It has come to EPSO’s attention that during the testing session of 6 March 2025, for the ongoing Translator competitions (EPSO/AD/414-4212/24 – 8 languages), EPSO’s external contractor allowed a set-up defect in some of the multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) tests. This led to a high number of candidates submitting more than one answer, despite the explicit mention in the instructions that there was only one correct answer.

EPSO analysed the situation thoroughly and with the unanimous agreement of the Selection Boards concerned, concluded that to ensure equal treatment among all candidates, it will have to retest all candidates who were present at the online testing session of 6 March 2025 (candidates with a justified reason for absence will also be invited). Therefore, new tests will be organised with new test content of an equivalent level of difficulty.

Retesting date: 14 May 2025.

Formal invitation letters to the retesting session will be sent out via the EPSO Account to all the candidates concerned, as soon as possible, and at least two weeks before the date of the planned session.

EPSO and the Selection Board will only consider the results of the new testing session planned for 14 May 2025. The test scores of the 6 March 2025 irregular testing session will be invalidated.

All the candidates concerned have already been informed by EPSO of this decision through their respective EPSO Account. This communication is complementary to that. Further information regarding this situation will continue to be communicated to the candidates concerned via their respective EPSO Account. Moreover, any complaints linked to the test content of the initial testing session will not be processed by EPSO.

EPSO understands well the impact of this regrettable situation and wishes to apologise on behalf of its external contractor. However, this measure, taken after very careful consideration, is the best way to ensure the competitions’ integrity and equal treatment of all candidates.