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EPSO AD5 practice questions

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Question 1Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

In the Council, the ordinary legislative procedure requires a qualified majority. Since the Lisbon Treaty this means at least 55% of the member states, comprising at least 65% of the Union's population. Where the Council acts on a proposal from the Commission, the necessary majority is reached only if these two thresholds are met at the same time. According to the passage, which condition must be satisfied for a qualified majority?

  1. A majority of member states is enough, whatever their combined population.
  2. Only the population threshold matters, since states are weighted by size.
  3. Both a member-state threshold and a population threshold must be met. Correct answer.
  4. Unanimity is needed whenever the Council acts on a Commission proposal.

Explanation

The passage presents two cumulative conditions: at least 55% of member states and at least 65% of the population, reached simultaneously. A vote therefore has to clear both hurdles, not one of them.

Question 2Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

A regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all member states; it requires no transposition. A directive is binding as to the result to be achieved and leaves the national authorities the choice of form and methods. Which conclusion follows from the passage?

  1. A directive leaves national authorities a choice of means. Correct answer.
  2. A regulation has to be transposed before it produces effects.
  3. A directive automatically repeals conflicting national rules.
  4. Both instruments must be ratified by national parliaments.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the direct applicability of regulations with the directive's characteristic of binding only the result while leaving form and methods to national authorities. Discretion over the means of implementation is therefore what distinguishes a directive here.

Question 3Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Every person holding the nationality of a member state is a citizen of the Union. Union citizenship is additional to national citizenship and does not replace it. Which statement is supported by the passage?

  1. Union citizenship cannot exist apart from the nationality of a member state. Correct answer.
  2. Nationality of a member state is acquired automatically after five years of residence.
  3. Union citizenship takes precedence over national citizenship in cases of conflict.
  4. Member states may confer Union citizenship on third-country nationals.

Explanation

The passage derives Union citizenship entirely from possession of a member state's nationality and describes it as additional rather than substitutive. It therefore follows that no one can be a Union citizen without holding such a nationality.

Question 4Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas which do not fall within the Union's exclusive competence, the Union acts only if the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the member states and can, by reason of scale or effects, be better achieved at Union level. In which situation does the principle of subsidiarity, as described, come into play?

  1. Where competence is shared and national action appears insufficient. Correct answer.
  2. Only when a national parliament formally objects to a proposal.
  3. Only in policy areas where the member states have no competence at all.
  4. Whenever the Union enjoys exclusive competence over a policy area.

Explanation

The passage limits subsidiarity to areas outside the Union's exclusive competence and frames it as a test of whether national action suffices. It therefore governs shared or non-exclusive fields in which the adequacy of national action is in question.

Question 5Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

A European state applying for membership must satisfy the Copenhagen criteria: stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; a functioning market economy able to cope with competitive pressure; and the capacity to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union. Which requirement is listed among the criteria described?

  1. Prior membership of the Schengen area without internal border checks.
  2. Membership of the euro area at the moment of accession.
  3. A population above a fixed minimum threshold set by the treaties.
  4. A working market economy that can withstand competitive pressure. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage lists a functioning market economy capable of coping with competitive pressure as one of the economic conditions. Adopting the euro is mentioned only as an aim of membership, not as a precondition for joining.

Question 6Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The Schengen area removes checks on persons at internal borders. To compensate, participating states apply common rules on controls at external borders, a shared visa policy and closer police and judicial cooperation. Not every participating state is a member of the European Union, and not every EU member state participates. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Internal border controls were replaced by identity checks at each crossing.
  2. All EU member states belong to the Schengen area.
  3. Abolishing internal checks is balanced by tighter external controls. Correct answer.
  4. Schengen states also share a single customs tariff at internal borders.

Explanation

The passage presents external border controls, visa policy and police cooperation as compensating measures for the removal of internal checks. The two elements form a package, which is exactly what the second option states.

Question 7Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of the member states, its own President and the President of the Commission. It meets to provide the Union with the impetus and general political directions necessary for its development, but it does not exercise legislative functions. Which conclusion is supported by the passage?

  1. It sets political priorities but does not pass legislation. Correct answer.
  2. Its members are directly elected by the citizens of the Union.
  3. The President of the Commission chairs all of its meetings.
  4. The European Council adopts the Union's legislative acts in first reading.

Explanation

The passage assigns the European Council a directing role, providing impetus and general political directions, while expressly denying it legislative functions. The conclusion that it sets priorities without legislating restates exactly that division.

Question 8Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The Charter of Fundamental Rights is binding on the institutions, bodies and agencies of the Union and on the member states only when they are implementing Union law. Which situation falls within the scope of the Charter as described?

  1. Any act of a member state, because the Charter applies everywhere.
  2. A purely local decision with no link to any Union obligation.
  3. A national law adopted in an area where the Union has no competence.
  4. A national authority applying a Union regulation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The Charter binds member states when they implement Union law, so a national authority giving effect to a Union regulation is the clearest example of such implementation. Situations with no link to Union law fall outside its scope.

Question 9Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Where a question on the interpretation or validity of Union law is raised before a national court, that court may, if it considers a decision necessary to give judgment, request a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice. Where such a question is raised in a case pending before a court against whose decisions there is no judicial remedy under national law, that court is obliged to bring the matter before the Court. Which conclusion follows from the passage?

  1. A court of last instance must refer; lower courts may choose to. Correct answer.
  2. A reference automatically suspends the application of the treaty provision.
  3. Every national court is obliged to refer any question of Union law.
  4. Only the Commission may bring such questions before the Court.

Explanation

The passage distinguishes a discretion for courts that may still be appealed against from an obligation for courts whose decisions cannot be appealed. The dividing line is therefore the absence of a judicial remedy, not the simple existence of a Union law question.

Question 10Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

If the Commission considers that a member state has failed to fulfil an obligation under the treaties, it may bring the matter before the Court of Justice. If the state has not complied with the first judgment, the Commission may again refer the case and ask the Court to impose a lump sum or penalty payment. What can be inferred about financial sanctions?

  1. They replace the Court's judgment when the state disputes the obligation.
  2. They normally come after a state has failed to comply with a first ruling. Correct answer.
  3. They may only be imposed on private undertakings, not on states.
  4. They are imposed automatically by the Commission as soon as a breach is detected.

Explanation

The passage links the request for a lump sum or penalty payment to a second referral, made when the state has not complied with the first judgment. Financial pressure therefore arrives at the stage of continued non-compliance, not at the moment the breach is identified.

Question 11Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Commission submits a proposal, which Parliament and the Council examine in successive readings. If the two institutions cannot agree, a conciliation committee is convened. The act is adopted only if the joint text is approved by both; if either rejects it, the act is not adopted. Which statement is supported by the passage?

  1. No agreement in conciliation means the act is not adopted. Correct answer.
  2. Parliament's opinion at first reading has advisory status only.
  3. Conciliation may be convened at the Council's sole discretion.
  4. The Council may adopt the act alone after a second reading.

Explanation

The passage makes approval of the joint text by both institutions a condition for adoption, so a rejection by either of them ends the procedure. Failure of conciliation therefore results in no act being adopted.

Question 12Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

In the absence of harmonising Union rules, a member state may not prohibit the sale of goods lawfully produced in another member state, even where they were manufactured to different technical standards. A restriction is nevertheless possible where it is necessary to satisfy mandatory requirements such as consumer protection or environmental protection, and where it is proportionate to the aim pursued. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. A member state may ban any product that fails to meet its own standards.
  2. A national ban must be justified and must not exceed what is needed. Correct answer.
  3. Environmental protection is not among the recognised grounds for restriction.
  4. Harmonisation at Union level is a precondition for cross-border trade.

Explanation

The passage allows restrictions only where they serve a mandatory requirement and are proportionate. A ban thus survives only if it is both justified by such a requirement and no more restrictive than necessary.

Question 13Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The primary objective of the European System of Central Banks is to maintain price stability. Without prejudice to that objective, it supports the general economic policies in the Union. Neither the ECB nor a national central bank may seek or take instructions from Union institutions, bodies or member state governments. Which conclusion follows from the passage?

  1. Supporting growth is subordinate to maintaining price stability. Correct answer.
  2. Price stability is pursued only when growth targets have been met.
  3. National central banks answer to their governments on interest rates.
  4. The ECB may take guidance from the Council on monetary decisions.

Explanation

The passage makes price stability the primary objective and allows support for general economic policies only 'without prejudice to' it. Support for growth is therefore conditional on, and ranked below, price stability.

Question 14Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The Union's annual budget is established each year within the ceilings set by the multiannual financial framework, which covers at least five years. The annual budget is adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of a proposal from the Commission. What does the passage imply about the multiannual financial framework?

  1. It sets ceilings for several years, not yearly amounts. Correct answer.
  2. It replaces the annual budgetary procedure for the whole period.
  3. It is the annual budget approved in a single vote.
  4. It is adopted by the Commission acting alone.

Explanation

The framework is described as establishing ceilings over a period of at least five years, within which the annual budget is separately decided. It therefore constrains expenditure across years rather than fixing the sums for each year.

Question 15Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Cohesion policy seeks to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions. Its funding is concentrated on the least developed regions and on regions facing specific structural difficulties. Most of it is implemented under shared management, with the Commission approving programmes and national and regional authorities selecting and running projects. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Programmes are approved centrally but run by national bodies. Correct answer.
  2. Cohesion funding is directed mainly at the wealthiest regions.
  3. Cohesion policy is an instrument of the single monetary policy.
  4. The Commission selects and manages individual projects directly.

Explanation

Under shared management as described, the Commission approves programmes while national and regional authorities select and run projects. Responsibility is therefore split between the central approval stage and the national implementation stage.

Question 16Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

State aid granted by member states which distorts or threatens to distort competition is incompatible with the internal market in so far as it affects trade between member states. Certain categories are nevertheless compatible or may be declared compatible, for example aid of a social character granted to individual consumers or aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy. Which statement is supported by the passage?

  1. Aid is permitted only where it has no effect on trade within the Union.
  2. Some categories of aid may be permitted despite the general ban. Correct answer.
  3. Any aid granted by a member state is prohibited without exception.
  4. The Commission may never declare aid compatible with the internal market.

Explanation

The passage sets out a general incompatibility rule and then lists categories that are compatible or may be declared so. The prohibition is therefore not absolute but subject to defined exceptions.

Question 17Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Accession to the Union requires the agreement of the Council acting unanimously, the consent of the European Parliament, and ratification of the accession treaty by every member state in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. Which conclusion follows from the passage?

  1. Every member state must ratify before a new state joins. Correct answer.
  2. The European Parliament alone decides on the admission of states.
  3. A qualified majority in the Council suffices for accession.
  4. A decision of the Commission is sufficient to admit a new state.

Explanation

The passage lists ratification by every member state, together with unanimous Council agreement and parliamentary consent, as cumulative requirements. Each member state therefore holds a veto through its own ratification procedure.

Question 18Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The principle of primacy means that a provision of national law which conflicts with Union law must be set aside by the national court called upon to apply it. The national court is not required to await the prior repeal of the national provision by the legislature. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. A court may disapply conflicting national law straight away. Correct answer.
  2. Primacy applies to regulations only, not to treaty provisions.
  3. The national legislature must repeal the rule before courts may disregard it.
  4. National law prevails where it was adopted later than the Union rule.

Explanation

The passage expressly removes any requirement to wait for legislative repeal, so the national court may set the conflicting provision aside at once. The timing of the national rule's adoption plays no part in the reasoning.

Question 19Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

In the field of common foreign and security policy, the European Council and the Council act mainly by unanimity on the basis of proposals from the High Representative. The European Parliament is consulted but does not co-legislate, and the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice is limited. Which statement is supported by the passage?

  1. The European Parliament co-decides on foreign policy measures.
  2. The Court of Justice exercises full review in this field.
  3. The Commission holds a monopoly on foreign policy proposals.
  4. Foreign policy decisions are taken largely by consensus of states. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage describes decision-making in this field as mainly by unanimity in the European Council and the Council, with Parliament consulted rather than co-legislating. This amounts to an essentially consensus-based, intergovernmental method.

Question 20Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Before the General Data Protection Regulation, personal data protection at Union level was set out in a directive, which each member state had to transpose. Divergences between national laws then hindered the free movement of data. The Regulation, directly applicable in all member states, was intended to ensure a uniform level of protection. Why was a regulation used instead of a directive, according to the passage?

  1. Because regulations may be transposed by member states at their own pace.
  2. To avoid divergent national rules and ensure uniform protection. Correct answer.
  3. Because a directive cannot deal with fundamental rights matters.
  4. Because regulations apply only to public administrations.

Explanation

The passage identifies divergence between national transposing laws as the problem and uniform protection as the aim of the directly applicable instrument. The choice of a regulation is thus explained by the desire for uniformity.

Question 21Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Workers who are nationals of a member state have the right to move to another member state to take up employment, and to be treated in the same way as nationals as regards working conditions, pay and social advantages. Derogations are possible for employment in the public service, but the Court has confined this exception to posts involving the exercise of public authority and responsibility for safeguarding the general interest of the state. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Equal treatment applies to pay but not to working conditions.
  2. All posts in the public service are reserved to national citizens.
  3. Few public-sector posts may be closed to other EU nationals. Correct answer.
  4. Workers must obtain a residence permit before taking up a post.

Explanation

The passage narrows the public service exception to posts involving public authority and state responsibility, which greatly reduces its reach. It follows that only a limited number of public-sector posts can be reserved to nationals.

Question 22Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Review of the legality of Union action includes a proportionality test. The Court examines whether the means employed are suitable for attaining the objective pursued and whether they go beyond what is necessary to achieve it. Where a choice between several appropriate measures is available, recourse must be had to the least onerous. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Proportionality applies only to measures adopted by member states.
  2. Any measure suited to the objective is automatically lawful.
  3. A suitable measure may still fail if a milder one was available. Correct answer.
  4. The Court replaces the legislator's assessment with its own view.

Explanation

The passage makes suitability only the first step and adds a necessity test requiring the least onerous option among appropriate measures. A measure that works can therefore still be annulled when a less restrictive alternative existed.

Question 23Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

A provision of a directive that is unconditional and sufficiently precise may be relied upon directly against the state or an emanation of the state. In disputes between private parties, however, a directive cannot itself create obligations for one of them; the national court must instead interpret national law in the light of the directive as far as possible. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Private parties cannot invoke a directive against each other. Correct answer.
  2. National courts may disregard national law that conflicts with a directive.
  3. Directives are directly effective in all disputes, including between firms.
  4. A directive has direct effect only once it has been transposed.

Explanation

The passage allows direct reliance against the state but denies that a directive can itself create obligations for a private party in litigation between individuals. In horizontal disputes the directive operates indirectly, through interpretation of national law.

Question 24Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

A natural or legal person may institute proceedings against an act addressed to that person, against an act which is of direct and individual concern to the person, and against a regulatory act which is of direct concern and does not entail implementing measures. Member states, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission may bring such actions without showing any interest, in defence of their prerogatives. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. Private applicants have the same standing requirements as institutions.
  2. Institutions listed enjoy wider access to the Court than individuals. Correct answer.
  3. Any individual may challenge any Union act without showing concern.
  4. Member states must demonstrate individual concern to bring an action.

Explanation

The passage describes conditions of direct and individual concern for private applicants while exempting certain institutions from showing any interest. Access to the Court is therefore broader for those institutions than for individuals.

Question 25Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Enhanced cooperation allows at least nine member states to use the Union's institutions and procedures to advance an objective where the Union as a whole cannot do so within a reasonable period. It must not undermine the internal market or economic, social and territorial cohesion, and it must not constitute a barrier to trade between member states. Which statement follows from the passage?

  1. It requires the unanimous agreement of all member states to proceed.
  2. It permits participating states to escape the application of Union law.
  3. Enhanced cooperation takes place outside the Union's legal framework.
  4. A smaller group may act, but not at the expense of the single market. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage permits a group of at least nine states to proceed while imposing limits designed to protect the internal market and cohesion. Advancement by a subset is therefore allowed only within those constraints.

Question 26Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

The European Citizens' Initiative allows one million citizens of the Union to invite the European Commission to submit a legislative proposal. What must the Commission do once a valid initiative has gathered the required support?

  1. It must present a formal proposal for a legal act within twelve months of registration.
  2. It must explain its assessment of the initiative and the action it intends to take, if any. Correct answer.
  3. It must refer the initiative to the European Parliament, which alone decides on follow-up.
  4. It may act only if the Council, acting unanimously, has first authorised it to do so.

Explanation

The initiative is an agenda-setting instrument: the Commission is not obliged to legislate, but it must set out its legal and political conclusions, the action it intends to take and the reasons for any decision not to act. This duty is laid down in the Treaty and in the regulation on the citizens' initiative.

Question 27Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

What is the defining legal characteristic of a regulation of the Union, as compared with a directive?

  1. It is addressed only to the member states, which must choose the form and methods of implementation.
  2. It is directly applicable in all member states and binding in its entirety. Correct answer.
  3. It is binding only as to the result to be achieved, leaving national authorities to choose the means.
  4. It takes effect only after transposition into national law and notification to the Commission.

Explanation

A regulation has general application, is binding in its entirety and is directly applicable in every member state, so it requires no transposition and cannot be re-enacted nationally. A directive, by contrast, binds member states only as to the result to be achieved.

Question 28Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

During the ordinary legislative procedure, a draft act in an area of shared competence draws reasoned opinions from national parliaments on subsidiarity grounds. Each national parliament has two votes. What follows if those opinions represent at least one third of the votes allotted?

  1. The Court of Justice rules on subsidiarity before the legislative procedure can resume.
  2. The draft is automatically annulled and may not be reintroduced in any form.
  3. The Commission must review the draft and may maintain, amend or withdraw it. Correct answer.
  4. The European Parliament must decide the matter by an absolute majority of its members.

Explanation

The subsidiarity control mechanism gives national parliaments a 'yellow card': where the threshold of reasoned opinions is reached, the institution that drafted the act must review it and state whether it maintains, amends or withdraws it. The mechanism is political in nature and does not annul the act or shift the decision to the Court.

Question 29Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

Two manufacturers together hold 40% of the Union market and agree between themselves to divide that market and not to compete on price. How is that agreement to be characterised under the Treaties?

  1. It falls outside the Treaties unless a member state grants it legal effect under national law.
  2. It is lawful if each party notifies its national competition authority in advance.
  3. It is prohibited and void, and the Commission may impose fines on the undertakings. Correct answer.
  4. It is lawful because their combined market share is below half of the relevant market.

Explanation

Agreements between undertakings which prevent, restrict or distort competition within the internal market are prohibited, and price-fixing and market-sharing are among the most serious examples. Such agreements are automatically void, and the Commission has power to impose fines for infringement.

Question 30Verbal reasoning (understanding and analysing written EU-related texts)

A directive was transposed late. In a dispute between two private parties, one of them invokes a clear and unconditional provision of that directive. What is the correct analysis?

  1. The directive cannot be invoked against the private party, but the national court must interpret national law in its light as far as possible. Correct answer.
  2. The national court must disapply the national law, since the directive has full direct effect as soon as its transposition deadline has passed.
  3. The individual may invoke the provision, but only after the Commission has issued a reasoned opinion finding the transposition defective.
  4. The provision applies directly, because a sufficiently precise directive overrides the autonomy private parties enjoy between themselves.

Explanation

Direct effect of a sufficiently precise and unconditional directive provision operates only against the state and its emanations, not in disputes between private persons. The gap is filled by the duty of consistent interpretation: the national court must read national law in the light of the directive as far as it can, short of interpreting it contra legem.

Question 31Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

An agency's annual budget of €240 million is allocated as follows: 45% to staff costs, 30% to operating costs, and the remainder to projects. How much is allocated to projects?

  1. €60 million Correct answer.
  2. €72 million
  3. €84 million
  4. €108 million

Explanation

The three shares must add up to 100%, so the projects' share is 100% − 45% − 30% = 25%. Applying this share to the total gives 0.25 × €240 million = €60 million. The other shares (45% and 30%) are distractors produced by applying the wrong percentage to the total.

Question 32Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A programme's expenditure rose from €80 million in one year to €92 million the next. What was the percentage increase?

  1. 13%
  2. 20%
  3. 12%
  4. 15% Correct answer.

Explanation

Percentage change is the absolute change divided by the original value, multiplied by 100. Here (92 − 80) / 80 = 12 / 80 = 0.15, i.e. a 15% increase. Dividing by the new value instead of the original gives the incorrect 13%.

Question 33Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A total of 720 staff are distributed between two directorates in the ratio 5:4. How many staff are in the larger directorate?

  1. 320
  2. 360
  3. 450
  4. 400 Correct answer.

Explanation

The ratio 5:4 divides the total into 5 + 4 = 9 equal parts, so each part is 720 / 9 = 80 staff. The larger directorate holds 5 parts, i.e. 5 × 80 = 400 staff. The smaller holds 4 × 80 = 320.

Question 34Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

The average cost of four project proposals is €2,600. Three of them cost €2,000, €2,800 and €3,200. What is the cost of the fourth proposal?

  1. €2,800
  2. €2,600
  3. €2,400 Correct answer.
  4. €2,200

Explanation

The total of the four costs is the average multiplied by the number of items: 4 × €2,600 = €10,400. The three known costs sum to €8,000, so the fourth is €10,400 − €8,000 = €2,400. Checking: (2,000 + 2,800 + 3,200 + 2,400) / 4 = 2,600.

Question 35Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A delegation converts €15,000 into pounds sterling at a rate of €1 = £0.85, and the bank charges a 2% commission on the sterling amount received. How many pounds does the delegation receive?

  1. £12,750
  2. £12,495 Correct answer.
  3. £12,240
  4. £11,250

Explanation

First convert the full amount: €15,000 × 0.85 = £12,750. The commission is 2% of this sterling amount, i.e. £255, which is deducted: £12,750 − £255 = £12,495. The commission must be taken from the converted sum, not from the euro amount.

Question 36Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

In a consultative committee of 96 members, 3/8 come from member states that joined after 2004. How many members is that?

  1. 48
  2. 32
  3. 36 Correct answer.
  4. 40

Explanation

To take a fraction of a quantity, divide by the denominator and multiply by the numerator: 96 / 8 = 12, then 12 × 3 = 36. So 36 members come from those member states.

Question 37Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A survey reports that a protected area covers 0.35 km². Given that 1 hectare = 10,000 m², what is this area in hectares?

  1. 3.5 hectares
  2. 35 hectares Correct answer.
  3. 350 hectares
  4. 3,500 hectares

Explanation

One square kilometre equals 1,000,000 m², so 0.35 km² = 350,000 m². Dividing by 10,000 m² per hectare gives 35 hectares. A hectare is therefore one hundredth of a square kilometre, so the conversion is 0.35 × 100.

Question 38Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

€4,000 is placed in an account paying simple interest of 3.5% per year. What is the total interest earned after four years?

  1. €140
  2. €480
  3. €560 Correct answer.
  4. €420

Explanation

Under simple interest the interest is calculated on the original capital only: interest = capital × rate × time. Here €4,000 × 0.035 × 4 = €560. Simple interest means the annual interest amount stays constant at €140.

Question 39Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A budget of €50 million is increased by 4% at the end of the first year and by a further 4% at the end of the second year. What is the budget after the two increases?

  1. €54.00 million
  2. €53.60 million
  3. €54.16 million
  4. €54.08 million Correct answer.

Explanation

Successive percentage increases compound: the second increase applies to the already increased amount. So the result is €50 million × 1.04 × 1.04 = €50 million × 1.0816 = €54.08 million. Adding 8% once to the original amount gives the same figure here, but only because the two rates are equal.

Question 40Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

In one agency, 120 staff have an average length of service of 3.5 years; in another, 80 staff have an average of 6 years. What is the average length of service across the 200 staff?

  1. 4.75 years
  2. 4.0 years
  3. 4.5 years Correct answer.
  4. 5.25 years

Explanation

An overall average of grouped data is a weighted average, using the group sizes as weights. The total service is (120 × 3.5) + (80 × 6) = 420 + 480 = 900 staff-years, and 900 / 200 = 4.5 years. A simple average of 3.5 and 6 would be valid only if the two groups were the same size.

Question 41Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A quantity falls by 20% and the result then rises by 25%. What is the net change relative to the starting value?

  1. A decrease of 5%
  2. An increase of 5%
  3. An increase of 25%
  4. No change (0%) Correct answer.

Explanation

Percentage changes applied in sequence must be multiplied, not added: 0.80 × 1.25 = 1.00. The two changes exactly cancel, so the final value equals the starting value. The rise of 25% is applied to a smaller base, which is why it offsets a 20% fall.

Question 42Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

An agency employs 4,800 staff: 55% work in Brussels, 25% in Luxembourg and the rest in other duty stations. How many staff work in other duty stations?

  1. 1,200
  2. 720
  3. 1,080
  4. 960 Correct answer.

Explanation

The remaining share is 100% − 55% − 25% = 20%. Applying it to the total gives 0.20 × 4,800 = 960 staff. The Luxembourg figure can be found the same way as a check: 0.25 × 4,800 = 1,200.

Question 43Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A price index rose from 112.0 to 119.8 over one year. What is the percentage increase, rounded to one decimal place?

  1. 8.4%
  2. 6.5%
  3. 7.0% Correct answer.
  4. 7.8%

Explanation

Index changes are measured relative to the earlier index value, not to the index base of 100. The change is 119.8 − 112.0 = 7.8 points, and 7.8 / 112.0 = 0.0696, i.e. about 7.0%. Dividing by the later value instead would understate the change.

Question 44Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

Twelve officials process 900 files in 5 working days. Working at the same individual rate, how many days would 8 officials need to process 1,200 files?

  1. 12 days
  2. 10 days Correct answer.
  3. 8 days
  4. 15 days

Explanation

The individual rate is 900 files / (12 officials × 5 days) = 15 files per official per day. Eight officials then process 120 files per day, so 1,200 files require 1,200 / 120 = 10 days. The number of days is proportional to the files and inversely proportional to the number of officials.

Question 45Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

An item is bought for €64 and sold for €80. What is the gross margin expressed as a percentage of the selling price?

  1. 20% Correct answer.
  2. 19.5%
  3. 25%
  4. 16%

Explanation

A margin taken on the selling price divides the gross profit by the selling price: (80 − 64) / 80 = 16 / 80 = 20%. Expressing the same profit on the purchase cost would instead be a mark-up of 16 / 64 = 25%. The question specifies the selling price as the base.

Question 46Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

€1.2 million is split among three projects in the ratio 2:3:5. By how much does the largest allocation exceed the smallest?

  1. €360,000 Correct answer.
  2. €480,000
  3. €240,000
  4. €120,000

Explanation

The ratio has 2 + 3 + 5 = 10 parts, so each part is €1.2 million / 10 = €120,000. The largest allocation is 5 parts (€600,000) and the smallest is 2 parts (€240,000). The difference is €360,000, which also equals 3 parts.

Question 47Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

After a 15% reduction, a tender price is €340,000. What was the price before the reduction?

  1. €360,000
  2. €400,000 Correct answer.
  3. €425,000
  4. €391,000

Explanation

A reduction of 15% means the reduced price equals 85% of the original, so the original is the reduced price divided by 0.85. Here €340,000 / 0.85 = €400,000. Adding 15% back to the reduced price would overstate nothing here but is the wrong operation in general, since 15% of the reduced price is smaller than 15% of the original.

Question 48Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A train covers 315 km in 2 hours 30 minutes. What is its average speed in kilometres per hour?

  1. 140 km/h
  2. 130 km/h
  3. 126 km/h Correct answer.
  4. 105 km/h

Explanation

Average speed is distance divided by time, and the time must be expressed in hours: 2 hours 30 minutes = 2.5 hours. So the speed is 315 / 2.5 = 126 km/h. Treating the time as 3 hours would give the incorrect 105 km/h.

Question 49Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

A programme costs €72 million and covers 45 projects at the same average cost. How much would 60 such projects cost?

  1. €90 million
  2. €108 million
  3. €88 million
  4. €96 million Correct answer.

Explanation

The average cost per project is €72 million / 45 = €1.6 million. Scaling to 60 projects gives 60 × €1.6 million = €96 million, which is also the original amount multiplied by 60/45. Proportional scaling works only while the average cost per unit stays constant.

Question 50Numerical reasoning (data interpretation and quantitative problem solving)

Of 2,500 applications, 1,400 meet the eligibility criteria, and 35% of those eligible pass the next stage. How many applications pass the next stage?

  1. 490 Correct answer.
  2. 420
  3. 525
  4. 350

Explanation

The second stage applies only to the eligible group, so the calculation is 1,400 × 0.35 = 490. The 2,500 total is not used because the 35% rate applies to the eligible subset. Working from the total instead would give the wrong figure of 875.