Reading comprehension
- Questions
- 20
- Minutes
- 35
Passages of about 160 words on the EU, economics, science or history. Of the four statements, only one follows from the text.
AD5 reasoning test simulator
Practise the verbal, numerical and abstract tests of phase 1 with the same format and timing as the exam. When you finish, you can go through every question and see where you went wrong.
Download for Windows
Download for Mac
Free · Windows 10 and 11 · macOS 11 or later · version 1.5.1 · works offline · See price
Numerical reasoning · Question 1 of 1017:42
- 380verbal reasoning passages
- 24types of numerical problem, with new data every time
- 8types of abstract series
- Everyanswer is explained
The tests
The mock exam follows the structure of phase 1. As in the real test, you can flag questions to come back to and use an on-screen calculator.
Tables and charts
- Questions
- 10
- Minutes
- 20
Percentages, changes, weighted averages, exchange rates or densities. The options are very close together, and sometimes none of them is right.
Figure series
- Questions
- 10
- Minutes
- 10
Series that combine three or four rules: shape, number, colour, size and movement. Each wrong option breaks just one rule.
Knowing why you got it wrong
In the verbal test, each wrong answer is designed to lead you into a particular mistake. When you review a test, the application tells you which one it was, and your history shows the mistakes you make most often.
CONContradiction. The option says the opposite of the text.INFNot in the text. It talks about something the text doesn't mention.CAUCause and effect. It turns a coincidence into a cause, or reverses it.EXTOver-generalising. It draws more conclusions than the text allows.CATAbsolute words. "Only", "always", "all", "never"…UNIFigures and units. Litres and cubic metres, points and per cent, billions and trillions.TMPTense. It treats something planned as done, or something past as current.
How it works
- Full mock examAll three tests in a row, each with its own time limit. At the end you see whether you would have reached the pass marks.
- Single-test practiceIf one test gives you trouble, you can practise just that one.
- Hard modeHarder passages, closer numerical options and series with more rules. It's on by default.
- Less timeYou can take 15% off the time limit, so you go into the exam with some margin.
- ReviewThe correct answer, the explanation and the time you spent on each question.
- HistoryYour results day by day and the mistakes you repeat most.
Who made it
I'm sitting the AD5 competition myself and started this simulator to prepare for it. There are very few official sample tests, and I wanted to practise a lot, against the clock. If you find a mistake or miss something, write to me.
Price
You can use the free version for as long as you like. The full version is a one-off payment, with no subscription.
Free version
To see what it's like before you buy.
€0
- One full phase 1 mock exam
- Single tests and training
- Explanations for every answer
- All the verbal questions
- Unlimited mock exams and practice
- Mistake history
Full version
One-off payment. Works on two computers.
€9.99VAT included
- All 380 verbal questions
- Unlimited mock exams and practice
- Hard mode and less time
- Results and mistake history
- Updates included
- Download and install the free version.
- Buy the full version by card, PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
- Your key arrives by email.
- Type it into the application and it unlocks.
Frequently asked questions
Is this EPSO's official tool?
No. It's an independent simulator with no connection to EPSO or the EU institutions. The questions are original and follow the format and level of EPSO's published samples.
Which language are the tests in?
English or Italian: you choose in the settings, just as you choose your language 1 in the competition. The interface is available in English, Spanish and Italian. For now, the explanations of the verbal questions are in Spanish and Italian.
Windows says "Windows protected your PC". What do I do?
Windows shows this for programs that haven't been downloaded many times yet. Click "More info" and then "Run anyway". You don't need administrator rights to install it.
My Mac says it can't verify the developer. What do I do?
The first time you open it, macOS will block it. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to the message about the app and click "Open Anyway". You only need to do this once.
Is there a mobile version?
Only Windows and Mac for now. If you'd like it on your phone, tell me and I'll take it into account.
How many computers can I use it on?
Two. If you change computer, write to me and I'll release the old activation.
Can I get a refund?
Since you can try the free version first, purchases aren't refundable once the key has been sent. If the application doesn't work on your computer and I can't fix it, I'll refund you.
What data does it keep?
Your results stay on your computer. The application only goes online once, to check your key.
Is it useful for other EU competitions?
The reasoning tests in AST or CAST selections are of the same kind, but the number of questions, the timing and the pass marks differ. Always check the notice of competition.
I've found a mistake in a question.
Write to [email protected] with the question number and I'll fix it in the next version.