What’s New for 2024…
Who is this book for?The Administrators 2024 edition is designed for candidates in all types of EPSO AD-level open competitions. It includes test types also found in CAST selections and internal competitions.
What does it include?
Chapter 1. EU Administrator selection competitions
Who the EU Administrators are and how they are selected; what the new-style EPSO competitions involve; test types and ending of Assessment Centre for new competitions; online testing; language rules; choosing your competition; CAST selections and internal competitions; tips to succeed.
Chapter 2. Succeeding in Verbal Reasoning Tests
How to take these tests – the hazards to avoid and the skills and techniques you need.
Chapter 3. Verbal Reasoning Test
100 all-new AD-level practice questions, with explanations showing which answer options are wrong, and why.
Chapter 4. Succeeding in Numerical Reasoning Tests
The essential mathematical operations you need to master and the mistakes you need to avoid, with worked examples.
Chapter 5. Numerical Reasoning Warm-Up Exercise
“Warm-up” exercise of 45 selected questions designed to explain order of magnitude, per capita/percentage calculations, speed, time and distance, equations, ratios and estimating.
Chapter 6. Numerical Reasoning Test
120 all-new mixed-type questions, with detailed answers showing all the calculations required from start to finish, the commonly made errors and the shortcuts you can take.
Chapter 7. Succeeding in Abstract Reasoning Tests
Many are confused by abstract reasoning tests – this chapter shows how such tests are designed, the essential operations and key rules to master.
Chapter 8. Abstract Reasoning Test
With 50 all-new test questions, now with comprehensive step-by-step solutions. The focus is on systematic elimination of incorrect answers to improve your accuracy and speed when working under pressure.
Chapter 9. EU knowledge test
EU knowledge testing is back, certainly for generalists, as a way of assessing candidates’ real commitment to working for the EU and understanding of its institutions, procedures and policies. The chapter has an expanded 200-question test.
Chapter 10. Digital Literacy Tests
This is a new type of test which could occur in some AD competitions. We look at what it is likely to involve.
Chapter 11. The Case Study
A written test in the form of a case study featured in EPSO AD competitions launched in 2023. A written test, as a case study or similar, to test written communication skills can be expected in all AD specialist exams.
Chapter 12. Sample Case Study
Based on the model used in EPSO competitions begun in 2023
Please note: In 2023 EPSO announced various changes to the format of open competitions. No new-style Assistants competitions have yet been published. The new style competitions will continue to include verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests.
Who is this book for?Candidates for all EPSO AST and AST-SC exams as well as equivalent-level CAST exams.
What does it include? Overview of EPSO competitions and comprehensive methodologies and practice tests for pre-selection exams.
All practice questions are designed for Assistant level and have full answer explanations so you can learn from your mistakes and improve your speed and accuracy.
What’s New for 2020…
Chapter 1. What Are Assistants and How Are They Selected?
Who the Assistants are and how EPSO selects them: reasoning and competency tests, competition cycles, chances of succeeding by competition type, language rules.
Chapter 2. Assistant Competitions Step by Step
Phases of the competitions in detail: tests taken at each stage, how they are scored, specialist tests, CAST permanent selections, reserve list and recruitment, top tips to succeed.
Chapter 3. Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning Tests in EPSO Assistant Exams
An overview of the psychometric (reasoning) tests used by EPSO and how they are measured.
Chapter 4. Succeeding in Verbal Reasoning Tests
How to take these tests – the hazards to avoid and the skills and techniques you need.
Chapter 5. Verbal Reasoning Test
150 AST-level practice questions, with explanations showing which answer options are wrong, and why.
Chapter 6. Succeeding in Numerical Reasoning Tests
The essential mathematical operations you need to master, and the mistakes you need to avoid.
Chapter 7. Numerical Reasoning Warm-Up Exercise
45 questions where you are given the answers straight away, designed to strengthen skills in order of magnitude, per capita/percentage calculations, speed, time and distance, equations, ratios and estimating.
Chapter 8. Numerical Reasoning Test 120 AST-level practice questions with detailed answers showing all the calculations required from start to finish, the commonly made errors and the shortcuts you can take.
Chapter 9. Succeeding in Abstract Reasoning Tests
Many are confused by abstract reasoning tests – this chapter shows how such tests are designed, the essential operations and key rules to master.
Chapter 10. Abstract Reasoning Warm-Up Exercise
Step by step guide to solving 20 individual worked examples. The focus is on systematic elimination of incorrect answers to improve your accuracy and speed when working under pressure.
Chapter 11. Abstract Reasoning Test
110 AST-level practice questions, testing typical series, with answers explaining the rules applied so you can work backwards to see where you went wrong.
Chapter 12. Prioritising and Organising Test
69 questions testing your ability to choose the correct or the best option in realistic office scenarios where competing priorities, budgets, people resources and schedules are involved.
Please note: EPSO has confirmed that all competitions that began prior to 2023 will continue to have the Assessment Centre tests as given in their Notices of Competition. Assessment Centre 2021 therefore remains available for candidates in those competitions
Who is this book for?
Candidates at all levels (AD or AST) preparing for the EPSO Assessment Centre. Note: Although designed specifically for the EPSO Assessment Centre this book also includes much of value to those facing other types of Assessment Centre.
What does it include?
Detailed coverage of the Assessment Centre exercises, the competencies they measure, how to prepare, and the mistakes to avoid. The 2021 edition has been updated to include coverage of the online testing introduced by EPSO during the Covid pandemic, including the new Situational Competency Based Interview.
Chapter 1. The EPSO Assessment Centre.
How the Assessment Centre works: overview of tests used for different profiles, how the assessors score the exercises, a typical day and practical information for candidates.
Chapter 2. The EPSO Competency Framework
Explains each of the EPSO general competencies in turn: Analysis and Problem Solving, Communicating, Delivering Quality and Results, Learning and Development, Prioritising and Organising, Resilience, Working with Others, Leadership. What anchors and indicators are and how they are used by EPSO.
Chapter 3. The In-tray (E-tray) Exercise
How this is conducted and scored, how to prepare, what to do and what to avoid.
Chapter 4. The Case Study
Organisation and scoring, competencies and indicators measured, how to tackle the essay, errors to avoid.
Chapter 5. The General Competency Based Interview
Competencies assessed, interview scenarios, how to prepare in advance and how to conduct yourself during the interview.
Chapter 6. The Oral Presentation
Competencies assessed, scenarios, techniques of presenting, dealing with questions, controlling your nerves.
Chapter 7. The Group Exercise
Organisation, phases and timing; roles and duties in the group, competencies measured, essential things to do and to avoid
Chapter 8. The Interview in the Field
Talent screener and sifting, methodology of the interview and types of questions, preparation. Content specially expanded for this edition.
Chapter 9. The Motivational Interview
Introduced for generalist competitions in 2019. What motivation means in the EU administration and how to prepare.
Chapter 10. The Situational Competency Based Interview A new test brought in by EPSO at the end of 2020 to replace the Group Exercise during the Covid pandemic.
Chapter 11. Recruitment
Competency passport, reserve list and hiring, how to find a job.
Chapter 12. What If You’re Not on the Reserve List?
Considering your options.
ANNEXES
Annex 1. Competencies, Anchors and Indicators
Indicators for each of the EPSO competencies, in tables. This provides background data to allow you to carry out your own self-assessment and create your own competency passport using the free app linked to the book.
Annex 2. Sample In-tray Exercise
Annex 3. Sample Case Study
Annex 4. General Competency Based Interview Questions
Annex 5. Sample Oral Presentation
Annex 6. Sample Group Exercise
Annex 7. Sample Motivational Interview Questions
Annex 8. Sample Competency Passports
Annex 9. Frequently Asked Questions
Annex 10. Glossary
Published January 2022
Please note: This book is based on the EPSO competency framework in use until 2023. Some changes have since been made, although most of the essential aspects are unaffected.
Who is this book for? All EU staff, whether permanent, temporary or contract, stagiaires, assistants and anyone planning an EU career.
What does it include? The competencies – or “soft skills” –sought by the EU institutions, what they are, and how to improve your own performance for career success.
Coach, trainer and former EU official Jan De Sutter draws on the best ideas and practice in current management thinking and applies them to the specific context of EU institutions, explaining how the various competencies fit into the EU system for staff selection, appraisal and promotion. Individual chapters explain what each competency is about, and its related “behavioural anchors”, moving on to insights and practical tips for self-improvement.
Chapter 1. Working for the EU
The many types of jobs in the EU administration, trends in recruitment and career prospects.
Chapter 2. Know Yourself to Understand Others
Personality types, different types of intelligence, and motivation.
Chapter 3. Analysis and Problem Solving
Systematic approaches to problem solving, teamwork, different types of thinking, implementation.
Chapter 4. Communicating
Oral communication, speaking in public; written communication, how to create good messages and documents; techniques for engaging your audience.
Chapter 5. Delivering Quality and Results
Defining quality; time and performance management, meeting and exceeding expectations.
Chapter 6. Learning and Development
Hard skills and soft skills, types of learning, learning and development in the EU context.
Chapter 7. Prioritising and Organising
Managing time, projects, critical paths, multitasking, planning tools.
Chapter 8. Resilience
Adapting to change, coping with stress, operating outside your comfort zone.
Chapter 9. Working with Others
Group dynamics, combing different personality types, handling meetings, being assertive.
Chapter 10. Leadership
Leaders versus managers, different leadership styles and theories, motivating others, delegating, receiving feedback.
Chapter 11. Digital persuasion Learn how to communicate effectively in the digital era – from emails to digital presentations and meetings, and how to set up a home office
Chapter12. Teleworking Meeting the special challenges of remote working and how to apply and demonstrate your competencies when working from home.
Chapter 13. United in Diversity? The EU administration faces increasing challenges around diversity issues. Be aware of your mental programming and understand how to work with and benefit from diversity
ANNEXES
Annex 1 Competencies, Anchors and Indicators
Annex 2. Glossary
Annex 3. Bibliography
