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To ensure the smooth organisation of the ongoing AD5 Graduates competition, the testing procedure has been updated and will now be organised in two parts.  

What will change for candidates? 

Instead of sitting all tests at once, candidates will complete them in two separate sittings. 

 

Part 1: reasoning tests (expected as of October/November 2026) 

All candidates who submitted a valid application will first be invited to sit the reasoning tests (verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning), which are expected to take place as of October/November 2026. 

For each candidate, these tests will take place during a single testing session on one day. 

Candidates will however be scheduled on different dates throughout the testing period. Each candidate will receive an individual invitation letter several weeks in advance indicating the exact date and time, as well as all practical details relating to their test session. Rescheduling of tests will not be possible. 

To progress to Part 2, candidates must achieve at least 10/20 in the verbal reasoning test and a combined score of at least 10/20 in the numerical and abstract reasoning tests, as set out in the Notice of Competition.    

 

Part 2: remaining tests (2027) 

Candidates who pass Part 1 will later be invited to sit the remaining tests: 

  • the EU knowledge test; 

  • the digital skills test; 

  • the free-text essay on EU matters (EUFTE). 

 

These tests will take place in 2027 on dates to be announced later. 

An amendment to the Notice of competition has been published. An updated video tutorial explaining the revised testing procedure is now available on the AD5 Graduates competition page and a video of the LinkedIn webinar dedicated to the updated AD5 testing process took place on Monday 6 July at 17h. 

We have also published a  simple and clear scheme explaining how you are assessed.

Candidates are encouraged to regularly check the EU careers website and social media channels for further updates. 

More than 170 000 people have applied to the AD5 Graduate competition which closed for applications on 10 March 2026 at 12h00 midday.

Here is the final breakdown per Member State:

Austria

1705

Belgium

7996

Bulgaria

1460

Croatia

1208

Cyprus

670

Czechia

1717

Denmark

987

Estonia

381

Finland

2700

France

10939

Germany

11699

Greece

10085

Hungary

1271

Ireland

1730

Italy

79343

Latvia

537

Lithuania

724

Luxembourg

630

Malta

299

Netherlands

2729

Poland

5777

Portugal

5033

Romania

7420

Slovakia

1659

Slovenia

435

Spain

13789

Sweden

1804

Total

174727

Of this total, 90% of the applicants is currently not working for the EU institutions. 

As announced earlier, testing will start in Autumn.

We know many of you have been waiting for updates on the AD5 Graduates selection procedure, and we are pleased to share the next step.

Testing for the AD5 Graduates selection procedure will start in autumn 2026.
The exact dates will be communicated to candidates in due time in the coming months. 

Please do not contact us for further details on the timing, not to overload our contact service: you will be informed when more details are available.

We thank all candidates for their continued interest in EU Careers.

Many candidates in the AD5 graduate competition are contacting us or their Member States authorities to ask about the next steps of the competition, especially given the unprecedented number of applicants. At EPSO, we are committed to ensuring a fair and smooth testing process. We are actively reviewing different scenarios for organising the tests, as well as alternative timelines, to ensure the process works well for everyone.

We understand that candidates are eager for information, and we will provide further updates as soon as arrangements are finalised. Updates will be published here on our website and via our social media channels.

We sincerely thank all candidates for their patience and understanding as we work to deliver a well-organised and fair testing experience for all.

The EU knowledge test consists of a multiple-choice questionnaire covering the European Union, its institutions, procedures, and main policies. 

References to the sources used to develop this test will be made available on the EPSO website approximately two months before the test date.

More than 170 000 people have applied to the AD5 Graduate competition which closed for applications on 10 March 2026 at 12h00 midday. This number has surpassed all expectations.

Breakdown per Member State:

Austria 1,706
Belgium 8,013
Bulgaria 1,467
Croatia 1,210
Cyprus 671
Czechia 1,718
Denmark 992
Estonia 382
Finland 2,702
France 10,939
Germany 11,705
Greece 10,087
Hungary 1,277
Ireland 1,733
Italy 79,450
Latvia 537
Lithuania 724
Luxembourg 630
Malta 299
Netherlands 2,734
Poland 5,782
Portugal 5,037
Romania 7,430
Slovakia 1,661
Slovenia 434
Spain 13,796
Sweden 1,806

Total 174.922 – Of this total, more than 91% of the applicants is currently not working for the EU institutions.
Please note that the numbers in this table are still rough figures, subject to change.

For background information, these are the numbers of applicants for similar competitions (AD5 grade) in previous years:

2019: 22000+

2018: 22000+

2017: 23000+

2015: 31000+

2014: 27000+

2013: 21000+

2012: 45000+

2011: 41000+

2010: 51000+

We will inform candidates about the next steps as soon as possible.