EPSO practice / Study guide
How to prepare for the EPSO reasoning tests
Part 1 of competition EPSO/AD/427/26 – Administrators (AD 5) is three reasoning tests. Know the format, learn a method for each question type and practice under the real clocks.
Updated
Choose practiceThe pass rule shapes your strategy
You need at least 10 of 20 in verbal reasoning and at least 10 of 20 across numerical and abstract reasoning combined. Verbal reasoning is the only reasoning test that also counts toward your ranking, at 40% of the preliminary combined score and 35% of the final combined score. Numerical and abstract reasoning are pass or fail only.
- Aim well above 10 in verbal reasoning: every extra point there helps your ranking.
- Treat numerical and abstract reasoning as one target of 10 out of 20. A strong numerical score can make up for a weaker abstract score, and the other way around.
- Find out which of the two you score higher on in practice, and make sure that one is reliable.
Pacing
| Test | Questions | Time | Average per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | 20 | 35 minutes | 1 min 45 s |
| Numerical reasoning | 10 | 20 minutes | 2 min 00 s |
| Abstract reasoning | 10 | 10 minutes | 1 min 00 s |
Abstract reasoning is the tightest at one minute per question. In our timed practice you can flag a question and return to it before the clock runs out; the same habit keeps one hard question from costing you several easy ones.
Methods for each test
Verbal reasoning
Choose the one statement the passage supports. Check each statement against a specific sentence, and watch for absolute words that the passage does not use.
Verbal guideNumerical reasoning
Locate the exact figures, check units, estimate, then calculate. Know percentage change, shares, ratios, conversions and compound growth.
Numerical guideAbstract reasoning
Track one feature at a time through the five figures, predict the sixth, then eliminate options that break any part of the rule.
Abstract guideA plan for the weeks before your test
First week
Take one drill in each test type. Read every explanation, including why the wrong options fail. Note which rule types and calculations slow you down.
Second week
Take the verbal, numerical and abstract tests separately under their clocks. Review every miss and every question you left blank.
Third week onward
Take full Part 1 practice: all three tests back to back, each on its own clock. Between sittings, drill the test type with the lowest score.
Final days
Practice at the time of day of your test week, check EPSO’s remote testing instructions and set up your room and equipment as they require.
EPSO says Part 1 is planned to start in November 2026. About three weeks before the first testing session, candidates receive an invitation letter in their Single Candidate Portal account with the week of their tests; the exact date and time appear on the testing platform at least two weeks before the test. EU Careers testing update
Practice in your test language
EPSO sets the reasoning tests in your language 1. Our questions are in English. Use them to learn the methods and the timing, and use the EU Careers sample tests to read questions in your own language and see EPSO’s testing interface.
After Part 1
Candidates who pass the reasoning tests go on to Part 2 in 2027, in language 2: an EU knowledge test (30 questions in 40 minutes, pass score 15/30), a digital skills test (40 questions in 30 minutes, pass score 20/40) and a free-text essay on EU matters (40 minutes, pass score 5/10). EPSO says it will provide references to the sources used for the EU knowledge test about two months before that test. Our practice covers Part 1.
Sources: notice of competition EPSO/AD/427/26, AD5 testing in two parts.
What a practice score means
Our results apply EPSO’s pass scores to your practice counts so you can see where you stand against the thresholds. The section furthest below its pass score is the one to drill next.
Original independent preparation. Not affiliated with or endorsed by EPSO or any EU institution.