Story of a candidate for the first stage of the procedure for selecting permanent staff for EU institutions computer-based

d admission testing EPSO/AST/118/11 (AST 3)

Today I had an EPSO CBT for the first time. I was quite exited and wondered how it would be like when I sit there in front of the computer. So here is what you can expect from your CBT from my experience. I went quite early at the test centre and I had to wait a little bit to be called to get up the stairs on the first floor. I was welcomed by a polite woman who advised me to read the EPSO instructions on the wall. Then I entered a small room where I was asked about my name and to provide my identity card. When my identity was checked I had to sign in on the signature log and then I left all of my personal belongings in the locker. Before entering the test room I was checked by a detector for wearing metal items and I was asked to take everything out of my pockets (if I had any pockets). Then I was invited into the test room and accompanied to my seat by the testing centre administrator. On my working station there were two erasable note boards, two erasable markers, a sponge, a calculator, and earplugs. Meanwhile the testing centre administrator had launched my test and everything was ready for me to start. First I had to confirm my name and then I received a 5-minute tutorial instructing candidates on how to navigate through the test and on how to select and review answers. I had already made myself familiar with the tutorial from the booking letter in my EPSO account. I strongly advise you to familiarize as much as possible with computer-based admission tests beforehand read very carefully the tutorial and the instructions to candidates that you can download from the booking letter in your EPSO account! Then the first section of the admission tests verbal reasoning test began. I had to answer 20 questions within 35 minutes. The texts were very interesting and giving much useful information. However the questions were somewhat confusing and some of them in my opinion had two correct answers. As you know there can be only one correct answer in this section. The second section - numerical reasoning test contained 10 questions which I had to answer for 20 minutes. I found the questions quite easy and I was ok with time. Here I used the calculator and the erasable board. There is also an on-line calculator available during the numerical test. The third section abstract reasoning test contained 10 questions that I had to answer for 10 minutes. These questions were really confusing and time was definitely not enough for them. After the third section I used a ten-minute optional break. I enjoyed the silence in the test room and just relaxed. The invigilator was very quiet and her presence did not disturb me in any way. I had the opportunity to completely concentrate on the tests. Then the next test accuracy and precision began. I had to answer 40 questions for 6 minutes! It was really hard to do that. The questions were easy, however time was not enough.

Next section prioritizing and organizing test contained 24 questions and lasted 30 minutes. The questions were very interesting and it was fun answering them. However time was not enough. The last section situational judgment test lasted 30 minutes and contained 20 questions. Here you have to select two correct answers from four options the most effective and least effective response to a situation. To indicate both of your replies to each situation, you have to use the mouse to left-click the Most effective and the Least effective boxes (one at a time) and drag them while still holding the left mouse button to the target panel place here next to the answer you consider to be appropriate. Then just release the left-button of the mouse to place the box. It was fun dragging the boxes to the selected answers and the situations were amusing. When I finished with the last test I completed an optional satisfaction survey relating to my testing experience. It contained 10 questions and continued 5 minutes. After that I went out of the test room and signed out on the signature log. I took my belongings and said goodbye to the testing centre administrators. I felt quite satisfied with myself for having taken all admission tests. Whatever the outcome, it was absolutely worthwhile attending, and I am eager to see my result. Good luck to all of you who are taking the EPSO CBT!