EPSOHQ
Competition profileVerified 31 Jul 2026

Competition Guide and Exact Test Profile

Four fields, reserve targets, languages, exact test clocks, pass marks, ranking and eligibility processing.

Independent training. Official notice and EPSO communications prevail.Open official notice
All 10 modules

Snapshot

Four fields, reserve targets, languages, exact test clocks, pass marks, ranking and eligibility processing.

Module status

  • Track: Competition profile
  • Last verified: 2026-07-31
  • Scope: Independent training. Notice, amendments and candidate messages prevail.

Legally binding frame

EPSO/AD/425/25 is an open competition for administrators at grade AD 7. The Notice of Competition was published as C/2025/4967 on 16 September 2025. A later amending notice, C/2025/5870, changed the technical-problem reporting procedure in Annex I. The notices, candidate-account messages and EPSO instructions prevail over training material.

Candidates could apply to only one of four fields:

  1. Project management in the building sector — reserve target 153.
  2. Architecture and project management — reserve target 75.
  3. Electrical engineering and project management — reserve target 93.
  4. HVAC engineering and project management — reserve target 90.

The combined reserve target is 411. Inclusion on a reserve list creates no right to recruitment.

Applicant figures and headline pressure

EPSO field pages list 3,173 applications across the competition. The simple applicant-to-reserve ratios below describe headline pressure only. They do not predict the effective field-MCQ cut-off because attendance, reasoning-test results, eligibility checks, ties and later withdrawals change the candidate pool.

FieldApplicantsReserve targetApplicants per reserve place
Project management in the building sector1,3101538.6
Architecture and project management1,2287516.4
Electrical engineering and project management348933.7
HVAC engineering and project management287903.2
Total3,1734117.7

Do not turn these ratios into a claimed pass score. The Notice defines 15/30 as the field threshold, then applies ranking by field score.

Exact test matrix

TestLanguageQuestionsDurationPass rule
Verbal reasoningLanguage 12035 minutes10/20
Numerical reasoningLanguage 11020 minutesCombined with abstract: 10/20
Abstract reasoningLanguage 11010 minutesCombined with numerical: 10/20
Field-related MCQLanguage 23040 minutes15/30 and one of the highest field scores
Written TestLanguage 240 minutes5/10

Numerical and abstract scores are added. A candidate can compensate between those two tests, but the combined score must reach 10/20. The verbal threshold remains separate. Passing the field MCQ is necessary but not sufficient because its score creates the ranking gate.

Processing sequence

EPSO processes completed scripts in stages. Reasoning tests are checked first. The field MCQ is processed for candidates who pass reasoning. Candidates who pass the field threshold are ranked within their chosen field. Written tests and eligibility are then processed for the highest field scorers, in principle up to 1.5 times the field reserve target, with ties included where the notice requires.

Final reserve-list ranking follows the notice. A practice dashboard must therefore distinguish a threshold pass from a competitive field score.

Language rules

Language 1 requires at least C1 in any official EU language. Language 2 requires at least B2 in a different official EU language. Reasoning tests use Language 1. The field MCQ and Written Test use Language 2.

The official system supports all 24 official EU languages. EPSOHQ's source-backed Buildings MCQs launch in English first. Candidates using another Language 2 should use the multilingual official notice and source document, then localise terminology without changing technical meaning.

Technical-problem reporting amendment

The amending notice requires candidates to follow the test instructions, report a technical problem immediately, and contact EPSO within three calendar days with supporting evidence. A vague later complaint is not a substitute for the specified reporting path.

Official links