EPSO EU knowledge test
30 questions in 40 minutes. You need 15 correct answers to pass
The EU knowledge test is a multiple-choice test on the EU, its institutions, procedures and main policies. It is part of the AD5 graduate competition and of the Secretaries (AST/SC) competitions.
Unlike the reasoning tests, it rewards what you know. Each question has 4 options, and only one is correct.
Format and scoring
30 questions in 40 minutes, a little over a minute per question. The pass mark is 15/30.
In AD5 it counts for 30% of the preliminary ranking and 25% of the final one, and you sit it in your second language.
What it covers
- History and treaties, from the Schuman Declaration to the Treaty of Lisbon
- The institutions: who sits in them, how they vote and what they decide
- Other EU bodies and agencies, from the European Ombudsman to Frontex
- Law and decision-making: legal acts, competences and the legislative procedure
- The budget and the euro
- The main policies, such as the single market, climate, trade and Schengen
- Citizenship and fundamental rights
How to prepare
EPSO publishes references to the sources behind the test about 2 months before it. Until then, use the publications on our EU knowledge reference material page.
Start with how the institutions work and how a law is adopted, as these come up most. Then answer practice questions and read every explanation, including on the ones you got right.
Our questions come in 6 languages, so you can practise in the language you will sit the test in.
What causes the most common mistakes
Two councils
The European Council brings together the heads of state or government and sets the direction. The Council of the EU brings together ministers and adopts laws. Wrong options swap them, and sometimes add the Council of Europe, which is not an EU body at all.
Invented names
Options like "European Agency for Food and Safety Regulations" sound official but do not exist. Learn the exact names of the main agencies and bodies.
Which treaty did what
The Treaty of Maastricht created the EU, and the Treaty of Lisbon gave it its current form. Learn the treaties in order, with what each one changed.
The wrong institution
The Commission proposes, the Parliament and the Council adopt, and the Court of Justice interprets. Many wrong options give one of these powers to the wrong institution.