EPSO AD5 2026 Language 1 and Language 2: Which Tests Use Which Language?
One of the easiest ways to prepare badly for EPSO AD5 2026 is to practise the right test in the wrong language.
The official Notice of Competition for EPSO/AD/427/26 separates the competition into tests taken in Language 1 and tests taken in Language 2. That matters because the mental effort is different: reasoning under time pressure in your strongest language is not the same as writing or answering EU-content questions in your second language.
The official AD5 language map
| Test area | Language | What to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | Language 1 | Fast reading, strict inference, eliminating answers that add assumptions. |
| Numerical reasoning | Language 1 | Tables, percentages, ratios and time pressure. |
| Abstract reasoning | Language 1 | Pattern recognition, rule stacking and visual logic. |
| EU Knowledge | Language 2 | EU institutions, procedures, legal basics and policy context. |
| Digital Literacy | Language 2 | Practical digital-workplace judgement, data handling and online tools. |
| EUFTE Written Test | Language 2 | Structured written analysis on EU matters. |
In simple terms: the three reasoning areas sit in Language 1. The EU-content and written parts sit in Language 2.
Why this changes your study plan
Many candidates prepare by topic only: verbal on Monday, numerical on Tuesday, EU knowledge on Wednesday. That is useful, but incomplete. For AD5, your weekly plan should also rotate by language.
For example, if your Language 2 is French, Italian, Spanish, German or another EU official language, you should not leave all EU Knowledge, Digital Literacy and EUFTE practice in English unless English is actually your Language 2. The official test will not reward you for understanding a topic only after mentally translating it.
A better weekly rhythm
- Language 1 block: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning under strict timing.
- Language 2 block: EU Knowledge and Digital Literacy questions in the language you will use in the exam.
- Writing block: EUFTE outlines and short written answers in Language 2.
- Review block: rewrite explanations in your own words, especially for EU concepts and digital-workplace vocabulary.
This is also why “I understand the topic” is not enough. You need to recognise the official vocabulary quickly in the language of the test.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Practising EU Knowledge only in your strongest language. That can create false confidence.
- Ignoring Digital Literacy vocabulary. The difficulty is often in choosing the safest or most appropriate action, not in memorising definitions.
- Writing EUFTE practice in bullet notes only. Notes help, but the test rewards structured written communication.
- Training all six areas equally every day. It is usually better to rotate focus and review mistakes deeply.
How PassEPSO fits this
PassEPSO is organised around the official AD5 areas: verbal, numerical, abstract, EU Knowledge, Digital Literacy and EUFTE Written Test. The goal is not generic test practice. It is to help you prepare the right skill in the right language and review why an answer is correct.
If you are building your plan now, start by writing down your Language 1 and Language 2, then map each practice block to the correct language. That single step can make the rest of your preparation much more realistic.
Official sources
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