Candidates must pass three examinations:

E1 – Assessment by observation testing candidates' ability of:

• negotiating
• reasoning and creative thinking
• interpersonal skills.

E2 – written examination testing candidates' ability of:

• analysing and problem solving
• strategic thinking/seeing the bigger picture
• getting the message across.

E3 – oral examination testing candidates' ability of:

• finding, understanding and processing information
• presenting a case logically
• getting the message across.

The examinations therefore test the skills that candidates have learned during the training programme and that are considered indispensable for a post at AD level.

Subject to the provisions of the implementing rules of each of the institutions, candidates who were unsuccessful in one or more of the examinations can re-sit them without going through the selection process again.

In the first year in which candidates re-sit exam(s) they failed, they can follow a two-day refresher training for each examination. This possibility is only granted once.

For examination dates in 2018 click here.

Languages

The training programme and examinations will be in English and French. To avoid any discrimination on linguistic grounds, candidates cannot follow the programme in their main language.  This is the one that officials themselves indicated as being their main language in the application form for the competition of selection procedure through which they were recruited to the EU institutions.

Candidates whose main language is French must follow the training programme, and sit the examinations in English. Candidates whose main language is English must follow the training programme, and sit the examinations in French. All other candidates can choose between English and French.

Examining Board

The Examining Board assesses whether candidates are capable of taking up a post at AD level.

The Board is composed of members from all the EU institutions. Following their nomination, the list of Board members can be consulted as from May via a link that will be provided to candidates.

Former exams papers

Former exam papers can be consulted here.