comparison to others. Click here to log in and get started with your EPSO training

Other articles

EPSO Verbal reasoning test guide

EPSO Abstract reasoning test guide

EPSO Numerical reasoning test guide

What is an EPSO test

4. National resources

All EU countries actively encourage their citizens to apply for EPSO jobs. For that reason, many of them offer free offline and sometimes online material and seminars across their country. They will usually invite ESPO employees or experts to share their experience but also tips and actual test material. This can be a very useful source as the information is usually coming straight from EPSO and can offer helpful info especially for those applying to an EPSO competition for the first time. The best way to find your country resource is to get in touch with the country specific EU careers Facebook page or local EU Parliament and Commission pages and websites.

The Swedish University Board for example holds annual seminars where they invite EPSO experts to share tips and experiences and hands out free material across some categories.

On the below link you can find free questions and although verbal reasoning test is in Swedish there are more then 50 EPSO test online questions in English.

The Swedish University Board

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade similarly arranges training sessions to help Irish candidates prepare ahead of the main EU Concours. They also provide free sample questions for EPSO exam in English on the link below.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs

5. EPSOprep Youtube channel

Here you can find example questions with video explanations and watch introduction videos to various categories. Our psychometric test experts share their knowledge and show what methodologies to apply to maximize your score. You will also find the correct answers and video explanations to real EPSO test sample questions. Visit our YouTube channel to view the channel

6. EU Careers & EU Careers Staff Ambassadors

The national EU Careers and their Ambassadors usually offer sample material in either physical form like printouts or leaflets or online. The amount of questions and the format can vary significantly between each countries local EU Careers offices, but it often serves as a good introduction into an EU career in general as well as giving you a good picture of the nature of the tests and giving you a helping hand in your EPSO preparation.

How do I get in touch with the EU careers? The fastest way is usually to email them directly or message your local EU Careers Facebook page directly. The “ambassadors” working are also often out on various events and visiting universities to inform students and others about the advantages of working for the EU organizations and some might even bring the preparation material with them at these times.

--- Category specific resources ---

7. numerical reasoning – practice mental calculation.

One of the most important factors in succeeding at the numerical reasoning tests is time management. A big part of the time is lost on typing the numbers in a calculator and performing the calculations. Mastering mental calculus skills will save you from performing some of the easier calculations and thus save valuable time. Practice your mental calculus skills on the below websites.

Practice with these quizzes that test your mental calculus speed.

8. Numerical reasoning - Get familiar with searching data in tables

Another aspect of numerical reasoning tests that takes time to master quickly identifying the needed data from tables and learn what data to disregard. Quia.com offers a tool to test your ability to quickly find the needed data from tables. The tests remind very much of the EPSO numerical reasoning tests.

EU’s own statistics agency hold an ocean of EU related data and statistics. Browse through the various data and practice interpreting the tables and finding various data. The data from Eurostat is especially relevant as the themes in EPSOs own numerical reasoning tests often resembles the one you will find in Eurostat although in much smaller format.

9. Verbal reasoning - Improve your reading with relevant resources

Test takers often find EPSOs verbal reasoning tests a bit intimidating. Being overwhelmed by the language and the amount of data in the text on top of the time pressure can be a stressful experience. There is however a way of preparing for the test. Try building up your reading skills by finding suitable reading material with a similar topics and difficulty level.

Find a text with similar reading complexity : make sure that the complexity of your reading resources resembles the one of EPSO. The readability score of EPSOs questions usually vary between 12 and 15 on the Flesch-Kincaid scale which is used to measure the reading difficulty of a text. Use the Datayze tool to check how the texts you are reading rank on the scale. Simply copy and paste the text into the tool to find out how it rates on the scale.

Find the relevant topics : EPSO verbal reasoning texts cover a wide range of topics from science, current news, studies, history, literature and so on. Make sure to diversify your reading accordingly. Obviously, you would need to adjust the reading sources to the language you are taking the test in but generally speaking business or science oriented newspapers tend to use appropriate complexity of language. Suggested English language resources are The Economist, Scientific American, National Geographic.

Jump into an unknow passage : EPSO verbal reasoning text passages are often excerpted from longer articles or texts which adds to the difficulty. For that reason, try to find a passage of about 150-250 words from the middle of the text and only read that passage. While you are reading, try to understand the main point of each passage.

10. Verbal reasoning - EU´s own websites

EU´s own websites contain data heavy articles where the reader needs to sort through to find relevant data. The advantage of reading these articles is two-fold.

Firstly, the topics and the language are often similar to the ones encountered in the real test making it easier for you to familiarize with the terminology and the subject. Additionally, even though no outside knowledge is needed apart from what the test question contains, it does help if you are knowledgeable in the topic of the question particularly in verbal reasoning and E-tray tests. Being familiar with the language and topics saves time understanding and reading the questions.

Secondly, it gives insight into the workings and the terminology of the organization, something that can prove very valuable in the later stages of the selection process such as E-tray and case study.

11. Verbal reasoning - Practice speed reading

The most important factor for success in verbal reasoning tests is of course understanding the text but if that comes at the cost of slow reading then you might have problems making it through the very time limited EPSO tests. That is why you need to make sure that you are reading at a competitive speed that doesn’t lose you too much time but also allows you to retain and understand what you have read.

Measure you speedreading skills on Freereadingtest and aim at performing at a level of at least 400 words per minute. There you can chose between numerous texts with varying difficulty and get a score that measures how many words per minute you read and your comprehension level. A very useful tool indeed! On Accelareader you can also input your own text and have the tool present the word one by one so that you find the right tempo.

Dont forget to read our guides to verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.

Prepare for the EPSO Case Study

Are you about to take the EPSO tests? One aspect of the EPSO recruitment process is the EPSO case study. Learn what to expect on this test and how you can prepare for the case study in the best possible way.

• A full practice case study (45 minutes)
• Solution guide & detailed explanations
• Tests are in English! 

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During the EPSO case study, you are given approximately 15 pages containing various pieces of information about a subject relating to your application.

You are provided a computer to answer the case study and formulate a report within the 90-minute time limit. 

Please note that on the real assessment, you are required to produce a written report. In this pack, the report is in the form of a presentation.

Even though the formats are different, the main skills needed to either create a presentation or write a report are the same.

The most important thing is to summarise your findings in a clear, cohesive manner. Use the proposed presentations as notes for your report.

EPSO Case Study Preparation: The Basics

The EPSO case study is either taken as part of the assessment centre in Brussels or at a separate location beforehand in your county of application.

This is generally the same location you took your EPSO computer-based tests .

During the EPSO case study, you are given materials to read through ranging from emails, memos, reports, and other relevant articles—approximately 15 pages in all. Although in some EPSO competitions you are asked to take a pen-and-paper case study, most candidates are now asked to complete the assignment using a computer.

However, even in computer-based EPSO case studies, there is no spell check, nor is there the ability to use any 'normal' word-based features like copy, paste, underline, bold, etc.

In fact, you are not even given a paper and pen to take notes with. Instead, you are allowed the use of a small white board for notes. You must write a detailed report on the subject; it should include an introduction, a main body, and a full conclusion. The time limit for this test is 90 minutes. 

EPSO Case Study Example Questions

The style of the questions is such that you are basically asked to perform three separate tasks. In fact, completing these tasks is very similar to answering questions using the STAR method . You are asked to write a report detailing the following:

• An executive summary of the situation at hand.
• What are the problems facing the company/ situation at present?
• What do you recommend that would increase profits etc.?

It is your task to create a report detailing each step of the process. Firstly, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the area by elaborating the main concepts and details covered in the EPSO case study example.

Following this, you must detail any problems that are either covered intrinsically in the materials provided or that you can think of based on them. Finally, you must come up with possible solutions and recommendations that you think will increase the efficiency/profit margin of the company.

Your report should be between 500 and 1,000 words and should be a complete discussion of the subject. As there is a 90-minute time limit for this test, you have enough time to read through all the source material and write a detailed report if you work quickly.

EPSO Case Study Competencies

In your EPSO case study preparation, you need to be aware of the competencies that are being assessed. In fact, your case study report score is determined by the EPSO competency framework.

In general, there are four competencies measured. However, for some specialist roles, there is a fifth competency that is defined in your notice of competition. The four competencies are as follows:

Analysis and problem-solving – This means identifying critical facts in complex issues and developing creative and practical solutions. There are many facts to deal with as you can see in the official EPSO case study examples . You must show that you cope well with complex information and possess practical awareness to find good solutions to problems.

Communicating – This means communicating clearly and precisely in your writing. A good way of showing this is through the creation of a good plan at the top of your report and then going through the points in a clear and concise manner.

Delivering quality and results – There are very clear instructions informing you how to go about writing your report in the EPSO case study. Following these is not only a good idea but also vitally important, as these are the markers for the assessors scoring your report.

In the EPSO tests, there are set procedures that you must follow if you want to get a high score. Following these procedures demonstrates you are able to deliver quality and results.

Prioritising and organising – This means prioritising the most important tasks, working flexibly, and organising your workload efficiently.

These are a lot of items in the EPSO case study samples. Although much of the information is necessary to compile your report correctly, some of it is not. You must show that you are not distracted by this information and can select the important material and leave aside the 'chaff'.

How to Prepare for the EPSO Case Study

The most important thing to remember is the necessity of practising. Without a full understanding of what you need to do, you will not show your full potential and skill. JobTestPrep offers a variety of resources to help you prepare for the EPSO case study.

While our case study pack is generic, it does include a sample case study and a 3-steps solution to get a grasp of the main guidelines for approaching these kinds of assessments.

Please bear in mind that although the case studies in this pack are not 90 minutes in length, they do follow the same style as the EPSO case study.

Indeed, to answer these practice exercises well, you must possess the same skills required for the EPSO case study. As well as this, the pack also includes two model EPSO case study answers. 

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• Verbal Reasoning
• Numerical Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning
• Situational Judgement Test
• Prioritising and Organising
• Accuracy and Precision
• EPSO E-Tray
• EPSO Assessment Centre
• Group Exercise
• Oral Presentation
• EPSO Sample Tests
• EPSO Administrators
• EPSO AST / AST-SC
• EU Traineeships

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Get the best available training for your EPSO exam - know what to expect on exam day by taking our tests which cover all EPSO tests objectives. Prepare for any type of Epso Competitions - Administrators, Assistants, Linguists, Secretaries, Contract Agents. Join the thousands of successful EPSO candidates who have trained with us and now are employed all-over EU Institutions.

Practice questions are randomly generated so that you never have to take the same test twice. Take as many tests as you like!

Monitor and track your performance. Review test history and observe your progress along the way. Identify weak spots and improve.

Our practice tests give you the same look and feel as the live exam. Each question can be reviewed. Incomplete questions are indicated.

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NUMERICAL REASONING TESTS

Improve your ability to deal with numbers and make calculations. Assess your level by practicing exercises containing graphics interpretation, ratios, percentages and trends

VERBAL REASONING TESTS

Practice in your own language the same test format Choose from eight languages. Work quickly and accurately to find the most suitable answer from four possible options.

ABSTRACT REASONING TESTS

Improve scores by practicing same sequences you will find in the real exam - mirroring, clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation, horizontal, vertical or diagonal movement, movement under different degreees, color alternation.

SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TESTS

Complete tests covering 5 EPSO Key Competencies that come with detailed explanations for Most Effective and Least Effective answers. Designed to fully match the work based scenarios for EU Institutions.

E-TRAY TESTS

Prepare with our simulation of an EU Employee Inbox. Situations dedicated to EU context only. Assess and improve your skills in the EPSO key competencies. Rank each option on a 5 point scale similar to Epso real exam.

ASSISTANTS SPECIFIC TESTS

Become proficient in Accuracy&Precision and Organising&Prioritising tests. Improve your fast response time needed for these tests. Similar questions on a similar exam interface will help you get aquainted with the test format.

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EPSO Test Preparation: Free Practice Questions & Tips – 2024

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• Free Practice Questions

EPSO testing is the European Union’s Civil Service test battery. They give a wide variety of assessments to ensure that the candidates hired are the best fit for the role, and the process has quite a few steps from the time an application is submitted to when the candidate is hired. If you are looking at this article, chances are you are considering applying with the EU for civil service or already have. Either way, this article will give you what you need to know about EPSO tests.

What Is EPSO Testing?

EPSO testing is a set of computer-based multiple-choice tests and assessment center activities . The first set of EPSO tests are the computer-based cognitive ability tests. If candidates pass these with a high enough score, they will be invited to join the assessment center activities. These are ordinarily held in Brussels or Luxembourg and may take one or more days.

Of note is the fact that specialist roles are not given the computer-based cognitive ability tests and are instead judged based on qualifications alone for the initial selection. Their goal in testing or using qualifications is to measure key reasoning abilities, not just to cut out candidates.

What Is on EPSO Tests?

All candidates applying for non-specialist roles will take computer-based, multiple-choice tests for their first round of testing. These are taken, for the most part, in the candidates’ main languages, which must be official EU languages.

Candidates may also have tests specific to their roles, and most assessment center participants will be required to take a field-related test in addition to the computer-based ones they already finished. Other requirements vary widely based on the position within the government agency.

The main tests are covered below.

Numerical Reasoning Assessment

The numerical reasoning test is done in the candidate’s main language as long as that language is an EU-official language. The test has ten questions which should be answered in twenty minutes. The information is presented in a tabular manner with questions in multiple-choice format. The test assesses the candidate’s ability to work with percentages , ratios , and the four basic mathematical functions . It usually focuses on EU economic topics.

Verbal Reasoning Assessment

The verbal reasoning test focuses on getting the right answer more than it does speed in answering. Therefore, the test is comprised of twenty questions, which must be answered in thirty-five minutes. The assessment has passages on economics, geography, politics and more. The candidate’s task is to choose the best answer option in relation to the passage.

Abstract Reasoning Assessment

The abstract reasoning test contains ten questions to be completed in ten minutes. Candidates are shown a sequence of five images that have various logical relationships between them. The goal is to identify the patterns and choose the right answer from the options by deducing the correct image to complete the pattern using the relationships identified. The test is closely related to the classic inductive reasoning tests that trace back to the Ravens Matrices Test . The assessment may require test-takers to identify multiple rules to find the correct answer.

Situational Judgment Test

The SJT has twenty scenarios that should be worked through in thirty minutes. The situations given are ones that candidates may face on the actual job. Four answer choices are provided for dealing with the situation, and candidates must select two options: least likely to do and most likely to do. This assessment is taken in a secondary language—English, French, or German. Candidates need twenty-four out of forty marks to even be considered for the assessment center.

Accuracy and Precision Test

This is an assessment center test depending on the position applied for. The test lasts six minutes and has forty questions. The goal is to find discrepancies and mistakes between two tables of information quickly and accurately.

Prioritizing and Organizing Test

Another assessment center test, this exam provides tables of information and asks candidates to answer questions about the information provided. There are twenty-four questions, and the test is timed at thirty minutes maximum. The test requires rudimentary math skills, fact finding capabilities, and logical thinking.

Case study exercise may be given either at the Brussels assessment center or at a location in the county of application. The exercise is not required for every candidate in the recruitment process but is fairly common. Candidates are given fifteen pages of information on a subject relating to their application. Then they are given a computer to answer and formulate a report. The report is a written report for the actual assessment, but some study materials may ask for a presentation instead. The report should include an introduction, main body, and a full conclusion.

How to Prepare for the EPSO Assessments?

Most of the EPSO assessments have very reasonable time limitations. You should be able to complete the assessments within the given time limits with very little trouble as long as you are prepared. For those with stricter time limits, more preparation should be done to ensure accuracy in a short amount of time. You should take the time to review practice problems, look over free sample tests, and brush up on any reasoning skills that might be a bit lacking.

For the case study and verbal reasoning aptitude sections, you can also spend time reading business reports and newspapers to get used to the types of information you may see. On the numerical side, practice simple math problems and work with tables to become accustomed to the test style. For the abstract test, you should do logical puzzles that involve solving pattern-based problems to improve your speed on the test.

Although the sheer volume of material being tested for EPSO may seem daunting at first, it is entirely possible to succeed and stand out above the crowd. Doing this will require dedication and practice on your part, however, since you will need to score 80% or above on most of the tests due to the high competition for these positions. Keep this in mind as you practice and do your best to score above this on the practice assessments so that you know you are well-prepared to ace the real tests.

Practice for the EPSO Test with the Following Free Sample Questions:

• Inform your supervisor about the situation as is.
• Ask your co-worker to complete his share of work on time no matter what.
• Submit your complete share of work along with your co-worker’s incomplete share of work.
• Finish your co-worker’s share of work yourself.
• Ask your supervisor to extend your deadline.
• Abigail saw John’s friend earliest.
• Monica saw John’s friend earlier than Rachael.
• Abigail saw John’s friend later than Monica.
• Rachael and Susy saw John’s friend at the same time.
• Jennifer saw John’s friend later than Susy.
• Take sole responsibility for the issue.
• Report the issue to your supervisor’s superiors.
• Ask your supervisor to not fire you.
• Argue with your supervisor that it is not your fault.
• Try to find the missing document in the office.
• will be completed
• will complete
• will have completed
• will have been completed
• will be completing
• Discuss this issue directly with your supervisor first.
• Disregard the issue.
• Go straight to your supervisors superiors about the issue.
• Try to get your co-workers to share your workload.
• Start performing worse just like your other co-worker.

Explained Answers:

• There can usually be no right or wrong answers when it comes to situational judgment assessments. Some response options, however, may speak better of you as a job candidate than other response options. In this case, response option A demonstrates stronger work ethic than the remaining response options.
• Based on the facts provided, Rachael saw John’s friend later than Jennifer, and Jennifer saw John’s friend later than Monica. Jennifer is the key piec of information that allows to compare Rachael and Monica. With this information, the statement that Rachael saw John’s friend later than Monica is the accurate choice (option B).
• Situational judgement assessments are designed in such a way that there are no right or wrong response options. Certain response options still. showcase your aptitude for a given job position better than others. In this case, option B can be considered as demonstrating strongest work ethic while the remaining options are not.
• Options D is the correct answer since both Future Perfect tense and passive voice are needed in this case.
• Situational judgement assessments tend to imply that there is no “right” response option. More often than not, however, some response options still tend to showcase your aptitude better than others. In this case, options A and C may be considered as the ones displaying strongest work ethic. The remaining response options are inferior when it comes to work ethic.

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13 Best EPSO Preparation Resources - Free and Paid

Want to get your hands on the best resources to gain the highest possible EPSO competition exam score? Look no further!

The EPSO selection process is not easy to navigate, but the more knowledge and practice you have up your sleeve, the better your chance of reaching your EU career goals. To help you with this mission, we have compiled a list of resources to guide you:

EPSO Notice of Competition (free)

Always start with the official source.

• Each EPSO competition’s Notice of Competition should be your key point of reference.
• This is where everything you need to know about your specific competition will be stated.
• Study this document very carefully so you know, with full confidence, what test types you will need to prepare for, how many questions will be asked in each test and what the time limits will be.
• It will clearly outline the various stages that you will have to complete to get onto the Reserve List, what qualifications and work experience are needed, language requirements, how many successful candidates are being sought and a whole lot more. In short, it is your EPSO competition’s manual.
• Once you know all the details of your EPSO competition, it is time to familiarise yourself with what each test will look like and create a preparation schedule.

Webcasts (free)

Every time a major EPSO competition is released, EU Training holds a free information webcast to help candidates get up to speed with all the requirements.

These sessions aim

• to simplify all the cumbersome information presented in the official Notice of Competition
• highlight any changes that may have occurred within the selection process
• and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions from our EPSO expert during the live session.

The recordings of these sessions are  available to view here . Live sessions are always advertised on the webinars page .

EPSO’s sample questions (free)

To get an idea of what each EPSO test will look like, check out  EPSO’s sample test questions . While there is only a limited amount of sample questions on offer, and certainly not enough for extensive preparation, they do give a good insight into what each test will be like and what you can expect.

The Ultimate EU Test Book (paid)

The regularly updated Ultimate EU Test Book comes highly recommended by many EPSO candidates and is a popular paper resource for those who prefer to study offline. 

 EU Training trial test packages & demo test (free)

While EU Training has a huge database of over 35,000 practice exam questions on offer, did you know that some of these are free?

Before purchasing a discounted practice package, look for your EPSO competition profile under the ‘ Practice Questions ' tab. Most profiles have a FREE package available under the table detailing prices. You can 'Get' yours once you’re registered. How good is that?!

You’ve probably already checked out EPSO’s sample questions, but make sure you also check out our  Free Demo Test . You'll be able to sample all the different types of EPSO tests available here on the EU Training platform.

 EU Training test packages with progress statistics (paid)

Ready to start practicing seriously for your upcoming EPSO competition? You’ve come to the right place. For over 18 years EU Training has helped thousands of participants prepare for the EPSO exams.

Those who are successful tend to follow a simple rule: 

• consistent and regular practice
• This is where EU Training can help - we offer you access to a huge database of practice questions , and resources for every stage of your EPSO competition.

Avoid surprises on the actual exam day by training with practice tests that have been developed to simulate the EPSO exams:

• You have the choice to prepare in ‘practice mode’ (each question is accompanied by a detailed explanation)
• or ‘exam mode’ (realistic test conditions with strict time limits).
• And to top things off, our powerful analytics monitors your practice history and compares your results with others, so you can highlight areas of weakness and improve.

What about the EPSO Written Test?

• There are updated EPSO-style  Written Tests  available which simulate the current EPSO written test format.
• To further improve and get even better results on your exams, send your completed written test response off for evaluation. Our EPSO experts will review it, score it and give valuable feedback. 

Methodology webinars (free or paid)

Not taking the time to understand EPSO exam methodology is a big mistake many EPSO candidates make.

• By understanding the methodology behind each EPSO test, you gain many advantageous insights and strategies on how to optimise your preparation and get the highest scores on the EPSO tests. 
• While some of these  EPSO methodology webinars  can only be accessed for a fee, there are  FREE ‘Beginner’s Guide’ webinars that cover Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning.

Classroom training and personal coaching (paid)

Whether you are looking for a personally tailored consultation session or a group learning environment where you can engage with an EPSO expert, then these options are designed for you:

• EU Training's interactive, online training sessions are held regularly and are a great way to simulate the exam environment, but also offer the great opportunity to ask questions directly from our expert trainers. 
• Personal coaching sessions  can take place face-to-face in Brussels or online. These coaching sessions are also tailored to your specific EU career needs and can focus on the areas that you need the most help with.

If you are at the very start of your EU career and need assistance to polish your CV or application, our experts can help you via the Application Assistance service. 

Tips & tricks articles (free)

We are constantly adding to our collection of insightful  EPSO Competitions Tips & Tricks articles , covering various topics concerning the EPSO selection process and exams. Here are some of the most popular tags:

• Field-Related MCQ study resources
• EPSO CBT Reasoning Skills
• EU Knowledge Test
• EU Career Compass
• EPSO CAST exams

Online communities and forums (free)

Besides the very active EPSO competitions forum here on EU Training, it is a great idea to look for online communities to engage with that focus on EPSO competitions.

These platforms offer the opportunity to engage with other EPSO candidates, are great sources of EU exams news/updates and are fantastic for sharing experiences and to have open discussions on trending topics.

Some online communities that you may be interested in checking out are: 

• Online EU Exams and EPSO-style Preparation Tests page
• EPSO Administrator Generalist Exams (AD5)
• EPSO Specialists Exams
• EPSO CAST Group
• EPSO AST and SC Exams
• EU Commission Internal Competition Exams

The groups listed here are the bigger ones but it is worth doing a search on Facebook for groups dedicated to specific EPSO competitions as well.

AI EU exam prep planner

Although it is till in beta mode, this is an exciting new offering in our free resources category. Find out more about what it is and how to create a customised study plan for yourself here:  Introducing the EU exams preparation planner

EU jobs listings & newsletters (free)

In addition to our comprehensive EU Jobs listing , you can choose to have all the latest EPSO news and developments sent straight to your inbox. EU Training has three informative newsletters that you can subscribe to:

• EU Jobs : get bi-weekly updates on upcoming EPSO competitions and job vacancies at EU Institutions.
• EPSO Updates & Insights : get the latest news, EPSO competition updates and helpful tips and tricks sent to you monthly.
• Upcoming Webinars & Training Sessions : get notifications on scheduled live webinars and training sessions presented by EPSO experts.

You can sign up for these newsletters when you register for an EU Training account or once you have logged in through your dashboard. 

EU Training’s customer support team

Start with the EU Training FAQ page , there are many answers to be found - and it may be the one you are looking for. If you still have a question or need additional help please do not hesitate to contact us directly . 

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If you are new to the EPSO selection process we recommend that you first get familiar with it by reading the New to EU Exams section here.

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