EPSOHQ
Competition profileVerified 11 Aug 2026

Competition guide: four ICT fields and exact selection logic

Four fields, 782 reserve places, eligibility, language rules, exact test sequence, clocks, pass marks and ranking logic.

Independent training. Official notice and EPSO communications prevail.Open official notice
All 12 modules

Snapshot

Four fields, 782 reserve places, eligibility, language rules, exact test sequence, clocks, pass marks and ranking logic.

Module status

  • Track: Competition profile
  • Last verified: 2026-08-11
  • Scope: Independent EPSOHQ training mapped to the notice duties; official sources prevail.

Competition identity

EPSO/AD/429/26 recruits administrators at grade AD7 in four fields. A candidate could apply for one field only. The reserve targets in the published notice are:

FieldProfileReserve target
1ICT infrastructure204
2ICT project management228
3Clouds and networks166
4Data science184
Total782

Applications ran from 6 May to 10 June 2026. The identity-document deadline was 10 June 2026. Supporting documents are due by 1 October 2026 at 12:00 Brussels time. Candidates must use the Single Candidate Portal and their individual EPSO messages for operational instructions.

Published test profile

The notice uses the post-reform specialist sequence:

TestQuestions or taskTimePublished pass ruleFunction
Verbal reasoning2035 minutes10/20Separate gate
Numerical reasoning1020 minutesCombined with abstractCombined gate
Abstract reasoning1010 minutesNumerical + abstract: 10/20Combined gate
Field-related MCQ3040 minutes15/30Field ranking
EUFTEOne written task40 minutes5/10Final pass gate

Reasoning is processed before the field test. The field-related MCQ is the competitive ranking instrument inside the chosen field. EPSO processes the EUFTE and eligibility of the highest field scorers according to the multiple stated in the notice. Passing a threshold never guarantees a reserve-list place.

Language logic

Candidates need a thorough knowledge of one official EU language at C1 and satisfactory knowledge of another at B2. The two languages must differ. The notice and invitation determine the language of each test. Technical practice should include reading dense field terminology in the actual test language, not only in the candidate's strongest professional language.

Eligibility boundary

AD7 requires completed university studies and relevant post-qualification professional experience. The combinations depend on degree duration, relevance and field. The public competition page summarises the main routes as a relevant three-year degree plus seven years, a relevant four-year degree plus six years, or a relevant five-year degree plus five years. A degree in another area requires longer relevant experience, with a distinct data-science route. Annex III and the selection board control equivalence.

This database trains knowledge. It does not decide whether a diploma or experience entry is eligible.

How to use the four banks

  1. Select only the bank matching the field used in the application.
  2. Read its curriculum modules once for coverage.
  3. Run untimed questions to expose gaps.
  4. Re-read the source section behind every miss.
  5. Move to 30-question, 40-minute simulations.
  6. Keep reasoning and EUFTE practice active each week.

Official sources