The AD5 competition, organised by EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office), is the main entry point for starting a career as an EU administrator within the European institutions. Highly anticipated every year, this competition is particularly aimed at young graduates and early-career profiles.

In this article, we provide a complete overview of the AD5 competition timeline, selection tests, scoring system and key preparation tips, with a special focus on ORSEU’s AD5 preparation materials.

What Is the AD5 Competition?

The AD5 (Administrator) competition is one of the most competitive EU civil service exams. It typically attracts tens of thousands of candidates.

Why Is the AD5 Competition So Popular?

• Open to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
• No professional experience required
• Ideal for graduates seeking a career within the European Union institutions

👉 It is the main entry-level competition for starting a career as an administrator within the European Union institutions. For information purposes, according to an EPSO representative, the average age of candidates in 2019 was 30 years old.

When Is the AD5 Competition Published?

The official AD5 competition notice is schedule to be published during the first half of February.

Once published:

1. Candidates generally have 30 to 45 days to register
2. The official EPSO Notice of Competition becomes available

Why Is the Notice of Competition Essential?

It contains all key information, including:

• Job profiles and typical duties
• Eligibility requirements
• Test languages
• Description of selection tests
• Scoring and elimination thresholds
• Number of candidates to be placed on the reserve list

👉 Early preparation is crucial, as the AD5 competition format is demanding and highly selective.

AD5 Competition Selection Tests

1. EPSO Reasoning Tests (Multiple Choice)

• Verbal reasoning
• Numerical reasoning
• Abstract reasoning

These tests assess your ability to analyse information quickly, reason logically and work efficiently under time pressure.

2. EU Knowledge Multiple-Choice Test

This test evaluates your knowledge of:

• EU institutions
• Their functioning
• EU policies and priorities

📌 EPSO has announced that a reference document of approximately 500 pages will be provided upon registration and will serve as the basis for this test.

3. Written Test

The written test assesses:

• Analytical skills
• Written communication skills
• Ability to structure clear, well-argued responses

4. Digital Skills Multiple-Choice Test

This test evaluates the basic digital skills expected in a professional EU working environment, which may include:

• Information and data literacy
• Communication and collaboration
• Digital content creation
• Safety
• Problem-solving

👉 This is a relatively new test in EU competitions.

Please note sample tests for all these AD5 tests are available on the EU Careers website.

How Are the AD5 Tests Scored?

Each test has its own elimination threshold. For some tests, only the highest-scoring candidates are selected, particularly for:

• The EU knowledge MCQ
• The digital skills test

The selection process is progressive:

1. Selection based on reasoning tests
2. Selection based on the EU knowledge test
3. Selection based on the written test
4. Selection based on the digital skills test
5. Inclusion on the EPSO reserve list

⚠️ The exact score combination rules will be confirmed in the official Notice of Competition.

👉 Balanced preparation across all tests is essential.

Key Tips to Prepare for the AD5 Competition

Start Early

Even if the competition notice is published soon, effective preparation requires several months.

Master the methodology for EPSO tests

As all tests take place on the same day, candidates must be prepared for every stage:

• Reasoning tests: become familiar with the methodology and practise extensively
• EU knowledge test: revise EU fundamentals early to familiarise yourself with your future employer
• Written test: understand evaluation criteria and EU document styles (briefings, summaries, speeches, notes)
• Digital skills test: use EU Careers sample tests and strengthen your digital knowledge

Train Under Real Exam Conditions

• Strict timing
• Formats identical to official EPSO tests

ORSEU Preparation Materials for the AD5 Competition

ORSEU Concours provides a complete and targeted preparation for the EPSO AD5 competition, specifically designed to meet the exact requirements of the official selection tests.

EPSO-Style Reasoning Tests

Reasoning tests are a key stage of the AD5 competition. ORSEU enables you to:

• Master the methodology through our specialised books and online courses
• Train intensively on verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning questions using our books
• Simulate real exam conditions with our timed online tests, including the use of a calculator and scratch paper for numerical reasoning

👉 Objective: to develop strong automatisms and improve speed and accuracy on exam day.

 EU Knowledge Multiple-Choice Tests

To succeed in the EU knowledge MCQ, ORSEU provides:

• Timed online tests aligned with the EPSO format
• Targeted exercises designed to help you assess your level and progress efficiently

👉 An ideal preparation to master EU institutions, their functioning and EU policies.

Methodology and Training for the Written Test

The AD5 written test requires specific preparation. ORSEU supports you with:

• Online courses dedicated to the written test methodology
• A specialised case study book, including examples and a corrected written test
• Practical advice on how to structure your answers in line with the expectations of EU institutions

👉 You will learn how to produce clear, structured responses that fully meet the EPSO assessment criteria.

Conclusion

The AD5 competition is challenging, but with structured preparation, a solid understanding of the tests and the right tools, success is entirely achievable.

📌 With the competition expected to be published in February, now is the ideal time to start preparing.

ORSEU supports you at every stage of your preparation for the AD5 competition and EU careers.