CAST Permanent
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ExploreAbout this exam
CAST Permanent is the European Union's standing selection process for contract agents, run through the EU Careers portal managed by the Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security. Candidates sit computer-based multiple-choice tests covering verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning and situational judgement, and results feed a database that recruiting EU institutions and bodies draw from when contract-agent vacancies arise. It suits people who want to work in EU administration in support, assistant, secretarial, administrative, financial or ICT functions without sitting a full open competition. This page is an independent study resource. Our retrieval of the official CAST Permanent page on 2026-11-05 returned a page-not-found error, so we could not confirm current test counts, time limits, pass marks, fees, retake rules or result validity. Those figures are therefore left blank and flagged for review rather than guessed. Preparation should be built around timed practice: read dense passages for precise inference, drill percentage and ratio arithmetic without a calculator, work through figure-series and matrix patterns, and rehearse situational judgement by ranking responses against the competencies EU employers value, such as teamwork, quality, integrity and service orientation. Treat any number you see elsewhere as unverified until the official EU Careers site confirms it.
What you'll study
About CAST Permanent preparation
What does the CAST Permanent exam actually contain?
It is a set of computer-based multiple-choice tests. Our profile groups them into four domains: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning, and situational judgement or competency-based assessment. The official page could not be retrieved on 2026-11-05, so we cannot confirm the current number of questions per test or the exact section list.
How long is the test and what is the pass mark?
We do not state either figure. The official CAST Permanent page returned a page-not-found error when retrieved on 2026-11-05, so no time limit, question count or pass threshold could be sourced. Check the EU Careers site directly before your sitting, and ignore figures from older forum posts.
Can I retake the tests if I score badly?
The retake policy could not be confirmed from the source, so treat it as unknown. Before booking, read the current rules on the official EU Careers pages, since restrictions on how often you may resit and how long results stay valid are exactly the details that change between revisions.
How hard is it in practice?
Difficulty comes mainly from time pressure rather than exotic content. Verbal items reward careful reading of long, formal EU-style passages; numerical items assume confident percentages, ratios and data interpretation without a calculator; abstract items punish anyone who has not practised pattern recognition. Situational judgement is the trap for candidates who answer as they would personally rather than as the organisation expects.
In what order should I study the four domains?
Start with your weakest reasoning area, because reasoning scores are usually the easiest to move with deliberate practice. Alternate verbal and numerical sessions to avoid fatigue, then add short daily abstract-reasoning drills. Leave situational judgement until last, and prepare it by studying EU competency language rather than by memorising answers.
What are the most common failure modes?
Running out of time because of perfectionism on early questions; misreading a passage that says 'some' as if it said 'all'; arithmetic slips under pressure; and treating situational judgement as a personality quiz. Another frequent error is relying on outdated blog posts for test structure instead of checking the official EU Careers pages.
Is this page officially connected to the EU institutions?
No. This is independent study material and makes no claim of affiliation with EPSO, the European Commission or any EU body. Always confirm procedures, eligibility and test details on the official EU Careers website, which is managed by the Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security.
Who is CAST Permanent aimed at?
People seeking contract-agent roles in EU institutions and bodies, typically in administrative, assistant, secretarial, financial or ICT functions. It functions as a standing selection route rather than a single vacancy competition, so candidates are assessed once and then matched against openings as they arise.