EPSO AD5 Generalists 2026 competition: dates, requirements, tests and how it’s scored
AD5 (Generalists) 2026: applications closed, tests start in November 2026
Applications for the AD5 Administrators competition (Graduate Administrators, Generalists) closed on 10 March 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time). EU Careers reports 174,727 registered applicants for 1,490 reserve-list places. EU Careers – application page
Supporting documents (degrees, etc.) had to be uploaded by 7 October 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels). Part 1 (verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning) is planned to start in November 2026: about three weeks before the first session, candidates receive an invitation letter with their testing week, and the exact date and time appear on the testing platform at least two weeks before the test. EPSO will give details of Part 2 at a later stage. Notice EPSO/AD/427/26 on EUR-Lex
What is an AD5?
An AD5 is an Administrator in the European civil service. It’s a generalist post, which means you don’t compete for a single technical profile (IT, audit, etc.) but for a broad reserve to cover general needs in institutions, bodies and agencies. EPSO states that it is looking for 1,490 candidates for this competition.
Competition summary
- Opening: 5 February 2026
- Closing: 10 March 2026 (12:00 Brussels)
- EPSO reference: EPSO/AD/427/26
- Grade: AD5
- Profile: Graduate Administrators (Generalists)
- Reserve-list places: 1.490
- Application language: any of the 24 official languages
Key dates (realistic timeline)
- Application opens: 5 February 2026 – EU Careers – Apply
- Application closes: 10 March 2026 (12:00, Brussels)
- Mandatory ID card/passport upload: until 10 March 2026 (12:00, Brussels)
- Supporting-documents upload (degrees, etc.): until 7 October 2026 (12:00, Brussels)
- Part 1 (reasoning tests): planned to start in November 2026; invitation about three weeks before
Note: the process is handled via the Single Candidate Portal and an account linked to EU Login (it’s wise to have this ready before the deadline approaches).
Eligibility requirements
General requirements
- Be a national of a Member State and enjoy full rights as a citizen.
- Have your situation in order regarding legal obligations (e.g. military service if it applies in your country).
Studies
- Completed university studies of at least 3 years, certified with a diploma whose award was decided by 30 September 2026 at the latest.
- No professional experience is required.
Languages
You must know at least two official EU languages, with minimum levels:
- Language 1: “thorough knowledge”, minimum C1
- Language 2 (different): “satisfactory knowledge”, minimum B2
And note: it’s not only “which languages you know”, but which language you sit each test in.
EPSO AD5 tests (structure and details: questions, timing and minimums)
The official Notice establishes that there will be reasoning, an EU knowledge test, a digital test and a EUFTE essay.
The current model: the competition is organised in two parts
The AD5 Generalists competition is not decided in a single exam session. Under Notice of Competition EPSO/AD/427/26, the tests are organised in two parts held in separate sessions, with an eliminatory cut between them.
Part 1 — Reasoning (in Language 1)
- Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and abstract reasoning.
- This is the first filter and is planned to start in November 2026.
- To move on to Part 2 you need at least 10/20 in verbal reasoning and a combined score of at least 10/20 across the numerical and abstract tests.
Part 2 — Knowledge and competencies (in Language 2)
- European Union knowledge test (minimum 15/30), digital competence test based on the DigComp framework (minimum 20/40) and free-text essay on EU matters, or EUFTE (minimum 5/10).
- Only candidates who pass Part 1 sit it. It is scheduled for 2027 and the exact date of each session is communicated in the individual invitation letter.
Why this split matters: several months can pass between Part 1 and Part 2, so preparation has two distinct windows. In Part 1 it is enough to secure the minimum scores in numerical and abstract reasoning, which do not count towards the final mark, while verbal reasoning does weigh in the ranking. Part 2 concentrates the tests that, together with verbal reasoning, decide the final score.
Editorial note (25 July 2026): this section was added to explain explicitly the current two-part model of competition EPSO/AD/427/26. The rest of the article — test table, thresholds and weightings — remains unchanged.
Languages by phase (very important)
- Application: any of the 24 official languages
- Reasoning: in Language 1
- EU Knowledge, Digital and EUFTE: in Language 2
Tests summary table
| Block | Language | No. of questions | Duration | Score | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Language 1 | 20 | 35 min | 0–20 | 10/20 |
| Numerical | Language 1 | 10 | 20 min | 0–10 | Combined with abstract: 10/20 |
| Abstract | Language 1 | 10 | 10 min | 0–10 | Combined with numerical: 10/20 |
| EU Knowledge | Language 2 | 30 | 40 min | 0–30 | 15/30 |
| Digital (DigComp) | Language 2 | 40 | 30 min | 0–40 | 20/40 |
| EUFTE (essay) | Language 2 | — | 40 min | 0–10 | 5/10 |
How EPSO scores
Here’s the part that completely changes how you should prepare:
- Not all tests count towards the mark (though you have to pass them)
The Notice makes clear (Table 6) what goes into the preliminary mark and the final mark:- Verbal: does count (preliminary and final)
- EU Knowledge: does count (preliminary and final)
- Digital: does count (preliminary and final)
- EUFTE: does not count in the preliminary, does in the final
- Numerical + Abstract: does not are not included in the preliminary or the final (but you must pass the minimum to continue)
Weights:
- Preliminary: Verbal 40% + EU 30% + Digital 30%
- Final: Verbal 35% + EU 25% + Digital 25% + EUFTE 15%
Practical implication: you can “pass” numerical+abstract, but your real position is decided by Verbal + EU + Digital (and then the EUFTE finishes it off).
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The “real cut” happens before the EUFTE is marked
EPSO ranks by the preliminary mark and calls a number of candidates that in principle does not exceed 1.5× the places (except for adjustments due to ties).
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Processing order
If a candidate doesn’t reach the minimum in a test, their participation ends and no further answers/scripts are processed nor is eligibility reviewed. -
Reserve list: it isn’t a job offer and isn’t ranked publicly
- Names are listed alphabetically.
- Being on the list does not guarantee recruitment.
- Ties for the last place: all tied candidates are included.
Reasoning Test
Although numerical and abstract have to be passed, they don’t count in the preliminary or the final mark: they only require the minimum to continue. In contrast, verbal does count with a very high weight.
The goal isn’t to “be perfect at everything”, but to secure the minimums in numerical+abstract and raise your verbal mark (because verbal is what positions you in the ranking).
EU Knowledge explained
Without turning it into an endless syllabus, what’s usually essential to master:
- Institutions and bodies: who does what (Commission, Parliament, Council, European Council, CJEU, ECB, Court of Auditors, etc.).
- Legislative process and budget: at least the key concepts (ordinary legislative procedure, the role of each institution, the broad lines of the budget cycle).
- Main policies: internal market, competition, trade, climate/energy, digital, migration/asylum, etc., at their “architecture” level (what it is, what it’s for, who decides).
In EPSO MCQs, the typical traps are:
- Nearly identical options where one word changes (“adopts” vs “proposes”; “Council” vs “European Council”).
- Questions that don’t seek memorisation but understanding of roles (“which institution has X function?”).
- “Architecture” questions: fitting an element into the system (procedures, institutional balance, priorities, etc.).
What the digital test is like
EPSO links the digital test to the DigComp and specifies the areas assessed:
- Information and data literacy
- Communication and collaboration
- Digital content creation
- Safety
- Problem solving
EUFTE (essay): what it really measures (and why it's prepared differently)
The Notice adds two key details:
- The documentation on EU affairs is published in advance and is also handed out during the exam along with the question.
- The EUFTE isn’t a language test nor one of “factual knowledge”; it’s marked with anchors (published criteria).
7 common mistakes when applying (and how to avoid them)
- Leaving submission to the last minute and failing over an account/registration glitch (EU Login/portal).
- Not uploading your ID card/passport in time.
- Choosing badly Language 2 (sitting EU + Digital + EUFTE in a “weak” language).
- Underestimating the digital test (because it’s “computer-based”).
- Studying EU by rote: the MCQ format demands structural understanding (institutions, processes, policies).
- Not practising the EUFTE under real time pressure (40 min).
- Not planning the long period: supporting documents are uploaded later, but there’s a deadline.
Frequently asked questions about the Graduates AD5 competition
TESTS FROM NOVEMBER 2026 · GRADUATES AD5
Do I need professional experience?
No: the Notice states that no experience is required.
What language level is required?
Minimum C1 in one language and B2 in a different one.
Which language do I sit each test in?
Reasoning in Language 1; EU/Digital/EUFTE in Language 2.
Do all the tests count towards the mark?
No. Numerical and abstract require a minimum but don't count in the preliminary or final mark; verbal/EU/digital do, and the EUFTE counts only in the final.
Are the tests in person or online?
Both the application and the tests will be remote, with webcam supervision (built-in or not).
Can I apply if I'm still finishing my degree?
The competition requires the diploma (or award decision) to be dated by 30/09/2026 at the latest.
