EPSO AD5 2026 Scoring Explained: How Tests Are Weighted and How the Reserve List Is Built
How EPSO AD5 2026 Scoring Works
Understanding the scoring system for the EPSO AD5 2026 open competition (EPSO/AD/427/26) is essential for building an effective preparation strategy. The competition uses a two-stage ranking system: a preliminary ranking that determines who advances, and a final ranking that determines who enters the reserve list.
All information below is taken directly from the Notice of Competition published on 5 February 2026 in the Official Journal of the EU (C/2026/711).
The Five Tests: Scores, Minimums, and Weights
The AD5 2026 competition consists of five tests, all taken remotely via the TAO platform:
| Test | Duration | Language | Minimum | Preliminary Weight | Final Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | 35 min | L1 | 10 / 20 | 40% | 35% |
| Numerical + abstract reasoning | 30 min | L1 | 10 / 20 | Pass only | Pass only |
| EU knowledge MCQ | 40 min | L2 | 15 / 30 | 30% | 25% |
| Digital skills MCQ | 30 min | L2 | 20 / 40 | 30% | 25% |
| EUFTE (written essay) | 40 min | L2 | 5 / 10 | Not counted | 15% |
What "Pass Only" Means for Numerical and Abstract Reasoning
The numerical and abstract reasoning tests are combined into a single 30-minute session. They have a minimum threshold (10/20) that you must reach to continue in the competition — but your score does not contribute to your ranking in either the preliminary or final stage.
This is a pass/fail gate. Candidates who do not reach 10/20 are eliminated, but those who pass are ranked purely on the other tests. Spending excessive preparation time on numerical and abstract reasoning is therefore a strategic error — prioritise the tests that actually affect your ranking.
Stage 1: The Preliminary Ranking
After all tests are completed, EPSO calculates a preliminary score for each candidate. This is a weighted composite of three tests:
- Verbal reasoning: 40%
- EU knowledge MCQ: 30%
- Digital skills MCQ: 30%
The EUFTE essay is not included in the preliminary score. Candidates are ranked by this preliminary score, and only those above the cut-off point advance to the final ranking stage. The cut-off is determined by the number of places available and the distribution of candidate scores — it is not a fixed number.
Stage 2: The Final Ranking and the Reserve List
Candidates who advance from the preliminary stage receive a final score that includes their EUFTE essay result:
- Verbal reasoning: 35%
- EU knowledge MCQ: 25%
- Digital skills MCQ: 25%
- EUFTE written essay: 15%
Candidates are ranked by final score. The top candidates — up to 1,490 places — are included on the reserve list. Being on the reserve list does not guarantee a job offer, but it makes you eligible for recruitment by any EU institution or body seeking AD5 administrators.
The Minimums: Why They Matter
Every test has a minimum score that you must achieve. These are not averages — they apply to each test individually:
- Verbal reasoning: 10/20
- Numerical + abstract reasoning: 10/20 (combined)
- EU knowledge MCQ: 15/30
- Digital skills MCQ: 20/40
- EUFTE essay: 5/10
Failing to reach the minimum on any single test disqualifies you from the competition, regardless of your performance in other tests. A candidate with near-perfect scores in four tests but who falls just below the minimum in one test will be eliminated.
Strategic Implications for Your Preparation
Verbal reasoning is the highest-priority test. At 40% of the preliminary score and 35% of the final score, it has more impact on your ranking than any other test. A strong verbal reasoning score provides the largest return on preparation time.
EU knowledge and digital skills are equally weighted in the preliminary stage (30% each) and nearly equal in the final stage (25% each). Treat them as joint second priorities.
The EUFTE is not optional. Although it does not affect the preliminary ranking, its 15% weight in the final ranking can make a significant difference to your position on the reserve list. Do not leave it unprepared.
Numerical and abstract reasoning need just a pass. Invest enough time to reliably reach 10/20, then move on. Over-investing here is one of the most common strategic mistakes in EPSO preparation.
No Assessment Centre in AD5 2026
Unlike previous EPSO competition formats, the AD5 2026 competition does not include an Assessment Centre. There are no competency-based interviews, group exercises, oral presentations, or in-person tests of any kind. The entire competition — all five tests — takes place remotely via the TAO proctored platform.
Avoid any preparation resources that describe an Assessment Centre for the AD5 2026 competition. They refer to older formats and will not help you prepare for EPSO/AD/427/26.
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