verbal reasoning sample tests - eu epso volume 01

Verbal Reasoning Sample Tests Vol. 01 EU EPSO Tests Series

Copyright © 2013 Training4EU Team

Preface

EU / EPSO TESTS

To assist you in preparing for the EPSO exams Training4EU Team provides you with a series of sample tests with exam-ples of verbal, numerical, abstract, situa-tional judgment, accuracy & precision, and prioritizing & organizing questions.

1. Verbal Reasoning: Using a short para-graph of text on virtually any topic, this test requires to choose from 4 or 5 an-swer options the one that fully matches the statements in the original text. There is always only one correct an-swer because other options may con-tain insufficient information or false statements. There are 20 verbal reason-

ing questions in a competition, and the allocated time is 35 minutes.

2.Numerical Reasoning: In the form of multiple-choice this test requires data interpretation and mathematical calcula-tions. Using information presented through tables and graphs, you will be required to draw conclusions and calcu-late changes within these data sets. Ba-sic mathematical skills such as percent-ages, arithmetic operations, and ratios must be reviewed prior to taking the test. There are 10 numerical reasoning questions in a competition, and the allo-cated time is 20 minutes.

3. Abstract Reasoning: Using a series of images, this test requires candidates to identify which one should be next in the row, based on an inherent logic be-

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tween the presented images. There are 10 abstract reasoning questions in a competition, and the allocated time is 10 minutes.

4. Situational Judgement Test: This test requires candidates to choose the most favorable and least favorable course of action in a given situation. Candidates are expected to have a basic understand-ing of corporate culture and code of con-duct to successfully pass the test. There are 20 situational judgement questions in a competition, and the allocated time is 30 minutes.

5. Organizing and Prioritizing Test: This test requires candidates to check a table with various information about sched-ules, timetables, agendas, vehicle ca-pacities and other practical information and find the best solution to a practical organisation or logistics problem. There are organizing and prioritizing 20 ques-tions in a competition, and the allocated time is 24 minutes (AST level only).

6. Accuracy and Precision Test: This test requires candidates to identify, based on a table and various icons, mis-takes, errors, typos or other ‘inaccura-cies’ in a control line under a heavy time-pressure. There are 40 accuracy and precision questions in a competi-tion, and the allocated time is 6 minutes (AST only).

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Sample TestsSample tests can give you an idea of the type of questions and level of difficulty you will face during the competitions.

Time Limits: Contrary to the actual EPSO tests where they have to be com-pleted within an allowed time, the pro-vided sample tests have no limit for an-swering the questions. The purpose is to get yourself familiarized with EPSO questions concept, and understand their reasoning within a stress-free pace.

Great features of these sample tests:

No internet connection is required

No expiration limit or date for the tests

No personal data is extracted

No account or registration needed

Yes, it helps you practice at your own pace, with helpful hints and solution tips. A great way to enhance your learn-ing

About Training4EUTraining 4EU Team provides Training Services through web based tests on po-tential candidates who would like to be-come tomorrow’s permanent EU Offi-cials.

With a mix of theory, exercises, and simulation tests we support you οn EPSO Tests.

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Training4EU is independent from the European Union institutions.

The sample tests have been extracted from the EPSO official web site.

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Success Tips - Failure Mistakes1


Practice makes perfect

Success Tips

1. Prepare well

2. Know the test format

3. Be focused

4. Read the statements carefully and make sure you can distinguish between absolute and relative statements

5. Budget your time – Allow maximum one minute and thirty five sec-onds per question

6. Avoid stupid mistakes – Make sure to avoid stupid mistakes that could cost you precious points

7. Revise if time allows it

8. Practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect

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Failure Mistakes

1. Not preparing for the format of the test

2. Advance fear of the test

3. Worrying about the past

4. Obsession with test score

5. Obsession with accuracy

6. Using poor question solving strategy

7. Not reading the entire statement

8. Marking the wrong answer

9. Insufficient preparation


Assistant level !!Verbal Reasoning tests2 Practice

makes perfect



There are 45 000 road deaths per year in Europe, a number which gov-ernments all over Europe are trying hard to reduce. At the same time, 60 000 deaths are caused by air pollution. In both cases, children, in par-ticular those living in urban areas, are the most vulnerable. Many cities and towns across Europe are already working hard on promoting alter-native means of transport: they are providing good, efficient public trans-port, they offer incentives to citizens that go for environmentally friendly cars, they try to give the city centre back to pedestrians, etc. Mobility Week is an event where they can present new initiatives and see what others are doing. It focuses on the benefits of sustainable modes of transport and policies that improve air quality, reduce noise and en-hance people's quality of life.

A. Reduce the number of children living in urban areas

B. Encourage people to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles

C. Limit the use of public transport because it is too noisy

D. Focus exclusively on improving air quality

[#1] What is one solution put forward by some of Europe's cities and towns?


Ochratoxin is a mycotoxin which has been shown to have carcinogenic and other toxic properties. It occurs naturally and can contaminate agri-cultural products in the field and after harvest. Maximum permitted lev-els are established in EU legislation for significant dietary sources, to reduce human exposure as much as possible. It has been shown that cereals and cereal products are the main dietary sources of ochratoxin for the EU 'population. Wine, coffee and beer are also significant sources while dried grapes and grape juice are important sources for vulnerable consumers like children. There are already EU rules in place for cereals and dried grapes. The Commission is continuing to re-view other foodstuffs to set maximum levels where needed.

A. It is only found in cereals.

B. Wine, beer and coffee transmit the substance in vast amounts.

C. It can only be transmitted via liquid foodstuffs.

D. It is transmitted by cereals and cereal products and also by other sources.

[#2] Which statement about ochratoxin is correct?


Ochratoxin is a mycotoxin which has been shown to have carcinogenic and other toxic properties. It occurs naturally and can contaminate agri-cultural products in the field and after harvest. Maximum permitted lev-els are established in EU legislation for significant dietary sources, to re-duce human exposure as much as possible. It has been shown that ce-reals and cereal products are the main dietary sources of ochratoxin for the EU 'population. Wine, coffee and beer are also significant sources while dried grapes and grape juice are important sources for vulner-able consumers like children. There are already EU rules in place for ce-reals and dried grapes. The Commission is continuing to review other foodstuffs to set maximum levels where needed.

A. Ochratoxin is a natural product which is only toxic in food.

B. Children must on no account come into contact with ochratoxin.

C. Children are at risk as they have less defence against certain substances.

D. The Commission has managed to eliminate ochratoxin from cereals and dried grapes.

[#3] Which of the following statements is correct?


The European Commission welcomes the adoption of amendments to the Energy Tax Directive authorising the new Member States temporar-ily to apply excise duty exemptions or lower rates of duty than the EU-wide minimum rates normally required on all energy products and elec-tricity. The transitional arrangements are strictly limited in time and none will last longer than 2012; they are proportionate to the actual prob-lems that they are designed to address. The main justification provided by the accession countries is the likelihood that price rises resulting from an increase in excise duties with effect from 1 May 2004, the date on which the accession countries will have to apply the Energy Tax Di-rective, could have an adverse effect on their economies and could in particular constitute a heavy burden for SMEs and for poorer house-holds.

A. According to the accession countries there is no link between the increase in excise duties and prices.

B. From 2012 onwards no transitional arrangements will be authorised and all will have to be closed.

C. All Member States have the right to exempt, for example, excise duties applied to coal.

D. The date of application of the Energy Tax Directive has not yet been published.

[#4] Which of the following statements is correct?


The European Commission has decided to send Denmark an official re-quest for information on the latter's law of 26 March 2003 prohibiting gambling offered by service providers registered in other Member States and activities aimed at facilitating participation in or advertising such gambling. Danish law limits the provision of services relating to sports betting in particular. The Commission intends to examine the compatibility of the prohibition with the provisions of the EC Treaty relat-ing to the free movement of services and freedom of establishment. Given the information at its disposal the Commission fears that the Dan-ish legislation imposes restrictions on freedom of establishment and on the cross-border provision of services which would be disproportionate to the common interest objectives recognised by the European Court of Justice (such as consumer protection or the maintenance of law and or-der).

A. It prohibits any inducement to gambling offered by service providers from other Member States.

B. It prohibits Danes from participating in gambling outside Denmark.

C. It authorises gambling provided it is not linked to sporting events.

D. It permits participation in gambling only if this is linked to sporting events.

[#5] What is one of the elements of the Danish law of 26 March 2003?

Answers

1- B Encourage people to purchase en-vironmentally friendly vehicles

2-D It is transmitted by cereals and ce-real products and also by other sources.

3-C Children are at risk as they have less defense against certain sub-stances.

4-B From 2012 onwards no transi-tional arrangements will be author-ised and all will have to be closed.

5-A It prohibits any inducement to gambling offered by service providers from other Member States.

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Administrator level Verbal Reasoning tests3


Practice makes perfect


The new face of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the Commission will be the Estonian Maive Rute, appointed spokes-woman on 13 June 2005. She will defend the interests of a sector repre-senting 25 million businesses and 75 million jobs. "Supporting the [...] SMEs, boosting their energy and creativity are the key to achieving more growth and jobs in the EU," Mrs Rute said. The Commission's main concern is: how can we help SMEs to employ more people? Com-munity actions have been launched to promote the sector and simplify its administrative environment. The Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the European Charter for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises contrib-ute to this positive impetus.

A. Give financial assistance to the most creative SMEs.

B. Double the number of SMEs so as to develop employment in European countries.

C. Increase the employment rate in SMEs.

D. Promote the development of those SMEs employing the most persons.

[#1] What does the Commission want to do?


The new face of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the Commission will be the Estonian Maive Rute, appointed spokes-woman on 13 June 2005. She will defend the interests of a sector repre-senting 25 million businesses and 75 million jobs. "Supporting the [...] SMEs, boosting their energy and creativity are the key to achieving more growth and jobs in the EU," Mrs Rute said. The Commission's main concern is: how can we help SMEs to employ more people? Com-munity actions have been launched to promote the sector and simplify its administrative environment. The Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the European Charter for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises contrib-ute to this positive impetus.

A. On average, SMEs directly or indirectly employ three people.

B. SMEs are growing faster than other sectors.

C. The SME sector accounts for 1/3 of total employment in Europe.

D. SMEs are subject to a high level of tax pressure and administrative constraints.

[#2] What can we deduce from the text?


The Commission has decided to extend for one last time the period of grace for the introduction of the digital tachograph until 31 December 2005. Although the final date for the introduction of the digital tacho-graph had been extended until 5 August 2005, an extra period of grace is needed. This decision is justified by the delays encountered by tacho-graph manufacturers in obtaining type approval for their equipment. It should also allow the Member States to take all the legislative, technical and administrative measures needed. Finally, the aim of the morato-rium was to ensure that Member States do not impose penalties on drivers of foreign vehicles entering their respective territories without a digital tachograph. Since then, most Member States have adopted the necessary legal frameworks and application arrangements. The tacho-graph must be legally recognised and accepted by all Member States from 5 August 2005 onwards.

A. The moratorium has been extended for a second time until 5 August 2005.

B. The Member States will have to have recognised the digital tachograph in their legislation by 5 August 2005.

C. Only foreign vehicles are covered by the moratorium up to 31 December 2005.

D. Installation of the digital tachograph in vehicles has been postponed to 31 December 2005.

[#3] What exactly is being proposed?


Xplora is a new gateway to science education in Europe. Its aim is to stimulate science education to attract more young people. Teachers will find a wealth of information and resources for primary and secondary education. The section "Megalab" presents experiments and practical, in-novative science projects. Studying the stars or plants, conducting ex-periments on wind energy or hydrogen cells, ... Thanks to Xplora, pupils can now take part in experiments that would not be feasible at school! Xplora also provides teachers, and experts from all comers of Europe with a forum where they can talk to each other on-line, find tools for set-ting up on-line communities and instructions on free software for sci-ence teaching.

A. Facilitating access to scientific information.

B. Promoting interaction between experts and teachers.

C. Enabling experiments to be conducted outside school.

D. Replacing the classical methods of science learning.

[#4] Which of the following objectives is not being pursued by Xplora?


The European Commission has authorised the proposed acquisition of the Italian electricity company Edison by the French company EDF and the Dutch company AEM. Following an examination, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the common market. The Commission found that the proposed concentration did not raise any competition problems. How-ever, it will continue to monitor the competitive dynamics of the Italian electricity markets, where prices are among the highest in Europe. Edi-son is the second-largest electricity producer in Italy. However, its posi-tion on the Italian electricity markets is quite small compared to that of the more established operator ENEL, which still controls a large part of the generation capacity and, most of the time, is in a position to set the electricity price on the Italian Power Exchange.

A. Energy prices in Italy will fall.

B. Edison will continue to produce electricity, but under foreign control.

C. ENEL will remain the only Italian electricity producer.

D. ENEL will lose its monopoly on the market to EDF and AEM.

[#5] Which of the following is a consequence of the acquisition of Edison?


Answers

1-C Increase the employment rate in SMEs.

2-A On average, SMEs directly or indi-rectly employ three people.

3-B The Member States will have to have recognised the digital tacho-graph in their legislation by 5 August 2005.

4-D Replacing the classical methods of science learning.

5-B Edison will continue to produce electricity, but under foreign control.

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verbal reasoning sample tests - eu epso volume 01

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