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EPSO Guide

EPSO Guide 2026: how to work in the institutions of the European Union

EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) is the body that selects staff for the EU institutions — the Commission, the Parliament, the Council, the Court of Justice and the agencies. This guide brings together the free resources, competition analyses and study methodology you need to prepare for any EPSO procedure in 2026: officials’ competitions (AD, AST, AST/SC), contract agents (CAST), traineeships and specialist profiles.

Securing a post in Brussels, Luxembourg or the EU delegations is highly competitive: it requires understanding the EPSO format, preparing the psychometric tests methodically and planning your study wisely. Here you will find everything you need to do so, updated for the EPSO 2026 competitions.

Which languages do I need for EPSO? Language 1, language 2 and the language of each test

Languages in EPSO competitions: language 1 (C1) and language 2 (B2), which language each AD5 test is taken in, how to choose and why you cannot change later.
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The EPSO EUFTE essay: what it is, how it is assessed and how to prepare

What the EUFTE (EU free-text essay) is in EPSO competitions, at which stage it appears, how it is assessed and how to prepare for it step by step.
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EU Login and the Single Candidate Portal: how to apply for an EPSO competition step by step

What EU Login and the Single Candidate Portal are, how they differ, and how to apply for an EPSO competition step by step, including the most common mistakes to avoid.
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What is the FRMCQ in the EU Auditors exam?

The FRMCQ (Field-Related Multiple Choice Questions) is the technical knowledge test that EPSO includes in the AD7 Auditors competition. Here …

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EPSO Abstract Reasoning: visual patterns and a solving method

The five visual patterns that recur most in EPSO tests, a four-step solving method and the mistakes that cost the most points.
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EPSO Numerical Reasoning: tables, ratios and quick estimation

The types of numerical question in EPSO, quick estimation techniques with tables and charts, and the reading errors that cost the most.
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EPSO Verbal Reasoning: types of distractor and strategy

What the EPSO verbal test is like, the four most common types of distractor and the strategy for answering using only what the text says.
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EPSO Reasoning 2026: the three tests and practice tests

An overview of the three EPSO reasoning tests (verbal, numerical and abstract), how they work and where to practise with real tests.
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Structure of the EPSO 2026 tests: stages, format and how scoring works

How EPSO tests work today: online on the TAO platform with automated proctoring by Proctorio, which tests each 2026 competition sets, and how the AD5 Graduates competition is scored.
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What is EPSO and how does it work? The EU competition system in 2026

What EPSO is and how the European Union competition system works in 2026: stages, staff categories, profiles and how to apply.
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How long do you need to prepare for EPSO? Hours and months by profile

How many hours and months it takes to prepare for EPSO depending on your profile and starting level, with a realistic study timeline.
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European Commission priorities 2024-2029: the seven priorities of the von der Leyen II mandate

The seven priorities of the von der Leyen II Commission for 2024-2029 and what they mean for the EU Knowledge test in EPSO competitions.
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EPSO study plan in 6 months: calendar, stages and weekly workload

A 6-month EPSO study plan: month-by-month calendar, stages and weekly workload to reach the exam well prepared.
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How to prepare the Graduates AD5 test from scratch: what nobody tells you before you start

Everything you need to know before preparing the EPSO Graduates AD5 test: structure, tests, timing and practical tips.
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TAO in EPSO: how the exam platform works

A practical guide to TAO in EPSO: what it is, how to navigate the platform and which tools to use (eliminate options, calculator, scratchpad) in Reasoning, Digital, EU and EUFTE.
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