EPSO CAST FG III — Function Group III
Contract agent selection for post-secondary graduates. No assessment center.
10,000
Typical applicants
300
Typically hired
~3%
Pass rate
5 wks
Recommended prep
What is the EPSO CAST FG III competition?
Contract agent roles requiring post-secondary education. Administrative and technical support at EU institutions. Online exam.
Requirements
Post-secondary education (vocational qualification or equivalent). EU citizen.
Target audience
Candidates with post-secondary education or equivalent
What roles does CAST FG III open?
Why do most candidates fail?
CAST FG III attracts fewer applicants than FG IV but the CBT format and gate requirements are identical. Candidates often assume the lower education threshold means easier questions — but EPSO sets the same CBT gates regardless of function group. Preparation is essential.
CBT modules for CAST FG III
Every module below is a mandatory gate — a weak score in any one eliminates you.
Verbal Reasoning
True, False, or Cannot Say — under time pressure
Numerical Reasoning
Data tables, charts, and percentage calculations
Abstract Reasoning
Pattern recognition across 7 visual formats
How the CAST FG III is scored
Verbal ≥ 50% (mandatory gate). (Numerical + Abstract) average ≥ 50% (mandatory gate). Pass the CBT and you enter the database for 3 years. No assessment center.
Recommended study plan
Based on the CAST FG III structure and typical difficulty level.
5 wks
Recommended weeks
60
Questions / week
3
Mock exams
Verbal Reasoning
Top priority
Diagnose before you study
Start with 20 untimed questions in each required module. Your error patterns tell you where to focus — not your perception of what is hard.
Aim for 60 reviewed questions per week
Reviewing wrong answers matters more than volume. One hour of reviewed practice beats two hours of passive question-doing.
Run timed sessions from week 3
The gate system rewards speed as much as accuracy. Practice every module under real time pressure — not just in comfortable study conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the CAST FG III competition.
What is CAST FG III?↓
CAST FG III is the contract agent selection for Function Group III — covering administrative, secretarial, technical, and IT support roles. It requires post-secondary education (but not a full university degree). Like all CAST selections, passing the CBT places you in a database for 3 years.
How does CAST FG III differ from AST3?↓
Both target similar candidate profiles (post-secondary education, administrative roles), but AST3 leads to permanent civil servant positions while CAST FG III leads to contract agent positions (typically 1–6 year contracts). AST3 also includes an Assessment Center; CAST does not.
Is there an assessment center for CAST FG III?↓
No. CAST selections do not include an Assessment Center. You must pass the CBT (and sometimes a language test), and if successful, your name is added to the database. Institutions then contact you directly when they have a vacancy.
What is the pass rate for CAST FG III?↓
Approximately 3% of applicants pass CAST FG III — higher than AD5 or AST3, reflecting both lower competition and an easier difficulty level. With 10,000 typical applicants and ~300 passing, it is still a competitive selection.
Can I apply for both CAST FG III and FG IV?↓
You may apply for any CAST function group you meet the education requirements for. If you have a university degree, you can apply for FG IV. If you have post-secondary but not university education, FG III is your level. Some candidates with degrees apply for both FG III and FG IV simultaneously.
Practice CAST FG III now — free
20 questions per module, no credit card required. Adaptive difficulty, instant explanations, and a real percentile score.
20 questions free · No card required