Key study resources for your EPSO FRMCQ prep
The Field-Related MCQ practice questions for all four profiles in this set have been developed specifically for the EPSO/AD/425/25 Building Specialists competition. They are based on the Notice of Competition which define the required qualifications, relevant professional experience and typical duties expected of successful candidates.
The questions reflect the regulatory, technical and project management framework within which EU building specialists work, including financial rules, public procurement, energy performance obligations, construction product requirements, safety, accessibility, sustainability and the use of digital tools to manage projects and assets.
Below you will find the resources used for all four profiles of this competition. These are the same materials you can use to prepare effectively for the EPSO field-related MCQ test. Click on the one of the links here to go straight to your profile:
- Project management in the building sector
- Architecture and project management
- Electrical engineering and project management
- HVAC and project management
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Field-Related MCQ Study Resources
Field 1 | Project management in the building sector
For Field 1, questions focus on the practical application of project management in EU building projects, including:
- Applying the EU Financial Regulation and public procurement rules to building and renovation projects.
- Using the PM² project management methodology for lifecycle, governance, risk, change and stakeholder management.
- Integrating the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Level(s) and EMAS into project objectives, performance indicators and reporting.
- Ensuring compliance with construction product rules, Eurocodes, accessibility and construction site safety requirements.
- Using BIM and technical specifications (OIB Manual) to manage information, performance and quality.
The aim is not to test detailed engineering calculations, but to assess whether candidates understand and can work within the EU’s legal, procedural and performance framework for building-related projects.
Core reference documents used for the questions
1. Financial Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046
Duties covered: 1, 8, 9, 10
This Regulation provides the overarching framework for sound financial management in EU spending, including building projects.
Questions derived from this document test understanding of how financial and procurement rules structure the project lifecycle and constrain choices.
2. PM² Project Management Methodology Guide v3.0.1
Duties covered: 4, 5, 6, 7
Questions test whether candidates can apply PM² concepts to building projects, rather than recalling definitions in isolation.
3. Directive (EU) 2024/1275 – Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD Recast)
Duties covered: 2, 5, 8
This Directive is central to energy performance and decarbonisation of buildings. Questions focus on how these requirements influence project scope, specifications and performance objectives.
4. Directive 2014/24/EU – Public Procurement
Duties covered: 10
This Directive governs procurement by contracting authorities, including works and services related to buildings.
Questions test how candidates handle tender design, evaluation and contract management in line with these rules.
5. Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR)
Duties covered: 5, 8; cross-cutting: safety, building technology
The CPR sets conditions for placing construction products on the market. Questions assess familiarity with how these requirements affect specification and product selection.
6. Level(s) – European Framework for Sustainable Buildings
Duties covered: 2, 5, 9
The Level(s) framework provides indicators for assessing building sustainability. Questions examine whether candidates understand how these indicators inform design choices, performance targets and cost considerations.
7. OIB Manual of Standard Building Specifications v1.2 (Performance and Technical)
Duties covered: 1, 8
This manual sets standard building specifications used within the EU institutions. Questions focus on how such specifications guide project briefs, technical design and facility management.
8. EN 17210:2021 – Accessibility – Functional Requirements (official summary)
Duties covered: 3
The focus is on integrating accessibility into project requirements and design decisions.
9. EU BIM Task Group – Handbook for the Introduction of BIM
Duties covered: 5, 7
This handbook explains how public clients can introduce Building Information Modelling (BIM). Questions test awareness of how BIM affects procurement, collaboration and information flows in building projects.
10. EMAS Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009
Duties covered: 2
EMAS sets the framework for environmental management and auditing. Questions focus on integrating EMAS principles into building project planning, monitoring and reporting.
11. Eurocodes – Introduction and Overview
Duties covered: 5, 8; cross-cutting: safety, building physics
For Field 1, the emphasis is on understanding the function of the main Eurocodes. Questions do not require detailed structural design, but expect familiarity with the role and scope of these standards.
12. Construction Sites Safety – Directive 92/57/EEC
Duties covered: 5; cross-cutting: safety by design
This Directive addresses minimum safety and health requirements on temporary or mobile construction sites. Questions focus on the project manager’s responsibilities for integrating safety into design, planning and execution.
Together, these resources form the backbone of the Field 1 question set. Candidates who understand how these documents interact in the context of EU building projects – rather than studying them in isolation – will be better positioned to interpret the questions correctly and to demonstrate the kind of structured, regulation-aware project management expected of EU building specialists.
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Field 2 | Architecture and project management
For Field 2, the questions focus on how architecture, sustainability and project management come together in the EU institutional context. They test whether candidates can apply EU rules, methodologies and standards to real-world design and refurbishment decisions: from space planning, accessibility and universal design, to lifecycle-based sustainability, facility management, BIM-based information workflows, and compliant procurement and contract management.
Rather than checking detailed engineering calculations, the questions examine whether you can interpret and balance functional, regulatory, environmental and financial constraints when making architectural and project decisions for EU buildings.
Core reference documents used for the questions
- Space standards, structural capacity, and allocation of functions.
- Technical performance for HVAC, electrical, acoustics, fire safety and building management systems.
- Sustainability choices (e.g. NZEB claims, GPP criteria when full LCA is not feasible).
- The Manual underpins many scenario-based questions on how to interpret and apply Commission building requirements in practice.
- Environmental management systems, initial environmental review and identification of significant environmental aspects.
- Environmental performance indicators, normalisation (e.g. per m², per occupant) and interpretation of emissions trends.
- Environmental statements and continuous performance improvement obligations.
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Applying GPP criteria to building materials, services and refurbishment projects.
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Waste hierarchy, circular economy in facilities (e.g. reuse vs recycling of furniture).
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How to embed minimum environmental standards in procurement (eligibility vs award criteria).
- Worst-first renovation principles and prioritisation of poorly performing buildings and envelopes.
- The “energy efficiency first” principle (fabric before systems).
- Interpretation of NZEB / very low energy demand and the requirement that energy needs are covered “to a very significant extent” by renewables.
- Conditions for building renovation activities to qualify as environmentally sustainable.
- Quantitative performance thresholds for primary energy demand reduction and related evidence requirements.
- The link between technical performance and access to sustainable finance.
- Life-cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) and life-cycle cost assessment for comparing design and system options.
- Multi-dimensional sustainability (energy, materials, water, indoor environment, climate resilience) and verification of broader sustainability commitments.
- Using life-cycle thinking in feasibility studies and ventilation/system choices.
Duties covered: 3
- European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882)
- EN 17210 – Accessibility and usability of the built environment (functional requirements)
- EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030
- EU Accessibility standardisation
- Universal Design Principles – European Commission
- Universal design and dignified, non-segregated access (entrances, internal circulation, sanitary facilities, workstations and events).
- Assistive listening, alarms, wayfinding, tactile/visual contrast, emergency evacuation and inclusive procedures.
- Integrating digital accessibility tools as a complement, not a substitute, for physical accessibility measures.
- Participatory approaches involving people with disabilities in audits and design.
- Project lifecycle, governance structures, steering committees and project charters.
- Risk, issue and change control logs, escalation triggers and lessons learned.
- Stakeholder analysis, communication and reporting strategies tailored to audiences.
- Portfolio/coordination aspects (resource conflicts, cross-project dependencies) and performance reporting.
- Portfolio-level performance indicators and comparative analysis across projects.
- Life-cycle based feasibility analysis, cost-benefit and net present value for construction investments.
- Value engineering that protects functional, sustainability and lifecycle objectives.
- Schedule and baseline management, critical path issues and contingency use.
Duties covered: 5
- Declarations of Performance (DoP) as primary proof of product conformity.
- Verification of substitutions against specified performance, particularly for insulation and other critical components.
- The link between installed products and compliance with technical specifications.
- Choice of procedure (open, restricted, competitive procedure with negotiation, innovation partnership) for complex building and automation projects.
- MEAT evaluation (price, quality, lifecycle costs, sustainability) and meaningful quality criteria design.
- Abnormally low tenders, contract modifications, framework agreements and transparency obligations.
- Non-discriminatory technical specifications based on performance (“or equivalent”).
Duties covered: 6
- Terms of reference, deliverables, milestones and acceptance criteria for consultants.
- Performance management, governance and oversight of external expertise.
13. ISO 19650 – BIM information management
Duties covered: 7
- Defining BIM information requirements (what information, when and for which decisions).
- Common Data Environment use, information status (work-in-progress, shared, published, archived) and collaboration protocols.
- BIM coordination, version control and the role of a BIM manager.
Duties covered: 7
- Proportionate analysis (study scope vs decision importance).
- Multi-criteria analysis for comparing options on cost, sustainability, disruption and timing.
- Methodology selection and evidence-based recommendations for building studies.
Alternative: ISO 41011:2017 – Facility management vocabulary (UNOFFICIAL):
- Space standards and objective allocation principles across directorates.
- Maintenance strategy (time-based vs condition-based), planned vs reactive work and shutdown coordination.
- Prioritisation of safety and compliance in maintenance studies.
16. Asset management standards – ISO 55000
Duties covered: 8
- Asset condition assessments, lifecycle planning and replacement forecasting.
- Risk registers for facilities and criticality-based maintenance and investment decisions.
Taken together, these resources provide the reference framework for Field 2 questions. They are the same documents you should consult when preparing for the Architecture and project management profile of the Building Specialists competition, and for the field-related MCQ test more broadly.
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Field 3 | Electrical engineering and project management
For Field 3, the questions focus on how electrical installations, building systems and project management are applied in a large institutional portfolio. The core aim is to see whether candidates can design, supervise and manage electrical systems that are safe, energy-efficient, accessible, compliant with EU rules, and financially well-governed.
Themes include LV distribution and protection, power quality, capacity planning, facility management, EMAS-style environmental management, EPBD energy performance, Level(s) lifecycle thinking, accessibility of controls and alarms, BIM-based information management, risk analysis (ISO 31000 / IEC 31010), and EU-compliant procurement and budget control. The focus is decision-making and judgement in an EU context, not doing hand calculations by heart.
Below are the main reference resources used when drafting the Field 3 questions.
Core reference documents used for the questions
Key for: Duties 1, 2, 5, 7, 10 (sustainability, lifecycle thinking, green tenders)
- EU GPP criteria for buildings (lighting, building systems, LCC, verification)
- General EU GPP portal (principles, criteria and guidance)
Key for: Duties 1, 2, 5, 8, 11 (portfolio energy performance, renovation strategy, “worst-first”)
Key for: Duties 2, 8, 11 (environmental management, aspects/impacts, reporting)
Key for: Duties 2, 5, 7, 8 (lifecycle assessment, energy, adaptability)
Key for: Duty 3 (functional accessibility requirements)
Key for: Duties 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (full project lifecycle, reporting, coordination)
Key for: Duties 4, 5, 7 (BIM requirements, information delivery, as-built data)
Key for: Duties 6, 7, 10, 11 (risk registers, communication, treatment)
Key for: Duties 6, 7 (methods like FMEA, fault trees, bow-tie)
Key for: Duties 1, 4, 7, 8, 11 (technical standards, verification, safety)
- Application of HD 60364 with national deviations;
- Concepts for design, protection, verification and periodic inspection;
- Underpinning for questions on cross-border standards, updates, and deviations.
Key for: Duties 4, 8, 11 (testing, inspection, periodic verification)
Key for: Duties 2, 7, 11 (energy-efficient design and operation)
Key for: Duties 2, 7, 8 (energy audits, performance, continuous improvement)
Key for: Duties 1, 8 (FM organisation, maintenance strategy, asset data)
Key for: Duties 5, 9, 10 (budgeting, commitments, controls, audits)
Key for: Duty 10 (procedures, MEAT, abnormally low bids, modifications)
Used for choice of procedure, selection vs award criteria, abnormally low tenders, contract modifications, and equal-treatment / transparency in electrical works contracts.
Taken together, these are the primary references behind the Field 3 questions. If you understand how these documents translate into concrete decisions for design, supervision, maintenance, budgeting and procurement of electrical systems, you’re exactly in the territory this profile is testing.
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Field 4 | Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineering and project management
For Field 4, the questions test how you plan, design, supervise and operate HVAC systems so that buildings are comfortable, healthy, energy-efficient and compliant with EU rules over their whole life cycle.
The focus is not on crunching psychrometric charts from memory, but on engineering judgement in a big institutional portfolio: heat-loss and cooling-load reasoning, ventilation and IAQ, historic buildings, refrigerants and F-Gas phase-down, EPBD renovation logic, EU Taxonomy alignment, maintenance and FM strategy, BIM-based coordination, risk management, procurement and financial control.
Below are the main reference resources behind the Field 4 (HVAC) questions.
Core reference documents used for the questions
1. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2024/1275
Energy performance, renovations, technical building systems, inspections
2. EU Green Public Procurement – Buildings (and general GPP)
Green technical specs, award criteria, lifecycle costing for HVAC and building services
3. Level(s) – European framework for sustainable buildings
Lifecycle GWP, lifecycle cost, energy, comfort indicators used in HVAC choices
4. EMAS – EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
Environmental aspects, HVAC as significant energy aspect, monitoring & programmes
5. F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573
Refrigerant GWP limits, phase-down, leak checking, equipment bans
6. EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act (buildings & HVAC criteria)
Sustainable finance eligibility, primary energy reduction, refrigerant GWP thresholds
7. ISO 50001 – Energy management systems
Energy baselines, EnPIs, HVAC efficiency and monitoring in an EMS context
8. European Accessibility Act (EAA) 2019/882
Accessible products and services – relevant for HVAC controls and interfaces
9. EN 17210:2021 – Accessibility and usability of the built environment
Reach ranges, control placement, user interfaces for HVAC controls
10. PM² project management methodology (including full guide)
Project governance, risk, quality, reporting and change control for HVAC projects
11. ISO 19650 – BIM for construction (information management)
BIM uses for coordination, clash detection, information requirements for building services
12. ASHRAE – HVAC design learning pathway
Fundamental HVAC design principles, loads, systems and controls
13. Midwest Alliance – HVAC design and sizing principles
Practical guidance on sizing, loads and system selection
14. REHVA – special HVAC solutions for historic buildings
Minimal-intervention HVAC strategies in heritage contexts
15. JRC / REHVA – promoting healthy and highly energy-performing buildings
Policy and technical context for energy-efficient, healthy buildings
16. JRC – efficient district heating and cooling
Systems-level view for heat networks connecting to building HVAC
17. ISO 31000 – risk management (framework)
Risk registers, treatment, communication for HVAC projects and operations
18. ISO 31010 – risk assessment techniques
FMEA, fault trees, bow-tie and other methods used in technical risk questions
19. EU study on energy performance metrics of residential buildings
How energy performance indicators are constructed and interpreted
20. REHVA – cooling load calculation
Envelope, solar and internal gains – uncertainty and methodology
21. REHVA – ventilation and indoor air quality
Ventilation rates, IAQ, CO₂, comfort and health
22. DIN Technical Report 16789-2 (draft)
German technical report on HVAC / building services, used as technical background
23. Ecodesign Regulation 2024/1781 – ventilation units
Minimum efficiency requirements for ventilation equipment
24. Psychrometrics references (CED + REHVA)
Moist air properties, cooling & dehumidification, data-centre and comfort humidity control
25. ISO 41001 – facility management systems
FM organisation, maintenance strategy, asset information for HVAC systems
26. EN 15232-1 – building automation and controls
Energy performance of building automation, control quality and technical building management
27. Camcode – HVAC preventive maintenance checklist
Very practical checklist used for maintenance-strategy questions
28. EU Financial Regulation 2018/1046
Budget, commitments, payments, carry-overs, lifecycle costing in HVAC projects
29. Public Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU
Procedures, MEAT, abnormally low tenders, modifications – for HVAC works and services
30. Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011
CE marking and product compliance framework relevant to HVAC components
Taken together, these references underpin the HVAC field questions: from loads, IAQ and psychrometrics, through energy and refrigerants, to risk, FM, budgeting and procurement.