Upcoming EPSO competitions in 2026
EPSO competitions are the main selection route for many careers in European Union institutions. This guide explains the main competition types, what candidates should expect and how to prepare for reasoning tests.
What is EPSO?
EPSO stands for the European Personnel Selection Office. It manages selection procedures for roles in EU institutions, bodies and agencies. Competitions may target generalist profiles or specialist fields such as law, economics, finance, IT, audit or policy.
Main EPSO competition types
AD competitions
AD roles are administrator positions. These are often suitable for graduates and professionals interested in policy, analysis, regulation, project work or specialist EU careers.
AST competitions
AST roles are assistant-level positions. They usually involve operational, administrative or support responsibilities.
CAST selections
CAST selections are used for contract agent positions. These may cover several profiles and can include computer-based reasoning tests.
Expected EPSO competitions in 2026
EPSO competition calendars may change during the year. The profiles below are commonly expected or historically recurring in EU recruitment cycles.
AD5 Generalist
Entry-level administrator competition often including abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning tests.
EPSO IT Specialists
Specialist profiles for IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, systems and digital services.
Finance & Audit
Profiles linked to financial analysis, audit, accounting and EU budget management.
CAST Selections
Contract agent profiles frequently used by EU institutions across multiple domains and departments.
Translators & Linguists
Language-related competitions covering translation, interpretation and multilingual communication.
Policy & Legal Profiles
Competitions related to EU law, public policy, governance and regulatory analysis.
Official competition notices, deadlines and application details should always be verified on the official EU Careers / EPSO website.
Visit the official EPSO website →Reasoning tests in EPSO preparation
Many EPSO-style selection processes include reasoning tests. Candidates often prepare for abstract reasoning, numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning because these tests measure speed, accuracy and logical thinking under time pressure.
How to prepare
A good preparation plan combines timed practice, review of wrong answers and repeated exposure to different question types. Candidates should avoid practicing only the category they already find easy.
- Practice with a countdown timer
- Review answers after each test
- Train abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning separately
- Repeat weak categories more often
- Track progress over multiple sessions
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