A Complete Guide to EPSO Sample Tests

Nothing beats practice when you want to ace a test. That is why when competing in highly sought-after competitions that have a volume of participants each year like the EU exams, you need to amp up your skills and prepare well to rise above everyone else.

To help you with that, we have compiled some helpful sample tests with some know-hows that will guide you with their logic while helping you practice; providing you with deeper understanding on what goes on with the tests at EPSO as you glide your way through the top.

EPSO Computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Tests

One of the commonly known tests in any EPSO competitions is its MCQ test or Computer-based Multiple-Choice Question. The majority of the tests are in this form, employing various formats that will best fit to assess your abilities according to the skills required in the competitions. It is taken individually at a test centre.

EPSO Reasoning Tests

The MCQ reasoning tests are divided into 4 kinds: Verbal, Numerical, Abstract Reasoning, and Situational Judgment.

EPSO Verbal Reasoning Sample Tests 

In a verbal reasoning test, you will be given one question with four choices, of which only one is the correct answer. The question will be based from a short abstract, which contains vital information that will lead you to the exact answer, weeding out the other given choices.

This test will assess your ability to think logically and understand verbal information. As such, it is expected that the tests on verbal reasoning are highly specific. You may encounter moments where statements will not be straightforward. That is why it is very important to choose your final answer solely through the information provided in the paragraph.

Here is an example of an EPSO verbal reasoning test:

The “new kind of aurora” discovered earlier this year, and subsequently named “STEVE” has been rumbled. It seems Steve isn’t an aurora after all. Physicists have concluded that the erstwhile aurora is in fact an entirely new celestial phenomenon. Steve – which manifests as gorgeous glowing purple ribbons across the sky – has been around for a few decades now, known to photographers and aurora chasers, but was only brought to the attention of scientists in 2016. Earlier this year, researchers announced that the purple and white streamers, while very different from the shimmering green auroral curtains, were indeed a new kind of aurora. But the light produced by Steve isn’t the same as the light produced by an aurora, so a new team of researchers worked on figuring out Steve’s mechanism by studying a Steve event from March 2008. (sciencealert.com)

1. The new kind of aurora is called after Steve, the scientist who discovered it.
2. The purple and white streams in the sky have been discovered in 2016 by scientists.
3. Aurora is a gorgeous glowing lights in the sky in different colors.
4. It took researchers over 7 years to confirm the nature of Steve.

Answers:

1. False: There is no evidence in the document to support this claim.
2. False: It has been known to photographers and aurora chasers for few decades before 2016. Also, researchers have been studying Steve event from 2008.
3. False: Aurora has shimmering lights , not glowing. That what makes Steve different from normal Aurora, and drawn the attention that Steve may not be an Aurora.
4. True: Researchers began studying Steve in 2008. By 2016 , it was brought to attentions of scientists. The article mentions that earlier this year (which should be 2016 or beyond) , the researchers announced that it is a new type of Aurora.

For more questions, you can go to: https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html

You can find additional verbal reasoning tests here:

• For EPSO AD competition you can go to: https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AD-Cycle-Self-Assessment.aspx
• For EPSO AST-SC competition, go to : https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AST-SC-Cycle-Self-Assessment-Language-Options.aspx
• For EPSO AST competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/AST3-Exam-landing.aspx

EPSO Numerical Reasoning Sample Test

The EPSO Numerical Reasoning test aims to assess your ability to think logically and understand numerical information. Unlike the verbal test, you will be given a question with five choices, of which you will have to choose one correct answer. You will be presented with graphs, charts, and other numerical data, which resembles the figures that you would normally find in a report or a format article. It is through these things that you will have to carefully analyze the given information.

This is an example of a numerical reasoning test:

Question: What was the number of live births in total in the three most populous EU capitals in 2017?

Option A: 35.08

Option B: 14,729

Option C: 151,764

Option D: 231,973

Option E: None of the above

Answer Details:

The three most populous EU capitals in 2017 were London, Paris, and Berlin.

The number of live births in London = 8,790 * 8.6 = 75,594

The number of   live births in Berlin = 3,711 * 11.58 = 42,973

The number of live births in Paris = 2,228 * 14.9 = 33,197

Total number of live births in the three most populous EU Capitals in 2017 = 75,594 + 42,973 + 33,197 = 151,764

Question: In 2009, % of Boston population aged 30-54 was greater by 3.2 points than in 2008. What is the difference between the number of persons aged 30-54 in 2009 and 2008 in Boston, given that the Boston population didn’t change between 2008 and 2009?

 Option A: 1.42 million

Option B: 0.21 million

Option C: 0.52 million

Option D: 0.25 million

Option E: None of the above

Answer Details:

• The percentage of population aged 30-54 in Boston in 2009 = 25.9 + 3.2 = 29.1%
• The number of persons aged 30-54 in Boston in 2009 = 6.46 * 0.291 = 1.88 million
• The number of persons aged 30-54 in Boston in 2008 = 6.46 * 0.259 = 1.67 million
• The difference is = 1.88 – 1.67 = 0.21 million. Correct answer B

What store actually sold less units per one employee than any other store during the first week?

Option A: San Francisco

Option B: Los Angeles

Option C: San Bernardino

Option D: San Diego

Option E: Palm Springs

Answer Details:

Work:

Number of units sold per one employee in San Francisco during the first week = 22 / 10 = 2.2

Number of units sold per one employee in Los Angeles during the first week = 25 / 12 = 2.1

Number of units sold per one employee in San Bernardino during the first week = 25 / 4 = 6.3

Number of units sold per one employee in San Diego during the first week = 21 / 11 = 1.9

Number of units sold per one employee in Palm Springs during the first week = 8 / 7 = 1.1

For more examples, you can go to: https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html

If you are applying for an:

• EPSO AD competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AD-Cycle-Self-Assessment.aspx
• EPSO AST-SC – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AST-SC-Cycle-Self-Assessment-Language-Options.aspx
• EPSO AST – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/AST3-Exam-landing.aspx

EPSO Abstract Reasoning Sample Tests 

The EPSO Abstract Reasoning Test assesses your ability to think logically and understand the relations between concepts involving no linguistic, spatial or numerical elements. You will likewise be given a question in the form of an image/s with five choices of which you will have to choose the best one.

Every question of the test will have a series of five diagrams and five new options. It is then your task to select the diagram which would complete the series in a logical manner. Here are examples of Abstract Reasoning Tests:

You only have to look at the first vertical line of figures. If you observe the bottom diamond, it moves by one position in each figure on the diagonal from bottom left to top right. Once it reaches the top in the 4^th figure, it goes towards the left. The correct answer is C.

Look at the figures shaped in L at the bottom left of the first figure. They are made of filled triangle (top), empty square (second figure), empty diamond (third figure), filled circle (last figure). All these figures move by 2 positions counter-clockwise in each large figure. The correct answer is D.

Answer and explanation: Letter C. The arrow turns 45 degrees counterclockwise.

Answer and explanation: Letter D. The colors of the square and circle alternate. The inside square turns every 2 turns and rotates counterclockwise along the circle every turn. When the circle is black, it is incremented with +1.

For more examples, you can go to: https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html

If you are applying for an:

• EPSO AD Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AD-Cycle-Self-Assessment.aspx
• AST-SC Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AST-SC-Cycle-Self-Assessment-Language-Options.aspx
• EPSO AST Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/AST3-Exam-landing.aspx

EPSO Situational Judgment Sample Test

Since the EPSO Situational Judgment Test works to asses your typical behavior in a working context, this test usually differs from the rest. You will be given questions, each describing a work-related scenario linked to a block of four possible actions. Among these, you will then have to choose the most effective one as well as the least effective action to take.

The EPSO Situational Judgment Tests is known to be one of the most important EPSO tests. It makes up 66% of the final mark. It is through this test that you will be assessed with a realistic but hypothetical situation that could occur on the professional environment.

Furthermore when answering, you should keep in mind to only take into account the information which has been provided. You should keep your own experiences at bay so that you may not run the risk of selecting answers that are not appropriate.

To give you a feel of the Situational judgment Test, here are two sample questions:

Answer Details:

B – This is the most effective decision. Discuss directly with your colleague in order to clear the doubts. Based on the output of the discussion, take the issue to the management.

D – This is the least effective decision. Spying on your colleague is a waste of time.

Answer details:

For more examples, you can go to: https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html

If you are applying for an:

• EPSO AD Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AD-Cycle-Self-Assessment.aspx
• EPSO AST Competition – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/archive/apply/sample_test/pdf/sit_judg_en.pdf

EPSO Competency-based Sample tests

Competency-based tests aim to assess multiple abilities that are specifically important for a career with EPSO. It looks at certain skills that relate to the nature of competition you are applying for.

EPSO AST

Those applying for the EPSO AST competition, will have to take the following competency-based tests:

EPSO Accuracy and Precision Sample Test

The Accuracy and Precision test will consist of 40 questions, which you will have to finish in six minutes. You will have to be assessed in whichever one of your chosen second language: English, French, or German.

In each of the question are two tables, which contain several pieces of information both written and drawn. You will have to compare these tables to discover the inaccuracies in one of them. Due to the time constraints, it is very necessary that you learn to manage your time. And what’s the best way to do so than to practice. Here is a sample question to get you started:

Answer and explanation: The correct answer is the third choice: Price, Accessories. On the first table, we can clearly see the details of number three, which are as follows:

• Manufacturer: Marty Company
• Order No: O00T7P3
• Price: $2568.14
• Accessories: Belt, Sunglasses, Necklace

However, on the table below that goes over the information of number three, we can see that the price is incorrect with $2588.14 instead of $2568.14. Furthermore, the accessories are also checked inaccurately with the belt missing.

For more examples, you can go to:

• https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html
• http://europa.eu/epso/doc/archive/apply/sample_test/images/instructionssample_item_accuracy_en.jpg

EPSO Prioritising and Organising Sample Test

The EPSO Prioritising and Organising Test consists of 24 questions, which need to be answered within 30 minutes. This test aims to assess the speed of your deduction skill as well as your ability to organize a schedule while analyzing information.

The questions would be of particular situations usually related to travel or commuting. You will be given 5 choices of which you are to choose the answer.

This is an example of this test:

Answer and explanation: The correct answer is A: 5:00 AM. The best time for you to wake up to catch the 6:45 AM public bus, given that you need to prepare for an hour and 40 minutes until you need the bus stop, is 5:00 AM. Waking up at 5:00 AM will give you exactly an hour and 45 minutes before 6:45.

Question: If you want to go to Paris but you do not want to fly direct, which flight should you take if you want the cheapest flight that takes between 4 to 5 hours?

Answer: Flight I511 to Istanbul

Answer Details:

From the given information, the correct answer is Flight I511. It is not a direct flight to Paris with Istanbul as a destination. Moreover, it is the cheapest with 400 euros and takes only 4.5 hours.

For more examples, you can go to: https://epsotraining.eu/demo.html

If you are taking an:

• EPSO AST-SC Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AST-SC-Cycle-Self-Assessment-Language-Options.aspx
• EPSO AST Competition – https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/AST3-Exam-landing.aspx

EPSO CAST Sample Test 

Just like EPSO AST tests where your skills will be tested according to the nature of the competition, the EPSO CAST tests also aim to assess particular skills akin to the job or the specific profile you are applying.

Those of you seeking to be contract agents will have to take a series of 25 multiple-choice questions, designed to test the inherent competence to the duties required for the specific profile. Therefore, you will need to familiarize yourself with the duties described in the Call for Expression of Interest.

Each of the questions is based on a scenario linked to four different answer options, of which only one is correct. You will have 50 minutes in total to answer the questions. The competency tests will be taken in your second language of choice.

The pass mark is 13 out of 25 points for both function groups II and III whereas for function group IV, candidates need to score 16 out of 25 points to pass.

Below are some sample questions specific to the profile sought for by the candidates:

EPSO CAST Finance Sample Test

 The questions are on financial procedures, accounting management, analysis and advice (audits and controls), and may also cover economic theories and tools to monitor and analyse economic and financial trends, developments and data.

Sample Question:
A fixed asset costs € 13 000 and has a terminal value of € 2 000. If its life is 5 years, what amount should be set aside for depreciation each year, using the straight-line method?

1. € 2 200
2. € 2 600
3. € 2 750
4. € 3 000

EPSO CAST Project / Programme Management Sample Test

The questions test your knowledge of project/programme management (planning, monitoring, evaluation, etc.) which also cover relevant financial aspects, communication and quality assurance.

Sample Question:

Which is the correct sequence of phases to follow in managing a project?

1. Realisation, planning, control, evaluation
2. Planning, realisation, evaluation, control
3. Planning, realisation, control, evaluation
4. Evaluation, planning, control, realization

Secretaries / Clerks Profile

Questions are on a range of secretarial tasks/clerical duties such as organising meetings, preparing missions, filing documents and mail, sorting post, maintaining appointment diaries, etc. Basic knowledge of MS Office software products is also tested.

 Sample Question:

You are compiling a report in electronic format which requires reviewing by several colleagues. What should you ask them to do?

1. Make any changes they would like to make and email the document back
2. Review the document with Track Changes switched on
3. Print, annotate a hard copy and return it by mail
4. Read the document and phone you with their comments

Administration / Human Resources Profile

Questions are mostly related to personnel management and professional training.

Sample Question:

An interviewer is very impressed by the smart appearance and confident manner of a candidate for a post. The interviewer tends to seek positive information from this candidate and readily overlooks any negative information. This is known as:

1. Stereotyping
2. The contrast effect
3. Closed questioning
4. The halo effect

Communication Profile

The questions are about practical tools such as, but not limited to, briefings, factsheets, online communication, social media as well as on pertinent project management aspects related to e.g. definition/implementation/execution of communication strategies. 

Sample Question:

The Head for ‘Budget’ communicates to the Head of ‘Communication’ the resources available for running a social media campaign in the following month. This is called:

1. Upward communication
2. horizontal communication
3. downward communication
4. Gossiping

Political Affairs / EU Policies Profile
The questions test your knowledge in political areas, both on general and EU level, but can also cover legal and economical subjects.

Sample Questions:

The members of the European Committee of the Regions are nominated by:

1. the European Commission, after consulting the European Parliament
2. the Council of the European Union, acting on proposals from individual Member States
3. the Council of the European Union
4. the European Parliament

Law Profile
The questions test your knowledge of EU, national and international law which may also cover political and economic subjects.

 Sample Questions:

What is EUROJUST?

1. An alternative designation for the European Court of Justice
2. an organisation that replaces the European Court of Human Rights
3. European Judicial Cooperation Unit
4. A special legal Advisory Committee attached to the European Council

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Profile

The questions are about a variety of ICT related topics such as, but not limited to, the use of programming languages such as JAVA, Visual Basic, Visual C#, etc., user environment administration (e.g. Windows and Unix) and network and telecommunications management.

 Sample Questions:

What is the maximum data transfer rate for a USB 2.0 device?

1. 1.5 Mb/s
2. 1.5 Gb/s
3. 480 Mb/s
4. 4 800 Mb/s

Child Care Staff Profile
Questions are on childcare in after-school facilities and outdoors (children aged 3.5-14), kindergarten teaching and nursery/nurses and childcare work for children aged 0-3 in crèches.

 Sample Questions:

During the group nap, a child wakes up before the other children in his group. It is clear to you that he has had enough sleep. What do you do?

1. You ask him to go back to bed and wait until the other children wake up. To promote relaxation, you offer a transitional object to him
2. You take the child back to bed and stay by his side to encourage him to sleep
3. ​You ask him to leave the quiet room and to choose an activity to do until the other children wake up
4. You ask him to leave the quiet room but to remain seated without doing anything so that he doesn’t disturb the other children who are still asleep

Educational Psychologists Profile
The questions cover different aspects such as the coordination of work of a nursery or after-school centre and its staff,  the quality of life of the children and interaction with the parents, the development and monitoring of the educational mission statement (including training).

 Sample Questions:

Mary Ainsworth, through the paradigm of the strange situation, speaks of anxious-ambivalent attachment when:

1. the mother leaves the child and he cries and shows signs of anxiety at the moment of separation and does not explore his environment. He calms down only when his mother comes back and takes him into her arms
2. the child who is left alone without his mother shows no signs of stress. When the mother comes back, the child avoids all contact with her and avoids looking at her or interacting with her
3. the mother leaves and the child becomes extremely anxious. When the mother returns and tries to establish contact, the child has trouble calming down and does not respond well to attempts to comfort him
4. none of the above

EPSO E-Tray Sample Test

The E-Tray is a computer-based test in which candidates are asked to answer a number of questions using the documentation provided in an e-mail inbox. Its relevance is to the organizational environment that one encounters on a daily basis.

The e-mail, addressed to you, will contain a call to action such as a request, a complaint, etc. You are then provided with a short description of the circumstances. Together with the e-mail are few optional courses of action which you are tasked to select the most appropriate one.

With the EPSO E-tray exercises, you need to mark each possible course of action, deciding between the following: – – totally disagree / – disagree / – + neutral / + agree / ++ totally agree. The E-tray part of the test is conducted in the candidate’s second language (English, French or German).

Here is a sample email in an e-tray exercise:

To give this test a try, you can go to the following:

• For those taking an EPSO AST-SC competition – https://epso.europa.eu/sites/epso/files/documents/general/sample_tests/e-tray_ast-sc/en_e-tray_en_final.pdf
• For those taking an EPSO AD Competition – https://epso.europa.eu/documents/2743_en

EPSO Assessment Centre

After succeeding in the preselection tests, successful candidates will be invited to the assessment centre, from which they will have to take another set of tests. Here are the following tests you may encounter:

EPSO Case Study

The case study is generally a computer-based test based on a relevant scenario. Candidates are faced with numerous problems for them to solve or must react, relying solely on the material provided.

Here are the links to some samples of an EPSO Case Study:

• For AD Generalists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/archive/apply/sample_test/pdf/casestudy2_en.pdf
• For AD Specialists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/mock_casestudy_en.pdf

EPSO Group Exercise

Candidates are put in a group with several other participants to discuss their conclusions and reach a collective decision from a certain amount of information given on their own.

Here are the links to some samples of an EPSO Group Exercise:

• For AD Generalists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/group_exercise_en.pdf
• For AD Specialists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/group_exercise_en.pdf

 EPSO Oral Presentation

The EPSO Oral Presentation will test an individual’s analysis and presentation skills. They will be asked to come up with a proposal about a fictitious work-related problem. After analysing the documentation provided, candidates have to present their ideas to a small group of people.

Here are the links to some samples of an EPSO Oral Presentation:

• For AD Generalists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/archive/apply/sample_test/pdf/oralpresentiation2_en.pdf
• For AD Specialists – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/mock_oral_en.pdf

Others

Just like the tests for the EPSO CAST competitions, there are certain skills that must be tested which are specific to the kind of EPSO competition applied. We have compiled here some of these tests for you to familiarize yourself with:

EPSO Basic IT Literary Test

For more sample tests, go to:

• https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/EPSO-AST-SC-Cycle-Self-Assessment-Language-Options.aspx
• https://www.prometric.com/en-us/clients/epso/pages/AST3-Exam-landing.aspx

 EPSO Finance Skills Test

For more sample tests, go to: http://europa.eu/epso/doc/archive/apply/sample_test/pdf/finance_skillsen.pdf

EPSO Language Comprehension Test

In this test, you will be presented with an essay from which a couple of questions are generated. You will have to answer the questions  correctly from the given information you have read.

You can visit this website for a sample of this test: http://europa.eu/epso/doc/sa-en002t_en.pdf

EPSO Main Language Skills Test

This test is specific to those applying for the EPSO AD Translators competition. As what its name implies, you will be tested for your main language:

You can visit this website for a sample of this test: https://epso.europa.eu/sites/epso/files/documents/general/sample_tests/main_language_skills_test.pdf

EPSO Microsoft Office Skills Test

The test is a computer-based simulation to assess your skills in the preparation and/or processing of MS Word and Excel documents. It is a mix of practical and theoretical questions with multiple choice format (MCQ). Those who are applying for an EPSO AST-SC competition will most likely have to sit through this test under their second language (French, German, English):

For more samples, go to: https://epso.europa.eu/documents/2847_en

EPSO Summary Tests

The summary test is applied in a Lawyer-Linguist (AD) competition. It consists of a text given in language 3 from which you will have to write on computer a summary of it in language 1 or the language of the competition. You will be given approximately 2 hours to finish the test without using dictionaries.

You can visit this website for a sample of this test: https://epso.europa.eu/sites/epso/files/documents/general/sample_tests/lawyer-linguists_summary_test/en.pdf

EPSO Translation Tests</;h2>

As with the name, this test is applied to Lawyer-Linguists (AD) competitions and Translators (AD).

You can refer to the following for more samples:

• Lawyer-Linguists (AD) – http://europa.eu/epso/doc/en_lawyling.pdf
• Translators (AD) – https://epso.europa.eu/documents/2833_en