EU officials face new cognitive test in shift from traditional EPSO exams

The European Commission is introducing a new psychometric assessment for candidates in internal competitions for AD7-level posts, marking a shift in how officials are evaluated for career progression within the institution.

A Commission spokesperson told POLITICO the initiative is part of a trial of “a new approach to internal competitions” and incorporates “targeted changes, in line with established best practices in the testing industry.”

According to internal communication seen by POLITICO, the assessment will act as a preliminary screening mechanism. Candidates who score below the 60th percentile will be excluded from further stages of the selection process.

The test differs from traditional procedures run by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Instead, it is being administered by SHL, a private firm that the Commission says has “recognised expertise in psychometric tests.” Candidates will be given 36 minutes to complete 24 questions designed to evaluate numerical, inductive and deductive reasoning.

For now, the assessment applies only to internal competitions. However, one EU official indicated the approach could be broadened in the future. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if we found that it has worked really well and extended it to future competitions more broadly,” the official told Playbook.

The move has already prompted criticism from staff representatives. Cristiano Sebastiani, president of the Renouveau et Démocratie staff union, said candidates have raised concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the test. “Candidates are concerned because this is a new test whose details are not entirely clear and for which the Commission claims no specific training is necessary,” he said. The union has requested detailed statistical data after the first round of testing is completed.

The Commission has defended the initiative, arguing that cognitive testing is a reliable indicator of performance. It told POLITICO that cognitive ability “has consistently proven to be the best predictor of future job performance and measures things such as adaptability and re-trainability of candidates.”

Another staff organisation, Generation 2004, has also voiced objections, warning that the test may disproportionately favour speed and pattern recognition over experience and institutional knowledge. The group argues that seasoned officials who have already succeeded in rigorous EPSO competitions could see their advancement depend heavily on the outcome of a single 36-minute aptitude test.

By Tamilla Hasanova