Always open
applications open at all times, no deadline
10 years
of result validity, lower function groups included
3 tests
reasoning only on the EPSO side
Continuous opening: EPSO Contract staff page. Validity: EPSO FAQ (results published in the EPSO Account). Composition: EPSO contract tests page.
CAST Permanent is currently the only entry door to the EU institutions that is open continuously: you can apply at any time, with no deadline.
On the EPSO side, selection comes down to three reasoning tests: verbal, numerical and abstract; any competency tests are run by the recruiting services.
Passed results remain valid for ten years, for the function group tested and any lower group.
A free diagnostic places you on the three reasoning tests, exactly the CAST scope.
Take the diagnosticProcess: EPSO Contract staff page and EPSO FAQ on test validity.
CAST covers contract agents in function groups FG I to FG IV (Conditions of Employment of Other Servants, art. 80), from administrative and manual support to administrative and advisory tasks. Each vacancy notice states the targeted group.
Function groups: CEOS, art. 80. Profiles: EPSO Contract staff page. Precise conditions (diplomas, experience) depend on the group and the vacancy notice.
| Test | Questions | Duration | Language | Scoring | Pass mark | Eliminatory | Ranked | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raisonnement verbal | 20 | 35 min | — | 1 pt/question | 10/20 | Yes | No | — |
| Raisonnement numerique | 10 | 20 min | — | 1 pt/question | 10/20 (combined) | Yes | No | — |
| Raisonnement abstrait | 10 | 10 min | — | 1 pt/question | 10/20 (combined) | Yes | No | — |
The EPSO part of CAST tests reasoning ONLY. Everything else is out of scope, and a CAST candidate revising competition tests is wasting their time.
EPSO contract tests page: on the EPSO side, reasoning tests only; verbal and numerical in the 24 official languages, abstract in English.
The three CAST reasoning tests are fully covered by our practice bank, with the official pass marks.
Start practisingThe exact CAST scope: three reasoning modules, set to the official pass marks, including the combined numerical + abstract threshold.
Spaced repetition (FSRS) keeps your level up over time, precious when the invitation can arrive months after you apply.
The readiness index (ERI) tells you when you are ready, so you aim for an invitation instead of enduring it.
No. It is a selection procedure for contract agents: no reserve list of officials, but an application database in which recruiting services shortlist candidates.
No. You can apply at any time, but the tests are taken by invitation only, after shortlisting by a recruiting service; applying does not guarantee an invitation.
Ten years from their publication in the EPSO Account, for the function group tested and any lower group.
Three reasoning tests: verbal, numerical and abstract, with the parameters shown in the table on this page. Any job-related competency tests are run by the recruiting services.
Verbal and numerical reasoning are available in the 24 official EU languages; abstract reasoning is taken in English.
Function groups FG I to FG IV, with profiles quoted by EPSO such as finance, EU policies, secretarial work, clerical duties, IT, law and communication.
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