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Sample tests
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All profiles
Here are some interactive tests which have been designed to help you better understand the nature of the tests and level of difficulty you will face in a competition, and your likely score based on your present levels of skill and aptitude. You should refer to the Notice of Competition to see which tests are included in a particular competition and in which language.
There is no time limit for answering the questions in these tests. The feedback you receive at the end of each test is based solely on the number of questions answered correctly, whereas on the day of the actual tests, each test will have to be completed within the time allowed. Wrong answers in these tests will not be penalised and the test results are not recorded in any way by EPSO.
- Access the interactive tests:
Situational judgment test (SJT)
Situational judgment tests give an indication of your practical abilities on the job.
From 2011 they are being used as an eliminatory phase of the selection process, as part of the move from a predominantly knowledge-based selection procedure to a more competency-based one.
The situational judgement test may be part either of the computer-based testing phase (AD and AST 3), or of the assessment phase (AST 1). You take this test in your second language (English, French or German).
It will specifically assess:
analysis and problem solving
delivering quality and results
prioritising and organising
resilience
working with others
[18 KB] 
(AD/AST 3)Scoring
example (AD/AST 3)
For sample situation judgement test questions for AST 1, see the Assistants (AST1) in the Secretarial Field section.
Administrators (including specialists)
An ‘Assessment Centre’ (AC) is an advanced approach to evaluating pre-defined competencies, by observing participants' behaviour.
There are two categories of competencies: general and specific, both of which are listed in each Notice of Competition. In addition, the definition of each general competency can be found in our Guide to Open Competitions.
The main difference between the two categories is that each general competency is observed and measured in at least two different exercises whereas specific, field-related competencies are measured only in the context of the case study. When it comes to field-specific knowledge, the focus is primarily on testing your skills at applying knowledge.
The AC exercises are developed for each field and each level separately and their duration varies accordingly. At present, we can provide you with an example of an AD5-level case study linked to the field of audit. It should give you a general idea of what a case study is all about.
You should also remember that we are running our AC in three languages: English, French and German. This means that you must use the second language that you have chosen for the exercises (unless otherwise indicated).
Example - Group Exercise [696 KB]
Example - case study [2 MB]
Example - Oral Presentation [1002 KB]
The case study exercise may be split into two or three sessions, one of which will be a written test to ensure that you master your chosen main language (normally your mother tongue), in addition to an exercise outlining your approach to the main case study.
Please note that this mock test only represents one part of the case study in the assessment centre.
The case study takes the form of a written test. In addition to the general competencies, it focuses on your ability to apply your knowledge in the field. You will receive information about an EU-related scenario, presenting various problems which you will be asked to solve, or react to, solely on the basis of the material available.
Competencies tested:
Analysing & problem-solving
Communicating
Delivering Quality & results
Prioritising & organising
Applying knowledge in the field
Assistants (AST1) in the Secretarial Field
The Admission tests will test your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills in your main language. We will also consider your accuracy, prioritising and organisational skills and knowledge in the secretarial field. These abilities will be assessed in your second language, which is English, French or German.
> example question 'Accuracy and Precision' 
[110 KB] 
> example question 'Prioritising and Organising' [46 KB]
An example question for ' Secretarial & Administrative skills' (only available in English) [8 KB]
The second selection stage, is a day in our Assessment Centre in Brussels with several exercises.
During this day, you will take part in e-tray exercise (requiring you to deal with an inbox containing a series of messages), a practical test preparing and processing a Word document, and an exercise to assess your drafting skills. There will also be a structured interview, and a situational judgement test.
> example of a practical word processing exercise [529 KB]
> Sample situational judgement test questions (AST 1) [41 KB]
In-Tray Exercise
Competencies tested:
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Analysing & problem-solving
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Delivering Quality & results
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Prioritising & organising
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Working with others
The indicative duration of this exercise is: 50 minutes.
You will take this test on computer in your second language (EN, FR or DE) and will have to answer a number of questions. The documentation you will need is contained in a mailbox where you will find the relevant background information. You will have to choose your answers by clicking on a box with the mouse. You may change your chosen answer at any time by clicking on another box.
You will have 50 minutes in total to read through the e-mails and complete the questionnaire. Before you start the test, you will be given time to read the instructions.
> Example [93 KB] 
Assistants (AST3)
The Admission tests will test your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills in your main language.
We will also consider your accuracy, prioritising and organisational skills. Your situational judgment skills will be tested too. These abilities will be assessed in your second language, which is English, French or German. For a situational judgement test example, please see the situational judgement test section.
> example question 'Accuracy and Precision' [110 KB]
> example question 'Prioritising and Organising' [46 KB]
These examples for Accuracy and Precision, Prioritising and Organising are identical to these for the AST1 competition.
The second selection stage is a day in our Assessment Centre in Brussels with several exercises.
During this day, you will take part in e-tray exercise (requiring you to deal with an inbox containing a series of messages), a structured interview, and a case study.
For In-Tray exercise example please see AST1.
Linguists
During the assessment phase for translators candidates will be invited to sit practical linguistic tests.
In the course of these you will be asked to translate a text from each of your source languages. The texts are on an area of general EU interest. They will allow you to demonstrate your skill translating into your target language, as well as your understanding of the source languages.
The following samples are texts in each official language from previous translator competitions which will give you an idea of what to expect. Please note that the time allowed in the previous exams for each translation was 2 hours and you could use a dictionary.
Samples: BG [89 KB] , CS [78 KB] , DA [70 KB] , DE [78 KB] , EL [70 KB] , EN [69 KB] , ES [75 KB] , ET [73 KB] , FI [77 KB] , FR [73 KB] , GA [87 KB] , HU [75 KB] , IT [71 KB] , LT [79 KB] , LV [74 KB] , MT [83 KB] , NL [77 KB] , PL [77 KB] , PT [79 KB] , RO [83 KB] , SK [79 KB] , SL [69 KB] , SV [76 KB]
Lawyer-linguists
German1 [14 KB] , German2 [12 KB] , Greek [80 KB] , English1 [15 KB] , English2 [13 KB] , English3 [14 KB] , English4 [20 KB] , Spanish [34 KB] , French1 [17 KB] , French2 [16 KB] , French3 [18 KB] , French4 [17 KB]
Contract agents
Selection procedure for contractual agents
A two phased selection procedure starting with reasoning tests or CV sift (depending upon the profile) followed by a competency test.
Reasoning tests or CV sift
For the generalist profiles the first step of the selection procedure consists of verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests.
For specialist profiles the procedure will begin with selection based on qualifications (CV sift).
Competency test
Written, oral or other practical tests in the field. For example translating a text.
If you have problems trying to access a certain page or document, please try again later as this may be linked to the updating of the web-site.
The pages giving samples of tests for open competitions are provided by way of examples.
You will find sample tests which will give you some idea of the kind of tests you may be given in order to prepare yourself for participation in a future competition.
Please note that these sample tests are part of competitions of which the description of the tests and written examinations may be different than those for competitions published at a later date by EPSO, for access to the same category(ies).
Further sample tests may be added according to technical possibilities.
EPSO reserves the right to change them without prior notice.