Visions of test dates dancing in our heads
We've checked the list, we've checked it twice - finding out if EPSO's been naughty or nice. The long list of planned 2026 competitions remains unchanged since the update in November. If you want to check it yourself to see what's coming up next year, the updated list is here.
What’s been stirring (besides mulled wine)... EPSO finally released the number of validated applications by profile for the Building Specialists competition. The Data AD7 competition is still open for applications - but not for long. CAST candidates have a fresh batch of 2026 test dates to look forward to.
Jingle all the way...EURACTIV made EPSO's bells ring with two articles revealing internal emails and candidate complaints about glitches during remote testing. Think: test platforms not working, candidates losing time, and warnings that may not have been fully heeded.
Free, festive, and full of answers: Join us on (NEW DATE!) 12 December for our final Ask Me Anything webcast of the year with EU exams experts András Baneth and Luc Gillis. It’s the perfect chance to unwrap some clarity before the year wraps up. Register here - no tinsel required.
---------------------------------------
Data LUX: tick-tock... The AD7 Data Management and Data Knowledge competition is still open for applications until 16 December at noon sharp. These are Luxembourg-based roles for experienced professionals in data governance, management, analytics and related fields. For those looking to prepare, EU Training has created tailored EPSO prep packages - including Field-Related MCQ practice questions. If you missed the info webcast, you can still watch the recording here.
---------------------------------------
Dear Epso, All we want for Christmas is a test date for the Building Specialists competition. Just… not in the first week of January. There was finally some movement on the four profiles. EPSO published the total number of validated applications: 3173 across all four profiles, competing for 411 spots on the reserve lists.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Prep packages for all four profiles are available:
---------------------------------------
New year, new CAST test dates. The final CAST test session for 2025 took place on 19 November. There is no December date, but EPSO has now published the first few CAST Reasoning Skills test days for 2026:
- 21 January
- 25 February
- 31 March
If you’re waiting to be invited, use the downtime to sharpen your reasoning skills, these workshops are a surefire way to help do just that.
Fun fact: What does CAST actually stand for?
CAST = Contract Agents Selection Tool. It used to be explained clearly on the EPSO website, but this reference seems to have disappeared. CAST Permanent is the selection process for contract agent roles, mostly on fixed-term contracts (up to six years). In some cases, especially in agencies or delegations, indefinite contracts are possible.
There’s no application deadline, but once you're in the database, EPSO manages the testing phase. It’s a slow-moving process, but worth being in the pool.
---------------------------------------
That’s it for December. We’ll be back in the new year with whatever updates EPSO throws our way (or doesn’t). Until then, enjoy the slow down, Happy Holidays and don’t let your EPSO account go stale.