Reasoning skills tests:

• Verbal (assesses your ability to think logically and understand verbal, numerical information). Try our short verbal sample tests.
• Numerical (assesses your ability to think logically and understand numerical information). Try our short numerical sample tests.
• Abstract (assesses your ability to think logically and understand the relations between concepts involving no linguistic, spatial or numerical elements). Try our short abstract sample tests.

Ready to go one step further? Then try our long version of verbal, numerical and abstract sample tests, also in a quiz format.  You can also consult an accessible version of these sample tests.

Please note that currently, these sample tests are only available in EN, FR and DE. Learn more about EPSO’s current work on this topic here.

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.

This is a computer-based test based on a relevant scenario, in which the candidate is faced with various problems that the candidate is asked to solve or to which the candidate must react, relying solely on the material provided.

The Case Study assignment assesses the written communication competency. Markers (i.e. those individuals who mark the tests) base their assessment on the specific anchors of this competency. EPSO markers are advised that grammar or spelling mistakes in themselves should not be taken into consideration in the assessment.

Case study mock test

With EPSO’s move towards a full 24-language regime a new type of test will be introduced by EPSO in its selection procedures, as of 2024: the written test, a test aimed at assessing candidates’ written communication skills. The written test will replace the case study*.

Under the term written test, there are three different types of tests that EPSO will use according to the needs expressed by the recruiting services for each competition:

1. Written test (WT) related to the field(s) of the competition, assessing only written communication skills. 
2. Field-related written test (FRWT), assessing written communication skills and knowledge in the relevant field of the competition.
3. Free-text Essay on EU matters (EUFTE), assessing only written communication skills. 

Candidates will be required to respond to the test assignment(s) based on the documentation provided by EPSO and related to the field(s) of the competition, as specified in the notice of competition.

The written test is not a language test. Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the specific ‘anchors’ listed below (‘anchors’ are the elements taken into consideration by test markers (i.e. assessors) when assessing a given competency).

‘Anchors’ for written communication skills:

The candidate:

1. structures the written communication with a logical flow of ideas.​
2. writes concisely without use of unnecessary words and sentences.​
3. presents subject-matter in an understandable way.​
4. adapts/tailors their writing to match the intended audience and purpose.​
5. uses the information provided to deal with the assignment.

*Case studies will continue to be used for some ongoing competitions.