EPSO AD5 2026 Calendar: Test Dates, Invitations and Every Key Deadline

Update 13 October 2026: EPSO has confirmed that Part 1 takes place in the week of 9–13 November 2026, with invitations on 19 October. Read the details

With almost 175,000 applicants for 1,490 places, the EPSO AD5 2026 competition (EPSO/AD/427/26) is one of the largest EU graduate competitions ever. The most common question candidates ask is simple: when are the tests? Here is the complete calendar, based on EPSO's official communications.

The AD5 2026 timeline at a glance

Part 1: November 2026

Part 1 is taken by all candidates in their language 1, in a single session:

• Verbal reasoning: 20 questions in 35 minutes — pass mark 10/20.
• Numerical reasoning: 10 questions in 20 minutes.
• Abstract reasoning: 10 questions in 10 minutes.
• Numerical and abstract are assessed together: you need at least 10/20 combined.

Because of the number of candidates, testing is spread over several days. EPSO has said there is no common date for everyone: each candidate receives an individual invitation.

How you will be invited

1. About three weeks before the first testing session, an invitation letter is posted in your Single Candidate Portal (EPSO account). It tells you your testing week, not the exact day.
2. At least two weeks before your test, your exact date and time are available on the testing platform, following the instructions in the letter.
3. Make sure today that you can log in to your candidate account. A blocked login in November is a problem you do not want.

Part 2: 2027

Only candidates who pass Part 1 are invited to Part 2, taken in language 2:

• EU knowledge: 30 questions in 40 minutes — pass mark 15/30.
• Digital skills: 40 questions in 30 minutes — pass mark 20/40.
• EU free-text essay (EUFTE): marked only for the best-ranked candidates.

EPSO will publish the sources for the EU knowledge test about two months before the test date. Exact Part 2 dates have not been announced yet.

What this calendar means for you

If Part 1 starts in November, you have a few weeks, not months. The reasoning tests reward speed under time pressure, and that only comes with timed practice:

• Now: take a timed diagnostic to find your weakest area.
• Every day until your invitation: 20–30 minutes of timed questions, focusing on that area.
• When the invitation arrives: one full Part 1 simulation (40 questions, 65 minutes) per week.

Part 2 is far away, but EU knowledge and digital skills weigh heavily in the final ranking. Start them calmly once Part 1 is behind you.

Start now

Take our free timed test (20 questions, 20 minutes) to see where you stand. The Reasoning pack covers exactly Part 1: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning modules with explained answers, plus a Part 1 final exam timed like the real one (40 questions, 65 minutes).

👉 See the AD5 preparation packs on qweega.eu