June may be giving “nothing to see here” energy right now, but this is EPSO, so there is always something simmering below the surface: rumours, test dates, application issues and candidates refreshing pages on autopilot.
Auditors competition
Applications for the AD7 Audit competition closed on 19 May 2026. EPSO has since announced that the competition received over 7,000 applications, so candidates are now waiting for the next key update: the test date announcement.
ICT competition: applications close soon
The EPSO/AD/429/26 ICT competition is still open, but not for much longer. Applications close on 10 June 2026. Candidates may apply for only one of four ICT fields, so choose carefully and get your application in before the deadline.
Need help understanding the Notice of Competition? Watch the recording of EU Training’s ICT info webcast, presented by András Baneth, where he walks through the key details and explains what candidates should pay attention to.
EPSO also posted an update about the technical application issue affecting some Audit and ICT applications. According to EPSO, the issue was solved for applications submitted after 22 May, and affected candidates will be contacted in June via their Single Candidate Portal account. If you submitted your application earlier, it is worth checking that all sections of your submitted application are complete.
CAST: next test dates
The next CAST exam is scheduled for 17 June 2026, followed by another session on 22 July 2026, no new dates published beyond that for now. EPSO will most likely take a break from all testing in August, and fire up test engines again come September.
For candidates sitting the CAST test in June, this is a good moment to sharpen your reasoning skills. EU Training has live workshops scheduled next week covering the numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning tests, just in time for 17 June:
AD5 rumours
As we wrote in last month's Rundown article, "EPSO has now confirmed that testing for the AD5 Graduates competition will start in autumn 2026."
That still seems plausible since it has been confirmed by several sources now. The rumour mill, however, is now turning out fresh gossip: we are hearing that test dates may be announced soon. As always with EPSO rumours: useful for planning, but not official until EPSO publishes it.
Upcoming competitions
EPSO’s Upcoming Opportunities page remains unchanged for now. No new competition publication dates have been announced recently, so the list of planned competitions appears to be the same as last month.
EPSO AD5 FAQ
Two common questions from EPSO candidates:
How should I prepare for the EU Knowledge Test?
This test can feel huge at first, but it becomes much more manageable once you know what to focus on. Our free resource explains what the EU Knowledge Test is really checking and how to build a smarter study plan.
What is the Digital Skills Test and how can I prepare?
The Digital Skills Test is still unfamiliar territory for EPSO candidates. Our free guide breaks down what to expect, which skills matter, and how to start preparing without wasting time.
See you next month for the latest EPSO news and rumours!