The results of the concours for administrators are now out, and – surprise, surprise – I did not manage to pass. Here’s the extract of the letter:
The selection board for the above competition has now finished marking the pre-selection tests in which you participated. I regret to inform you that although the marks you obtained in these tests were above or equal to the pass mark, you were not amongst the top 630 candidates.
Point B.1 of the competition notice stipulates that only those candidates with the 630 highest marks in the pre-selection tests would be asked to submit a full application with a view to their possible admission to the competition.
Your marks are as follows (1):
Test a): 38.333 /60 (pass mark 30)
Test b): 15.263 /20 (pass mark 10)
Test c): 30.769 /40 (pass mark 20)Total: 84.365/ 120
For your information, the candidates who obtained the 630 highest combined scores had at least 92.611 points.
I would add that the Selection Board’s decision does not preclude you from taking part in any future competitions organised by the European Personnel Selection Office.
It’s beyond me how one can get 15.263 / 20 when there were 40 questions, but anyway, c’est la vie. All the best to all the geeks who know who won the Sakharov prize in the year X or other equally useful everyday facts.
FILE DOWNLOADS
Blog commenter ‘viking’ has made some new test files available for download, and he had also supplied the manual for electronic Reserve Lists. Some additional test files have been provided by Sorina (see comment #1003) – download 342kb, ZIPped. Enjoy!
SOCIAL NETWORKS
If anyone is a member of Facebook there’s the ‘So I won’t be a Commission official’ Facebook Group, and the EU Integration Traveler IQ challenge (you need to add the Traveler IQ Facebook application) – a more fun way to revise for the concours…
NOTE
Due to such an enormous number of comments here I have had to divide the comments function. The latest few hundred comments are below, and all the older comments are archived here. All should work technically now.
@ A:
Regarding the EPSO survey, if I was invited to participate in it I would say that the method for evaluating written exams is totally untransparent and arbitrary.
This is my experience: I passed recently the concours for auditors EPSO/AD/126/08 and I was surprised to be noticed that I didn’t reach the minimum mark for test b (practical case) which I thought I did relatively well. I don’t think it was excellent but I expected at least a 5 as I answered to all the questions, I followed the methodology of the European Court of Auditors, I think all my answers were coherent, etc… So I asked for my copy and I received a 1 page evaluation sheet (not a single comment in my copy) where the only thing the jury had done was to mark 3 cases corresponding to “analysis”, “writing” and “knowledge of the subject”. There were 4 options for each criteria: very good, good, insufficient and poor (I got good, good and insufficient). That’s it! Nothing else but the signature of the President of the jury… IS THIS WHAT THEY CALL A TRANSPARENT OBJECTIVE AND FAIR VALUATION? I don’t think so… And it takes them 4 months to do it: Bravo! In terms of “efficiency” I would say their work is very poor.
I have just received an invitation from epso to take part in their survey! One might say that another good way to find out the opinion of concour participants would be to read what they say online (like on this website)! 🙂
By the way, I think epso’s job is quite all right, but what happens around is not ok. Recruitment of people without concours, then letting them pass internal concours that have nothing to do with real competition etc.
Have you seen this story “How Commission Services Circumvent Decisions of the European Civil Service Tribunal:?
Look here:
http://www.neurope.eu/articles/93986.php
Yes, that person did the part c in his mother tongue and, after receiving a copy of his test paper, he had to admit that the score he got was fair.
Regarding part a and if I am not mistaken, the forms are read by machines that are programmed to find one cross per line. The position of the cross is then being compared with the right one and according with the result of this comparison the answer is marked as correct or not.
If there are more than two crosses or one cross and one black point or whatever combination, then the machine assess the response to that question as false.
i am afraid they’re strict, especially when it comes to spelling mistakes. A couple of minor grammar mistakes are ok, but big cut for bad spelling in your mother tongue
@ms question
i believe that unfortunately they do not accept corrections on part a. I also think that it is a bit unfair as anyone can cross a wrong case but it is the way it is…
concerning mother tongues, i also hope that they are not too strict as some languages are far more difficult and you are more likely to make spelling mistakes (especially after three hours of exam in the second language…)
Law25
I have my doubts too as, I have two mothertongues, and I should have chosen the other one. My mistake, as I don’t use it on a daily basis especially the legal terms. I guess if it is your mothertongue, (as they call it) each spelling/grammar mistake counts.
Hopefully not one point.
One thing I don’t like about the multiple choice on a sheet, is that you can’t correct mistakes. Too bad you cannot do it with a pencil. If you make a mistake what do you do. black it out, cross the correct answer and pray that they accept it?
any comments on that?
@ elena and ms question
the question is still how strict can correctors be? can few (two or three) grammar or spelling mistakes disqualify a candidate? do they prentend the candidate to have a perfect level? who is correcting part c: linguistic administrators or the members of the jury? Of course, some people might have failed in the past but my concern is about the level of difficulty.
@elena
does the person that you know asked for a copy of the exam to see the spelling and grammar mistakes? was that person doing part c in his/her mother tongue?
Thank you
I heard about some candidates who did not pass part c of the written test. One of them got less than 8 points due to spelling and grammar mistakes. If one gets less than 8 points, there is no chance to be admitted to the oral test, since in each of the three parts one has to get at least the passing mark.
law25:
I have the same worries. 8/10. will you be out with two spelling mistakes?
on the other hand, I guess they count together the three parts. If in A and B you have a high note and c you failed because you have less than 8, you can truly hope that your A and B part are high enough. This is only my opinion though.
what does everybody else think?
I have a doubt concerning part c (question c) on written tests. This questions is done in the main language of the candidate (usually the mother tongue) and the passing mark is 8/10. My questions concerns the level of difficulty of this part: does anyone know if they are very strict? does the jury want to know if the candidate really writes and speaks in that language or do they require to the candidate to be perfect (no spelling or grammar mistakes)? The passing mark being very high (8/10) and the time to do it quite short (30min), I wonder if anyone has ever failed a written test because of not passing part c.
Thank you for any comment on that regard.
A:
do you believe they choose you depending on the country you chose?
do you think you are more likely to be chosen if you took Irak as number one?
It is just a question.
I just think they send the CV’s to the delegation you chose, and they choose the most apropiate person.
the whole thing is quite misterious.
I hope the political situations of the countries don’t change in the meantime and country x moves from status 2 to status 3.
The contract is only for 3-5 years right?
Do we have to prepare another Relex then?
Re: cast relex continued
N, thanks for sharing the explanation provided by espo. However, I think that what they say does not make much sense. Simply because some people change the choice of countries as a result of the the fact that they had never been contacted. Wishing to work anywhere and believing that the choice of countries might help (According to the formula: “Choice of countries “abc” has not worked, so let’s try some other choice “xyz”), they do make the change (but of course without any information if “xyz” is better than “abc”), and they end up waiting as they had been waiting before. How should one know which countries to choose? Having no clue (=completely no information is provided), one might choose delegations which would not make any changes in staff for years.
@N
Which delegation contacted you? Which category was it (2,3)?
I guess it is a pity for you that – despite the fact that you got what you wanted (the contact came from the delegation of your choice) – you were in a situation where you had to refuse yourself.
Re: choice of countries CAST RELEX 2008
@A, Ms Question,practicas
I posed this question to EPSO some time ago. They said the reason was that your personal plans might have changed in the meanwhile, family situation etc..How likely is this?????
Anyhow, I do have to say that the reserve list works, I was contacted by a Delegation that WAS in my list of countries, but for personal reasons I refused to participate in the selection procedure. So, you should not be entirely discouraged. It’s a matter of timing. Having the profile needed in a country you really want to go. But of course if people renew their contracts, then vacancies become available,don’t know, once every 3-5 years…:(
Re: cast relex 2008
A, Ms Question: I think they are reopening the countries selection because from time to time the change the category of a country.
When they reopened the “the selection of countries” I remarked some of the countries I had choosen the first time were now in a different category, so I was obliged to change my selection in order to conform with the rules.
It’s a pity they give us so little information 🙁
All right, thanks Carmen. I guess at the time you could not follow your flagging status as shown by different-coloured flags. Then you don’t have to wait for an answer. Anyway, you’re a good example not to give up hope!
Re: cast relex 2008
I’m also in that list. I wonder if some people only chose countries of the first and second choice, without choosing from the third, and that is why they had to reopen everything.
At least that is what I hope.
Re: cast relex 2008
Now they closed the possibility to change “the selection of countries” in electronic CVs. Some blind changes for the sake of change have been done.
I wonder what the result will be?
Will someone be contacted due to the recent change?
Or nothing will change?
Someone knows?
and 3 month in the second
sorry
mistake: 1 month in the first case
Jo
The others experiences: I got a negative answer after & month in one case, after ” month in the second case and no anser ever in the third case.
I do not leave in Bruxelles, but now they wish me to start immediately.
Hi Carmen,
Yes, I meant how long you had to wait for a job offer after the interview. 2-3 days sounds like a very short time. What are others’ experiences? You do mention that in autumn you had to wait 3 months for an answer (but maybe it was a negative one). Like you say, it depends on the institution’s needs.
Of course if you live in Brussels they will expect you to start work sooner than if you had to move there from abroad
Ms Question,
Well, I will not choose even if I get a new offer, because I have promised them to take this job if the formal offer comes. I was just thinking to have another option in case I don’t get the formal offer in the end. But I guess this is quite unlikely, although the Commission is quite misterious and anything can happen in the end. I hope nothing bad can happen.
Hi JO
I do not understand exactly the question, so I will be broad. I’ve been on the reserve list for 2 years and I had almost no interview before. I received this job offer the next working day after the interview. I think this particular unit is in a hurry with the recruitment. Friends that have more experience with the interviews told me that usually if they don’t contact you immediately (2-3 days) after the interview, it probably means no. From my limited experience, I can tell the same.
About your previous question: I don’t think there is such a spring/summer rule. I am expected to start working as soon as possible. As soon as they finish the paperwork and the formal procedured of recruitment. I know other people that started working in May or June. But in a previous interview in the autumn they told me I had to wait 3 months for an answer, and afterwards some more time for the paperwork. I think it depends strictly on their needs.
Carmen, may I ask how long you had to wait for the job offer?
Hi,
Is it likely that if a job offer comes in late spring like now, you would not be expected to start working before early autumn, say September? Surely not in August? Generally speaking, does the EU tend to recruit less people in summer than during other seasons?
Hi Carmen,
I would go to the interview anyway. You never know…
Better to be able to choose.
Hi.
I have got a job offer in the Commission (an informal one) and they say I should get the official offer in about one week. But this week I have others interviews scheduled. My question is: should I cancel the other interviews? I mean, I would like this job that I am offered, but is there any possibility that they change their mind and I do not get the formal job offer? In this case, I would like to try for other jobs as well.
AST 51/08 – legal affairs
Hello,
is anybody taking part of this exam next friday?
any idea what the multiple choice could be about, or even worse, the written part?
In the Official Journal it says something about Cost recovery.
Any idea where to find information about it?
thanks.
Hi all,
I’ve been desperately digging the internet, without result, in search of a copy of the written exam from concours for EU 10- epso/ad/53-62, field 4- MICROECONOMICS/BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
Loads of people sat this exam 2y ago, but still can’t seem to find one.
Please help me, I’ll pay for that exam copy if necessary!
@joe
You can write an e-mail in the main EPSO contact page with your exam and candidate number details.
Hey Miriana, Could you please tell me what is the procedure to follow if I want to complain about a question on the preselection test? thanks!
I took the preselection test in Economics and I had a complain with a numerical question which was strangely formulated. In my opinion you first had to apply verbal knowledge and only after that numerical. I didn’t expect that from the way they advertise competitions..
I have complained to EPSO and they refused my arguments on reason that no one else complained about it.
So, please complain as much as you can on any reason you can find.
Good luck to everyone.
I need your help. Anyone out there with interview experience at the ERC Executive Agency? I have an interview for an AD7 TA position tomorrow morning and I’m already frazzled with nerves. I would really appreciate some feedback on the interview you did. Thanks lots.
@AAA
Hi, i took the preselection tests yesterday for AD/147-151/09. The EU knowledge one was easier than in other tests i’ve taken, it was much more general knowledge than specifics. On the other hand I found the numerical one more difficult! usually i have a couple of min left at the end, but now the time was hardly enough:(
@everyone
Hi guys, have you noticed the change of the ‘cut-off’ procedure? Before, they would invite a certain number of people with the highest marks to submit full application. Then after the specialised test (the first one from the written tests) they would select a number of people with the highest marks combined from the preselection+specialised and mark the rest of their written tests. So if you didnt do too well on the preselection, you still had a chance to continue if you had a high mark on the specialised test.
Now however, they still invite a certain number of people with the highest marks to submit full application, but then after establishing eligibility, they directly cut-off 3/4 of those people with the highest marks!! I understand that saves them a lot of workload in marking tests, etc, but do you think it;s really objective, given the fact that the specialised written test is more important than memorising facts ( and especially since they claim exactly this in their epso development program) ?
@cosnic
I find more and more difficult to pass the preselection tests. I got 24/30 and I did not even pass the “first round”. I thnik that those tests are getting more dififcult and I wonder why: is people studying much harder? I found those tests more difficult than a couple of years ago and yet the passing marks are getting higher…
@ec
Thanks a lot for the info on the website!
the 360 highest score was 24.333, as per info by a participant who failed and was so kind to share this info.
Still, only the 90 highest aggregate marks and fulfilling the selection criteria will be invited to sit the written test; I got 25.667 and am not sure it will be enough (selection criteria are not so strict, since a degree is sufficient).
Regards and good luck!
For the AD/141/08 the candidates who obtained the 360 highest combined scores obtained at least 24.333 points.
I have 24.66 that will not be enogh for the written exam, I will nevertheless send the documents, you never know…
Hi cosnic,
there are some prep materials on eutests.eu, I think. Do you know how many points it took to pass the first round for AD 141/08?
Thanks!
AD 141/08
results of the admission tests are out, now it’s time to prepare and send the whole application package…
any clue on where to prepare for the written test?
Thanks!
@tras
I sen you an email yesterday, please feel free to revert to me: cosnic [at] hotmail [dot] it
Regards
Dear all,
I am preparing for the written test program/project/contract management. I will appreciate if somebody could send me previous tests or just suggest how to raise my chance in the test.
All the best
jpawlukiewicz (at) o2 (dot) pl
@ Jeff
I just sent you an email to subscribe
@Carmen
I am in Brussels (jolatruelle (a) yahoo.com)
I chose the subject related to finance audit (very litterate…)
=> Teresa: Hi! I took the AD/143/08 preselection test (translation with Portuguese as a main language) and I passed with 24/30, so I’m quite afraid it won’t be enough.
I have no idea what was the pass mark, how did you learn about your competition’s ?
Thanks!
Nathalie
If you want to join the AD126 study group, please write to
AD126-subscribe (a) yahoogroupes.fr
Thanks
JF
@ cosnic
hi, I also passed the AD/99 competition. I like to contact with you. mi mail is zuputrus@gmail.com
greetings
Hi Carmen
Re. AD 126. I am preparing in Paris. I chose subject 1.
I am going to set up a yahoo study group. If you are interested please write to me on jf_coppenolle (a) yahoo.fr
Cheers
JF
I forgot to mention that I’m talking about the audit competition, AD126
I’am also in for the oral one. I wonder whether they’ve selected 240 people as was foreseen, as everybody I know evn though they were satisfied with the exam, have failed!
For those who succeeded, which case did you choose? I chose myself the financial one, case 3
Anyway, is anybody based on Brussels? Would you mind preparing together?
Anyone who recently took the EPSO/AD/147-151/09 – Administrators (AD 5) pre-selection test and wants to share some experience?