1.   

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, from 6 March 2020 onwards EPSO had to interrupt and suspend all its assessment centre activities within its premises in Brussels and in Luxembourg, in order to ensure all appropriate precautionary measures are in line with the instructions and guidelines provided by the EU institutions and national authorities. This also affected the organisation of computer-based tests due to take place during the assessment centre day. EPSO initially planned to restart the assessment centres for a number of competitions from mid-September 2020. However, given the current Covid-19 situation, in which national authorities have introduced measures prohibiting large gatherings of people and limiting travel for public health reasons, it will not be possible to organise tests with physical presence in EPSO premises in the foreseeable future. As the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) tests were scheduled to take place during the assessment centre day, EPSO had to find alternative means of testing. Therefore, those tests will now take place in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres.

2.   

To conclude the open competitions within a reasonable period, EPSO will organise online testing (remotely) for the assessment centre tests. Remote online testing will allow candidates to sit the tests at home, in the office etc. without needing to travel to an EPSO testing centre. Such testing will henceforth take place via online videoconferencing. All technical details will be provided in due time, including instructions on how to test the connection before the actual day of testing. Invitations for the tests will be published in candidates’ EPSO accounts. Candidates must check their EPSO account at least twice a week.

3.   

The results of those tests will remain valid with the exception of the group exercise, which will be replaced by another test: a situational competency-based interview (SCBI).

Candidates who did not take their assessment centre tests in person before 6 March 2020, and for whom testing in person is currently not possible any longer, will take all of their assessment centre tests remotely over one or several days.

4.   

The SCBI will test a number of general competencies (analysis and problem-solving; learning and development; prioritising and organising; resilience; working with others; and leadership) by asking candidates how they would react in a specific situation. It consists of a one-to-one online meeting with a trained interviewer who provides additional information during the interview, according to a semi-structured script.

Approximately two to three weeks before the SCBI testing period, candidates will receive a written assignment and background information to help them prepare. In the assignment, candidates will be asked to replace a colleague and assume responsibility for various tasks and situations to be discussed during the interview. Additional situations, not based on the assignment, will also be included. Candidates will be allowed to consult the written assignment and background information during the interview.

Candidates will be interviewed by an EU staff member. Two Selection Board Members will observe and assess the performance of each candidate and score the competencies covered by the test. The interviewer will not be involved in the assessment of the candidate.

5.   

Candidates who have not yet taken the computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) tests will take them in EPSO’s accredited test centres. Candidates will be able to choose among a high number of accredited test centres both throughout Europe and worldwide. All sanitary measures that are necessary for the purpose of taking the test in those test centres will be taken. Candidates will be invited to these tests separately, via their EPSO account.