EPSO CAST Permanent: The Contract Staff Reasoning Test, Explained
Unlike AD or AST competitions, CAST Permanent has no deadline — registration is always open. But the reasoning test is just as real, and just as often underestimated.
What is CAST Permanent?
CAST Permanent (Contract Agents Selection Tool) is EPSO's open-ended selection system for contract staff roles in EU institutions. There is no application deadline — you create an EPSO account, register a profile and a function group (FG I to FG IV), and your profile stays active rather than being tied to one specific job posting.
When an EU institution has a staffing need, it shortlists candidates whose registered profile best matches the role. EPSO does not disclose which institution shortlisted a given candidate. Candidates who apply directly to a published contract staff vacancy go through the same testing process.
Does EPSO contract staff take a reasoning test?
Yes. Once shortlisted, contract staff candidates take online reasoning skills tests — verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning — in the same computer-based, multiple-choice format used for AD and AST competitions. This is the main hurdle in the CAST selection process.
What happens after the test
If you pass
Your result stays valid for 10 years, and you can be recruited at any point during that window if your profile matches an institution's need.
If you don't pass
You need to wait 4 months from your test date before retaking the test for the same function group or a higher one. During that wait, you may still be invited to test for a lower function group.
Interview and job offer
Candidates who pass the reasoning test may be invited to an interview. Each institution runs its own interviews and makes its own recruitment decisions — successful candidates receive a job offer directly from that institution.
Function groups (FG I–IV)
CAST Permanent profiles are organised by function group, roughly matching the level of responsibility and qualifications required:
- FG I — manual and administrative support tasks
- FG II — clerical and secretarial tasks
- FG III — executive tasks, drafting, accounting and other equivalent technical tasks
- FG IV — administrative, advisory, linguistic and equivalent technical tasks
How to prepare
The CAST reasoning test is the same format as the AD and AST competitions — so the preparation overlaps completely. Practising abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning under timed conditions is the most effective way to walk into the real test already knowing what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Does EPSO contract staff take a reasoning test?
Yes — shortlisted CAST Permanent candidates take online verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests, in the same format as AD and AST competitions.
How long is a CAST Permanent result valid?
A passing result is valid for 10 years, during which you can be recruited if your profile matches a staffing need.
Can I apply directly to a job and still have to test?
Yes. Even candidates who apply to a published contract staff vacancy go through the same reasoning test process as those registered through open CAST Permanent registration.
What's the difference between CAST and an AD/AST competition?
AD and AST competitions have a fixed application deadline and a set number of places. CAST Permanent registration is always open, with no deadline — you register once and stay eligible to be shortlisted whenever a matching need comes up.
Practice the CAST reasoning test
Train abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning with timed, EPSO-style practice — the same format used in CAST Permanent, AD and AST selections. Free demo available, no account required.
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