The EPSO competition prioritising and organising test assesses candidates’ organisational ability and their aptitude for prioritising at work. The questions can be divided into three main types:
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problems organising journeys: for example, finding train times that will enable you to get to a meeting on time;
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planning problems: for example, finding someone who is available between certain specific hours to carry out some maintenance work;
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constrained optimisation problems: candidates must choose the best possible option while complying with certain constraints (for example, choosing the printer that offers the best quality printing at a price of 200 euros or less).
Here is an example question. You will find the answer at the end of the article:
Hotel availability
|
Name |
Category |
Room type |
Price |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
S |
|
California |
3-star |
Single Double |
70 € 90 € |
2 3 |
4 5 |
4 5 |
2 2 |
4 2 |
4 3 |
2 5 |
|
Superstar |
2-star |
Single Double |
50 € 60 € |
4 3 |
1 7 |
4 2 |
3 7 |
2 8 |
2 9 |
2 2 |
|
Universal |
2-star |
Single Double |
60 € 80 € |
1 5 |
2 7 |
5 7 |
2 6 |
3 4 |
3 4 |
1 5 |
|
Shining |
2-star |
Single Double |
60 € 65 € |
3 4 |
4 4 |
2 0 |
2 3 |
4 3 |
4 2 |
1 4 |
|
Venus |
2-star |
Single Double |
75 € 90 € |
4 2 |
7 3 |
7 3 |
5 3 |
3 5 |
3 5 |
2 2 |
Bernd wants to book eight rooms for two nights in the same hotel. The arrival day is Tuesday. Which hotel will he choose if he’s looking for the lowest rate?
-
Superstar
-
California
-
Universal
-
Shining
-
Venus
The prioritising and organising test requires precision and method.
Timetable and planning management problems require the same skills as numerical reasoning. Candidates must be able to interpret a table correctly and retranscribe the question in the form of equations. They must also know how to add (and subtract) hours and minutes.
In constrained optimisation problems, candidates must display logic and strategy. For each question they must find the method that will enable them to make the best possible choice. They must draw up a list of actions to take and rank them coherently.
Feeling a bit lost? Don’t worry. ORSEU Competitions give you a step by step guide to what to do:
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Start by learning the methodology and familiarising yourself with the questions by using our books and courses;
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Assess yourself under competition conditions using our online tests;
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Go to the exam feeling perfectly confident.
Being successful in the EPSO tests is, above all, a matter of organisation!
Answer: c)