An abstract reasoning test is a cognitive assessment that evaluates an individual's ability to identify patterns, logical relationships, and rules within non-verbal based visual information, typically presented as a series of shapes, symbols, or images.
It measures one's ability to think abstractly and conceptually, which is essential for problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
This test is part of the three reasoning pre-selection tests (VNAR).
Glossary of terms commonly used in EPSO selection procedures.
Abstract reasoning test
Administrator (AD)
European permanent officials are classified into three groups: Administrators (AD), Assistants (AST) and Secretaries/Clerks (ASC-SC).
Becoming an Administrator (AD) requires a college or university diploma and successful completion of an EPSO competition for an open-ended contract.
With grades ranging from AD 5 to AD 16, Administrators work in various sectors such as justice, law, finance, trade, environment, human resources, communication, translation, and more. Their duties include policy development, analysis, regulatory tasks, international negotiations, stakeholder engagement, and drafting and checking EU legal texts.
Selection and recruitment at higher AD grades require relevant experience and management skills.
See also Permanent officials related FAQs.
Anchors
Anchors are the elements taken into consideration by test markers (i.e. assessors) when assessing a given competency.
For competency 4 (Self-management), an anchor would for example be “Responds calmly to obstacles and is able to distance themselves from frustration and negativity”.
All anchors and competencies can be found here: EPSO’s Competency Framework
Assistant (AST)
European permanent officials, are classified into three groups: Administrators (AD), Assistants (AST) and Secretaries/Clerks (ASC-SC).
Assistants (AST) are required to have either a high school or vocational school diploma, with or without professional experience.
However, for AST3 positions, which involve areas like financial management, project management, communication, or related subjects, a higher level qualification or professional experience is necessary.
See also Permanent officials related FAQs.
CAST (Contract agent selection tool)
CAST, or Contract Agents Selection Tool, is an open-ended recruitment process without application deadlines. It aims to recruit Contract agents/contract staff.
See also: Contract agents related FAQs.
Contract agent/contract staff
Contract agents (or staff) carry out a number of manual or administrative tasks and may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an insufficient number of permanent officials is available.
They are generally recruited for fixed-term contracts (maximum 6 years in any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite duration (in Offices, Agencies, Delegations or Representations).
See also: Contract agents related FAQs and Cast permanent selection procedure.
EASI (Experience Assessment)
EASI is a tool aimed at providing optional feedback to interested candidates to help them understand better their likelihood of admission (eligibility) to a competition, based on their qualifications and professional experience, compared to the requirements laid down in the Notice of Competition.
EPSO Account
Before being able to apply for specific selection procedures, all candidates need to create an EPSO Account on the EPSO website, where they input personal information, qualifications, language proficiency, and other relevant data.
See also the EPSO Account related FAQs.
FGI (Function group 1 CAST)
FGI is one of the 4 function groups for the contract staff position.
It includes grades 1-3 and the following categories of tasks: Manual and administrative support service tasks, performed under the supervision of officials or temporary staff.
See also the related FAQs and the salary table for contract agents (applicable from 1 January 2024).
FGII (Function group 2 CAST)
FGII is one of the 4 function groups for the contract staff position.
It includes grades from 4-7 and the following categories of tasks: Clerical and secretarial tasks, office management and other equivalent tasks, performed under the supervision of officials or temporary staff.
See also the related FAQs and the salary table for contract agents (applicable from 1 January 2024).
FGIII (Function group 3 CAST)
FGIII is one of the 4 function groups for the contract staff position.
It includes grades from 8 to 12 and the following categories of tasks: Executive , drafting, accountancy and other equivalent technical tasks, performed under the supervision of officials or temporary staff.
See also the related FAQs and the salary table for contract agents (applicable from 1 January 2024).
FGIV (Function group 2 CAST)
FGIV is one of the 4 function groups for the contract staff position.
It includes grades from 13-18 and the following categories of tasks: Administrative, advisory, linguistic and equivalent technical tasks, performed under the supervision of officials or temporary staff.
See also the related FAQs and the salary table for contract agents (applicable from 1 January 2024).
Field-related multiple-choice questionnaire (FRMCQ)
The field-related multiple choice questionnaire (FRMCQ) includes a series of questions, which are designed to test the skills and the knowledge related to the field of the competition. The questions are based on the duties required for the specific profile. Each question is linked to four different answer options, only one of which is correct.
Further information is indicated in the Notice of Competition and in the invitation letter.
Field-Related Short Text Questionnaire (FRSTQ)
This test is designed to assess a candidate's field-specific expertise. The questions require concise, experience-based answers that demonstrate the candidate's knowledge and skills in the field.
Candidates will receive 10 questions and have 60 minutes to complete the test, with each answer limited to 500 characters, including spaces.
Field-related written test (FRWT)
The field-related written test (FRWT) aims to assess the written communication skills and the knowledge in the relevant field of the competition.
See the related FAQs.
Free-text essay on EU matters (EUFTE)
The EUFTE is a free-text essay on EU matters aimed at assessing a candidate's written communication skills.
See also: Written test.
Junior Professionals Programme (JPP)
The Junior Professionals Programme (JPP) is a talent development and recruitment initiative of the European Commission, aimed at attracting and integrating young professionals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets into the EU institutions.
This programme provides participants with valuable on-the-job experience, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute to the Commission's work in various policy areas.
JPP offers recent graduates and young professionals a 3-year temporary agent contract, including a 12-month traineeship programme, during which they gain hands-on experience in different departments and Directorates-General of the European Commission.
This immersive experience allows participants to build their professional networks, enhance their skills, and contribute to the EU's mission of promoting sustainable development, democracy, and values.
Throughout the JPP, participants are provided with mentorship from experienced staff members, opportunities to attend training sessions, and access to professional development resources. The JPP offers a limited number of temporary agent positions (up to 70 per year), giving the successful candidates an opportunity take part in internal competitions (open to all other eligible staff) to become permanent officials at the end of the programme.
More information about the Junior Professionals Programme, including eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits, can be found on the European Commission's website.
Laureate/successful candidate
In line with EPSO’s selection procedures, a “laureate” is a candidate who has passed all stages of EPSO testing procedures and has been placed on the reserve list published by EPSO at the end of each competition and used by EU institutions for their specific recruitment needs.
See the related FAQs.
MCQ (Multiple choice questionnaire)
Multiple-Choice Questionnaire is a common format used in EPSO exams. In this format, test-takers are presented with a question and a set of possible answer choices. They must select the correct or most appropriate answer from the given options. MCQs are designed to evaluate the test-taker's knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply concepts in a specific context.
One of the most used MCQs in EPSO selection procedures is the VNAR/reasoning test.
See also the related FAQs.
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is one of the European Union’s founding principles. Selection procedures published by EPSO as of 2024 provide candidates with the possibility of doing all their tests in any one of the EU’s 24 official languages. The requirement to use two different languages for taking the selection tests in any given competition continues to apply.
Specific conditions apply to competitions for linguistic profiles. For details, always refer to the respective Notice of Competition.
You can learn more about the EU’s 24 official languages on the Europa website: Languages, multilingualism, language rules | European Union (europa.eu)