How to prepare | GSC Internal Competition Exams

If you are preparing for the GSC Internal Competition CONS/AST/297-INT/2025 for Assistants AST1 and AST2, the test date is close: 30 June.

That means this is no longer the time for an open-ended preparation plan. You have around two weeks to focus on the tests that matter most, identify your weak spots, and practise under realistic time pressure.

The competition includes four tests: Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning, EU Knowledge and Organisational Awareness, a Situational Judgement Test, and a Written Communication Test.

Before you start preparing, make sure you understand the exact structure of your competition. The Notice of Competition is the official source, and your preparation should follow it closely.

The test structure at a glance

What to prioritise in the final two weeks

With the test on 30 June, your preparation needs to be selective. The goal is not to study everything. The goal is to focus on the areas that can realistically make the biggest difference now.

The first priority is clear: you must pass the Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning test. Even though the score does not count towards your final ranking, this test is eliminatory. If you do not reach the combined pass mark of 15/30, you will not move forward to the next stage.

This is why the final days before the exam are a good moment to check your reasoning method, timing and confidence under pressure. The Master The EPSO Reasoning Skills Tests | Online Training workshop on 27 June is especially well timed for GSC Internal Competition candidates. It gives you one full day to review Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning methodology, practise realistic simulations and ask questions before the real test.

Once you are confident with the reasoning pass mark, your attention should also move to the ranking tests: EU Knowledge and Organisational Awareness, the Situational Judgement Test and the Written Communication Test.

1. Secure the reasoning pass mark. You need 15/30 across Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning. This is the gatekeeper test, so do not treat it as secondary.
2. Use the 27 June workshop as a final method check. A full-day reasoning session just before the exam can help you fix timing problems, review question-solving techniques and build confidence.
3. Focus hard on EU Knowledge and Organisational Awareness. This is both eliminatory and ranking, and it determines who moves on to the next stage.
4. Do not neglect the Written Communication Test. It is marked out of 30, so it can make a major difference to your final position.
5. Practise SJT with the GSC context in mind. The test is about judgement, prioritisation, communication and problem-solving in realistic workplace situations.

In other words: first make sure reasoning does not stop you, then use the ranking tests to strengthen your final position.

Building blocks

1. GSC Internal Competition Prep Package

The most direct preparation option is the GSC Internal Competition Prep Package.

It includes practice for the main test types in this competition:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Numerical Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning
• EU Knowledge
• Situational Judgement Test
• GSC Written Test simulations
• Written Test evaluation and feedback, depending on the package selected

You can purchase the products individually or together in a package, depending on where you need the most practice.

2. Reasoning Skills Workshop on 27 June

If you are still unsure about Verbal, Numerical or Abstract Reasoning, the Master The EPSO Reasoning Skills Tests | Online Training session on 27 June is well timed for this competition.

The workshop takes place online from 10:00 to 17:30 Europe/Brussels and is led by András Kőrizs. It covers all three reasoning test types, with methodology, timing tips and realistic simulations.

This is especially useful if you can usually solve the questions but lose marks under time pressure. With the GSC test only a few days later, the workshop should be used as a final method check and confidence-builder, not as a substitute for daily practice.

3. EU Knowledge preparation

The EU Knowledge and Organisational Awareness test is one of the most important parts of this competition because it is both eliminatory and ranking.

For general EU Knowledge, focus on:

• EU institutions and their roles
• EU legislative procedures
• EU budget basics
• EU law and decision-making
• major EU policies

For GSC-specific organisational awareness, use your official internal sources. 

4. Situational Judgement practice

The SJT is short, but it still counts towards the final ranking. You will be asked to identify the most efficient course of action in work-related situations.

When practising, ask yourself:

• Does this answer solve the problem or just avoid it?
• Does it respect hierarchy, confidentiality and procedure?
• Does it communicate clearly with the right people?
• Does it show initiative without overstepping?

The strongest answers usually balance action, judgement, cooperation and respect for the institutional context.

5. Written Communication practice

The Written Communication Test may ask you to draft an e-mail, note or meeting minutes based on documents about EU policies and institutions.

This is not just a language test. It is also a test of whether you can understand source material, select what matters, organise information and write clearly under time pressure.

In your practice responses, focus on:

• answering the exact task
• using a clear structure
• summarising accurately
• avoiding irrelevant detail
• writing in a professional institutional tone
• checking grammar and wording before submission

Because this test is marked out of 30, it deserves proper practice. A strong written response can make a real difference to your final ranking.

A focused two-week preparation plan

Here is a realistic way to organise the time you have left.

Days 1–2: Check your level

• Take one timed reasoning practice test covering Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning.
• Take one EU Knowledge practice test.
• Write down exactly where you lose points: timing, misunderstanding questions, careless mistakes, weak knowledge areas or unclear writing.

Days 3–5: Strengthen your reasoning method

• Practise Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning separately.
• Focus on method and timing, not just doing more questions.
• Pay attention to the real test timing: 15 minutes for Verbal Reasoning, 20 minutes for Numerical Reasoning and 10 minutes for Abstract Reasoning.
• Identify which reasoning test type is most likely to cost you points and give it extra attention.

Days 6–8: Push EU Knowledge and Organisational Awareness

• Revise EU institutions, legislative procedures, the EU budget, EU law and major EU policies.
• Review the Council’s role, Council configurations, preparatory bodies and decision-making processes.
• Use your internal GSC resources for organisational awareness topics, including administrative procedures, presidencies, document management and practical GSC tools.
• Practise 20-question timed tests so you get used to the one-question-per-minute rhythm.

Days 9–10: Practise Situational Judgement and written communication

• Do at least one full timed reasoning simulation after the workshop.
• Do one timed EU Knowledge test.
• Practise one SJT set.
• Write one full Written Communication simulation in 90 minutes.

27 June: Join the reasoning workshop

• Use the 27 June Reasoning Skills Workshop as your final full-day reasoning preparation session.
• Review the methodology for Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning.
• Practise under realistic test conditions.
• Ask questions while there is still time to fix your approach before exam day.

Final days before 30 June: review and rest

• Review mistakes only. Do not overload yourself with new material at the last minute.
• Make sure to rest the day before, get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated
• Make sure your test space is prepared, technical requirements are met and that you are ready to go on test day!

Wishing you good luck

You can find the GSC Internal Competition Prep Package here, or join the 27 June Reasoning Skills Workshop here.

Contact us any time if you have questions about your preparation, which package to choose, or how to organise your remaining study time before 30 June.