EPSO AD5 2026 EUFTE: What Is the Free-Text Essay and How to Prepare

What Is the EUFTE?

The EUFTE — short for EU Free-Text Essay — is a written exercise introduced in the EPSO AD5 2026 open competition (EPSO/AD/427/26). It requires candidates to write a free-text response on a topic related to EU matters, demonstrating their ability to construct a coherent, structured argument in their second language (L2).

This test is unique to the AD5 2026 competition format. Unlike previous EPSO competitions that included an Assessment Centre with competency-based interviews and case studies, the AD5 2026 competition is conducted entirely remotely via the TAO online testing platform. The EUFTE replaces the written exercises that used to take place at the Assessment Centre.

Official EUFTE Details (EPSO/AD/427/26)

The following information is taken directly from the Notice of Competition published on 5 February 2026 in the Official Journal of the EU (C/2026/711):

• Duration: 40 minutes
• Language: Your L2 (second language, minimum B2 level)
• Minimum score to pass: 5 out of 10
• Weight in preliminary ranking: Not counted — the EUFTE does not affect your preliminary score
• Weight in final ranking: 15%
• Platform: TAO (remote, proctored)

This means your EUFTE score only matters for the final reserve list. You must first pass the preliminary ranking threshold (based on verbal reasoning, EU knowledge, and digital skills tests), and then the EUFTE score is added to determine your final position.

How the EUFTE Fits Into the AD5 2026 Scoring System

The AD5 2026 competition has two ranking stages:

Preliminary ranking (determines who advances to the final phase):

• Verbal reasoning: 40%
• EU knowledge MCQ: 30%
• Digital skills MCQ: 30%
• EUFTE: not counted

Final ranking (determines who enters the reserve list of 1,490 places):

• Verbal reasoning: 35%
• EU knowledge MCQ: 25%
• Digital skills MCQ: 25%
• EUFTE essay: 15%

You must achieve the minimum score in every test — including the EUFTE (5/10 minimum) — to remain in the competition. Failing to reach any minimum disqualifies you regardless of your scores in other tests.

What Topics Does the EUFTE Cover?

The EUFTE assesses your ability to write clearly and coherently on EU matters. While the exact prompts are not published in advance, the topics fall within the broad scope of European Union affairs: EU policies, institutions, treaties, current EU priorities, or challenges facing the Union.

The test evaluates two things: the quality of your ideas and argumentation, and your ability to express them in writing in your L2. A strong EUFTE response is structured, uses accurate EU-related vocabulary, and stays focused on the question asked.

How to Prepare for the EUFTE

1. Build solid EU knowledge first. You cannot write effectively about EU matters without understanding them. Prioritise the EU institutions (Parliament, Council, Commission, Court of Justice), key treaties (Lisbon, Maastricht, Rome), and current EU policy priorities. This knowledge also directly helps your EU knowledge MCQ score.

2. Practise writing in your L2 under time pressure. Forty minutes is tight for a structured essay. Practise timed writing exercises regularly. Aim for a clear introduction, two or three developed points, and a conclusion — all within the time limit.

3. Focus on structure over vocabulary. Examiners are evaluating your argument, not the sophistication of your language. A well-structured essay with clear reasoning will score better than a stylistically complex response that lacks logical flow.

4. Study past EU documents and policy summaries. Reading EU Commission reports, white papers, and factsheets in your L2 will help you absorb both the content and the formal register appropriate for this type of writing.

5. Do not ignore the minimum. The EUFTE minimum of 5/10 is not trivially easy if you are unprepared. A poorly structured or off-topic essay can fall below the threshold and disqualify you, even if your other scores are strong.

Why the EUFTE Matters More Than It Looks

At 15% of the final ranking, the EUFTE is the second most important single test for your final position, equal to both the EU knowledge and digital skills tests in final weighting. Candidates who overlook it because it does not count in the preliminary stage often regret it at the final ranking stage, where 15 percentage points can mean dozens of places on the reserve list.

Prepare for it as seriously as you would any other component of the AD5 2026 competition.

Important: No Assessment Centre in AD5 2026

Some older preparation resources and websites still refer to an Assessment Centre (AC) with competency-based interviews, group exercises, and oral presentations. These do not exist in the AD5 2026 competition. EPSO/AD/427/26 is conducted entirely remotely — including the EUFTE. Do not use resources designed for the pre-2026 AC format when preparing for this competition.