EPSO/AST/139/16 (HR stream).

EPSO COMPETITIONS
pgarciay_89762 Mon, 03/20/2017 - 19:14

 I sat the CBT tests last Thursday. I found the Numerical so easy. The Verbal was not even difficult, despite a couple of quite confusing questions. But then the abstract reasoning came up to kill me. As many other applicants have already said in this forum, those exercises were far more diffcult than those others offered in this website. I felt shaky since the very beginning of the exam, and I ended up answering randomly more than half of the questions. In resume, a complete disaster. In my discharge I would say that this was my first time in EPSO exams and I think that my lack of expertise in this sort of exams penalised quite much and drove me to panic. .....

I would like to have feedback from other applicants (also those form Finance stream) as to how their experience was.

And apart from the latter, is anybody able to guess how many correct answers will be necessary to reach the passing mark..?? I estimate not less than 36/40, maybe more....

Good luck to everyone.

 

 

Hi thanks for sharing your

Romana Tue, 03/21/2017 - 17:27

Hi thanks for sharing your experience.

I personally found numerical and abstract very easy and was very disturbed by some of the verbal confusing questions although overal the verbal was not that difficult either. 

For some specialist competitions (Head of EU delegation Admin or something like that AST4) 31 or  32 was the passmark to have CV screened, but for this one, I am thinking  around 34 (85 %) (I hope not 36 (90 %) but it is just my hope.... Otherwise same feeling like you, I think the passmark will be high in this case, exam looks doable in general...

Good luck

 

Hi everyone! I also have

Maria Tue, 03/21/2017 - 18:59

Hi everyone! I also have found this exam quite easy,easier than others . But afterall even if we all say that was an easy exam no one knows precisely if we had the corect answers. Also is not all about what is our score .I guess that if someone has not a very good score but his/her talent screener is more attractive in the eyes of the EPSO I am definitely convinced that he/she will pass even I or others could have a better score than he/she.

Hi 

Romana Tue, 03/21/2017 - 20:04

Hi 

One hope at a time, now let's hope we have reached the passmark to have the CV screened. Then the screening result is another step. One could have an excellent CV and not have the CV screened if the passmark is not reached. 

Br

I can see that every single

pgarciay_89762 Tue, 03/21/2017 - 20:44

I can see that every single one finds the exam so easy. It means that the passing mark will be so high.

By the way, I have some doubts that I would like you help me to sort out. 1) does anyone of you know haw mcuh is the salary for this post (step one)...?? 2) How many years of seniority in your post as AST you need to be promoted to AD?? 3) And what about to participate in internal competitions..?? 4) Are those competitions open to contractual or temporary agents or are just the ASTs who are eligible for them..?? 5) Finally, do you complement your preparation with some study on EU institutional functionning etc...??

Many questions, I admit it, but those are concerns that are continously crossing my mind and your feedback on them would be so interesting.

Thanks and good luck.

 

 

Dear all, the test results

piero.valentini1@gmail.com Tue, 04/25/2017 - 09:45

Dear all, the test results came out....Now we have to wait for the talent screener....

Hi, there. Yes, I also

pgarciay_89762 Tue, 04/25/2017 - 10:19

Hi, there. Yes, I also received it. In my case it was the abstract that drove to failure. I only could manage to get 6/10. 33/40 overall score. This Abstract Test is always just a nightmare for me. On the other hand, I also failed  a couple of questions in Verbal, besides one in Numerical that I did not expect to. In my discharge, I have to say that this was my baptism in EPSO exams and I actually felt quite shaky. I would like to believe that I still have some room for improvement.

Honestly, despite the message sent by EPSO says nothing about it, I do not think that my score will be enough to make it to the Talent Screener phase. In any case, as Piero says, let us wait and see now.

To round up this post, I would like to kno whether anybody has got a clue about when passing marks (or further developments in general) will come out...??

Thanks to you all.

Good luck to everyone.

 

 

 

 

Hi everybody

frogman Tue, 04/25/2017 - 10:57

Hi everybody

I also found these tests quite easy

I manage to get 35/40 (V 16- N 10 A 9) so now w&s

good luck eve

You did really good pgarciay,

annue_90304 Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:15

You did really good pgarciay, especially given that it was your first attempt. :) 

I only got 29/40 and I always, always, lose 8-9 points from Verbal (!!), which is so ridiculous. My first language is Greek, so I get the texts translated; and they are so wrongly translated (every time!) that makes me wanna cry! There's nothing I can do though; practicing on badly translated texts is just a waste of time. I guess luck is not on my side.

Hope you make it to the next step! Good luck to everyone else too, guys!

I also just received the

Maria Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:03

I also just received the reusult. 32/40 .

 

as far as I know from last

frogman Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:12

as far as I know from last tests

we need at leats 8/10

so 32/40

cheers

Hi Frogman ! what do u mean ?

Maria Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:47

Hi Frogman ! what do u mean ? 8/ 10 means 32:40 = 80 % ?

 

EXACT

frogman Tue, 04/25/2017 - 12:54

EXACT

often need between 80 and 90% 

wow, if it is so, I would be

yi.jiang.tretton_93215 Wed, 04/26/2017 - 15:45

wow, if it is so, I would be blessed.

I took 40/40.....beyond my

piero.valentini1@gmail.com Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:50

I took 40/40.....beyond my expectations...I'm very happy but there is the next step...the  talent screener

welldone  

frogman Tue, 04/25/2017 - 12:58

welldone

 

Congrats !! 40/40 wow 

carolinamarin4_93306 Tue, 04/25/2017 - 13:02

Congrats !! 40/40 wow 

I just got 35/40. I failed all of the in the verbal test, in abstract and numerical I got 10.

Not sure, if it will be enough to pass at TS. 

 

Wow, congratulations! :)

anuk Tue, 04/25/2017 - 13:03

Wow, congratulations! :)

Pretty high scores, guys, I

pgarciay_89762 Tue, 04/25/2017 - 13:18

Pretty high scores, guys, I see it....just one question: was that one your first attempt...?? And in case it was not, how much easier than others you found that test...?? Finally, is it psssible to scale up two or three points by tryng hard, (let's say upto 35-36/40) or people just tend to get stuck on the same marks over time....??

Thanks and congratulations to those over 34, I am sure that you will make it through the TS.

 

4 me it was not the 1st time

frogman Tue, 04/25/2017 - 13:25

4 me it was not the 1st time I ve got 32 and 33 before and was not able to get through

But I think the level was equal 

I was better prepared that s it, but I am not sure that will be enough

 

Hi, It is also my first time.

yi.jiang.tretton_93215 Wed, 04/26/2017 - 15:53

Hi, It is also my first time. I got the Epso book to help for preparatio but in the exam, I found they are so different style. The verbal is easier than in the book. So is the numeric. But the abstract is confusing. I also wonder, what kind of questions other preselection would have? The same as CBT or more similar to the Epso book?

i do think the verbal and numeric can be improved,  but abstract somehow harder. 

Would 34/40 be enough? Yesterday I was still happy for my score, but today seen someone got 40, and many 35, 36, I'm feeling quite defeated. :-(

 

35/40 will be enough, Frogman

pgarciay_89762 Tue, 04/25/2017 - 14:00

35/40 will be enough, Frogman, I am sure of it. In my opinion the passing mark will be around 34/40.

A completely different thing is that whether the candidates' experience will be suffciently appreciated by EPSO or not. Apparently (according to what I have heard) they now make kind a pre-selection CV scan test (performed by a computer) to discard some clearly weak candidates. Consequently, it could come to happen that  a applicant who had a very strong perfomance in CBT but whose CV was not so strong (I am just talking in abstract terms, of course, as I do not know whatsoever any candidates here) could turn out ruled out in benefit of some other candidates with lower scores in the CBT but stronger professional profiles.

Anyway, I hope you all the best. 

Thanks.

It' s not the 1st time...but

Piero Tue, 04/25/2017 - 16:04

It' s not the 1st time...but I found this particularly easy, especially the numerical. In other competitions I took about 33/40 and 34/40. Actually, I believe u can improve your score by practising ( again and again): the more practising the best scores...God luck to everyone . 

Maybe there are people with a

Diwa Tue, 04/25/2017 - 16:27

Maybe there are people with a bigger experience that can say sth about the possibile threshold for this exam? 85 seems not realistic to me. I have always thought that it should be at least 95%? having in mind that for 75 places there were 3000 candidates...

Hiya,

ThèoS Tue, 04/25/2017 - 19:29

Hiya,

Does anyone know how long the TS will be taking? Even an estimate will do. I am quite anxious to see the final output. 

Thanks and good luck to everyone.

Guys, do not forget that

gtaufer Wed, 04/26/2017 - 10:50

Guys, do not forget that before the TS there is another eligibility ==> relevant diploma + relevant years of experience. If your diploma is irrelevant or you do not have enough years of experience you are out and won't go to the TS. They start checking this from the highest mark at the CBT test so it may be that the threshold is not that high to go to the TS. If you go to the TS that you need to have enough points to go to the assessment center, good luck to All!

Anyway, the higher, the

yi.jiang.tretton_93215 Wed, 04/26/2017 - 16:04

Anyway, the higher, the better, otherwise the profile will not enen be checked. I have read that they will invite arround 3.5 times numbers of candidate for the next stage. which means, 51x3.5=180. 

so I got 36/40 but now

simka.s Fri, 04/28/2017 - 13:47

so I got 36/40 but now anxious about TS as this could be tricky... hope they will inform us soon

Does anyone know how long

Maria Mon, 05/08/2017 - 09:34

Does anyone know how long usually takes them to release the evaluation for TS ?

Hi guys,

Sonja Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:55

Hi guys,

Results are out, for screening phase.

What was the cut off mark? Looks lower than I thought it would be.

Good luck to all those continuing

Hi guys,

Sonja Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:55

Hi guys,

Results are out, for screening phase.

What was the cut off mark? Looks lower than I thought it would be.

Good luck to all those continuing

We received the results for

Christine Wed, 05/31/2017 - 11:29

We received the results for the admission (eligibility criteria) not for the talent screener!

Best,

Christine

Hi, Sonja, and...how on earth

pgarciay_89762 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 11:58

Hi, Sonja, and...how on earth did you manage to get to know that...?? I just received an e-mail to communicate me I had been given access to Talent Screener. No references about passing marks or numbers of suceeding applicants whatsoever...

Good luck to everyone.

Dear all,

Sonja Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:12

Dear all,

I used the wrong expression not being used to these exams then. Was talking about admission to talent screener nothing else. Same thing as you.

Reading the notice again it is said they check elegibility + best marks and knowing my mark ... . Maybe you all had excellent marks at CBT then.

Good luch and don't know more than you!

I have read in other pages

Sonja Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:16

I have read in other pages cutt off marks at this stage, right? Or I am wrong? I don't know how they communicate results in general (since I have not done many) but based on other discussions on other exams and based on the vacancy, I understood there is and was asking it...

Look here: there seemed to be

Sonja Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:20

Look here: there seemed to be something I was referring to:

https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers/news/2082_admission-results-first-phase_en

Reason why was asking but if I am wrong, then ignore my message.

I guess they start by the

REPER2016AST206 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:33

I guess they start by the highest mark and they go top-down, checking each candidate's experience until they reach the limit admitted to the assessment centre. In my case I had excellent CBT marks (38/40) but they haven't given me access because they haven't considered I had 3 years experience. I do have this experience in HR, in fact, but this is obviously my opinion and not the assessment panel's, so there you go. :-( There's no information on the lowest CBT mark admitted but as you can see in my case, this mark is not so much relevant if you cannot proof 100% you fullfil the other requirements in the competition notice. Anyway, I find a bit useless, if you'll excuse my bitter opinion, to ask about the cut off mark: it is irrelevant and it will not help in future competitions, as every time it all depends on your competitors, the number of offered positions, the admissibility criteria and so on and so forth. Which marks should you work your guts for in the future? 100%. Less is always a risk. Congrats to those admitted and good luck!

Ok, Sonja, no hard feelings,

pgarciay_89762 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:50

Ok, Sonja, no hard feelings, please. Enjoy the good news. It was just that your first post took me a bit by surprise. Now I understand  what you meant, although I keep thinking that it is not possible to guess what the passing mark (the lowest admitted candidate's score) was. Besides, I completely agree with Reper2016 on his statement about the irrelevance of any particular passing mark as a comparison point for some other competitions. It is more than certain that only 100%, provides you with the certainty on should you keep on board for the next stage or not.

Reper2016; With this perfomance's rate you undoubtedly will be successful in the upcoming AD Competition 2017.

Regards and good luck ot everyone.

Congrats to all! I got

simka.s Wed, 05/31/2017 - 12:54

Congrats to all! I got invited to TS as well. The cut off mark is low this time, I know people with 29 who got in.

Thanks, P :-) I'll sure be

REPER2016AST206 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 13:02

Thanks, P :-) I'll sure be trying my best in the next AD competition. My best wishes to all of you! Do not lose hope, Sonja. Getting in the EU is no easy task but it surely is worth the effort.

María.

Hi, I got a refus too, with

yi.jiang.tretton@gmail.com Wed, 05/31/2017 - 15:28

Hi, I got a refus too, with the reason as following: You did not complete all parts of the application form in your Language 2 (English or French). What was this? When should it be done? I think when I fill the application form, I input it already. Does someone made the same mistake? 

Hello, I have received the

mantovanimarina_104318 Wed, 06/21/2017 - 21:27

Hello, I have received the same notice "You did not complete all parts of the application form in your language 2". I have no idea what this means, the application seems to be complete in all its parts. Did you understand what this is all about?

yeah. I have chosen the

yi.jiang.tretton@gmail.com Fri, 06/23/2017 - 07:14

yeah. I have chosen the English as language and French as language 2. So I need to fill the application form in French, not in English. Did you make the same mistake? 

 

Hi everyone! I got 36/40 on

REPER2016AD040 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 20:18

Hi everyone! I got 36/40 on CBT and I have just received the communication of admission to talent screener, I have applied for finance not for HHRR. I reckon 29 /40 is not enough, for example in auditors was necessary 31/40. It depends on   applicants CV, if had had enough applicants with the requirements (experience...etc), 40/40 wouldn´t been enough.

See you soon

 

I wanted to say  if

REPER2016AD040 Wed, 05/31/2017 - 22:58

I wanted to say  if applicants haven´t got the requirements, even though they achieve 40/40, they won´t pass. Sorry

Hello everyone!

ninetaiosif_87361 Thu, 06/01/2017 - 13:55

Hello everyone! Congratulations to the ones who 've made it to the TS. I was lucky enough to be one of them. I would like to start practicing for the AC though... Any recomendation about books, seminars that really worth the time and the money spent on? 

Thanks!

Before start practicing for

Piero Fri, 06/02/2017 - 19:58

Before start practicing for thE AC, I'll wait the results of the talent screener... 

That 's the logical thing to

ninetaiosif_87361 Sat, 06/03/2017 - 13:03

That 's the logical thing to do, I know, but only now I have kind of spare time to study. It 's really hard to find slots in my schedule for that. So, that's no arrogance, just proactiveness :)

I also recommend to start

pgarciay_89762 Sat, 06/03/2017 - 18:07

I also recommend to start practising in advance to the outcome of the TS results. Otherwise, we could fall shot of time. In case somebody turns out to be disqualified, the time consumed in preparation never had been wasted as it'll be useful for upcoming competitions.

yes, you are right...but I'm

Piero Sat, 06/03/2017 - 18:23

yes, you are right...but I'm also preparing for the AD5 competition and I have my job too. I hope we'll know the results of TS asap....

Hi, Piero. Me too. I am also

pgarciay_89762 Sun, 06/04/2017 - 11:05

Hi, Piero. Me too. I am also in the same case as you are. Well, I suppose that there is not a general response for this type of question. Every single one has got a different personal scenario and, subsequently, also a diferent strategy to deal with the shortage of time to prepare the different competitions in which is involved.

Anyway, I think that within this current month we will have news (hopefully good ones, although in my personal case I am not so optimistic) from EPSO as regards the AST/139/16 Competition.

Best of luck.

Pablo.

Hi Pablo, I'm not optimistic

Piero Mon, 06/05/2017 - 16:21

Hi Pablo, I'm not optimistic too about my results of the TS....and for this reason I prefer to wait, before starting to study for the AC...

Good luck to you

Hi. I am out of the

pgarciay_89762 Wed, 07/12/2017 - 18:42

Hi. I am out of the competition. I did not pass to AC. 22. Passing mark 31. In my opinion, they were so though.

Hey, I am in with 37. someone

simka.s Wed, 07/12/2017 - 18:46

Hey, I am in with 37. someone willing to create a group to prepare for AC?

Hi simka, congrats! I'm in

anuk Thu, 07/13/2017 - 10:20

Hi simka, congrats! I'm in too, but it's my first time and I've no idea what's to come at the AC. I'll buy the question packages offered here at eutraining as they really helped me prepare for the CBT.

How do you usually prepare for the AC? Any tips would be highly appreciated. :) 

Hi, i would like to join the

severinas Thu, 07/13/2017 - 18:30

Hi, i would like to join the group, pls inform on further details, thanks

Hi Simka,

legredj Fri, 07/14/2017 - 11:54

Hi Simka,

Iam also in with 36, let's create a group to prepare for AC.

 

Hi Simka,

legredj Fri, 07/14/2017 - 11:54

Hi Simka,

Iam also in with 36, let's create a group to prepare for AC.

 

Hi, I am also in and

linty@tiscali.it Mon, 07/17/2017 - 19:56

Hi, I am also in and interested in taking part of the group for preparing. thanks

Hi, congratulations! I am

salsoul Tue, 07/18/2017 - 15:35

Hi, congratulations! I am also interested in joining a group for preparation. How would you like to go about it? Not everybody is in Brussles I assume. For me it is also the first time for the AC and even after reading the available information I am not sure what to expect in terms of the exact content for the case study (all available examples are only for AD)

Hi, EPSO/AST/139/16 (HR) AC

severinas Tue, 07/18/2017 - 17:26

Hi, EPSO/AST/139/16 (HR) AC study group on facebook created, welcome to join it, cheers

I am notable to find the page

Ketty Linty Tue, 07/18/2017 - 19:42

I am notable to find the page. Can you help? Thanks 

I'm interested in

ktzank Sun, 07/23/2017 - 12:42

I'm interested in participating in the FB study group for HR, too. Where I can find it? 

Hi severinas,

Bill Sun, 07/23/2017 - 15:20

Hi severinas,

I'm also interested in joining the group.

hey, I cant find the AC study

simka.s Thu, 08/03/2017 - 19:33

hey, I cant find the AC study group, can you please send me he link? thanks!

37?? Wow....!! Did you have

pgarciay_89762 Wed, 07/12/2017 - 19:26

37?? Wow....!! Did you have experience in European Commission?? How many years you credited...?? Congrats.

Thanks! well, I have 3 years

simka.s Thu, 07/13/2017 - 14:27

Thanks! well, I have 3 years at EC + experience within other non EU organisations. I don’t think that the number of years of experience is important at the TS... what counts is the diversity of your experience, the broader the better ;-)

 

 

You're deadly right, Simka.

pgarciay_89762 Thu, 07/13/2017 - 16:13

You're deadly right, Simka. In my case my experience was too much limited to legal issues. Additionally, my experience in HR dated back since 13 years ago. Well, I sit this competition just to.gain some experience. This was my first attempt in EPSO exams. My impression is that the TS is so subjective. All the best for you Simka.

Does anyone know if the

Bill Sun, 07/23/2017 - 16:20

Does anyone know if the "Specific competency-based interview" is the former oral presentation with the flip-chart? Is there any other difference between these two apart from their name?

Hi everyone, I am also

lora Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:46

Hi everyone, I am also interested in joining the group. How can I find the FB group?

Dear all interested in FB

severinas Mon, 08/07/2017 - 17:26

Dear all interested in FB group, pls try search button in your FB accounts, enter: EPSO/AST/139/16 (HR) AC study group, it should work 

Hi I am interested too, I

Adjoa Mon, 08/07/2017 - 17:38

Hi I am interested too, I have made a request to join the group. thanks, 

I'm seacrhing the group in FB

ktzank_88710 Mon, 08/07/2017 - 18:14

I'm seacrhing the group in FB, but unfortunately I can't find it. Could anyone post the link here in the forum?

Thanks in advance

Hi All,

alysanchez_109843 Tue, 08/08/2017 - 09:08

Hi All,

Does anybody know when the Case study takes place?

Thanks and kind regards

 

We must wait for a new letter

Bill Tue, 08/08/2017 - 11:03

We must wait for a new letter. Do you think it will take place at the test centres where the CBT's were sitted?

Yes, Bill, it'll be where you

anuk Wed, 08/23/2017 - 13:17

Yes, Bill, it'll be where you normally sit your CBT. At least this is in my case.

Don't know yet; you'll need

anuk Wed, 08/23/2017 - 13:18

Don't know yet; you'll need to wait for a new message at your EPSO account.

The invitation to the case

Bill Mon, 08/28/2017 - 10:04

The invitation to the case study is out.

 Hello everyone. I am also

Ângela Fernandes Tue, 09/26/2017 - 23:19

 Hello everyone. I am also interested joining the group. I have made a request to join. Thank you.