The remotely proctored tests require a third party – an external contractor – to take control of your computer while you take the test. Among other things, this prevents candidates from browsing the internet or running applications outside the remit of the tests.

In order to enable online selection tests to run on a corporate computer – including those made available to staff of EPSO’s institutional clients (e.g. the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and others) – multiple security controls would have to be disabled, relaxed or changed by an authorised administrator.

Understandably, corporate stakeholders must ensure that the risks to their digital environment are reduced to a minimum and that’s why candidates can usually not use their corporate PC for the remotely proctored tests.

To learn more about the security constraints involved, read EPSO’s detailed information note (only available in EN).

Your test results in an open competition can only be taken into account for the relevant competition, not for other competitions or CAST/P selection procedures. Exception: under certain conditions, your test results for a CAST/P selection procedure can be valid in the context of other CAST/P selection procedures.

Beginning of July 2021, EPSO introduced remotely proctored computer-based tests for specific competitions and tests.

Remote test proctoring via our contractor Prometric’s ProProctor application enables candidates to sit the tests from any location while maintaining the integrity of the tests.

Remote test proctoring allows EPSO to progress faster with competition organisation.

It offers greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness and is also particularly relevant in the context of the pandemic situation, where attendance at test centres may present significant challenges due to public health measures such as travel restrictions and lockdowns in certain countries, also entailing closure of test centres.

Remote proctoring via our contractor Prometric’s ProProctor application allows candidates to sit the tests securely in a remote location with their own computer rather than in one of the computer-based test centres. 

A “proctor” is a supervisor, or a person who monitors candidates during a test. When taking a remotely proctored test, candidates will be continuously monitored by live proctors using various monitoring tools. Candidates can reach out to the proctor if they have questions or in case of emergency.

Exams are continuously monitored for suspicious activity or behaviour by video and audio recordings.

You must contact Prometric directly via e-mail: epso_en@prometric.com

During the booking and testing periods you can reschedule your multiple-choice question test appointment, subject to availability and under the following conditions:

• you should first wait until the original booking confirmation uploads in your EPSO account (normally within 24 hours of booking) as it contains the link, the confirmation number and the code you will need in order to reschedule the appointment;
• you can reschedule your original appointment up to the day before;
• you can only choose a new appointment within the same testing period and from the appointments shown in the system;
• you have the possibility to change test centre location (subject to availability);
• you must complete the rescheduling procedure to the very last screen, failing which your original appointment will remain valid;
• you have to print and bring the updated booking confirmation to the test centre. 

Please consult the following link for step-by-step screenshots of the rescheduling procedure.

Exceptional circumstances

In exceptional circumstances, such as a serious illness, birth of a child, death of a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, EPSO may authorise rescheduling, subject to availability.

You should contact EPSO without delay, with your candidate number and all relevant documentary evidence, for example a medical certificate, which has to obligatorily cover the appointment date.

You cannot request rescheduling (including for exceptional circumstances) from one testing period to another. You may only be re-invited to book a test in another testing period if you are pre-selected again by any recruiting service.

You will be informed as soon as a decision has been taken; please note however that only duly substantiated exceptional circumstances as detailed above will be taken into account.

Should you have a serious doubt about the content of a test question please contact EPSO's Candidate Contact Service within three calendar days of your tests clearly stating the circumstances and your candidate number (see the procedure in the Call for Expression of Interest).

If an identified item does not comply with the EPSO's quality criteria, the following corrective measures will be applied:
- The item will be corrected or taken out of the database;
- Corrective measures may be taken in instances where EPSO finds that a candidate was negatively impacted.

• Test results are not given at the test centres, but communicated via your EPSO account about 3-5 weeks after the completion of the testing period.
• Before publication the results have been previously verified, approved and validated by the Selection Board (for competitions) or by EPSO (for CAST selection procedures). Once the results communicated, the accuracy of the questions can no longer be challenged. 

You need to score highly enough to be among the top ranking candidates in order to qualify for the next stage. 

Objective evaluation criteria are adopted prior to the selection, in accordance with the competition notice, and are rigorously applied to all candidates in order to ensure equal treatment.

As only a set number of candidates can go through to the next stage, only those with the highest scores are invited.  These candidates have a score equal to or above the threshold.

A list of successful candidates is drawn up by the Selection board in descending order of the total score obtained.  

In order to define the threshold, candidates' scores are ranked in descending order. The board then selects the top ranking candidates that can be invited to the next stage of the competition (see question: "how many candidates will go from TS to the next stage"). The threshold is the score of the last candidate on this list.

If you are pregnant during the selection procedure registration period, you can submit your questions, problems or requests for adjustments in your application form, together with a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy and your due delivery date.

If you find out that you are pregnant or you give birth during the selection procedure period, please contact us as soon as possible, providing the same information and sending a medical certificate confirming the expected or actual delivery date.

We will inform you of the possible options after examining your request.

If you require adjustments to the selection tests as a result of a disability or medical condition, all you need to do is follow the procedure set out on our equal opportunities page in order to submit your request for adjustments. You will also find the different types of possible adjustments.

Please note that in order to benefit from reasonable adjustments to the selection tests, you will have to produce a certificate confirming your disability or medical condition issued by a competent national organisation and/or a specialist.

Should an issue occur, please ensure that you:

• alert an invigilator to resolve the issue and request that the incident be logged in writing AND
• notify EPSO within 3 calendar days after the test in writing via the online contact form with a brief description of the problem encountered.

The complete list of tests for a specific selection procedure is available in the notice of competition/call for expression of interest.

With the exception of the sample tests, EPSO does not provide any preparatory learning material or guidance regarding taking the tests.

Some Member States organise courses for training EU nationals for the European Institutions' open competitions.

To find out more, please check the information on the same page.

EPSO does not contribute to any travel expenses incurred by your participation in any computer-based tests or preliminary/intermediate tests (i.e. multiple choice question tests, e-tray exercise and translation tests).

Candidates invited to the case study or to a written test in the field having an address of residence in a country outside the EU are entitled to claim a contribution towards their travel expenses if these tests are part of the assessment center (please refer to the relevant notice of competition).

When you participate to the assessment centre tests you may, if you are eligible, request a contribution for your travel expenses, but not a reimbursement of all expenses actually incurred (Article 2). In addition, as regards subsistence costs, a contribution is foreseen only if the various tests at the assessment centre take place over two consecutive days or are separated by a maximum of three days (Article 6). You will not receive any contribution to the accommodation costs for the night before or the night after the assessment centre in accordance with the rules below:

• Rules on financial contributions towards travel and subsistence expenses for persons invited to tests organised as part of a competition or selection procedure, or to an interview or medical examination (applies to selection procedures published from 1 January 2018)

Important:  Please note that you have 3 months from the date of your test to send the whole request for a contribution towards travel/subsistence expenses.

As a general rule, the address of residence indicated in your EPSO account will be used as the basis for the calculation.

If you are eligible please:

•  fill in the documents (legal entity form (select "Natural person") and Financial identification form);
•  print and sign them;
•  ask your bank to stamp the financial identification form;
•  print, fill in and sign the "contribution form";
•  send the above documents with a copy of your identity card or passport, and proof of travel and/or accommodation to:

European Personnel Selection Office
Travel expenses candidates
L-107
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium

To know more on how to apply for a contribution to travel and/or subsistence expenses, please visit this related question.

Please check the Notice of Competition or Call for Expression of Interest of your selection procedure for the number of questions, duration and pass marks for the tests.

Arrival at the test centre:

The address of the test centre is listed in the link in your booking confirmation. You can find this confirmation in your EPSO account once you have booked for the tests. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. Availability cannot be guaranteed if you are late or if you miss your appointment.
We would like to invite you to read our frequently asked question on What are the rules of conduct at the computer-based tests centres? before going to the test.

For multiple-choice question tests:

You will be offered the first available seat. If you arrive early, you may be given the option to sit your tests before your scheduled exam time. In the event of a delay exceeding 30 minutes due to circumstances beyond our contractors' control, for instance technical issues, you can ask the test centre to reschedule your appointment to another date.

For case study, written test in the field and translation tests:

The candidates are advised to allow for more time at the test centre in case of unexpected delays. Depending on the nature of the issue, the exam schedule may be impacted and could exceptionally result in delays of up to several hours. Further information will be given at the test centre itself if needed.

Identity check:

You must bring to the test centre:   

• the printed booking confirmation from your EPSO account;
• a valid document proving your identity, bearing a recent photo and signature, for example: your passport, national identity card, photographic driving licence, national/regional residence permit, military ID card.
• If the photographic ID provided does not bear a signature, further proof of identity bearing a signature must be provided, such as: non-photographic driving licence, bank card/credit card.

Your personal details on the above-mentioned documents must be identical to those in your EPSO account.

Starting the tests:

Please note that you cannot request a change of the workstation allocated to you.

Once your test is launched, you will be asked to confirm your name. If the test is not in your name, press “No” and notify an invigilator immediately.
All instructions in the tests, including the tutorial, introductory screens, and survey will normally be in your second language. This may vary for linguist competitions.
You will take the tests in the languages selected in your application form. You can check this in your EPSO account. Please note that the language options cannot be changed once the application form has been submitted. 
Each work station will have the following equipment: 

• a note board
• a marker pen
• a right-handed mouse
• ONLY FOR tests of CAST/P selection procedures: a handheld calculator with basic functions (pictured below or similar, depending on the location of your test centre). As simplified calculators are in use, calculator instructions will not be provided anymore. It is your responsibility to ensure that the calculator works (including clearing the memory) before starting the tests.
• an on-screen calculator (see picture 4 below), if taking numerical tests
• disposable earplugs (on request)
• ear defenders, which are placed over the partitions between work stations, or on request.

​ Please check that all items work before starting your tests. If you require any assistance during the tests, please alert an invigilator by raising your hand.

calculator_1.jpg	calculator_2.png
calculator_3.jpg	calculator2.png

Tutorial:

Before you start the tests there will be a 5 or 10-minute tutorial (depending on the type of test) on navigating and answering the tests.
As the test environment and navigation within the exam are explained in detail in the tutorial, candidates are deemed to be aware of these functions and as such no complaints in this regard will be accepted by EPSO.
For some questions you may have to scroll down to see the whole question and all answers. Once you have finished the tutorial press "END" to start the test.

Breaks and ending the tests:

You should complete all the tests.
There may be an optional break at a specific point during the tests. The exact timing will be communicated in the invitation letter.
Please ensure that you do not inadvertently end your break (by clicking on the 'END' button) as this will trigger the start of the next test.
If you leave the test room at any other time during the tests (unscheduled break) no extra time will be added.
In the case of certain tests if you wish to finish earlier you may leave the room in silence after notifying an invigilator.
You must sign in and out each time you enter and leave the test room.

Survey:

At the end of the tests (with the exception of the e-tray), you will be asked to complete a 5-minutes optional survey relating to your testing experience. This section is not to be used to make comments/observations on technical issues or requests for neutralisation of questions (please see relevant FAQs). The survey is not scored.

After the tests:

You can request an attendance certificate at the test centre at the end of the tests.
The test results are not given at the test centres.
After the testing window has closed the results are processed by Prometric, sent to EPSO and approved by the Selection Board at a dedicated meeting. This procedure can typically take a number of weeks.
The testing period may be extended should the need arise.

Anyone failing to respect the following rules of conduct may be excluded from the test centre and the rest of the selection procedure.

You must follow the Prometric Testing Center Regulations (also available at the test centre on the day of the tests) and all instructions given by the test centre staff.

Each test session is invigilated and videotaped. In order to ensure a secure testing environment, invigilators perform regular walk-throughs whilst candidates are taking the tests.

Food and drinks are allowed only in the waiting room/area but not in the test room. No refreshments are provided at the test centres.

You must complete the tests without any aids or equipment other than those provided at the test centre.  

All prohibited items (for example watches, paper and pen, books, notes, instructions, briefcases, bags, calculators, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras etc.) must be switched-off (for any items which produce sound) and left in the lockers provided. For some translation tests (where specifically mentioned in the Notice of competition), candidates are allowed to bring their own dictionaries. Please see the specific FAQ "Can I bring my dictionaries for translation tests?".

You may be required to remove your glasses for close visual inspection. 

Jewellery other than wedding and engagement rings is prohibited in the testing room.

Any clothing or jewellery items allowed to be worn in the test room must remain on your person at all times. Removed clothing or jewellery items must be stored in your locker.

Neither Prometric nor EPSO can accept any responsibility for loss or damage to property that is brought into the test centre.

As pregnant candidates are exempt from the security scan, you should inform Prometric staff should you not wish to be subject to this check.

It is strictly forbidden to copy or record in any manner test content or to make it publicly available. All content remains the property of EPSO.

Smoking is strictly forbidden at the test centre.

You should not talk in the test room. If you require any assistance, please alert an invigilator by raising your hand.

Any rude, abusive, derogatory or threatening behaviour towards staff or other candidates will not be tolerated and may lead to your exclusion from the competition.

You will be notified of the start and end dates of the booking period via your EPSO account/website. A link to the contractor's booking system will be active in your EPSO account only during this booking period.

You will be able to choose the date, time, country and test centre according to availability. Please note that not all test centres will show availability at all times. The capacity planning in the various test centres is based on the opening hours of each test centre, the number of available work stations, along with the number of candidates who have selected the centre in question.

A more limited range of testing dates will be offered in the case of certain tests (translation tests, e-tray). The case study and the written test in the field are in general organised on the same day for all candidates.

You can choose a different test centre from the one you indicated in your application form.

When the booking link is activated you will find on Prometric website, the list of available test centres (in all EU Member States and in the case of some procedures worldwide). If you do not schedule an appointment during the booking period your application will be considered withdrawn.

Please check your EPSO account regularly as you will not receive a notification email once the booking link is activated.

You must complete the booking procedure to the very last screen. If no confirmation number is generated and email received from the contractor, you have not completed the booking correctly.

All candidates are offered the same number of days in which to book a test, regardless of when they apply.

Please check the step-by-step screenshots of the booking procedure.

Immediately after booking you will receive a confirmation email from Prometric. Check your spam filter/junk mail if you do not receive it.

The exam code indicated in the confirmation email for MCQ tests and the e-tray corresponds to your second language, namely the language for the instructions in the test environment. For the case study, written test in the field and the translation tests this code also corresponds to additional information on the language of the test and the keyboard.

A booking confirmation will also be uploaded in your EPSO account within 48 hours of booking. You should print this confirmation and bring it with you to the test centre, along with proof of identity (see 'What are the instructions for sitting the computer-based tests?').

During the booking and testing periods you can reschedule your multiple-choice question test appointment during the booking and testing periods, subject to availability and under the following conditions:

• you should first wait until the original booking confirmation uploads in your EPSO account (normally within 24 hours of booking) as it contains the confirmation number and code you will need in order to reschedule the appointment;
• you can reschedule your original appointment up to the day before;
• you can only choose from the appointments shown in the system;
• you have the possibility to change test centre location (subject to availability);
• you must complete the rescheduling procedure to the very last screen, failing which your original appointment will remain valid;
• you have to print and bring the updated booking confirmation to the test centre. 

​Prometric's booking management system is accessible via the link in the booking confirmation in your EPSO account.

Please consult the following link for step-by-step screenshots of the rescheduling procedure.

Exceptional circumstances

In exceptional circumstances, such as a serious illness, birth of a child, death of a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, EPSO may authorise rescheduling, subject to availability.

You cannot request rescheduling (including for exceptional circumstances):

• in the last 7 calendar days of a testing period exceeding 14 calendar days;   
• in the last 3 calendar days of a testing period of 14 or fewer calendar days.

You should contact EPSO without delay, with your candidate number and all relevant documentary evidence, for example a medical certificate, which has to obligatorily cover the appointment date.

You will be informed as soon as a decision has been taken; please note however that only duly substantiated exceptional circumstances as detailed above will be taken into account.

Rescheduling is not possible for case study, written test in the field, e-tray and translation tests.

If you decide not to take the tests, you should cancel your appointment to free up the slot for another candidate. This can be done online up to 48 hours before the time of your scheduled test.

This action is irreversible and will end your participation in the selection procedure.

Prometric's booking management system is accessible via the link in the booking confirmation letter in your EPSO account.

Please consult the following link for step-by-step screenshots of the cancellation procedure.

If you encounter technical issues when booking, rescheduling or cancelling your computer-based tests, please contact Prometric directly by phone, via one of the numbers below (toll-free with most telecom providers):

Austria: 0800 201 768
Belgium: 0800 80293
Bulgaria: 00800 1104423
Croatia: 0800 222 354
Cyprus: 800 91198
Czech Republic: 800 900 549
Denmark: 8060 0064
Estonia: 800 0044 235
Finland: 0800 97543
France: 0805 54 03 72
Germany: 0800 101 5487
Greece: 00800 4414 0600
Hungary: 06 80 981 361
Ireland: 1800 882 168
Italy: 800 917 585
Latvia: 800 2565
Lithuania: 8800 30392
Luxembourg: 0800 26701
Malta: 800 62442
Netherlands: 0800 020 0951
Poland: 00800 4411 842
Portugal: 800 207 477
Romania: 0800 894557
Slovakia: 0800 004 493
Slovenia: 0800 80871
Spain: 900 811 189
Sweden: 201 701 533

You can also dial +31 320 239 575. Be aware that this is not a toll-free number.