7 tips to prepare successfully for European competitions

1. Check regularly the EPSO competitions’ calendar

The competition calendar is updated regularly on the EPSO website (open for application, upcoming opportunities & ongoing).

You can also subscribe to our newsletter so that you do not miss important updates on upcoming competitions.

    2. Read the notice of competition carefully

The notice of competition gives you information on:

• the conditions to register including the required qualifications and professional experience;
• the various competition stages and the tests that you must take;
• the number of successful candidates sought and the criteria to pass the tests;
• the languages in which you can take the tests. 

3. Check your EPSO account on a regular basis

In your EPSO account, you receive all the information on:

• the practical organisation of the tests: dates, places, booking procedures…;
• your results. 

4. Start by working slowly

For each test, we have developed a specific methodology. Each methodology has been created to help you find the correct answer in the minimum time.

In the beginning, it is not easy to put it into practice as it involves using techniques that you do not use in everyday life, eg. selective reading in verbal reasoning or the ability to visualize geometric transformations in abstract reasoning.

To be successful in each test, you must acquire automatisms. This can take some time.

You can work on the methodology mainly with the training courses and the books. Analyse each question slowly and follow the advice given in the methodology without time constraint.

5. Then, practise in the conditions of the competition

Once you master the methodology, you should practise in the conditions of the competition. To do so, we advise you to use online tests. The ones we offer on our website are timed and use an interface similar to the one used by EPSO.

The aim of online tests is to assess yourself. They allow you to evaluate whether you are ready for the competition or if you still need to work on some aspects of the methodology.  

6. Be efficient

Work on a regular basis and a little at a time. It is better to work one hour each day rather than 6 hours once a week. Change tests regularly to avoid saturation. 

7. Be confident

It is possible that at the beginning, you do not get good scores when doing the tests. It is normal: you have not developed all the automatisms yet and some techniques have not yet been completely understood. We all make slow progress at the beginning. It can sometimes take a few weeks before understanding it fully but once you have understood, you will improve very quickly.

Good luck with your preparation!