The written exam, which in most competitions comprises a multiple choice test in the special domain of your choice and an e ssay, is the part you can control best. Why? Instead of getting a multiple choice question with four options, you are generally given 3-5 topics to choose from, therefore you can pick the one you know best. Such topics may include broad titles like "The EU's neighbourhood policy and the way ahead" or an extract from a directive based on which you must "draft a background note for your Director General". By following these essential rules, you can easily get a high passing score.