EPSO practice / Verbal reasoning
EPSO verbal reasoning practice
Read a short passage and choose the one statement it supports. The AD5 test has 20 questions in 35 minutes, and you need at least 10 correct.
Updated
Cities are often warmer than the surrounding countryside, especially at night. This “urban heat island” effect occurs because materials such as asphalt and concrete absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, while buildings and traffic produce additional heat. Fewer trees and green spaces also mean less shade and less cooling from evaporation.
City authorities can reduce the effect by planting trees, creating parks and green roofs, and using lighter-colored surfaces that reflect more sunlight.
Which of the following statements is correct?
The format
Each question in EPSO’s sample test gives a passage and asks “Which of the following statements is correct?” with four statements, A to D. Only the passage counts as evidence. The AD5 verbal test has 20 questions in 35 minutes, about 1 minute 45 seconds per question, and it is taken in your language 1.
Sources: notice of competition EPSO/AD/427/26 and EPSO’s sample mock test.
How to approach each question
Read the question stem first
You are looking for the one statement the passage supports. The other three are contradicted by the text or go beyond it.
Check each statement against a specific sentence
Find the sentence that proves or disproves each statement. If you cannot point to one, the statement is probably not supported.
Watch the small words
“Some”, “most”, “all”, “may” and “never” change the meaning. Many wrong statements turn a qualified claim in the passage into an absolute one.
Separate the passage from what you know
Passages cover EU institutions, history, economics, science and society. Use only what the passage says, even when you know more about the topic.
Common traps in wrong answers
- A detail from the passage attached to the wrong date, place or group.
- A cause claimed where the passage only describes a link or a correlation.
- An absolute word (“always”, “only”, “every”) replacing a qualified one.
- A statement that sounds reasonable but is never stated.
Practice verbal reasoning
Verbal reasoning test
20 original questions on EPSO’s 35-minute clock, with a full review at the end.
Verbal reasoning drill
Six untimed questions with a worked explanation after each answer.
Ready for all three tests together? Take full Part 1 practice. Read the EPSO study guide for pacing and strategy.
Common questions
How many questions are in the EPSO verbal reasoning test?
For the AD5 2026 competition, 20 questions in 35 minutes, scored 0 to 20. The pass score is 10/20, and the verbal score also counts toward your ranking: 40% of the preliminary combined score and 35% of the final combined score.
In which language is the verbal reasoning test?
In your language 1, the language you chose in your application. Our practice passages are in English.
Can I use outside knowledge?
No. Treat the passage as the only source of information. A statement can be true in the real world and still not be supported by the passage.
Original independent preparation. Not affiliated with or endorsed by EPSO or any EU institution.