CAST Permanent: prepare for EU contract jobs
Choose your profile, keep your application visible and prepare for verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning. Recruiting services shortlist candidates when they need staff.
Official information checked: 2026-09-10
Registration does not guarantee a test invitation. Passing the tests does not guarantee recruitment. “Permanent” describes the open registration procedure, not the duration of your employment contract.
Who decides the next step?
- 1
Register and validate
Choose an eligible profile and function group, follow its EPSO account link, complete the application and validate it. Apply separately to advertised vacancies when required.
- 2
Stay visible
Update your experience and confirm your interest at least every six months. Check your EPSO account at least every three calendar days.
- 3
Recruiters shortlist
Institutions search for candidates whose qualifications and experience match a vacancy. Registration alone does not reserve a testing place.
- 4
Take the reasoning tests
If invited, follow the session instructions and take verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests in the Language 1 selected in that application.
- 5
Complete recruitment assessment
A recruiting service may invite successful candidates to interviews or other job-related assessments. It decides whether to offer a contract.
Choose a function group and a professional profile
Function groups describe the level and nature of duties. Profiles describe the professional field. Check both against your qualifications and the current call.
| Function group | Typical duties | Standard minimum education route |
|---|---|---|
| FG I | Manual and basic administrative support | Completed compulsory education. |
| FG II | Clerical and secretarial work | Post-secondary qualification, or secondary education giving access to post-secondary studies plus at least three years of appropriate professional experience. |
| FG III | Executive and technical work | Post-secondary qualification, or secondary education giving access to post-secondary studies plus at least three years of appropriate professional experience. |
| FG IV | Administrative, advisory, linguistic and equivalent technical work | Completed university studies of at least three years. |
EU citizenship and the other general conditions apply. The rules provide specified equivalent-training or experience routes where justified by the service; these are not automatic exemptions. A vacancy can require additional qualifications or experience.
Find the right profile
Administration, finance, communication, law, ICT, project management, security and other profiles are offered in different function groups. Use the official directory to read the duties and register for the exact combination.
Choose an official CAST profileCheck your two language choices
The current CAST FAQ specifies Language 1 at C1 or above in an official EU language, and a different Language 2 at B2 or above in English, French or German. Reasoning tests use Language 1. Read the specific language rules alongside the broader registration overview.
Check the choices before validation. Candidates currently need to contact EPSO to request a change of CAST test languages.
Three tests. Two pass thresholds.
The current call gives 65 minutes of working time across the three reasoning tests. Follow the appointment and setup instructions in your invitation separately.
| Test | Questions | Working time | Pass rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | 20 | 35 minutes | At least 10/20 |
| Numerical reasoning | 10 | 20 minutes | Numerical + abstract: at least 10/20 combined |
| Abstract reasoning | 10 | 10 minutes | Included in the combined threshold |
A high overall total cannot compensate for missing either threshold. For example, 12 verbal + 4 numerical + 6 abstract meets both thresholds; 9 verbal + 9 numerical + 9 abstract does not.
Recruiters see whether you passed, not your individual reasoning marks. Practise for consistent results above the thresholds.
Verbal reasoning
Find evidence in the passage and separate what it proves from what an answer assumes.
Start verbal trainingRead the method guideNumerical reasoning
Practise selecting data, percentages, ratios, units and calculator decisions under time pressure.
Start numerical trainingRead the method guideAbstract reasoning
Identify the rule behind a sequence and check that it explains every relevant frame.
Start abstract trainingRead the method guideThese links configure separate practice blocks with the corresponding counts and realistic timers. Select your CAST Language 1 before starting. Question availability and account limits apply. This is general preparation, not an official test or an integrated CAST mock.
Mathematical ConceptsTwo habits that protect your application
Confirm interest every six months
Renew each validated application before its displayed validity date and check that it remains visible. Keep qualifications and employment details current. Ten-year test validity does not replace this renewal.
Selection steps and application renewalCheck your account every three calendar days
Read EPSO account messages and record each invitation deadline. Job alerts and calendar reminders do not replace checking the official account.
EPSO account guidanceYou may apply for several eligible profile/function-group combinations. Keep one application for each combination; update it rather than submitting a duplicate.
Upcoming sessions, not application deadlines
As checked on 10 September 2026, the official schedule lists 6 October and 19 November 2026. Results are indicated for early November and late December respectively. Result periods are indicative; consult the official schedule for changes.
Registration does not book either session. Only shortlisted candidates receive invitations.
Official testing datesPrepare the setup and request support early
Follow your session instructions
Check identity documents, permitted equipment, room conditions and technical support. Complete any required software installation, synchronisation, connectivity checks and mandatory mock by the stated deadlines.
Technical preparation guidanceRequest reasonable accommodation
Tell EPSO about your needs through the application process and provide the requested evidence. Contact the recruiting service separately for its later assessment: EPSO does not transfer your accommodation needs automatically.
Reasonable accommodation for CASTResult validity and retesting use different dates
Pass: ten years from publication
A successful reasoning result is valid for ten years from publication in your EPSO account, for the same and lower function groups. A lower-group pass does not qualify you for a higher group.
Validity of successful resultsFail: four months from the test date
After a failure, a new invitation for the same or a higher group is possible after four months from the test date. A lower-group invitation remains possible. The waiting period ending does not guarantee another invitation.
Retesting after a failurePrepare for the job you are applying for
Recruitment assessments depend on the vacancy and employer. Do not assume a universal CAST specialist MCQ paper, written essay or presentation. Use the invitation to choose additional preparation.
If a written exercise is requested
Use the written test guide to structure your response, analyse sources and answer the actual brief.
Open resourceIf a presentation is requested
Use the oral presentation guide for clear delivery, evidence and questions. Its format does not predict your recruiter’s assessment.
Open resourceFind suitable vacancies
Search EU Jobs by employer, contract, grade, location and field. Read the original vacancy for its deadline, eligibility and application instructions.
Open resourceFollow matching openings
After signing in, Job Watch supports daily alerts from filters or a CV profile. Alerts do not submit applications or renew CAST registration.
Open resourceWhat you can use on EPSOHQ now
Reasoning guides, separate timed practice, vacancy search and job alerts support your preparation. Recruitment exercises remain employer-specific. A dedicated CAST planner preset and an integrated mock with a combined score report are not currently available.
Build your preparation plan with the complete CAST guideCheck the controlling sources
Read the current call and addenda, the official CAST FAQs and your EPSO account messages. This page is an independent preparation guide.
- Registration and profile directory
- Current call for expressions of interest
- 2026 addendum
- CAST language requirements
- Changing CAST test languages
- Selection steps and application renewal
- EPSO account guidance
- Official testing dates
- How recruiters see test results
- Validity of successful results
- Retesting after a failure
- Technical preparation guidance
- Reasonable accommodation for CAST