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 AD 5 Graduates competition page and on YouTube. A LinkedIn webinar dedicated to the updated AD5 testing process will take place on Monday 6 July at 17h. 

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