Dear all,

Yes, the year ends and we have been a year that we can describe as “interesting”. In 2023, we have stopped many of our efforts and illusions to get our dream of working in the European institutions, and during their dozen months we got plenty of emotions : a new EPSO model has been launched, the launch was delayed, competitions have been cancelled (the famous AST154 with its 6 profiles, it was a pity our webinar looked so good), there have been new calls, examinations interruptus and promises of what will come in 2024. So in our post today we will talk about the bad news and the good news (yes there are!) around European competitions, the Commission’s internal competitions and we’ll end telling you how from Ya Semos Europeos can help you in 2024 .

[Spanish version of this article here]

Let’s talk about the bad news on 2023 (good ones come after)

Desde que EPSO anunció a bombo y platillo el nuevo modelo y lanzó el nuevo modelo de oposición pese a las nubes que se veían en el horizonte (lo que motivo postponer el arranque de primavera a otoño de 2023 las primeras oposiciones), la cosa no mejoró y tanto EPSO, como los candidatos, les tocó sufrir un baño de realidad.

Since EPSO created a big hype announcing the new model and launched it despite the clouds looming on the horizon (which forced them to move the first competitions from spring to autumn 2023), things didn’t improve and both EPSO and the candidates experienced a hard reality check.

The IT platform chosen for the exams didn’t work like clockwork and in several competitions (Intellectual Property, Crisis, Migration and Economists) in view of the significant number of people who could not be examined (EPSO has not published the numbers but all points to incidents, where the candidate could not be examined, were well above 25 %) the tests had to be organised again in order to give candidates the missed opportunity. The preliminary results of the second attempt were so good that they stopped the examinations and put them on hold until February (at the earliest – EPSO dixit)

This has prompted other competitions, such as the expected Ad5 Generalists, to be cancelled for the time being and without a fixed date for return (rumors say it could be September 2024). In the images below, you can see what EPSO announced in May 2023, after a first postponement and what we now have on its website. We saw Intellectual Property, Crisis, Migration and Economists published more or less in time but already Transport (click to see our webinar) and Lawyer linguist opened later than expected (at the end of the year) while Generalists and other oppositions were postponed without new dates.

Here we are, crossing the fingers and confident that the problem will be settled earlier than later. It will be our natural optimism but we are convinced that this spring/summer, as well as heat, will give us good European competitions for all.

The good news in 2024

Not everything is going to be bad, we will see some good news for this new year

• The postponements give us more time to prepare ourselves, especially in the two key tests, the MCQ (Multiple Choice Questionnaire) and the Case study, where having the booklet in advance requires us to work carefully to prepare for it, so familiarising ourselves with the topic with time is always positive.
• EPSO remains committed to its new online model and to the European Union’s knowledge tests, so what we have done so far has not been for nothing. We are studying gradually and taking advantage of the accumulated effort..
• The waiting can only bring more competitions or competitions with more places. Time is still moving for EU staff too. EU staff is getting old and many are retiring these years. Renewal is needed and competitions are key to achieve this, so when everything is settled, competitions will be back in full force.
• More profiles will come. In addition to generalists, once the technical breakthrough has been settled, there will be a multitude of different profiles, which, although not confirmed yet,they will be the same or more varied than hitherto.
• More inspiration available. Let’s put aside our concerns, we can find inspiration on people who achieved their goals, this helps us to stay motivated and work for our great goal. That is why we continue to talk to our croquetillas (candidates) who have managed to achieve their dream of getting their place in the European institutions. This year we were able to talk to Zaloa (click to watch – original audio in Spanish) and to Ángel (click to watch), we hope they will give you ideas for the year you start. Stay alert, we will soon upload another video and more to come in 2024.
• If you are a YSE student, the whole situation with EPSO is attacking your nerves (ours too!) but not your pocket. All of you who have trusted in us know that beyond the materials and sessions we have committed, we are extending and updating the trainings until the very same day of the examination. Our commitment remains with us until the end of the examination.

The Internal Competitions

Si trabajas en la Comisión o en otra institución, los procesos internos de selección han sido la tabla de salvación de muchas croquetillas para pasar a ser funcionarios europeos. Aunque tuvieron sus baches los procesos de 2022-23 concluyeron satisfactoriamente (Enhorabuena a las decenas de croquetillas que tuvimos el honor de ayudar en esa aventura, fuera en AD5, AD6 y todas las demás), las de 2023 se han lanzado satisfactoriamente (AST4, AD5, AD8, AD10, AD12) (aquí podéis ver nuestro webinar para los amigos de Generation2004, el principal sindicato de la Comisión) y ahora toca esperar resultados de los examenes o los talent screener para ir a la fase de entrevistas que se espera a partir de Marzo.

If you work in the Commission or in another institution, the internal selection procedures have been the lifeline for many to become European officials. With some delays, the 2022-23 processes were successfully completed (congratulations to the dozens of our candidates we had the honour of helping in that adventure, in AD5, AD6 and all others). Then, the 2023 processes have been successfully launched (AST4, AD5, AD8, AD10, AD12, AD) (here you can see our webinar for the friends of Generation2004, the Commission’s main trade union) and it now comes to wait for results from examinations or talent screener to go to the stage of oral tests, which are expected from March.

If you could not join these competitions, don’t worry, 2024 looks promising, charged with new opportunities. The Commission has finally announced a new competition to apply at AST levels from AST/SC positions (secretariat), the classic AD5 will take place (by second quarter if they follow the schedule) as well as other levels and profiles. You will be informed in a timely manner here or in our telegram and linkedin.

In 2024 , what can YSE do for me?

If you read this, probably you won’t be interested to read about the more 12 training groups for AD5 generalists, internal competition, case study from Energy-Clima-Environment or agencies or the dozens of assessment sessions (SCBI, Field related, oral presentation, oral test-internal competition) that we have launched in 2023 and all the candidates who passed with us in Space and Defence (EPSO/AD/400/22), Audivisual , building and laboratories technicians (EPSO/AST/150/21) , Head of Administration in delegation EPSO/AST/153/22 , internal competitions from the Commission AD5, AD6, AD7, AD9 and AD12 (More than one and two name on each reserve list know us well ; -), and more.

Probably you are more interested in knowing how did they do so? what trainings did they follow? well, let explain us our proposals

0.- Free resources

• Remember that on youtube you have a lot of videos with ideas, references and suggestions to prepare the exams for each competition. Just look for the specific webinar.
• CBT – on el blog you got it explained (soon English version will be ready) classic post never die.
• And in a few days more…

1.-CBT training

• What’s in it? 4 sessions : Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning. Original YSE materials and exercises in English.
• Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. Videos and materials are accessible for 1 year.
• When does it start? February. From 18.30 to 20.30
• This trainings is good for….? All EPSO competitions and CAST exams (Contractual agent). All have these test.
• Where can I join? Here you can join and read all the details an conditions .

2.-CASE STUDY/WRITTEN TEST Training

• What’s in it? Theory of the written exercise, 5 exercises for practice with individualised correction and 3 sessions to analyse the exercises. The sessions will be in English and practice in English (some of the written test can be held in French).
• Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. Exercises, in exam format, on our platform of practice.
• When does it start? Next in February .
• This trainings is good for….? All EPSO competitions, under the new model, they include this written test
• Where can I join? In this link you can read all details about scheduled sessions and join.

3.- MCQ – Institutions and policies of the EU and digital skills

• What’s in it? 1000 questions and materials on the EU (history, institutions and policies) + 150 questions on digital skills.
• Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. The 6 sessions + pre-examination session are extended to January 2024, to reach the ceiling for the examination.
• When does it start? Next will begin in February
• This trainings is good for….? AD5 Generalists.
• Where can I join? In this link and also to read the other details.

4.-MCQ trainings for specialist

• What is it? +350 questions, background materials, video explanatory and a live session to prepare the examination. This training and materials will be in English. Videos and materials are accessible for 6 months..
• Our Methodology All materials available in our course platform and the pre-exam session will be online, via zoom and also recorded to allow you to repeat or enjoy it if you couldn’t connect
• When does it start? when you want.
• This trainings is good for….? each MCQ training is identified below for which competition is suitable
• Where can I join?
  • MCQ test for AD7 – Crisis Management – EPSO/403/23 – 1
  • MCQ test for AD7 – Migration and Internal Security – EPSO/403/23 – 2
  • MCQ test for AD7 – Intellectual Property – EUIPO/AD/01/23
  • MCQ test for AD7 – Transport EPSO/410/23.

5.- ASSESSMENT sessions

• What are they? Dedicated sessions for practice in the corresponding EPSO Assessment Centre test (Field related interview, Oral Presentation, Situational Competence based Interview (SCBI), Competence Based Interview (CBI). Practice is done in English or French. Feedback in English, the preliminary theory is available in a specific recording to give more space to practice.
• Our Methodology Online, session via zoom that is recorded to allow you to review afterwards.
• When do they start? they already did (run!)
• This trainings is good for….? All EPSO competitions following the old Assessment model : ICT AD and AST , Energy, Environemnt and Climate.
• Where can I join? On this link you can view (and note) all scheduled sessions (we use the teachable platform).