• (In the webinar) you mention there will be no more pre-selection. Does that mean that there won't be a talent screener before tests?

The Talent Screener was always part of the application phase, and there will no longer be a Talent Screener in the new EPSO system,The pre-selection phase used to refer to the phase where candidates had to sit the Computer-Based Tests as a pre-selection tool. The new model is a single-phase competition.

• What about the ongoing competitions which are at the Talent Screener review phase? Will the selection procedure change for those ones too?

Ongoing competitions will not be affected, and for most of them candidates have already submitted a Talent Screener, which, if you pass eligibility checks, will be reviewed.

• What about the talent screener? How will EPSO assess our experience in the field?

There will no longer be a talent screener. Candidates' experience in the field will be assessed by the MCQ tests (specialist competitions).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LANGUAGES

• Will the verbal reasoning questions still be translated from English into the 24 official languages of the EU?

Yes, as far as we know.

• Will the tests still be in French and English and we can choose ? Or only in ENG (it makes a difference when enrolling for training)?

The language rules will be clarified in the Notice of Competition. As far as we know the Computer-Based Tests will still be available in all the official languages of the EU. Digital Literacy Tests will be in English only.

• Will the MCQ Test on EU knowledge and Field-Related MCQ be in English?
• How can I prove the level of my second language (English)? Do I need a certificate or working for an international company is enough evidence?
• What about the language of the competition? can we choose FR still?

This was not specified by EPSO at this point. The language rules will be made clear in the Notice of Competition. What we do know is that the language rules as we know it now, will no longer apply. There will no longer be Language 1 and Language 2. There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding this subject, so we have to wait and see how EPSO will approach this in the context of the new competition model.

• Which languages can we choose from to do the Case Study exam?

This will depend on the language specified in the Notice of Competition. Currently it is language 2, usually French or English.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REMOTE TESTING

• Why choose remote proctoring and eliminate in-person testing? Any solid reason behind this?

• Did they explain why they no longer use the in-person test centres? The test centres ensured equal treatment and took away the stress of wondering whether your home situation will be accepted by some random proctor.

EPSO communicated that the aim is to introduce a faster, leaner, cost-effective and more accessible competition model. 

• Regarding remote testing: We just received a notification that the last AST3 competition that was done remotely received a huge number of complaints and contestations because of the technical glitches on the remote proctoring company's side, on top of allegations that cheating was very common and can't be checked. What about this? Doesn't this mean that all future competitions will receive the same complaints and hence risk becoming annulled?

According to EPSO, remote testing is here to stay, despite all the complaints. 

• Are desktop PCs acceptable for the remote testing or does it need to be a laptop?

Yes, your own desktop computer is acceptable, as long as it meets the system requirements. Audio and video recording capabilities are required. 

See full info about this topic here: https://epso.europa.eu/en/help/faq/9176

• Can we use a big external monitor with our private laptop? Can earplugs be used since an appartment bloc is often not silent?

You can use your own monitor and laptop, or desktop PC, as long as the system requirements are met. These will be detailed in the notification you receive when you are invited to sit the test. Noise-blocking headphones and other wired earphones / headphones are allowed. But, from some feedback we've seen, wireless/bluetooth earbuds are not allowed.

• Current remote testing is very restrictive, it is impossible to use work laptops, etc. Is this issue going to be solved to allow everyone to use it? Firewall or not, it is an "internal" computer

• I do not own a private laptop. I just have my work one, but I as I understood it I cannot use it. Is EPSO telling me I need to buy a NEW personal laptop in order to pass the exam?

The fact that a laptop is corporate or not doesn't matter as long as you have full administrator access and can install the special software the remote testing will require.

See EPSO's post "Corporate Computers and Online Tests" for more information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPUTER-BASED TESTS*

*The Computer-Based Test is multiple choice, with strict time limits, and tests candidates' Verbal, Numerical and Abstract reasoning skills.

• What is the CBT "pass-mark" mean in the new system? Would it be as currently, the highest scores above a threshold?
• 50% means that you need to pass 20/40? Or do you think it will be 10 verbal + 10 numerical + asbtract?

In the new system, the EPSO Computer-Based Tests will always be pass/fail. The passmark is not yet known, and will most likely be detailed in the Notice of Competition.

• Will the pass/fail CBT results be valid for a period of time, or only for the specific competition?

CBT results are only valid for the specific competition. The CBT needs to be retaken every time apply to a new EPSO competition. It is the reserve list (ie. the list of successful candidates called 'laureates') that will have a validity time, usually 1 year or 'until the next similar competition is announced'. (see the Reserve List section for more info).

• It is simple math: if Reserve List = passing the CBT + Case Study, this means much higher expectations for the CBT + Case Study. Or not?
• For the CBT, will the exam be more difficult than previous competitions so as to eliminate more candidates?

This is an unknown factor at the moment. But, as András Baneth stated in the live webinar about the New EPSO System "The stated aim of the new system is to have more people on the reserve list, because the tests and exams you need to sit inevitably lead to a somewhat bigger reserve list. This is what's going to give more flexibility to the institutions, to still be able to select, choose or evaluate certain candidates from the list. So, that is one consideration." Additionally, the CBT is pass/fail only, the digital literacy test (whenever it is part of the competition) will also likely be pass/fail, so the actual candidate ranking in a competition will be based on the EU knowledge (Generalists) or specialist knowledge tests and the written test/case study

• Do we need to pass the CBT before getting to the next steps (digital test + MCQ)? Or the three tests go in parallel?
• Will the CBT and EU knoweldge test for EPSO competitions be taken on the same day?

This has not yet been officially detailed by EPSO yet, but the expectation is that all the tests will happen on the same day.

• Can you confirm that we cannot use a physical calculator for the CBT?

That is correct. There are no physical calculators or notepads/pens/pencils allowed. Only an online calculator and notepad will be made available through the remote testing platform. These online tools can only be used with the mouse, according to feedback from candidates who have done the remote testing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EPSO CASE STUDY

• Is the written test / Case Study for specialists knowledge related?

The written test/case study will test competencies, and will be part of both the generalist and specialist competitions. EPSO shared this information that the Case Study will mainly be assessing these four core competencies. 1. Critical Thinking, Analysis and Creative Problem Solving, 2. Decision-Making and Getting Results, 3. Intrapreneurship and 4. Communication. The MCQ will be related to your knowledge in the field.

• From what I have been told at Sciences Po, the one-phase competition including the numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning will be a pass/fail exam. Therefore, I was told that the written exam (including the case study and digital skills test) will be the most important test. Could you tell us more about this test and how to prepare for it?   

This will be a written test in the form of a case study – at least that is our current understanding. It is a written assignment.  EPSO has not given any more detail about it at this time. Our assumption is that it's going to be very similar to the existing case study component, meaning that there are background documents that you need to read and process. Then you draft perhaps a memo, an essay or a briefing based on that information.

It is important to remember this is not a field-related knowledge test. The case is about your communication / writing skills and competencies. EPSO has already specified that there are three or four competencies that are going to be tested through this particular exam, and this is also ranked. (see previous question).

Scroll down for further info on the Digital Skills test.

• Will background info for the case study distributed before the written test?

EPSO has one Case Study sample availale on their website currently. Candidates do not receive any documents to prepare from before the exam, they'll receive all the background documents at the beginning of the exam. At least this is how the Case Study is done now, this could possible change in the new system, but we doubt it.

• So the difference will be made in fact by the 'case-study'?

The difference will me made by all the tests that are not pass/fail tests (field-related MCQ and Case Study, maybe Digital Skills).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EU KNOWLEDGE TEST

• How will the EU Knowledge tests be marked?
• Will there be a ranking for EU knowledge too?

As far as we know, most likely there will be ranking based on the EU Knowledge test results. Highest scores will pass, threshold TBD.

• Will these sources for the EU knowledge and field tests be announced in the call? Or where will we find them?

EPSO announced that the resources used to create the EU Knowledge tests will be published, probably directly on their website.

• For the EU knowledge test, will the questions be similar to the ones of the internal competitions?
• For the EU knowledge test, do you think they will re-use the questions usually used for CAST policy - law exams?

EPSO has not published any information on this, so we don't know. Since the Generalist exam is only expected to be officially announced in September 2023, we most likely have to wait until then to find out.

• When will tests about EU knowledge wil be avalalble on your website?
• Do you already have a EU knowledge test package to prepare on?
• How do you recommend practicing for the EU knowledge test?

For current internal competitions we already have EU Knowledge practice tests and resources available on our site. We will create practice questions for the 2023 AD5 Generalist competition once EPSO releases the resources on it's website.

• Will the EU knowledge test be multiple choice? Will the eutraining.eu practice questions be enough as a source?

The EU Knowledge test will most likely be multiple choice, although this is not totally clear yet from the announcement. We always strive to do our best to simulate the real exam as closely as possible and to the best of our knowledge. EPSO announced they will publish the source materials for the EU Knowledge test questions, probably directly on their site.

• Will there be a strict time limit on EU knowladge test?

Most likely, yes. But this will be specified in the Notice of Competition.

• When will the source material on EU knowledge be published by EPSO?

EPSO has not published any information on this. However, since the generalist competition is scheduled to be released in September 2023, it's possible that the EU Knowledge resources will be published around that time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Field-Related MCQ

• Do you already have an MCQ practice package for Economists (the competition coming up in May 2023)?

EU Training will be creating questions for all the specialist fields where possible. We will notify candidates when these are added to the website, through all the usual forums - on the website, in newsletters and on social media.

• Will the specialist knowledge tests also include EU knowledge questions?

• Could there be EU knowledge section in tests for specialists?

In their announcement EPSO states that EU Knowledge tests will only be used for generalists and specialists will have an MCQ test in their field. There may, however, be questions about EU policy directly related to your field.

• As IP is a specialist field, will the specialist MCQ include questions about EU IP law questions or EU law ones in general?

EPSO will only publish this info in the Notice of Competition, but as far as we know, for Specialists the MCQ will be specifically related to your field, so specific EU policy questions related to your field may be included. General EU knowledge will not be included in these tests, most likely.

• Is there any guidance/examples on the content and type of questions for the specialist knowledge tests?
• Will there be any preparation materials for the specialist competitions?
• Yes, good point, do you have info on whether sources and material will be made available?

EPSO will publish the specifics for each exam in the Notice of Competition. For specialists the annexes in the NoC usually provide the info needed to know what can be expected on the field-related MCQ. For example where the relevant duties are listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIGITAL SKILLS TEST

• When you refer to 'digital tools of the institutions' what do you mean?

Digital tools are all the applications and software (operating systems, programs) used within the institutions. (This question was in reference to the part in the live webinar when the language of these tests was being discussed: "The digital skill test will be in English (because all the digital tools used in the institutions are in English.")

• Is the digital skills test likely to be included for the generalist test?

Directly from EPSO's announcement: "*A digital skills test may also be introduced for some competitions for specific profiles, in line with the EU institutions’ needs."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO MORE ASSESSMENT CENTRE

• Won't the absence of oral tests (the Assessment Centre) jeopardise the selection of candidates with the right social skills, which are, let's face it, the single most important set of skills for EU civil servants? Relying on 30 minute interview panels with the Head of Unit during the recruitment phase seems risky.

The institutions will still have the option to take advantage of EPSO's services during the recruitment phase with so called 'mini' AC services. This totally depends on who's doing the hiring and what they are looking for in a new hiree.

• For the Assessment Centre before recruitment, it will only be pass or fail?

There will be no more Assessment Centre during the main competition phase, (a.k.a. selection phase). This will become an optional service for institutions to add on at the recruitment stage. The only tests that are pass/fail are the Computer-Based Tests (reasoning skills) and maybe the Digital Skills test (there's no info on this yet). For the EU Knowledge and field-related MCQs only those with the highest scores will pass.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESERVE LIST

• In conclusion, it may be easier to reach a reserve list but more difficult to be recruited from that list?

• Do you think there will be more people accepted onto the reserve list and less possibility to get hired? 

We think that is a key concern. In all honesty, that is our key concern and also probably for many candidates. But we cannot tell at this point if this will be the case or not.

• Will there be more laureates than in the previous model?

• Do you think that the reserve lists generated by this one-phase competition will be larger than those under current competitions, in order to provide DGs with a larger pool of candidates?

• Does this mean that reserve lists will have a much larger number of successful candidates?

The reserve lists are expected to have more places available and be larger than before. This is one of the concerns, but we cannot tell yet. It would not make much sense to have huge reserve lists from which many people will not be hired.

• If you make it to the reserve list but you do not pass the assessment centre then you cannot be sure they will hire you from the reserve list?

• Is it possible to lose the laureate position (your place on the reserve list) if you do bad on the assessment centre?

The new EPSO system will not have any "assessment centre" as part of the selection process but further "assessment" or evaluation can be required by the hiring institution or Directorate General (DG) after the reserve list was published. 

You don't "lose" your laureate status because once you passed the selection process and you are on the reserve list, that's a given. If you don't perform well in a subsequent 'evaluation' for a specific position, you still remain on the list and you can be hired or invited for other positions as long as the reserve list is valid (see questions above about the validity period of the reserve lists).

• Do you expect that there will be (implicit) geographical/nationality limitations to who gets on the reserve list?

This was answered during the live event: Andras Baneth "The answer is no, because it’s irrelevant for EPSO to a certain degree who gets on the reserve list from a nationality perspective. It's extremely important for all member states to encourage their citizens to apply to these exams and maximise the number of opportunities. But from EPSO's perspective, they're not going to pick and choose anyone on the basis of nationality. 

When it does become more important is at the moment of recruitment, because the institutions need to observe by staff regulations a broad geographical balance among EU staff. It has to be somewhat proportionate to the size of the member state’s population. That's a very tricky thing because they might have 500 people at the institutions as assistants and another country might not have any assistants but have two Directors Generals. How do you compare not just the number of citizens working for the institutions but the seniority level? But then again, that's at the recruitment phase, once you're on the reserve list. It doesn't concern the exams themselves."

• How long will these reserve lists be valid?

• Is the general rule of maximum of 2 years on the reserve list maintained?

• How long will your name be on the reserve list for? does it have some expiry date?

Going by current competitions, reserve lists are usually valid for 1 year which means anyone can be hired from it during that time. Specialist competitions' reserve list is usually valid for a longer time or until a new similar competition is launched. Note that EPSO might change the reserve list validity period, but there is no information about it yet.

• Once on the reserve list, the CV will be the only difference between candidates, right? Better to have it very well written!

Once on the reserve list, all candidates on the list are in principle 'recruitable'. It will nevertheless be up to each EU institution or Directorate General (DG) to decide if they want to require extra evaluations or 'assessments' from a select number of potential candidates on the reserve, and choose accordingly. The hiring institution or DG will also look at your EPSO profile (in fact, your CV) so indeed it has to be well written. You can also proactively try to look for vacancies and emphasize that you are on a reserve list already. So there are many factors at play and a good CV is surely one of them.

• In theory, an institution or DG could choose to hire from the reserve list without following the ranking order, right?

In the past there used to be 'merit groups' or similar sub-categories, but it's highly unlikely that the new system will have any ranking. The reserve lists will be a 'single list' for a given competition from which EU institutions can pick potential new recruits.

• Will the number of laureates on the reserve list be the same as the number of positions available in EU institutions?

We cannot tell yet but it would not make much sense to have huge reserve lists with not many having the chance to get hired.

• Given the fact that the Reasoning tests will be Pass/Fail, how will EPSO filter, for example, 5000 candidates down to 200 laureates on the reserve list? Only with the field-related MCQs and a Case Study?

The Computer-based tests and possibly Digital Literacy tests will be Pass/Fail tests. The rest of the tests (EU Knowledge or field-related MCQ, as well as the case study) will be ranked - only those with the highest scores will make it on to the Reserve List.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAST EXAMS

• Will this new system be implemented for CAST competitions as well?

No. The new competition model only applies to EPSO competitions. CAST and internal competitions will remain unchanged for the time being.

• This new model seems similar to the CAST process then, CBT test + Interview with the Institution directly?
• Would you say this is more like the CA system as for a TA you do not need to pass a test?

To a point, yes. There will be Computer-Based Tests + MCQ in the field for Specialists or EU Knowledge Test for Generalists. The difference is that there will be a Written Test / Case Study and for some competitions maybe Digital Literacy Skills Test. The interviews will only happen if the institutions deem them necessary and request them.

• If a candidate passes the FG IV Project Management CAST can they then be directly hired after an CBT/Interview?

This is for CAST exams only: first of all, the CBT and the MCQ in the field must be completed and passed before you get to the interview stage. If you successfully pass the complete set of tests, then yes, you can then be invited directly for an interview and if successful, hired. For more information on CAST exams:

• https://epso.europa.eu/en/node/108
• https://epso.europa.eu/en/help/faq/2175
• https://epso.europa.eu/en/help/faq/2224

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES

• What about the new EU book?

The new edition of the Ultimate EU Test Book is planned to be published in May 2023.

• If we buy test training packages on eutraining.eu, for how long will we have access to them?

Forever! :) As long as you need and want them.

• Will there be examples of digital literacy tests as well as examples of case studies to get prepared?

EPSO usually publishes sample tests directly on their website. They already have one case study example published here. Since the Digital Literacy Tests are in the process of being created, there are no samples yet. EU Training has case studies available for purchase to practice, with or without evaluation by an expert.

• Do we know for sure EPSO will publish bibliography for specialist competitions?
• Are there official materials to study provided by EPSO?
• Does EPSO also communicate the sources for the MCQ tests for the specialist tests?
• What about whether EPSO will provide sources for the generalist comp?
• When will EPSO share the sources for their tests (Specialist and EU knowledge)?

There was no mention of specialist exam study resources at all, but the Notice of Competition will provide the necessary information to prepare, and so will the relevant Commission DG's website and annual reports, etc. The EU Knowledge test questions source material will be directly published on their website most likely, according to EPSO.

• Is there a summary with all the changes in the EPSO system to be found somewhere?

The official source of information is the EPSO website. We also published an article summarising the new EPSO competition model, and you can also view the webinar recording here, with the presentation slides and transcript provdided on the same page.

• To prepare for a specialist AD6 competition, which material should I buy? AD specialist? Are there different levels for this? or all the same?

For specialist competitions there will be Computer-Based Tests (Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning skills), a field-related MCQ, and the Written Test / Case Study. What you can definitely start preparing for now, ahead of time, is the CBT. We have practice tests and question packages for this. And you can also participate in an online training session with one of our experts - probably the best way to kickstart your prep, so you have a solid foundation for methodology.

We are planning to create field-related MCQ practice test questions once EPSO releases more information about these. We also already have Case Studies available, with or without evaluations. Although with the Written Test it's not 100% clear yet what this will entail.

• The Unions used to publish books with EU knowledge information. Will be they do it again?

This will most likely be unnecessary, as EPSO plans to publish the sources for their EU Knowledge test questions directly on their website.

• Are these questions/tests on the EU Training for practice similar to those that appears in the exam i.g. EU knowledge?

Yes, we do our best to simulate the real exam as closely as possible and to the best of our knowledge. The EU Knowledge test will be a bit different with the new system, but the current one for internal competitions is quite close to the real exams - to the best of our knowledge. Hope that helps!

• Will you be offering packages also for the specialist competitions (related to the "competency" part)?

We hope to do so, but since we also create practice questions based on the most current info from the NoC we have to wait until a competition is released to know exactly what type of duties will be required in the field to create the questions. We will make sure to notify candidates through all available forums if we add practice questions for specialists.

• What is the name and address of the venue where EPSO candidates can rent space with a laptop to take their exams in a quiet space?

ambiorixcenter.eu / Square Ambiorix 7, 1000, Brussels / info@ambiorixcenter.eu

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*PLEASE NOTE: The official source of information on EU competitions is the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). We at EU Training, however, do everything in our power to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible based on the official documents and announcements from EPSO.

Contact us if you have further questions or need assistance with anything on the website.