TRAINING | SFE

Trainings

ASSESSMENT CENTRE

On the EPSO website, here is the definition of the Assessment Centre:

The purpose of the Assessment Centre is to assess your general and/or specific competencies by means of different exercises, the content of which is validated by the selection board: a case study, a group exercise, an oral presentation, a structured interview, an interview in the field, an e-tray, etc. For detailed information about the tests and the test languages see the notice of competition. [...]

During each exercise, you will be observed/evaluated in a systematic way by at least 2 trained assessors. Your final results are based on the evaluation of each competency tested through the Assessment Centre exercises.

For organisational reasons, the case study may be organised in test centres in the Member States, separately from the other Assessment Centre tests, which will normally be held in Brussels or Luxembourg.

The 'assessment centre' and its oral tests, which have been held since 2010, will cease to exist.

However, candidates' general skills will continue to be assessed at interviews organised after the reserve lists have been drawn up by the recruiting departments of the EU institutions concerned. The choice of people to be recruited remains entirely up to the institutions themselves.

MCQ REASONING TESTS - CBT

What are the Computer Based Tests?

Imported from Anglo-Saxon countries, computer reasoning tests allow candidates to be assessed on their skills in a stressful situation without taking knowledge into account.

Computer tests are multiple choice questions where the candidate must answer very quickly by selecting the answer (s) that they deem right. The challenges of these tests are the management of time, stress and the ability to find answers logically, thanks to fast reading (verbal reasoning), visual logic (abstract reasoning), reading numerical information and mathematics ( numerical reasoning). The CAST and Competition will be choosing the candidates with the best results.

You can see what the EPSO exam software looks like on this official link.

Please note: EPSO tests are now carried out remotely on your private computer, not your work computer (see the EPSO article on this subject).

Here is the detail of the training offered by SFE on multiple choice reasoning tests:

Note: This webinar alone will likely not be sufficient to fully prepare you for reasoning tests.
It is strongly recommended that you complement this session with personal practice, including exercises, timed series, and targeted corrections, in order to make steady progress and maximize your chances of success in the exam.

Duration: 6h00 (in 2 sessions in the evening) between 18h00 to 21h00

Adequate training for all CBT, whatever the level (CAST and competitions)

Presentation of the tests, Numerical, Abstract and Verbal reasoning. For each test: methodology, test, answers

This training is also open to people outside the institutions.

Available languages: in English or in French. The courses are idendical.

This training is webinar. A good Internet connexion is required.

Headphones recommended. Chatbox available during sessions

Temporary course materials and recorded video available for 2 weeks

Training coached by:

Orseu concours is the leader in the training of future European functionaries and in the preparation for the European EPSO competitions.

Next dates:

* 24 & 15 September 2025 in ENGLISH

Places available: 30/30

Registration until 21 September

* 1 & 2 October 2025 in FRENCH

Places available: 30/30

Registration until 28 September

Please register and complete your payment before the closing date indicated above.

Our next training will be scheduled for September.

Need help?

About training courses or membership?
You can contact Cyril in English or French.

If the electronic form opposite does not work (or if you are on the mobile version), you can download and complete the PDF form by clicking on the button below, then send it to us by email with your proof of transfer.

BOOKS

EPSO section

Registration details

As a non-member of SFE / person external to the European Institutions

Registration is mandatory via this form above. An automatic email will be sent to you explaining the steps to follow (check your spam folder).

Mandatory payment by bank transfer (130€ per course) before the registration deadline.

This payment allows you to attend the course as a non-member of the SFE union, and/or if you do not work in the European Institutions.

Price: 130€ (non-member) per course

IBAN: BE60 7340 1153 9470

BIC: KREDBEBBXXX

Communication: CBT – DATE + YOUR NAME

You are already an SFE member

If you are an SFE member in good standing, you must register via this form above before the closing date for course registrations. The email address you provide will be used to communicate with you (check your spam folder).

It's FREE, quick and easy!

You would like to become a member of SFE

Just fill in our membership form, available here, and specify the desired training date.

Minimum membership period: 1 year.

Contributions (refer to your base salary):

- 24€ (Salary up to 1800€ or retired)

- 48€ (Between 1801€ & 2480€)

- 96€ (Between 2481€ & 3470€)

- 144€ (Between 3471€ & 4470€)

- 192€ (Over 4471€)

Who can join the SFE?: AD, AST, AST-SC, CA 3a and 3b.

In addition, Seconded National Experts (END), External (EXT), Temporary Agents (T) and Blue Book trainees can join the SFE union by following the same dues schedule above and referring to the allowance they receive from the administration.

The effective payment (non-member or membership) assures you a definitive place within the limit of the available places planned. Any registration after the close of registration will be refused.

Please be aware of possible typos when filling in our forms.

SFE cannot be held responsible if your email address is invalid.

As soon as the SFE union has received your payment, you will receive an email confirming your registration. You will have the opportunity to change your email address (private or professional) before the deadline indicated in the email.
A few days before the course, SFE will contact you to send you the course materials. These materials and the webinar recording will be available for two weeks after the training.
Finally, the day before the webinars, you will receive two links from ORSEU Concours by email ("DIGITAL SAMBA INVITATION") to connect to the webinar.
If you have any problems accessing the documents or webinars, please contact our service provider before the start of the sessions: orseu concours.

The SFE union wishes you an excellent training and success in your tests!

As a reminder...

Once the training has been provided by our partner, whether you attend or not, you cannot claim any refund.
The documents provided are the exclusive property of our service provider ORSEU Concours. Under no circumstances may they be supplied by the SFE union beyond the two-week deadline.
If you register after the deadline or if we have no more places available, you will receive a full refund (or you can register for a future course on the same theme, at the same price for non-members).
SFE training courses are not official for DG HR, EPSO or your hierarchy. They are not considered as working time! A certificate of registration can be provided on request.
The SFE union is not responsible for the content of the training given.
If you have a problem during your test, if you have been treated unequally, or any other problem, we advise you to consult our page dedicated to EPSO.

NEW COMPETITION

Sources: official EPSO website

Verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests

The verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests remain part of the selection procedures. Usually, results will not be ranked, one will only need a pass mark. The weight given to each of the three skills may vary depending on the profile being selected.

An EU Knowledge test for generalist competitions
A Field-related Multiple-choice Questionnaire for specialist competitions

The focus of the EU knowledge test, for instance, will be on meaningful substance questions related to the functioning of the EU, its policies and procedures.

Candidates will have the opportunity to check online the sources used to create this test, making it accessible even to those who have never studied EU affairs at university or worked previously in this field. The source materials used for the creation of this test will be published at the same time of publication of the Notice of Competition.

No source materials will be published by EPSO for the field-related multiple-choice questionnaire for specialist competitions.

Case Study

Some competitions will include a case study to assess candidates’ written communication skills (i.e. drafting skills).

Written test

With EPSO’s move towards a full 24-language regime a new type of test will be introduced by EPSO in its selection procedures, as of 2024: the written test, a test aimed at assessing candidates’ written communication skills. The written test will replace the case study*.

Under the term written test, there are three different types of tests that EPSO will use according to the needs expressed by the recruiting services for each competition:

Written test (WT) related to the field(s) of the competition, assessing only written communication skills.
Field-related written test (FRWT), assessing written communication skills and knowledge in the relevant field of the competition.
Free-text Essay on EU matters (EUFTE), assessing only written communication skills.

Candidates will be required to respond to the test assignment(s) based on the documentation provided by EPSO and related to the field(s) of the competition, as specified in the notice of competition.

The written test is not a language test. Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the specific ‘anchors’ listed below (‘anchors’ are the elements taken into consideration by test markers (i.e. assessors) when assessing a given competency).

‘Anchors’ for written communication skills:

The candidate:

Writes concisely without use of unnecessary words and sentences.
Presents subject-matter in an understandable way.
Adapts/tailors their writing to match the intended audience and purpose.
Uses the information provided to deal with the assignment.
Written communication is structured with a logical flow of ideas.

*Case studies will continue to be used for some ongoing competitions.

A digital skills test

A digital skills test will be introduced for some competitions, in line with the needs of the EU institutions and bodies that EPSO serves.

INTERNAL COMPETITION

What is a Internal Competition?

In 2010, the Staff Regulations of the European institutions provided for a new type of internal competition in order to promote agents through a new system called a "talent screener" set up by EPSO. This is an online questionnaire to be completed carefully on the personal EPSO account of the candidate "specialist" in one or more subjects (etc.). It is therefore strongly recommended to be precise in the answers provided while demonstrating a perfect understanding of the questions asked (sometimes redundant, we could compare it to verbal reasoning). The answers will then be read, verified and marked with a scale by the members of the EPSO jury which will define the candidates selected for the second test of the internal competition: the oral test.

Some candidates (according to the competition notice) will have to take the computer based tests (or CBT which means = verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning) as the first test.

NB: even if you cannot participate in an internal competition, whatever the reason, the training offered is ideal for teaching you to prepare for an oral test, to know the jury's expectations and to perfect your presentation and your motivations.

Our books

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THE EUROPEAN UNION KNOWLEDGE TEST

What is a European Union knowledge test?

Since 2023, EPSO has introduced a new test in AD5 and above competitions, as well as internal competitions. This is a multiple-choice test (MCQ) on your knowledge of how the European Union works, its policies and its procedures.

You should familiarise yourself with your competition notice concerning the minimum mark and conditions for this test in order to take the third written test, the first of which is the MCQ (or CBT) reasoning tests.

Please note: EPSO tests are now carried out remotely on your private computer, not your work computer (see the EPSO article on this subject).

The SFE union offers a book on this subject (available in our dedicated books section), and we would also like to help our members by covering part of their costs if they buy a digital pack on the EU knowledge test..

Need help?

about training courses or membership? You can contact Cyril in English or in French.

If the electronic form below does not work (or if you are on the mobile version), you can download and complete the PDF form by clicking on the button below, then send it to us by email with your supporting documents.

THE WRITTEN TEST

What is the written test?

Sources: EPSO website

Since 2024, EPSO has introduced a new type of test in its selection procedures: the written test. It is designed to assess candidates' written communication skills, replacing the case study (which will continue to be used for some competitions).

The written test covers three different types which EPSO will use according to the needs of the recruiting departments for each competition.

1. A written test relating to the field(s) of the competition, focusing solely on written communication skills;

2. A written test relating to the field, designed to assess written communication skills AND knowledge in the field of the competition concerned;

3. A free text on European issues, designed to assess written communication skills only.

Candidates will have to respond to the assignment(s) on the basis of the documentation provided by EPSO and in relation to the field(s) of the competition, as indicated in the competition notice.

The written test is not a language test. Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the specific ‘anchors’ listed below (‘anchors’ are the elements taken into consideration by the test markers (i.e. assessors) when assessing a given skill).

‘Anchors’ for written communication skills:

The candidate:

structures the written communication with a logical flow of ideas.
writes concisely without use of unnecessary words and sentences.
presents subject-matter in an understandable way.
adapts/tailors their writing to match the intended audience and purpose.
uses the information provided to deal with the assignment.

References & websites

European Union Knowledge Test

by ORSEU Concours.

Available in English or in French

6 packs of 25 questions + corrections (150 questions in total).

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Please note: you can only carry out the tests once with the stopwatch, depending on the quantity of pack purchased in your basket.

Once purchased, this pack can be consulted on your ORSEU account without time limit.

Online course: 3 reasoning tests (verbal, numerical and abstract)

by ORSEU Concours.

Available in English, French and Italian.

4 teaching videos (1h30) on methodology, practice, questions, corrections, and a short video with preparation tips.

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Please note: this pack is valid for 8 weeks from the date of purchase on your ORSEU account.

Online course: Written test for European competitions

by ORSEU Concours.

Available in English, French and Italian.

5 instructional videos (1 hour 45 minutes in total) on the basics of the test, methodology, practical exercises and preparation tips.

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Please note: this pack is valid for 8 weeks from the date of purchase on your ORSEU account.

Terms of payment by the SFE union

Fields marked with an asterisk * are mandatory.

Mandatory fields are: First and last name, Institution, DG/Agency/Other, Billing, ‘Description of the pack purchased’ section, date and signature.

Terms and conditions of cover

To benefit from this partial refund offer, the SFE* member is invited to create an account on the merchant's website to purchase the digital pack listed in this form or listed on our site.

By submitting this request, the SFE member unreservedly accepts the conditions for reimbursement listed in the dedicated section, namely:

By submitting this request, the SFE member unreservedly accepts the conditions for reimbursement listed in the dedicated section, namely:
This offer is reserved for all members of the SFE union who have paid their dues or have successfully completed their membership. It is not available to non-members or persons not working within the European Institutions.
The offer to pay 50% of the cost of a digital pack (1 item) is available once per year, per member, based on the references listed in the ‘Digital pack / online courses’ section. In the event of multiple purchases of references eligible for reimbursement, only the lowest price will be taken into account.
The member undertakes to provide the SFE union with the following supporting documents: an invoice from the merchant site. If the SFE syndicate agrees to cover the cost, the member will be asked to provide his/her personal IBAN (or bank details) in order to compile his/her reimbursement file.

Warning: the terms of purchase and conditions of use of the products supplied are under the supervision of the merchant sites. The SFE union declines all responsibility in the event of a dispute concerning the purchase, availability or duration of use of the products offered. SFE members who encounter difficulties should contact the merchant site's customer service department.

References covered by SFE

Only the references present on the sites mentioned in the table will be handled by the SFE union.
Members can choose 1 digital pack (i.e. 1 article) on the theme available in the ‘Digital Pack / Online Courses’ box, on the merchant site offering the offer, in the language of their choice.
The price includes VAT, which may vary depending on the member's country of residence, as well as any applicable discounts.

Finally, the member dates the form and signs it with their first and last name.

All supporting documents should be sent to the following email address: rep-pers-osp-sfe-formations@ec.europa.eu or cyril.jouan@sfe-union.eu

The SFE union will examine the case as soon as possible. It will promptly inform the member of its decision to cover part of the cost, and will reimburse the amount to the bank account provided by the member. The SFE declines all responsibility in the event of a clerical error on your part concerning the bank account number (IBAN).

Any application that is incomplete or does not comply with these terms and conditions will be rejected.

*Articles 5.1.3-1, 5.1.6, 5.1.9, 5.1.13 of the SFE Statute (FR).

BOOKS

EPSO section

© JOUAN Cyril

Syndicat de la Fonction publique Européenne

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Trainings

ASSESSMENT CENTRE

On the EPSO website, here is the definition of the Assessment Centre:

MCQ REASONING TESTS - CBT

What are the Computer Based Tests?

Here is the detail of the training offered by SFE on multiple choice reasoning tests:

Bulletin d'adhésion - Membre

I join SFE!

Need help?

About training courses or membership?
You can contact Cyril in English or French.

If the electronic form opposite does not work (or if you are on the mobile version), you can download and complete the PDF form by clicking on the button below, then send it to us by email with your proof of transfer.

Registration details

As a non-member of SFE / person external to the European Institutions