3rd edition of “The Grand Simulation”
Following the success of the first two editions, which brought together more than 800 candidates from across Europe and were held in 21 different languages, The Grand Simulation is back for a third edition.
With the exam just around the corner, we are offering an experience designed to reproduce the conditions and level of difficulty of the real selection process as faithfully as possible.
Test yourself under realistic conditions
Would you like to assess your current level and identify what you still need to improve before the AD5 Generalists exam?
The Grand Simulation will allow you to tackle the different tests in a demanding environment, with the official time limits and alongside candidates with varying levels of preparation. This will give you a more realistic indication of what to expect on the day of the official exam.
What does your registration include?
1. Selection of languages (L1 and L2)
When registering, you must select:
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Your Language 1 (L1), in which you will take the reasoning tests.
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Your Language 2 (L2), in which you will take EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the written test (EUFTE).
Your L1 and L2 must be different.
We recommend choosing the same languages as those indicated in your official application so that the simulation accurately reflects your particular circumstances.
All 24 official languages of the European Union are available for both L1 and L2.
Important: you must select your languages during registration, and they cannot be changed afterwards. Please check that your details are correct before completing your registration.
2. Source document for the written test (EUFTE)
On the same day as you take the reasoning tests, you will receive the source texts for the EUFTE.
You will have 14 days to analyse them and prepare for the written test, following the same timeframe as in the official selection process.
3. Access to the complete exam
The simulation reproduces the two-day structure announced by EPSO.
In the official selection process, several months will pass between the reasoning tests and the remaining tests. For The Grand Simulation, we have reduced this interval to two weeks so that you can complete all the tests within the same preparation period.
Day 1: reasoning tests
At 09:00 CEST, you will receive access to the reasoning tests. You will have 24 hours to access and complete them.
On the same day, you will also receive the EUFTE source texts, which you can prepare during the two weeks leading up to the second test day.
Day 2: EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and EUFTE
Two weeks later, at 09:00 CEST, you will receive access to the remaining tests:
- EU Knowledge.
- Digital Skills.
- Written test (EUFTE).
You will have 24 hours to access the exam. Once you start each test, the relevant official time limit will apply.
Choose your schedule
Option 1
- 26 September 2026: reasoning tests and release of the EUFTE source texts.
- 10 October 2026: EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and EUFTE.
Option 2
- 27 September 2026: reasoning tests and release of the EUFTE source texts.
- 11 October 2026: EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and EUFTE.
Exam on the E‑Yepso! platform
All tests will be completed on E‑Yepso!, a platform designed to provide an experience that is as close as possible to the real exam.
The exam environment includes:
An integrated scratchpad.
A virtual calculator.
The official time limit for each test.
This will allow you to practise both the content and your time management under conditions equivalent to those of the official process.
4. Results, explanations and EUFTE answer template
After the simulation, you will have access to:
- Your results and explanations for the reasoning, EU Knowledge and Digital Skills tests.
- An EUFTE answer template.
To reproduce the sequence of the official selection process, the results of the reasoning tests will not be available immediately.
Unlike in the official process, candidates who do not achieve the minimum pass marks in the reasoning tests will still be able to take EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE.
However, their results will not be taken into account when estimating access to the simulated reserve list. This ensures that nobody misses the opportunity to practise all the tests.
5. Results by email
29 September 2026
You will receive an email confirming whether you have passed or failed the reasoning tests. From that point onwards, you will also be able to review the questions you completed and their explanations.
16 October 2026
You will receive a second email containing:
- Your EU Knowledge score.
- Your Digital Skills score.
- Your pass/fail result for the EUFTE, provided that your written test falls within the group of tests selected for assessment.
We will also tell you whether, based on your results and compared with the performance of the other participants, you might have had a realistic chance of reaching the reserve list in the official selection process.
This estimate is for guidance only and will take into account:
- The number of places published in the AD5 Graduates competition notice.
- The number of applications submitted for the official competition.
- The total number of participants in The Grand Simulation.
The estimated number of places on the simulated reserve list will be announced once the registration period has closed.
Important information
- Registration gives you the right to take the different tests included in the AD5 Graduates competition — reasoning tests, EU Knowledge, Digital Skills and the EUFTE — in a format comparable to that of the official exam. It does not include training sessions on the individual tests.
- The simulation does not include a numerical score or individual feedback for the EUFTE. This service will be available to purchase separately.
- In line with the procedure expected for the official competition, only the written tests of a number of participants equivalent to approximately 1.5 times the number of places on the simulated reserve list will be assessed. Participants will be selected on the basis of their results in the other tests.
- If you cannot take part on your selected dates, we will provide access to the tests so that you can complete them at another time. In that case, your results will not be included in the overall comparison or in the estimated access to the simulated reserve list.
- Failure to participate, for any reason, will not entitle you to a refund or allow you to transfer your registration to a future edition.
Are you ready to put yourself to the test?
Choose your languages, select the schedule that suits you best and experience conditions that are as close as possible to the real exam.
