Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material

www.eutests.eu

Instructions for applicants

1. Schedule of the written tests

a. Paper based
• Candidates usually arrive 15 minutes before the start of the first pre-selection test.
• The written tests usually start at or around 9.00
• There are usually no breaks between the first and second part of the pre-selection test.
• There is usually a short (about 20 minutes) break between the second and the third part
of the pre-selection test, or between the pre-selection tests and the written tests.
• In case of full-day tests, there is usually a lunch break of about an hour.
• There are usually no clocks in the examination rooms. Therefore: Remember to
bring a watch with you!

b. Computer based
• Candidates arrive 15 minutes before the start of the first pre-selection test.
• The computer based test lasts usually 50 minutes for the EU questions and 40 minutes
for the verbal/numerical reasoning questions.
• Notes can be taken on a separate sheet of paper.
• You can mark electronically the questions you wish to come back to later.
• Calculator is usually displayed on-screen for numerical reasoning exercises.
• Usually it is not possible/allowed to underline or highlight parts of sentences in the
verbal reasoning part, which makes it more difficult to focus on the main message.
• Countdown timer shown on-screen.
• In the second phase, if you passed the first one successfully, you need to take another
computer-based test of the specialist knowledge and a handwritten essay on a topic
linked to the domain you had selected; for assistants/secretaries this can be a dossier-
based test of proof reading, word processing or similar.
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2. General rules and rules of conduct

2.1. Identity check

• When you take your seat, including after every break, you are usually requested to
place your invitation letter and some identification or a passport on your desk. (You
receive the invitation letter a few weeks before the date of the written test)

2.2. General rules

• You are usually required to sit all pre-selection and written tests. If you wish to
give up, you should inform an invigilator. In this case you should write "given up"
along with the time and your signature on your optical reader answer sheet or on your
written test. In case you give up, none of your tests will be corrected.
• You must usually use the material provided (including the ball-point pen or
computer facilities provided).

2.3. Rules of conduct

• The following are strictly forbidden in the examination room:

o mobile phones;
o diaries, newspapers, magazines, etc.;
o reference books and dictionaries (except if you do a translator/lawyer linguist
competition);
o any kind of electronic device with or without memory (laptops, PDA, palm
tops, computer, dictionary or calculator etc.);
o correcting fluid (e.g. Tippex) or tape.
• You may not leave your seat during the distribution and collection of the test papers or
while the pre-selection and written tests are taking place.
• You may not talk. If absolutely necessary, you may address an invigilator.
• A visual check of handbags, etc., will take place before you enter the examination
room.
 Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material
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• You will not be allowed to leave your place during the pre-selection tests. During the
written tests you will be allowed to leave your place only with prior permission from
an invigilator.
• Smoking is forbidden in the examination rooms.
• Anyone not respecting the rules of conduct will be excluded from the examination
room, all of their tests will be declared void and their participation in the competition
brought to an end.

3. How to fill in the answer sheets for the pre-selection tests

3.1 Paper-based
• Use a neat CROSS to fill in the chosen box. Ensure that you do not go over the lines
into the other boxes.
• In each test there is only one correct answer per question and all questions within the
same test have the same weighting.
• Your answers must be written on the optical reader answer sheet (except if – due to
the large number of applicants – computers are used). You may use the question paper
for any rough work but this will not be taken into account under any circumstances
when marking the tests.
• Neither wrong answers nor answers left blank will be penalised.
• Choose your answer carefully as correction is not permitted. Multiple answers for
the same question will be considered incorrect.
• No new answer sheets will be handed out. Avoid making any crossings-out or
smudges and do not fold or crumple your answer sheet.
• You must sign every optical reader answer sheet in the bottom right-hand corner of
the sheet. Please note that your anonymity is ensured when establishing your marks as
the results will be transmitted to the selection board with each applicant represented by
a secret number.
3.2 Computer-based
• Make sure to always keep track of the time!
• Just because you seem to have a lot of time in the beginning, it does not mean
you can take it easy and answer each question in a good pace.
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• Some questions may be ignored and come back later, but always make sure
not to leave any question unanswered – you always have at least 25% to get it right!
• Make sure you clearly understand how to click, mark, unmark, correct answers
– unlike the paper-based version, you usually have a chance to correct your answers
before submitting the test or before the time is up.

4. Special rules for verbal and numerical reasoning tests

• In case of verbal reasoning questions, you should decide on your answer using only
the information provided in the text. It is emphasised that you should make use of no
(prior) knowledge of any kind and that the correct answer is based solely on the
information provided in the text.
• After the question papers have been handed out or the computer program has been
started, do not begin until instructed to do so.
• A signal is usually given 15 minutes before the end of each test.
• You may not leave the room before the end of the pre-selection tests

5. Rules for written tests (essays)

• You will usually get lined sheets, separate rough paper and an envelope. Only the
lined sheets will be marked. Nothing written on the back of the lined paper or on the
rough paper will be corrected.
• Important: write in a clear and legible manner on each line and within the margins.
• Number each page in the bottom right hand box, if it is not yet numbered.
• In order to ensure that the written papers are marked anonymously, any signature,
name or distinguishing mark (initials, remarks unrelated to the context, telephone
number, private or professional address, symbol or other) written intentionally or
otherwise on the lined sheets, may bring about the cancellation of your test and the
Selection Board’s possible decision to bring an end to the applicant’s participation in
the competition.
 Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material
www.eutests.eu

• A signal will usually be given 15 minutes before the end of the written test. Once the
signal has been given you may not leave the room and must remain seated until all the
envelopes have been collected.
• See our other study materials on essay topic hints, essay writing techniques and our
online tests to better prepare for the exam – or contact us if you have any questions!