EPSO AD5 2026: Tests Now Take Place in Two Stages — What Changes
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EPSO has confirmed a significant change to how the AD5 2026 competition (EPSO/AD/427/26) will be run: the selection tests will now take place in two separate stages rather than in a single test session.
For the 174,922 candidates competing for 1,490 reserve list places, this is not a minor scheduling detail. It changes when each test happens, what you have to clear first, and — crucially — how you should sequence your preparation over the coming months.
This article explains exactly what was announced, what each stage involves, and what it means for your study plan.
What EPSO Actually Announced
In a video announcement on EPSO's social media channels, EPSO Director Olivier Salles confirmed that the AD5 tests will be split into two stages, separated by several months:
- Stage 1 — the three reasoning tests, expected in October/November 2026.
- Stage 2 — the remaining tests (EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE essay), expected in the first half of 2027, for candidates who pass Stage 1.
This confirms what many candidates had been expecting: the reasoning tests come first as a filter, and the remaining tests are organised later. EPSO's official communication also states that testing for the AD5 Graduates selection procedure will start in autumn 2026, with exact dates communicated to candidates directly in the coming months.
The headline change to remember: the reasoning tests are now a gate. You must pass them before you are ever invited to sit EU Knowledge, Digital Skills or the essay.
Stage 1 — The Reasoning Tests (Autumn 2026)
The first stage covers the three EPSO reasoning tests, all taken in Language 1:
| Test | Questions | Time | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 | 35 min | 10/20 (individual minimum) |
| Numerical Reasoning | 10 | 20 min | — combined |
| Abstract Reasoning | 10 | 10 min | — combined |
Combined threshold: Numerical and Abstract Reasoning are assessed together, with a combined minimum of 10/20. A strong score on one can partially offset a weaker score on the other.
Key points about Stage 1:
- Each candidate sits all three reasoning tests on the same day. However, because of the record number of applicants, testing will be spread across several days — so do not expect everyone to be tested on the same date.
- You will receive an official notification several weeks before your exam with your individual test date, technical instructions, and practical information for test day.
- To advance, you must reach the reasoning pass marks set out in the Notice of Competition.
- All tests are online and remotely proctored through the TAO platform. There is no Assessment Centre in this competition — everything is taken remotely.
Only candidates who clear the Stage 1 pass marks move on to Stage 2.
Note on pass marks: The thresholds above are based on the current Notice of Competition. EPSO can amend the Notice, so always check the latest official version in your Single Candidate Portal.
Stage 2 — EU Knowledge, Digital Skills & the Essay (Expected 2027)
Candidates who pass the reasoning stage are invited to sit the remaining tests, all in Language 2 (English, French or German), expected in the first half of 2027:
| Test | Questions | Time | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Knowledge | 30 | 40 min | 15/30 |
| Digital Skills | 40 | 30 min | 20/40 |
| EUFTE Essay | Free-text | 40 min | 5/10 |
The EUFTE (EU Free-Text Exercise) is a structured written essay in Language 2. With the Assessment Centre removed from this competition, the essay is the qualitative element that, together with EU Knowledge and Digital Skills, shapes your final ranking.
Exact dates for Stage 2 have not yet been confirmed — EPSO will communicate them to candidates who reach this stage.
How the Scoring and Ranking Works
The two-stage structure changes when tests are scored, but the underlying logic is what determines who reaches the reserve list:
- Stage 1 is pass/fail to progress. Verbal Reasoning has an individual minimum (10/20); Numerical and Abstract are combined (10/20). Fail any required threshold and the competition ends there.
- Verbal Reasoning carries ranking weight; Numerical and Abstract do not. Numerical and Abstract Reasoning are essentially pass/fail screens — they qualify you to continue but do not feed your ranking score.
- Your final ranking is built mainly from Verbal Reasoning, EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE essay, combined with EPSO's published weighting in the Notice of Competition.
The practical takeaway is unchanged from previous AD competitions: passing the minimum is not the same as qualifying. With 174,922 applicants for 1,490 places, the effective bar sits well above the stated minimums. You can read more in our guide on the exact EPSO pass scores for 2026.
What This Means for Your Preparation
The two-stage split actually makes preparation planning clearer — if you adjust your sequence to match it.
1. Front-load reasoning for autumn 2026. Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning are now the first hurdle, just months away. These are skills that improve with sustained, timed practice — not facts you can cram. This is where your time should go first.
2. Treat Verbal Reasoning as the priority. It has an individual elimination threshold and carries ranking weight into the final score. It is the single most consequential test in Stage 1.
3. Do not waste autumn studying EU Knowledge. Under the old single-session model, candidates revised EU Knowledge alongside reasoning. Now there is no reason to. EU Knowledge is a memory-based test that fades — and it does not even happen until 2027 for those who pass Stage 1. Studying it now would be partly wasted effort.
4. Use the gap between stages deliberately. If you pass Stage 1 in autumn 2026, you will have a clear window before Stage 2 to focus entirely on EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and essay writing — fresh, and timed well before the exam.
A revised, two-stage study sequence looks like this:
- Now → autumn 2026: Reasoning only. Verbal first, then Numerical and Abstract under strict timed conditions in the real TAO interface.
- After passing Stage 1 → first half of 2027: EU Knowledge (our free 17-chapter course covers every topic), Digital Skills, and EUFTE essay practice.
For a full week-by-week plan, see How to Prepare for EPSO AD5 in 2026.
Where to Start Right Now
Because reasoning is the immediate gate, the most useful thing you can do today is find out where you stand on the three reasoning tests.
Free: Our 25-question diagnostic gives you a predicted score across all reasoning categories in the exact TAO interface — no account required. Use it to identify your weakest test before autumn.
Full preparation: The Complete EPSO Pack includes 1,500+ practice questions across all five AD5 categories, in the same TAO format you will face in both stages.
While you prepare, keep an eye on the official channels for date confirmations: the official AD5 competition page, messages in your Single Candidate Portal, and EPSO's social media — Director Olivier Salles indicated more details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the EPSO AD5 2026 competition now in two stages? EPSO has split the AD5 selection into two stages largely because of the record number of applicants — 174,922 for 1,490 places. Running the reasoning tests first lets EPSO filter the field before organising the remaining tests, which are then sat only by candidates who pass the reasoning stage.
When are the EPSO AD5 2026 tests? EPSO has confirmed testing starts in autumn 2026, with the reasoning tests expected in October/November 2026. The remaining tests (EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE essay) are expected in the first half of 2027. Exact dates are communicated to candidates directly through messages in their Single Candidate Portal, with an official notification several weeks before each exam.
Which tests are in Stage 1 and which are in Stage 2? Stage 1 covers the three reasoning tests — Verbal, Numerical and Abstract — in Language 1. Stage 2 covers EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE essay, all in Language 2, for candidates who passed Stage 1.
Do I have to pass the reasoning tests before sitting EU Knowledge? Yes. Under the two-stage format, the reasoning tests are a gate. Only candidates who reach the reasoning pass marks set out in the Notice of Competition are invited to the second stage.
Is there an Assessment Centre in EPSO AD5 2026? No. There is no Assessment Centre in this competition. All tests, including the EUFTE essay, are taken online through the remotely proctored TAO platform.
How should I change my preparation for the two-stage format? Focus entirely on reasoning (Verbal, Numerical, Abstract) for autumn 2026, since that is the first hurdle. Leave EU Knowledge and Digital Skills for after you pass Stage 1 — they are memory-based and will not be tested until 2027 for those who progress.
Have the pass marks changed? No. The two-stage change concerns when the tests are held, not the pass marks. Verbal Reasoning still requires 10/20, Numerical and Abstract a combined 10/20, EU Knowledge 15/30, and Digital Skills 20/40, as set out in the Notice of Competition for EPSO/AD/427/26.
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