EPSO EU Knowledge test — every topic area and what to study
The EU Knowledge test is unique among EPSO CBT modules because it requires factual memorisation. Unlike Verbal or Abstract Reasoning, you cannot improve your score through practice alone — you must know the material. This guide covers every topic area tested, the specific facts most frequently examined, and the memorisation strategy that makes the content stick.
11 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Last updated
What the EU Knowledge test covers
The EU Knowledge test for the AD5 competition covers the EU's institutional architecture, legal framework, decision-making processes, policy areas, budget, external relations, and recent political developments. The test awards equal marks to each question with no negative marking.
Questions are factual and require precise recall — not general awareness. "Which institution can initiate legislation?" requires you to know the specific answer (the European Commission, under Art. 17 TEU), not to discuss the topic generally.
Topic area 1 — EU institutions and their roles
This is the most heavily tested area. You must know, for each institution: its composition, how members are appointed, its main powers, and how it relates to the other institutions.
| Institution | Key facts to memorise |
|---|---|
| European Commission | One Commissioner per member state; President elected by EP (qualified majority); sole right of legislative initiative; guardian of the treaties; represents EU externally on trade |
| European Parliament | 705 MEPs (post-2024: 720); directly elected every 5 years; co-legislator under ordinary legislative procedure; approves Commission; can censure Commission by 2/3 majority |
| Council of the EU | Ministers from each member state; co-legislator; passes budget with EP; QMV = 55% of states representing 65% of EU population; Presidency rotates every 6 months |
| European Council | Heads of state/government; sets strategic direction; does NOT legislate; President (currently elected for 2.5 years, renewable once); decisions by consensus |
| Court of Justice (ECJ) | One judge per member state; interprets EU law; annulment actions, infringement proceedings, preliminary rulings; General Court handles first instance in direct actions |
| European Central Bank | Monetary policy for eurozone (20 member states); President appointed for 8-year non-renewable term; independent from political institutions |
| Court of Auditors | Checks EU finances; one member per state; advisory opinions; reports to EP and Council; does NOT have the power to impose sanctions |
Topic area 2 — Treaties and legal framework
Treaty knowledge is tested on dates, what each treaty changed, and the current provisions of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
| Treaty | Year | Key change |
|---|---|---|
| Treaty of Paris | 1951 | Created the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) — the first of the three founding communities |
| Treaty of Rome | 1957 | Created the EEC and Euratom; established the customs union and common market foundations |
| Single European Act | 1986 | First major revision; created the single market programme; introduced QMV in Council for single market legislation |
| Maastricht Treaty | 1992 | Created the EU (three pillars); established Economic and Monetary Union; introduced EU citizenship; co-decision procedure |
| Amsterdam Treaty | 1997 | Reinforced free movement; incorporated Schengen into EU law; extended co-decision; "Area of Freedom, Security and Justice" |
| Nice Treaty | 2001 | Prepared EU for enlargement; reformed Council voting weights; extended QMV |
| Lisbon Treaty | 2009 | Abolished the three-pillar structure; EU legal personality; Charter of Fundamental Rights binding; European Council became formal institution; new role of European Council President and High Representative |
Topic area 3 — Legislative procedures
The ordinary legislative procedure (co-decision) is the most important to know. Most EU legislation follows this path: Commission proposes → Parliament and Council debate → if they agree at first reading, adopted; if not, conciliation; up to three readings.
- →Ordinary legislative procedure: Commission proposes; Parliament and Council co-decide; requires absolute majority in EP at first reading, QMV in Council
- →Special legislative procedures: used for sensitive areas (tax, foreign policy, constitutional matters) — typically unanimous vote in Council, EP either consulted or consents
- →Consent procedure: EP must give majority consent; used for international agreements, EU membership, and sanctions under Art. 7 TEU
- →Comitology: the process by which the Commission exercises delegated powers; "delegated acts" (Art. 290 TFEU) vs. "implementing acts" (Art. 291 TFEU)
- →QMV threshold: 55% of Council members (at least 15 states) representing at least 65% of EU population; blocking minority requires at least 4 Council members
Topic area 4 — EU budget and financing
Budget questions focus on the structure of EU finances, the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the budget procedure.
- →EU budget is approximately €170–180 billion annually; the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) sets binding spending ceilings for 7 years
- →Budget procedure: Commission proposes; Council sets its position; EP approves or amends; if disagreement, conciliation committee
- →Revenue sources (Own Resources): customs duties and levies (~15%), VAT-based contributions (~10%), GNI-based contributions (~65%), other (including EU ETS proceeds)
- →Largest expenditure categories: Cohesion and Values (structural funds) ~35%; Natural Resources (CAP) ~35%; Single Market and competitiveness ~10%
- →Court of Auditors provides annual statement of assurance (DAS); EP grants discharge to Commission on budget implementation
Topic area 5 — EU policies and internal market
The four freedoms of the single market are a core pillar of EU law: free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons. Questions also cover the common external tariff, competition policy, state aid, and sector-specific policies.
- →Four freedoms: goods (no tariffs, common external tariff), services (right to provide services across borders), capital (free movement of investments and payments), persons (EU citizens can move, reside, and work freely)
- →Competition policy: Art. 101 TFEU (anti-competitive agreements), Art. 102 TFEU (abuse of dominant position), merger control; DG COMP enforces
- →State aid: Art. 107 TFEU prohibits state aid that distorts competition; Commission approves exceptions (R&D, regional development, services of general economic interest)
- →Cohesion policy: structural and investment funds (ERDF, ESF+, Cohesion Fund); redistributes wealth from wealthier to poorer regions
- →Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): direct payments to farmers; market support; rural development; reformed periodically; currently runs 2023–2027
Topic area 6 — External relations and enlargement
Questions cover the Common Foreign and Security Policy, trade policy, development policy, and EU enlargement.
- →CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) is intergovernmental — decisions taken by unanimity in European Council and Council; High Representative is both Council chair and Commission VP
- →Common Commercial Policy (CCP): the EU is a single actor in international trade; the Commission negotiates trade agreements on behalf of all member states; Council ratifies
- →EU membership requires: European identity, stable democratic institutions, rule of law, human rights (Copenhagen Criteria, 1993); candidate and potential candidate countries currently include Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Turkey
- →The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) governs relations with non-candidate neighbours in the South and East; distinct from enlargement
Topic area 7 — Current EU priorities (2024–2027)
EU Knowledge questions are updated to reflect current priorities. The 2024 Commission under President von der Leyen (second term) focuses on: the Green Deal and climate targets (net zero by 2050, 55% reduction by 2030), digital transition, strategic autonomy and competitiveness (Draghi Report), security and defence, and rule of law.
Memorisation strategy
Anchor facts to structures, not dates
Do not memorise "Maastricht was in 1992." Memorise "Maastricht created the EU, introduced EU citizenship, and established the path to the euro." When the date is implied by the context (post-Single European Act, pre-Amsterdam), you will recall it from the structural anchor.
Use institutional comparison tables
Create a comparison grid: for each institution, fill in — composition, appointment method, main powers, key articles. Comparing institutions side-by-side fixes the distinctions that confuse most candidates (e.g., European Council vs. Council of the EU vs. Council of Europe).
Practice retrieval, not re-reading
Re-reading notes does not build exam performance. Practice with EU Knowledge questions from day one. After each wrong answer, add the correct fact to a spaced-repetition review system (paper flashcards or Anki both work). Review the day after, then 3 days later, then weekly.
Follow EU current affairs for the final 4 weeks
Read one EU-focused news source daily (Politico Europe, EUobserver, or europarl.europa.eu) for 15 minutes. Recent elections, treaty changes, new Commission priorities, and major Council decisions frequently appear in EU Knowledge questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is EU Knowledge tested in all EPSO competitions?
EU Knowledge is part of the AD5, AST3, and most specialist competition test batteries. It is a Talent Gate module — it must be passed independently at ≥50% and counts 30% toward your final ranking score. CAST competitions may have a simpler version or omit it.
Can I pass EU Knowledge without a background in European law or politics?
Yes, many successful candidates come from science, engineering, or business backgrounds. The content is learnable from scratch in 4–6 weeks with the right study materials and consistent retrieval practice. The key is to start early enough.
Are EU Knowledge questions updated every year?
Yes. Questions are regularly updated to reflect new treaties, legislative changes, Commission priorities, and current events. Static study guides from 5+ years ago miss significant content. Always use the most recent preparation materials.
What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of the EU?
The European Council is the meeting of heads of state or government — it sets the EU's strategic direction but does not legislate. The Council of the EU (often called "the Council") is the meeting of ministers — it is a co-legislator with the European Parliament. The "Council of Europe" is a separate organization entirely, not an EU institution.
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