EPSO Competition Cancellation: More News & Analysis

EU Training

More news and analysis about the EPSO AST3 competition cancellation.

As we reported on 30 March 2023, the EPSO/AST/154/22 (AST3) competition has been cancelled by the European Personnel Selection Office Board of Directors. The official reasons for the cancellation have not yet been announced, but it's likely the result of the large number of complaints regarding the tests that must be taken exclusively remotely, i.e. online and using your own device.

A criticism about remotely proctored testing is that it may prevent some candidates who have no access to personal computers with the right configuration and private spaces from participating. EPSO has been criticised for failing to offer an alternative to remote testing for these individuals who can’t get hold of the right equipment for financial or other reasons. 

It is also possible that concerns over data privacy and GDPR compliance played a role in the decision.

Let’s take look at some statistics for this EPSO AST3 competition:

  • 6 profiles in the AST/154/22 competition
  • 6 300 applicants total
  • (approximately) 5 600 applicants managed to run the tests remotely
  • 197 formal complaints
  • 102 candidates re-tested (EPSO found these complaints ‘justifiable’
  • (approximately) 3 500 candidates passed the EPSO computer-based tests for this competition

Trade unions or the EU ombudsman had not intended to have the competition cancelled outright. Instead, they suggested making it possible for those who were unable to take the original test due to lack of access to a private computer or connectivity issues to repeat it under improved conditions. EPSO still decided to cancel the test at such short notice, most likely for fear of a lawsuit and eventual cancellation by the Court of Justice of the EU due to non-respect of the principle of equal treatment of candidates.

In addition to representing a significant waste of EU taxpayers’ money, the development is damaging to the reputation of EPSO given that the test was the first large-scale competition conducted entirely remotely. In the wake of the cancellation, the results that the approx. 5 600 participants impacted are no longer valid, which also affects those participants who performed well in the test as they need to retake the test if and when it is relaunched. This has already prompted further complaints and dissatisfaction.

As for the next steps, it is as yet impossible to say how the test, or rather, the test-taking will be redesigned and relaunched, and when this will take place. Some communication mentioned that it is planned to be relaunched in September 2023. 

This story is still developing and we will keep you informed of any news as and when it emerges.

>>> Join Andras Baneth and Ticiana Tucci on 18 April for a live Q&A: The New EPSO System: Ask Me Anything <<<