Applications open! 2024 Commission AST3 Internal Competition

The European Commision has recently released another internal competition: COM/AST3/2024 (AST3) – Assistants. The competition covers two fields and there are a total of 100 places on the reserve list, which is an impressive figure. 

To help you prepare for the requisite tests EU Training will hold a free, live webcast: AST3 Internal Competition | How to Succeed  on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 at 12:30 PM (Brussels time).

Want to be a part of a collaborative community? 

Get helpful hints and advice from other candidates by joining the EU Commission Internal Competition Exams Facebook group.

Below we sort through the specifics of this competition and the selection process involved. Here are some quick links to help you navigate:

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COMPETITION SNAPSHOT

• Application Deadline: 27 March 2024 (12:00 PM Brussels Time)
• Grade: AST3
• This competition covers two profiles - you may apply for only one - and you cannot change profiles after you have validated your application

Under this competition, the following TWO reserve lists have been advertised:

• Read the Notice of Competition's point I "What tasks can I expect to perform" and Annex I for details on the duties and roles.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

General criteria

You must have EU citizenship, that is to say you must officially be a national of one of the member states of the EU.​ In small print it is assumed that since you already work for the Commission you have met all the general recruitment conditions referred to in Article 28 of the Staff Regulations and in Article 12(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS).

Specific criteria

Function group, statutory link, and administrative status

• The Notice of competition thoroughly lays this out under point II.2.a. Here you will find the details for the status you must hold on the application deadline to be eligible for the reserve list. This is very important information, make sure to read it carefully.

Qualifications & Work Experience

There are 3 variations on the qualifications you must have, as follows:

1. A diploma from any level of post-secondary education followed by at least 4 years professional experience.

OR

2.  A diploma from any level of secondary education attested giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 6 years professional experience.

OR

3. Vocational training of an equivalent level or work experience of an equivalent level.

Remember: diplomas will only be accepted if they were awarded in an EU Member State. Same goes for equivalence certificates, these will only be accepted if they were issued by authorities in one of the Member States.

Languages

You must have have knowledge of at least 2 official EU languages:

• Language 1: Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of any of the 24 official EU languages.
• Language 2: Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of English, French or German
• The two languages must be different
• Language 2 must be used for the following:
  • application form
  • EU Knowledge Test MCQ
  • Written Test
  • Oral Test

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SELECTION PROCESS

1. APPLICATION

Make sure to select your languages, grant access to your Sysper file (if you choose to do so), fill out ALL parts of the application form and submit no later than 27 March 2024 at 12:00 PM (noon/Brussels time). 

Please note, all candidates must provide supporting documents whether or not access to their Sysper file was granted. See point III.2. in the NoC for full details.

It is important to remember that you can not make any changes to your application after you have submitted, therefore give yourself plenty of time to fill it out thoroughly.

2. ELIGIBILITY CHECKS

The Selection Board will check supporting documents and information provided in your Sysper file, but only your professional experience as gained at the Commission.

Make sure to read 1.2 of ANNEX IV for details on the information and supporting documents

needed for eligibility checks.

3. EU KNOWLEDGE TEST & WRITTEN TEST

All candidates who validated their applications on time and are found eligible by the selection board will be invited to sit the EU Knowledge Test and the Written Test, to be held on the same day, remotely.

EU KNOWLEDGE TEST

This is a Multiple-Choice Question, pre-selection test assessing your knowledge of EU policies and institutions. This will be held in Language 2 (English, French or German).

Interestingly, there is no pass mark, and the score does not get added to any of the other tests, nor does it count towards the final score. However, only those that score the highest on this test will have their Written Test scored.

Get started on boosting your EU knowledge now!

• The best e-learning modules out there, all about EU policies and institutions: eucourse.eu
• Start training your brain with strict time limits and practice tests: EU Knowledge Test practice questions

WRITTEN TEST

This is a written assignment (report, minutes, note) based on various documents relating to EU policies, institutions and procedures. It will also be taken in your Language 2 (English, French or German).

The written test will assess competencies required to perform tasks as an Assistant in the Commission, as outlined in ANNEX I.

As mentioned above, only those that obtain the highest mark on the EU Knowledge Test will have their Written Test assessed. Each field in the competition can have up to 3 times the number of successful candidates needed, plus any tied candidates for the last spot. Your total score will be the sum of your marks from the Written Test added to your Oral Test results.

ORAL TEST

The passmark is 26/50. The Oral Test has two components

• An interview to assessing your motivation, as well as the competencies required for the job as laid out in Annex I.
• A short oral presentation about a subject related to your field of the competition

The Oral Test is not a language test, but you will be using your chosen Language 2 (English, French or German). Interestingly, the NoC states that the Selection Board may surprise you and may give you the opportunity to present/answer in your Language 1.

As stated above, your final score will be the sum of your Written Test score and your Oral Test score.

4. RESERVE LIST

The Selection Board will create the reserve list from those candidates who reached all the required pass marks, as well as obtaining one of the highest total scores from the sum of the Written Test and the Oral Test.

This list will be then available for the Commission to use for recruitment and will be valid for 2 years.

FREE INFO WEBCAST

Remember to join Andras Baneth on Wednesday, 27 March to get a boost for your prep work! Click on the link below for full details: