2026 COM Internal Competition AD7 | Applications open

New type of assessment, tests, free webcast

A European Commission internal competition was recently published: COM/AD/107/2026 – Administrators (AD7). This competition will create a reserve list of 100 successful candidates for recruitment at AD7 level within the Commission

This competition includes a few important features that make it slightly different from the more familiar internal formats. It is a generalist competition, it is also open to eligible temporary agents, and it introduces a new cognitive reasoning assessment at the first stage of the selection process.

Considering applying? Start with the Notice of Competition

If you are thinking of applying, your first step should be to read the official Notice of Competition carefully.

This is particularly important for this competition, as candidates need to check not only the usual eligibility points, but also the specific rules on function group, statutory link, time spent in the Commission, qualifications, professional experience, and language choice

To help you understand what to expect and how to prepare effectively, András Baneth will present a free webcast where the selection process, test stages, and preparation approach will be explained clearly and practically.

Collaborate with fellow candidates

It’s a practical space to ask questions, exchange insights, and keep up with the latest news - join the Facebook group here: EU Commission Internal Competition Exams

Free preparation resources

If you are just getting started, EU Training offers a range of free resources to help you build a solid foundation​

• EU knowledge MCQ study resources
• Written test tips

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Competition Snapshot

• Application Deadline: 6 May 2026 at 12:00 (midday), Brussels time
• EPSO reference number: EPSO/AD/428/26
• Grade: AD7
• Profile: Administrator (Generalist)
• Reserve list places: 100
• Who can apply: Eligible Commission officials and temporary agents

What will AD7 administrators do in the Commission?

According to the Notice, AD7 administrators work independently in support of decision-making and the Commission’s policy objectives. Their tasks may include:

• Conducting analysis
• Drafting reports, briefings, and legal documents
• Contributing to the design, implementation, and follow-up of policies, projects, and programmes
• Gathering and interpreting data for decision-making
• Representing the Commission in different fora
• Implementing and evaluating EU legislation
• Managing resources, including budgetary, human, or IT resources
• Carrying out communication, audit, or coordination tasks

This is why the competition is described as generalist: the profile is not limited to one specialist field, but covers a broad administrator role across the institution.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

General eligibility and staff status:

As this is an internal competition, candidates must meet the general recruitment conditions under the Staff Regulations. In practice, the key point is that, on the deadline for applications, candidates must:

• Be an official or temporary agent in the AD function group, or an official or temporary agent in grade AST5 or above, in the Commission
• Have served at least the last six full consecutive months before the deadline as an official or temporary agent in the AD function group and/or as an official or temporary agent in grade AST5 or above, in the Commission
• Have served at least the last 12 full consecutive months before the deadline as an official, temporary agent, or contract agent in the Commission, or in a combination of those statuses

A notable point here is that temporary agents are eligible, provided they meet the conditions above.

Language requirements 

Candidates must know at least two official EU languages:

• Language 1: thorough knowledge, minimum C1
• Language 2: satisfactory knowledge, minimum B2

For this competition, Language 2 must be chosen from English, French, or German, and it must be different from the candidate’s main or first language as recorded in Sysper, unless a language change request is accepted with supporting evidence

Qualifications & professional experience

Candidates must also meet one of the following qualification and experience combinations:

• A university degree of at least 3 years plus at least 4 years of relevant professional experience
• A university degree of at least 4 years plus at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Completion of the Commission certification programme plus at least 4 years of relevant professional experience in the AD function group
• Vocational training of an equivalent level to university degree plus at least 4 years of relevant professional experience

The professional experience must be relevant to the tasks of an AD7 administrator and must have been acquired after the diploma or certification giving access to the competition was obtained

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EPSO Selection Process | Auditors AD7

1. ELIGIBILITY CHECKS + COGNITIVE REASONING ASSESSMENT

This is one of the new features of the competition. Candidates who submit a valid application will first be invited to sit an adaptive computer-based cognitive reasoning assessment. This test covers:

• Numerical reasoning
• Inductive reasoning
• Deductive reasoning

There are 24 questions and the test lasts 36 minutes. Candidates must score at or above the 60th percentile of the benchmark population to remain in the competition

Only candidates who pass this first stage move on to the next eligibility checks.

2. MCQ TEST ON EU KNOWLEDGE

Eligible candidates then sit a computer-based multiple-choice test on EU knowledge.

The test covers:

• The EU institutional set-up
• The Commission’s roles and powers under the Treaties
• Commission governance, decision-making, and procedures
• The Commission’s policy priorities

3. WRITTEN TEST

Candidates also sit a written test on the same day as the EU knowledge MCQ.

Format:

• One written assignment, such as a briefing, letter, or note
• 90 minutes
• Pass mark: 30/50
• Taken in Language 2

The written test assesses:

• Critical thinking, analysis, and creative problem-solving
• Decision-making and getting results
• Written communication

Important: the written test is only assessed for candidates who:

• Pass the EU knowledge MCQ, and
• Achieve one of the highest MCQ scores, up to a maximum of 2.5 times the number of successful candidates sought

That means ranking matters, not just passing.

4. FINAL ELIGIBILITY CHECKS

Candidates who obtain both the pass mark and one of the highest scores in the written test then go through the final eligibility check.

At this stage, the Selection Board verifies compliance with the criteria on qualifications and professional experience, based only on the information in the application form and the supporting documents submitted with it

The Board checks files in descending score order until the number of eligible candidates reaches 1.5 times the number of successful candidates sought

5. ORAL TEST

Candidates who pass the final eligibility check are invited to the oral test.

The oral test consists of:

• A short oral presentation on a subject related to EU institutions, policies, and procedures, followed by a Q&A session
• A structured interview

It assesses motivation and the following competencies:

• Self-management
• Working together
• Learning as a skill
• Oral communication
• Intrapreneurship

Pass mark: 25/50

Language: Language 2

6. RESERVE LIST

The Selection Board will draw up a reserve list of up to 100 successful candidates from those who:

• Meet the eligibility requirements
• Pass the oral test
• Obtain one of the highest oral test scores

The reserve list is alphabetical. Inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment, but it makes candidates eligible for appointment if selected by the Commission

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How to Apply

​Candidates must apply through the Single Candidate Portal and complete the application form in their chosen Language 2. They must also attach all required supporting documents for qualifications, professional experience, and, where relevant, language change requests. 

The Notice says candidates must:

• update their profile in “My CV” via the “My Account” tab on the Single Candidate Portal
• complete the application form via the “Internal Competitions” tab under “Competitions” on the Single Candidate Portal

Before applying, candidates should check that their information in Sysper is correct, especially regarding:

• Nationality
• Function group
• Statutory link
• Administrative status
• Time spent in the Commission
• Languages

A very important practical point: if you reopen your application to edit it, you must resubmit it before the deadline, otherwise it will be automatically cancelled

Final thoughts

This internal AD7 competition is an important opportunity for career progression in the Commission. It is also a competition with a few notable features: a generalist profile, access for eligible temporary agents, and the introduction of a new cognitive reasoning assessment at the first stage.

Because the process is selective at several stages, candidates should review the Notice carefully and prepare early, especially for the EU knowledge test, the written test, and the oral test. A structured preparation approach can make a real difference. 

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For any questions regarding this competition or anything related to EU careers and exams, please contact the EU Training Customer Support Team. You can normally expect a reply within 24 hours.