EPSO Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Complete Preparation Guide

The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is used in some EPSO competitions — specifically AST, AST-SC, and certain CAST selections. It is no longer part of AD-level competitions (including the 2026 AD5 generalist competition). If you are preparing for an AD competition, you can skip this test. For AST and CAST candidates, read on.

The SJT presents workplace scenarios and asks you to rank or evaluate possible responses. There are no objectively right or wrong answers, but there is a scoring key based on what EPSO considers the most effective behaviour.

How the SJT Works

You receive 20 questions to complete in 30 minutes. Each question describes a workplace situation (a conflict with a colleague, an urgent deadline, an ethical dilemma, etc.) and offers 4 possible courses of action. You must select the most likely and least likely action from the options.

Your answers are scored against a pre-determined scoring key developed by organisational psychologists based on the EU General Competencies. You need a minimum of 24 out of 40 points to pass.

The Five Competencies Tested

The SJT specifically assesses five competencies from EPSO's broader framework:

• Analysis and Problem Solving: Identify the core issue, evaluate information, consider alternatives
• Delivering Quality and Results: Focus on outcomes, take responsibility, meet standards
• Prioritising and Organising: Manage time and resources effectively, set clear priorities
• Resilience: Stay calm, constructive, and effective under pressure or setbacks
• Working with Others: Collaborate, communicate, build consensus, support colleagues

Note: EPSO's broader competency framework includes 8 competencies, but only these 5 are assessed in the SJT.

The EU Institutional Mindset

When choosing answers, think like an EU civil servant:

Always Preferred

• Consult and collaborate before acting unilaterally
• Escalate appropriately — involve your hierarchy when needed, but not for every minor issue
• Communicate proactively — inform stakeholders, clarify expectations
• Seek a win-win solution — compromise and consensus over confrontation
• Follow procedures — EU institutions value rules-based behaviour

Almost Never Correct

• Ignore the problem or hope it resolves itself
• Act unilaterally on decisions that affect others
• Blame colleagues or external factors
• Prioritise speed over quality when quality is at stake
• Skip your hierarchy when the situation clearly requires their input

How Should You Practise?

1. Read each scenario twice. The first read gives you the gist; the second reveals nuances.
2. Identify which competency is being tested. This narrows the "correct" response pattern.
3. Eliminate extremes first. The most passive option (do nothing) and the most aggressive option (confront aggressively) are usually at the bottom of the ranking.
4. When two options seem similar, choose the one that involves more communication or collaboration.
5. Do not project your personal workplace culture. The SJT evaluates EU institutional values, which may differ from your current employer's culture.

Common Trap: The "Real World" Answer

Many candidates choose what they would actually do in their current job. This is often wrong. The SJT rewards the behaviour that an ideal EU civil servant would demonstrate — someone who is collaborative, transparent, procedure-following, and resilient.

Your real-world instinct to "just get it done" may be efficient in your current role, but in the SJT, the process matters as much as the outcome.

Scoring Nuance

Each question is worth up to 2 points, awarded in 0.5-point increments. Getting both the most likely and least likely actions correct earns full marks. Getting one correct and the other partially aligned earns partial credit. This means even if you are unsure about one choice, getting the other right is still valuable.

The pass mark is 24 out of 40 (60%). With 20 questions at 2 points each, you need to perform well on at least 12 questions to be safe.