After months of speculation, EPSO has confirmed it: testing for the AD5 Graduates selection procedure (EPSO/AD/427/26) will begin in autumn 2026. Exact dates will be sent to candidates in the coming months, but the headline is clear. The wait is nearly over, and the clock to prepare has started.

If you're one of the record-breaking number of applicants, this is the update you've been refreshing your inbox for. Here's what it means, and why the smartest candidates are starting their preparation now rather than waiting for the dates to land.

What EPSO announced

In its official note (29 April 2026), EPSO confirmed that the first round of testing for the AD5 Graduates competition will take place in autumn 2026. The institution asked candidates not to contact the service for specific timing, promising that precise dates will be communicated directly when available.

It's a short announcement, but a significant one. It turns an open-ended wait into a concrete window, and that window is closer than many candidates think.

Why this matters for you

This is one of the largest entry-level competitions EPSO has ever run. More than 170,000 people applied before registration closed on 10 March 2026, all competing for a reserve list of just 1,490 successful candidates.

The maths is unforgiving. Even on conservative estimates, only a small fraction of applicants will make it onto the list. The first sift is the computer-based testing phase starting this autumn, and it is where the vast majority of candidates are eliminated. Getting through it is almost entirely a function of preparation, not luck.

What the testing involves

The AD5 Graduates procedure assesses candidates across several test types. To progress, you'll need to perform under timed pressure on:

• Reasoning tests. Multiple-choice questions measuring verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning. These reward pattern recognition and speed, both of which improve dramatically with practice.
• EU knowledge test. A multiple-choice assessment covering the European Union, its institutions, procedures, and core policies.
• Digital skills test. An evaluation of the practical digital literacy relevant to the administrator role.
• Written test (EUFTE). The Free-Text Essay on EU Matters, assessing your ability to structure and communicate a clear, well-reasoned argument in writing.

Each of these is trainable. None of them is something you can cram the night before.

Autumn is closer than it feels

It's tempting to wait for the exact dates before opening a practice test. That's the mistake that separates the reserve list from the rejection email.

Reasoning scores improve through repetition over weeks, not days. EU knowledge takes time to absorb and retain. Essay writing under time pressure only becomes second nature once you've done it repeatedly. Starting now means you arrive at the test centre with the timing instincts and content recall that nervous, last-minute candidates simply won't have.

With a pool this size, the candidates who treat the summer as preparation time rather than downtime will have a decisive edge.

Start preparing today

At EPSOHQ, our practice tests and training materials are built around the exact format of the AD5 Graduates assessments: reasoning, EU knowledge, digital skills, and the EUFTE essay. Practise under realistic timed conditions, track your progress across every test type, and walk into autumn 2026 knowing exactly what to expect.

The dates are coming. The 170,000 are waiting. The 1,490 spots won't go to whoever hopes hardest. They'll go to whoever prepared best.

Begin your AD5 preparation with EPSOHQ today, and turn this announcement into your advantage.