EPSO Releases Competition Updates

EU Training

There is some moving and shaking going on at EPSO.

Many candidates have not had the opportunity to sit their EPSO exams (Computer-Based Tests or Assessment Centre) because of the various COVID-19 restrictions in the country they reside in.

Consequently, significant delays have been experienced in the progress of most EPSO competitions. 

EPSO has now revealed some new timelines for most competitions, which we have highlighted below.

QUICK LINKS:

 

Open for Applications!

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APPLICATIONS OPEN for 2021 Lawyer-Linguists Competition

  • DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 23 February 2021
  • The Council of the European Union, European Commission, and European Parliament is looking for Lawyer-Linguists (AD7 grade) who are fluent in Polish, Hungarian, Irish, French, Czech or Bulgarian.
  • Positions will be based in Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and Strasbourg (France).
  • Click here for full details on this competition and how to apply. 
  • You can access practice test simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  • Get the maximum value out of your practice simulation tests by joining an online training session to gain test methodology insights and valuable tips.
    NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 13 February.
  • Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition? Get helpful hints and advice from other candidates via the EPSO Lawyer-Linguists Facebook Group.

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APPLICATIONS OPEN for 2021 European Commission's Translators Competition

 

What's Coming Up?...

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ADMINISTRATORS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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PROOFREADERS / LANGUAGE EDITORS

  • Applications open - 18 February 2021
  • The Court of Justice and the European Parliament will be seeking Proofreaders and Language Editors to join the team (AST3 grade), who are fluent in Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Estonian, Spanish or Greek to be based in Luxembourg.
  • While you wait for the Notice of Competition to be released, join the conversation and connect with other candidates via the EPSO Proofreader & Editor Exams Facebook Group.
  • Also, make sure you join our FREE 2021 EPSO Proofreader & Editor Exams - Information Webcast on 19 February where we'll discuss all the key elements of this competition and how best to prepare for each stage. 

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ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELD OF CHEMICALS POLICY

  • Due to be released in 1st quarter of 2021.
  • The European Commission will be seeking applications from those who have expertise in the field of chemicals policy, to join the team as an AD6 level Administrator in Brussels.
  • While you wait for the Notice of Competition to be released, join the conversation and connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrators in Chemicals Policy Exams Facebook Group.

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EXPERTS IN TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO MEMBER STATES' STRUCTURAL REFORMS

  • Due to be released in 1st quarter of 2021.
  • The European Commission will be seeking applications from those who have relevant expertise to join the team as an AD7 level Administrator in Brussels.
  • While you wait for the Notice of Competition to be released, join the conversation and connect with other candidates via the Structural Reform Tech Support Experts EPSO Exams Facebook Group.

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NUCLEAR INSPECTORS

  • Due to be released in 1st quarter of 2021.
  • The European Commission will be seeking applications from Nuclear Inspectors to join the team as an AST3 level Assistant in Luxembourg.
  • While you wait for the Notice of Competition to be released, join the conversation and connect with other candidates via the Nuclear Inspectors EPSO Exams Facebook Group.

 

Timelines for Ongoing EPSO Competitions

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SPECIALISTS IN LEGAL RESEARCH - LAWYERS (EPSO/AD/365-370/19)

The Assessment Centre component of this competition is about to get underway.

The remote Assessment Centre testing period will take place for each language over the following periods: 2 February (LV), 2-5 February (CY), 8-10 February (HU), mid-end February (EL), beginning/mid-March (IT) and beginning/mid-March (PL).

How to get ready for your online EPSO Assessment Centre:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Specialists Exams Facebook Group
  2. Competency-Based Interview (CBI): There are many factors that can significantly affect your performance that you may not even think of. We suggest you view the EPSO Competency-Based Interview Insights webinar. Then participate in a Virtual Competency-Based Interview Simulation session to do a test run and get feedback from an EPSO expert before exam day.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 4 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 9 FEBRUARY, 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  3. Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI): The SCBI assignment pack is now available for this competition here. EU Training has scheduled Virtual SCBI Workshops tailored to this specific competition's unique SCBI assignment pack to help candidates prepare for this interview. Please note that these sessions will be conducted in FRENCH as the Assessment Centre for this competition will be in French.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 2 FEBRUARY (FULL), 3 FEBRUARY (3 SPOTS LEFT), 5 FEBRUARY, 9 FEBRUARY (1 SPOT LEFT), 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  4. Filed-Related Interview: Book a one-on-one Assessment Centre coaching session where the session is tailored to your individual needs. 

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ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELD OF AUDIT (EPSO/AD/372/19)

The Assessment Centre component of this competition is about to get underway.

The remote Assessment Centre testing period will take place for each grade over the following periods: 

  • AD5: Remote Assessment Centre 15 March - 29 April 2021 / SCBI 3-5 May 2021.
  • AD7: Remote Assessment Centre 1 February - 10 March 2021

How to get ready for your online EPSO Assessment Centre:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrators in the field of Audit Exams Facebook Group
  2. Competency-Based Interview (CBI): There are many factors that can significantly affect your performance that you may not even think of. We suggest you view the EPSO Competency-Based Interview Insights webinar. Then participate in a Virtual Competency-Based Interview Simulation session to do a test run and get feedback from an EPSO expert before exam day.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 4 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 9 FEBRUARY, 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  3. Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI): The SCBI assignment pack is now available for this competition here. EU Training has scheduled Virtual SCBI Workshops tailored to this specific competition's unique SCBI assignment pack to help candidates prepare for this interview. 
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 2 FEBRUARY, 3 FEBRUARY (FULL), 4 FEBRUARY, 5 FEBRUARY, 8 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 10 FEBRUARY, 11 FEBRUARY, 12 FEBRUARY (3 SPOTS LEFT), 15 FEBRUARY, 17 FEBRUARY, 18 FEBRUARY & 19 FEBRUARY (FULL)
  4. Filed-Related Interview: Book a one-on-one Assessment Centre coaching session where the session is tailored to your individual needs. 

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SECRETARIES (EPSO/AST-SC/10/20)

​The official computer-based tests exam period concluded on 20 November 2020. However, many candidates have not had the opportunity to sit their exam due to many test centers being closed because of COVID-19 restrictions. 

EPSO has suggested when a second testing round can be expected for those candidates that could not sit this exam yet: 

  • Exam booking period - the beginning of February 2021
  • Exam period - end of February till the end of March 2021
  • The intermediate Microsoft Word Skills Test won't take place unlit all candidates have had the opportunity to sit their CBT exam.

How to get ready for your CBT and Microsoft Office Word Skills exams:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO AST and SC Exams Facebook Group
  2. You can access practice test simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  3. Get the maximum value out of your practice simulation tests by joining an online training session to gain test methodology insights and valuable tips.
    NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 13 February.
  4. 200 Microsoft Office Word Skills Test questions are now available for you to start practicing. 
  5. Looking for some one-on-one personalised training assistance? Take a look at our Personal Coaching service

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ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELD OF EUROPEAN LAW (EPSO/AD/381/20)

​The official computer-based tests exam period concluded on 16 December 2020. However, many candidates have not had the opportunity to sit their exam due to many test centers being closed because of COVID-19 restrictions. 

EPSO has suggested when a second testing round can be expected for those candidates that could not sit this exam yet: 

  • Exam booking period - the beginning of February 2021
  • Exam period - end of February till the end of March 2021
  • The Intermediate exam won't take place unlit all candidates have had the opportunity to sit their CBT exam.

How to get ready for your CBT and Intermediate exams:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrators in European Law (AD5) Exams Facebook Group
  2. You can access practice test simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  3. Get the maximum value out of your practice simulation tests by joining an online training session to gain test methodology insights and valuable tips.
    NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 13 February.
  4. We have Language Comprehension Tests available in 13 Languages
  5. 700 Law questions at your disposal to prepare for the vitally important EPSO Field-Related Multiple-Choice test.
  6. Looking for some one-on-one personalised training assistance? Take a look at our Personal Coaching service

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ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FILED OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS (EPSO/AD/382/20)

The computer-based tests will take place at the start of the competition as there were thousands of applications.

The exam round is expected to run from the end of February until the end of March 2021, with the exam booking period opening sometime at the beginning of February 2021.

With so many applications received expect the competition to be tough and the overall CBT exam score threshold to be high for both grades.

You will need to score one of the highest marks in these tests to move on to the next stage of the competition, as no more than 15 times the number of applicants sought per grade will be invited to the next round of the selection.

How to get ready for your Computer-Based Tests:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrators in the field of External Relations Exams Facebook Group
  2. You can access practice test simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  3. Get the maximum value out of your practice simulation tests by joining an online training session to gain test methodology insights and valuable tips.
    NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 13 February.
  4. Looking for some one-on-one personalised training assistance? Take a look at our Personal Coaching service

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ADMINISTRATORS IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND MANAGING AID TO NON-EU COUNTRIES (EPSO/AD/380/19)

The Case Study exam has been bumped back yet again!

The Case Study is now expected to take place sometime in April 2021, with the exam booking period opening in mid-March 2021.

How to get ready for your Case Study exam:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrators in International Cooperation Exams Facebook Group
  2. This is a great time to start perfecting your Case Study exam skills, and we have a great suite of resources to assist you in this endeavor. We recommend that you watch the EPSO Case Study Exam Insights webinar to understand exactly what EPSO assessors will be looking for. Then use these strategies and tips to do a couple of Case Study exam simulations, which you can then request to be evaluated. All evaluations come with a sample solution.

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GRADUATE ADMINISTRATORS AD5 (EPSO/AD/373/19)

The Assessment Centre component of this competition has been bumped back yet again!

The remote Assessment Centre testing period is expected to run from mid-April until mid-June 2021.

It is also important to note that the Group Exercise component of this competition has been replaced with the Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI).

How to get ready for your online EPSO Assessment Centre...

With plenty of time to get it right, if you want to prepare effectively for your upcoming remote EPSO Assessment Centrer consider these preparation resources:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the EPSO Administrator Generalist Exams (AD5) or the EPSO Assessment Centre - AD5 Graduate Administrators Facebook Groups
  2. Competency-Based Interview (CBI): There are many factors that can significantly affect your performance that you may not even think of. We suggest you view the EPSO Competency-Based Interview Insights webinar. Then participate in a Virtual Competency-Based Interview Simulation session to do a test run and get feedback from an EPSO expert before exam day.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 4 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 9 FEBRUARY, 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  3. Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI): The unique SCBI assignment pack for this competition is not available yet, but once it is, we will schedule Virtual SCBI Workshops specifically tailored to this competition. If you would like to be notified when such training opportunities become available, please ask our Customer Support Member to add you to our SCBI waiting list (don't forget to let them know which EPSO competition you are participating in).
  4. Motivational Interview: This is a very unique type of interview, hence why candidates often have difficulty knowing exactly how to prepare effectively for it. We suggest you view the EPSO Motivational Interview Insights webinar and then participate in a Virtual Motivational Interview Simulation session to be tested on a number of 'likely' interview questions and learn collectively as a group from the feedback given. 
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 3 FEBRUARY & 17 FEBRUARY
  5. Oral Presentation: We suggest you view the EPSO Oral Presentation Insights webinar and then participate in a Virtual Oral PresentationSimulation session to correct any mistakes before the real thing, through the suggestions and feedback given by your trainer.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 10 FEBRUARY & 24 FEBRUARY

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PARLIAMENTARY USHERS (EPSO/AST-SC/08/19)

The Assessment Centre component of this competition has been bumped back yet again!

The online Assessment Centre testing period is expected to get underway sometime in the 2nd quarter of this year. No specific dates have been released by EPSO.

How to get ready for your online EPSO Assessment Centre:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the Parliamentary Ushers EPSO Exams Facebook Group
  2. Competency-Based Interview (CBI): There are many factors that can significantly affect your performance that you may not even think of. We suggest you view the EPSO Competency-Based Interview Insights webinar. Then participate in a Virtual Competency-Based Interview Simulation session to do a test run and get feedback from an EPSO expert before exam day.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 4 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 9 FEBRUARY, 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  3. Filed-Related Interview: Book a one-on-one Assessment Centre coaching session where the session is tailored to your individual needs. 

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CONFERENCE OPERATORS (EPSO/AST-SC/09/19)

The computer-based tests, e-tray exercise and Assessment Centre testing period has been bumped back to Spring 2021. No specific dates have been released by EPSO yet. 

How to get ready for your exams:

  1. Connect with other candidates via the Conference Operators EPSO Exams Facebook Group
  2. You can access practice test simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  3. Get the maximum value out of your practice simulation tests by joining an online training session to gain test methodology insights and valuable tips.
    NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 13 February.
  4. E-tray Exercise simulations are available here.
  5. Competency-Based Interview (CBI): There are many factors that can significantly affect your performance that you may not even think of. We suggest you view the EPSO Competency-Based Interview Insights webinar. Then participate in a Virtual Competency-Based Interview Simulation session to do a test run and get feedback from an EPSO expert before exam day.
    UPCOMING SESSIONS: 4 FEBRUARY (2 SPOTS LEFT), 9 FEBRUARY, 16 FEBRUARY & 23 FEBRUARY
  6. Filed-Related Interview: Book a one-on-one Assessment Centre coaching session where the session is tailored to your individual needs. 
  7. Looking for some one-on-one personalised training assistance? Take a look at our Personal Coaching service

 

CAST Exams

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The testing periods are published on the web pages of the different EPSO CAST profiles.

If you get invited to take part in the computer-based test you will need to complete a Verbal Reasoning Test, Numerical Reasoning Test, Abstract Reasoning Test, and a Competency Test or Language Comprehension Test depending on the CAST profile.

To get you comfortable with these tests and increase your test-taking speed we recommend that you complete some practice tests under exam conditions. We have special practice packages for each EPSO CAST profile. Also, methodology webinars (many are FREE) and online training sessions are also available to take your exam preparation to the next level.

If you are new to the CAST selection process, we recommend that you watch this FREE information webcast: 2019 EPSO CAST Demystified - Q&A

Also, don't forget to connect with other candidates via the EPSO CAST Exams Facebook Group