Snapshot
Recruitment rules are campaign-specific. RCT-2024-00076 is the concrete FGIV model used here. RCT-2025-00107 is the AD8 model. Both use a negative-marked knowledge test, but eligibility, stage order, scoring weights and interview criteria differ. Never transfer a number from one notice to another.
FGIV and AD8 are different selections
| Point | FGIV RCT-2024-00076 | AD8 RCT-2025-00107 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Contract staff under Article 3(a) CEOS | Temporary staff under Article 2(f) CEOS |
| Published vacancies | 138 | 37 |
| Role level | Standing Corps Officer, basic level | Deputy Section Leader or Head of Operational Horizontal Activity |
| Knowledge topics | EU/Frontex law, EU bodies, rights, ethics, ICT | Same core plus geopolitics, leadership and resource management |
| Knowledge score | 0-10; minimum 3 | 0-10; minimum 3 |
| Wrong answer | minus half the value of a correct answer | minus half the value of a correct answer |
| English | B2; FGIV notice tested reading, listening, speaking and writing | B2; proficiency test |
| Later assessment | psychometrics, physical, swimming, psychological, interview, medical | psychometrics, physical, swimming, psychological, interview, medical and document confirmation |
The published minimum is only an eligibility threshold. Ranking controls progression. In the FGIV notice, up to 1,500 eligible top scorers moved beyond eligibility review, up to 800 reached Stage II, and up to 400 reached Stage III. In the AD8 notice, up to 250 reached Stage II and up to 100 reached Stage III. Passing with 3/10 did not guarantee a place.
Negative marking, calculated
Treat one correct answer as +1, one wrong answer as -0.5, and a blank as 0. If your estimated probability of being correct is `p`, the expected value of answering is:
`p × 1 + (1 - p) × -0.5 = 1.5p - 0.5`
The answer has positive expected value only when `p` is above one third. Use that as a decision rule:
- •Certain or strongly supported: answer.
- •Two plausible choices after eliminating the others: normally answer.
- •Pure guess among three choices: expected value is zero.
- •Pure guess among four or more choices: negative expected value; leave blank.
Check the instructions on test day. The notice says at least three alternatives, not always exactly three.
Knowledge-test workflow
- Read the legal actor: Frontex, host state, Commission, eu-LISA, EUAA, Europol or another body.
- Identify the instrument: EBCG Regulation, Schengen Borders Code, Pact act, Charter, Operational Plan or code of conduct.
- Find the operational verb: verify, refer, report, record, stop, assist or escalate.
- Reject answers that exceed authority, bypass safeguards, or confuse systems.
- Apply negative-marking threshold before submitting.
Evidence and review rights
The selection committee assesses what appears in the application and performance in the required tests and interviews. Unsupported experience cannot be repaired later with an informal email. Frontex allows a feedback/review request. A candidate who believes a decision is adverse may also use the Article 90(2) Staff Regulations complaint route within the stated deadline.
Campaign check
Before studying physical thresholds, candidate caps, weights, contract figures or stage order:
- Download your exact notice and annexes.
- Write its reference number and publication date on your plan.
- Mark every campaign-specific number.
- Recheck the vacancy page before each stage.