CAST Permanent for EU contract agents: tests, validity, preparation
CAST Permanent is currently the only way into the EU institutions that is open all year round: you can apply at any time, with no deadline.
Always open
- Last verified
- Always openapplications open at all times, no deadline
- 10 yearsvalidity of results, including lower function groups
- 3 testsreasoning only on the EPSO side
Open all year round: EPSO Contract staff page. Validity: EPSO FAQ (results published in the EPSO Account). Composition: EPSO page on contract staff tests.
ContentsHow the selection works
How the selection works
On the EPSO side, selection comes down to three reasoning tests: verbal, numerical and abstract; any competency tests are run by the recruiting services.
Successful test results remain valid for ten years, for the function group tested and any lower group.
- at any time, in the CAST database, with no deadlineApplication
- after shortlisting by a recruiting service; applying does not guarantee an invitationInvitation to the tests
- ten years from their publication in the EPSO AccountResult validity
Process: EPSO Contract staff page and EPSO FAQ on test validity.
Who can apply: four function groups
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 specifies the function group sought.
- FG I: manual and administrative support tasks.
- FG II: clerical and secretarial tasks.
- FG III: executive tasks, drafting and accountancy.
- FG IV: administrative, advisory and linguistic tasks.
- Profiles cited by EPSO: finance, EU policies, secretaries, clerks, information technology, law, communication.
Function groups: CEOS, art. 80. Profiles: EPSO Contract staff page. Precise conditions (diplomas, experience) depend on the group and the vacancy notice.
The official composition of the EPSO tests
Verbal reasoning
Numerical reasoning
Abstract reasoning
Content based on the notice CAST Permanent.Scroll the table horizontally.
What the CAST selection does not include
The EPSO part of CAST tests reasoning ONLY. Everything else is out of scope, and a CAST candidate who revises for competition tests is wasting their time.
- No EU knowledge test.
- No digital skills test, no EUFTE written test.
- Any job-related competency tests are organised by the recruiting services, not by EPSO.
EPSO page on contract staff tests: on the EPSO side, reasoning tests only; verbal and numerical in the 24 official languages, abstract in English.
How Erudiam prepares you
The exact CAST scope: three reasoning tests, set to the official pass scores, including the combined numerical + abstract pass score.
Spaced repetition (FSRS) maintains your level over time, which is valuable when the invitation to the tests can arrive months after you apply.
The readiness index (ERI) tells you when you are ready, so that you can face an invitation with confidence instead of being caught unprepared.
Frequently asked questions about CAST Permanent
No. It is a selection procedure for contract agents: no reserve list of officials, but a database of applications from 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.
The verbal and numerical reasoning tests are available in the 24 official EU languages; the abstract reasoning test is taken in English.
Function groups FG I to FG IV, with profiles cited by EPSO such as finance, EU policies, secretarial work, clerical duties, IT, law and communication.
Official reference and sources
Content based on the notice CAST Permanent. Official parameters last verified: 3 August 2026. Page last modified: 3 August 2026.
Written and verified by Jean de Loynes
Preparation that is already 100% complete
The three CAST reasoning tests are fully covered by our practice bank, with the official pass scores.