EPSO Announces NEW Competition Release Dates + CBT & AC Exam Periods

EU Training

March 2021 is going to be a busy month.

Below we highlight which EPSO specialist competitions are coming up shortly and what you can do now while you wait for applications to open.

Also, we have compiled a list of EPSO competitions that are at the Computer-Based Test Exam or Assessment Centre phase and included some helpful resources to round out your preparation plan. 

Upcoming Specialist Competitions  I  CBT Exam Periods  I  Assessment Centre Periods

 

Upcoming Specialist Competitions

ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELD OF CHEMICALS POLICY

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NUCLEAR INSPECTORS

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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.

 

Upcoming CBT Exam Periods

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. 

Those candidates that have not had the chance to sit their initial CBT exam yet will be able to do so at the beginning of March: 

  • Exam booking period: 24 February - 1 March 2021
  • Exam period: 2 - 19 March 2021
  • The intermediate Microsoft Word Skills Test won't take place unlit all candidates have had the opportunity to sit their CBT exam.
  • This new testing period does not apply or affect those who have already completed the CBT exam for this competition.

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 CBT exam 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: 6 March 2021.
  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. 

Those candidates that have not had the chance to sit their initial CBT exam yet will be able to do so at the beginning of March: 

  • Exam booking period: 24 February - 1 March 2021
  • Exam period: 2 - 19 March 2021
  • The Intermediate exam for this competition will not take place unlit all candidates have had the opportunity to sit their CBT exam.
  • This new testing period does not apply or affect those who have already completed the CBT exam for this competition.

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 CBT exam simulations here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!
  3. We have Language Comprehension Tests available in 13 Languages
  4. 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: 6 March 2021.
  5. 700 Law questions at your disposal to prepare for the vitally important EPSO Field-Related Multiple-Choice test (intermediate stage).
  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.

Some unfortunate news for candidates...the testing period has been pushed back for this competition:

  • Exam booking period - mid-March 2021
  • Exam period - end of March till the end of April 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: 6 March 2021.
  4. Looking for some one-on-one personalised training assistance? Take a look at our Personal Coaching service

 

Upcoming Assessment Centre Periods

EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S IT SPECIALIST COMPETITION

This competition has entered the Assessment Centre component, with a couple of profiles having had their interview dates announced.

Only a Field-Related Interview is included in this phase of the competition. If you are looking for some one-on-one personalised assistance to prepare for this important interview, take a look at our Personal Coaching service

If you haven't already, this is also a great time to connect with other candidates via the EPSO IT Specialists Exams Facebook Group.

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

The computer-based tests, e-tray exercise and Assessment Centre testing periods for this competition has been announced!

  • Assessment Centre period: 1 - 25 March 2021
  • CBT & E-tray exam booking period: 19 - 24 March 2021
  • CBT & E-tray exam period: 29 - 30 March 2021

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 CBT exam 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: 6 March 2021.
  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: 2 MARCH, 9 MARCH, 11 MARCH, 16 MARCH and 18 MARCH
  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

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

Only two language profiles are yet to complete their Assessment Centre but these are both taking place at the very start of March 2021.

  • Polish (PL) law (AD5 & AD7): 1 - 4 March 2021
  • Italian (IT) law (AD5 & AD7): 8 - 16 March 2021

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: 2 MARCH, 9 MARCH and 11 MARCH
  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: 3 MARCH, 5 MARCH and 9 MARCH
  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 underway.

The SCBI and remote Assessment Centre testing periods for each grade are scheduled to take place over the following periods: 

  • AD7: Remote Assessment Centre 1 February - 10 March 2021 / SCBI ?
  • AD5: Remote Assessment Centre 15 March - 29 April 2021 / SCBI 3-5 May 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: 2 MARCH, 9 MARCH, 11 MARCH, 16 MARCH and 18 MARCH
  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: 4 MARCH and 16 MARCH
  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 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND MANAGING AID TO NON-EU COUNTRIES (EPSO/AD/380/19)

No new updates regarding this competition. 

  • The Case Study is still scheduled to take place sometime in April 2021, with the exam booking period opening in mid-March 2021.
  • The Assessment Centre is expected to be undertaken sometime between mid-May and July 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 remote Assessment Centre testing period is expected to run from mid-April until mid-June 2021. No specific dates have been stated yet.

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...

The competition will be tough, but luckily there is still plenty of time to prepare and perfect the skills needed to do well and stand out during this critical phase of testing.

Here are some great resources to set you on the right path:

  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: 2 MARCH, 9 MARCH, 11 MARCH, 16 MARCH and 18 MARCH
  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 MARCH and 17 MARCH
  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 MARCH,