EU Knowledge Test: The Ultimate Study Guide for 2026
What you actually need to know about EU institutions, treaties, and policies — without wading through 800-page textbooks.
12 min read · 10 February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Focus on institutional roles, decision-making procedures, and treaty milestones — these are tested most
- Know the difference between the European Council, Council of the EU, and Council of Europe
- QMV = 55% of member states representing 65% of EU population; unanimity for tax, foreign policy, treaties
- The eurozone has 21 members (Bulgaria joined January 2026) — not all EU members use the euro
- Current EU priorities (Green Deal, Digital Decade, enlargement) are increasingly tested
The EU Knowledge test is the only EPSO component where raw memorisation matters — but smart candidates know that not all facts are equally likely to appear. Here is what actually shows up in the test.
Which EU Institutions Are Tested on EPSO?
The European Commission
- Proposes legislation (right of initiative)
- Guardian of the Treaties
- 27 Commissioners (one per member state)
- President nominated by the European Council, approved by the Parliament
- Sits in Brussels (primarily) and Luxembourg
The European Parliament
- Directly elected by EU citizens every 5 years
- 720 MEPs (post-2024 expansion)
- Co-legislator with the Council under ordinary legislative procedure
- Budgetary authority
- Seats in Strasbourg (plenary) and Brussels (committees)
The Council of the European Union
- Represents member state governments
- Different compositions depending on policy area (ECOFIN, AGRIFISH, etc.)
- Votes by qualified majority (55% of members representing 65% of EU population) or unanimity depending on the area
- Rotating 6-month presidency
The European Council
- Heads of state or government + President + Commission President
- Sets overall political direction
- Does NOT legislate
- President serves 2.5-year terms (renewable once)
- Currently meets 4+ times per year
Test your EU knowledge with questions covering all major topics.
Try a Free EU Knowledge Test →The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU)
- Interprets EU law
- Grand Chamber for major cases
- Based in Luxembourg
The European Central Bank
- Monetary policy for the eurozone
- Based in Frankfurt
- Governed by the Governing Council
Key Treaties
- Treaty of Rome (1957): Founded the EEC
- Maastricht Treaty (1992): Created the EU, introduced the euro
- Amsterdam Treaty (1997): Expanded freedom, security, justice
- Lisbon Treaty (2007/2009): Current constitutional basis; created the EEAS and High Representative role; made the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding
Ordinary Legislative Procedure
Proposal then Parliament (1st reading) then Council (1st reading) then Conciliation if needed then Final adoption. Most EU legislation uses this procedure.
The Eurozone and Schengen
Not all EU members are in the eurozone (27 EU members, 21 in the eurozone since Bulgaria joined on 1 January 2026). Not all EU members are in Schengen (non-EU members Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein are in Schengen; Ireland opted out, Cyprus has not yet joined).
What Should You Focus On?
Focus on: institutional roles and relationships, decision-making procedures, treaty milestones, current EU priorities (Green Deal, Digital Agenda, enlargement), and basic EU budget facts (multiannual financial framework, cohesion policy, CAP).
Use EPSO Genius EU Knowledge tests to identify your gaps, then return to primary sources (EU website, Eur-Lex summaries) for targeted reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are covered in the EPSO EU Knowledge test?
The test covers EU institutions and their roles, key treaties (especially Maastricht and Lisbon), decision-making procedures, the EU budget/MFF, current policy priorities (Green Deal, Digital Decade), and basic facts about the eurozone, Schengen, and enlargement.
How many questions are on the EPSO EU Knowledge test?
The number of questions varies by competition. In the 2026 AD5 generalist competition, EU Knowledge is a scored component that contributes 25% to the final ranking.
Do I need to memorise all EU treaties for the EPSO exam?
No. Focus on the Treaty of Rome (1957), Maastricht (1992), and Lisbon (2007/2009). Know 3-4 key innovations per treaty. Amsterdam and Nice are less frequently tested.
Sources
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