EPSOHQ
Competition preparation

COM/AST/112/2026 · AST2

Commission internal AST2 preparation

Preparation for Commission staff: cognitive reasoning, EU knowledge, written assignments and oral presentation. Applications have closed.

Applications closed: 30 October 2026, 12:00 Brussels time · 50 reserve-list places

Selection stages

TestQuestions / tasksTime limitPass threshold
Cognitive reasoning assessment2436 minAt least the 40th percentile
EU knowledge3040 min15/30
Written work190 min25/50
Oral presentation and interview—60 min25/50

Among candidates who pass the EU knowledge test, up to 125 of the highest scorers have their written work marked. Final eligibility checks follow the ranking of candidates who pass the written test until 75 qualify. The best oral results among those who pass determine the reserve list. Ties at the cutoff can increase these numbers.

The notice does not name an assessment provider. Cognitive practice is preparation, and a practice percentage is not an official percentile result.

Preparation resources

Cognitive reasoning assessment

Train numerical, inductive and deductive reasoning together: 24 questions in 36 minutes.

Choose a fixed or adaptive mock in English, French or German.

Reasoning practice →

EU knowledge

Study EU institutions, the Commission’s powers under the Treaties, its governance, procedures, decision-making and policy priorities.

Timed practice uses the shared Commission question bank. Aim above 15/30: ranking determines whose written work is marked.

EU knowledge →

Generalprobe für beide Prüfungen am selben Tag

Bearbeiten Sie den 40-minütigen EU-Wissenstest und anschließend die 90-minütige schriftliche Aufgabe in derselben Sprache. Sehen Sie sich beide Ergebnisse nach der schriftlichen Aufgabe an.

Written work · 90 min

Wählen Sie eine Aufgabe, arbeiten Sie unter Zeitdruck und bewerten Sie danach Ihre Leistung anhand der Musterlösung.

Einen Vermerk zu einem hybriden Workshop verfassen

Das Dossier oder die Fragen des Prüfungsausschusses erscheinen beim Start.

Open the preparation guide →

Oral presentation and interview · 60 min

Wählen Sie eine Aufgabe, arbeiten Sie unter Zeitdruck und bewerten Sie danach Ihre Leistung anhand der Musterlösung.

Die Zuständigkeiten beim EU-Haushalt erklären

Das Dossier oder die Fragen des Prüfungsausschusses erscheinen beim Start.

Open the preparation guide →

Eligibility and candidate instructions

Eligible categories: Commission officials and temporary staff in AST/SC or AST, and contract staff in FG III–IV. Service requirements: six consecutive full months in those categories and twelve in the Commission; contract staff also need 36 Commission months, not necessarily consecutive.

The notice gives no test dates. Check your invitation. The EU knowledge MCQ and written assignment take place online on the same day.

Education routes: a post-secondary diploma; a secondary diploma giving access to post-secondary education plus three years of relevant experience after that diploma; or certified vocational training equivalent to post-secondary education. Check recognition rules in the notice.

All tests use Language 2: English, French or German. It must differ from your main language in Sysper unless you document C1 in a different official EU language as Language 1. The minimum levels are C1 for Language 1 and B2 for Language 2.

Build my plan →

Binding documents

The Commission’s internal notice COM/AST/112/2026 and candidate instructions are binding. Consult Staff Centre and My Communications in the Single Candidate Portal for updates.

Checked: November 4, 2026.