Three tests, one day, one chance

The reasoning tests are the first filter in any EPSO competition. They are threshold-based — you must pass all three to advance to the Written Test. Here is exactly what each test looks like and how to prepare.

Verbal Reasoning — 20 questions / 35 minutes

Each question presents a short non-fiction passage (typically EU-themed: agricultural policy, environmental regulation, internal market, social rights, enlargement) followed by four statements. You identify the one that is correct or can be logically deduced from the text.

What it actually tests

Fine comprehension, deductive reasoning, and the ability to distinguish what is stated from what is implied or what goes beyond the passage.

Common traps

• Statements that are "probably true" but not supported by the text
• Statements that add qualifiers absent from the passage ("always", "never")
• Reversed cause-consequence relationships
• Overgeneralisation from specific claims

Preparation strategy

Speed of reading in Language 1 is critical. Practice with EU-themed passages specifically. Train to identify the logical structure of each answer option before evaluating content.

Numerical Reasoning — 10 questions / 20 minutes

Each question presents a table, graph, or data set (EU-themed), followed by a calculation question with multiple-choice answers. Pace: 2 minutes per question.

Common calculation types

• Percentage variation between two values
• Ratios and proportions
• Weighted averages
• Per-capita calculations
• Currency conversions
• Compound annual growth rate

What it actually tests

Data extraction from structured formats, rapid mental arithmetic, precise reading of units and headers. The maths is secondary — the bottleneck is reading the data correctly under time pressure.

Preparation strategy

Practice extracting the right numbers from complex tables before calculating. Many errors come from misreading which row/column to use, not from wrong arithmetic.

Abstract Reasoning — 10 questions / 10 minutes

Each question shows a sequence of 5 figures following a logical rule. Choose the 6th figure from 5 options. Pace: 1 minute per question — the fastest of the three.

Common rule types

• Rotation (90°, 180°, alternating)
• Mirror reflection
• Progressive element counting
• Colour cycling
• Shape addition or subtraction
• Intersection or union of forms
• Combinations of 2-3 simultaneous rules

What it actually tests

Pure logical reasoning with no reliance on language or numbers. This is the most discriminating test in terms of raw cognitive capacity — and the one where systematic practice yields the largest gains.

Preparation strategy

Learn to identify rule categories within 15 seconds. If you do not see the rule quickly, eliminate answer options rather than trying to derive the full pattern. Speed comes from pattern recognition, not deeper analysis.

The threshold trap

Because reasoning tests are threshold-based (pass/fail, not ranking), many candidates under-invest in preparation. This is a mistake. The thresholds are not published in advance and can be adjusted by the Selection Board. A comfortable margin above the threshold protects you against an unusually difficult test or a bad day.