EPSO EU Knowledge & Field-Related Test study guide
EPSO EU Knowledge & Field-Related Test · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The EPSO EU Knowledge & Field-Related Test is the knowledge component of the European Personnel Selection Office's computer-based screening for EU institution competitions. Candidates sit it at an accredited test centre, usually in the same booking as abstract, verbal and numerical reasoning tests. The EPSO EU Knowledge & Field-Related Test study guide has 6 sections and about 2,701 words.
01EU Institutional Framework and Decision-Making
The institutional framework domain checks whether you can place an issue in the right EU body and procedure, not merely name institutions. The seven institutions in Article 13 TEU are the European Parliament, European Council, Council, Commission, Court of Justice, ECB and Court of Auditors.
397 words, about 2 min02EU Legal Order: Treaties, Charter and Sources of Law
This domain tests the hierarchy of EU law and the effect of each instrument in national courts. Start with the distinction between primary law (Treaties, Charter, general principles), international agreements concluded by the EU, and secondary law (regulations, directives, decisions), plus non-binding recommendations and opinions.
394 words, about 2 min03EU Policies and Their Legal Basis
Policy questions ask you to connect a policy objective to the correct legal basis, competence and decision-making procedure. The legal basis is not decorative: it determines whether the EU may act, whether action is exclusive or shared, and whether unanimity or QMV applies.
408 words, about 2 min04EU Budget, Financing and Financial Rules
Budget questions test the annual and multiannual cycle, revenue and expenditure, and the financial rules that govern spending. Distinguish political decisions from audit and discharge.
347 words, about 2 min05EU External Action
External action questions test the EU's competences and procedures in trade, development, neighbourhood, sanctions and the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). The key is to identify the correct legal basis and the role of the institutions.
373 words, about 2 min06EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood
This domain tests the legal route to membership and the EU's relations with neighbouring countries. Keep accession and neighbourhood policy separate.
782 words, about 4 min