EPSO AD7 Audit Written Test 2026: What Is Assessed and How to Prepare Effectively

The Written Test for competition EPSO/AD/428/26 – Administrators (AD 7) in the field of audit is particularly demanding, not because candidates must memorise a large amount of information, but because they must process an extensive official document and produce a clear, coherent and appropriately structured text within a limited time.The tests for the current competition will take place on 30 September 2026, while EPSO published the official preparatory material for the Written Test on 15 September 2026. The source material is the European Commission communication entitled “Managing climate risks – protecting people and prosperity.”Effective preparation should therefore not focus on predicting the assignment or memorising one model answer. Candidates need to understand the document’s overall logic and be able to adapt its information to the specific assignment provided on the day of the test.

What the Written Test actually assesses

EPSO clearly states that the Written Test is designed to assess written communication skills. It does not assess:

• candidates’ technical knowledge of audit;
• their general knowledge of climate change;
• their ability to conduct external research;
• their ability to memorise the entire source document.

Candidates will receive the specific assignment on the day of the test and will also have access to the source document during the examination. However, this does not mean that they will have enough time to search through the entire document from the beginning. Thorough preparation and familiarisation with the material in advance remain essential.The Written Test lasts 40 minutes, is marked from 0 to 10, and has a pass mark of 5/10. It is taken in the candidate’s chosen Language 2.

What is the official source document about?

The document examines the increasing climate risks facing Europe and the measures required to strengthen the European Union’s climate resilience.Its central message is that Europe must move away from responding to disasters after they occur and towards prevention, preparedness and proactive risk management.The document’s main areas are outlined below.

1. Accelerating and interconnected climate risks

Europe is warming approximately twice as fast as the global average. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires and coastal risks are becoming more frequent and intense.These risks do not occur in isolation. They may interact and create cascading consequences for health, food, infrastructure, energy, supply chains, public budgets and the financial system.

2. The EU’s existing foundations and remaining weaknesses

The European Union already has policies, legislation, knowledge and adaptation tools in place. Nevertheless, the document identifies:

• uneven or insufficient policy implementation;
• unclear allocation of responsibilities;
• a gap between planning and practical implementation;
• shortcomings in data, skills, administrative capacity and funding;
• insufficient integration of climate risks into public and private decision-making.

3. Uncertainty and the precautionary principle

Uncertainty about the precise timing or intensity of a climate impact does not justify delaying action. Decisions should be taken preventively, in accordance with the precautionary principle and with due consideration of adverse scenarios.

4. Four principal categories of solutions

The document organises the proposed solutions around four areas:

1. improving governance and establishing a clear allocation of responsibilities;
2. providing risk owners with appropriate tools, data and skills;
3. using structural policies and integrating resilience into public policy;
4. securing adequate public and private financing.

5. The principal areas affected

Particular attention is given to:

• natural ecosystems;
• water management;
• public health;
• food security;
• critical infrastructure and the built environment;
• the economy and financial stability;
• vulnerable social groups and the risk of worsening existing inequalities.

What kind of assignment could be given?

EPSO does not publish the precise assignment in advance. Based on the content of the document, candidates may, for practice purposes, be asked to:

• present the document’s main findings;
• explain the weaknesses in the management of climate risks;
• recommend priorities for action;
• examine a particular affected sector;
• compare prevention with post-disaster recovery;
• explain why uncertainty does not justify inaction;
• prepare a report, briefing note, policy note or another form of professional text for a specified audience.

These are possible formats for practice and are neither official nor leaked EPSO assignments. The actual assignment will be provided exclusively by EPSO on the day of the examination.

How should candidates study the source document?

Reading the document linearly from the first page to the last is not sufficient. Candidates should create a practical map of the material.For each section, they should be able to identify:

• the main problem;
• the principal findings;
• the weaknesses identified;
• the proposed solutions;
• the authority or stakeholder expected to take action;
• the examples or evidence that may be used to support the response.

Preparation should be organised by thematic category rather than around the memorisation of complete paragraphs. Candidates need to know where the relevant information can be found and how it relates to a possible assignment.

Managing the 40 minutes effectively

A practical indicative allocation of time is:

• 5 minutes: read and analyse the assignment carefully;
• 5 minutes: select the relevant information and prepare a brief outline;
• 25–27 minutes: write the response;
• 3–5 minutes: conduct a final review.

Before beginning to write, candidates should answer four questions:

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What is the purpose of the text?
3. What exactly does the assignment ask for?
4. Which parts of the source document respond directly to those requirements?

Preparing a brief outline helps candidates avoid repetition and ensures that every part of the assignment is addressed.

A reliable structure for the response

The final format must always be adapted to the precise assignment. A generally effective structure is the following.

Title or subject line

It should be concise and directly related to the assignment.

Introduction

The introduction should state the purpose of the text and briefly present the main issue. It should not consume a disproportionate amount of the available time or space.

Main body

The main body should be divided into clear thematic sections. Each paragraph should address a specific requirement and contain one central idea, the necessary explanation and, where appropriate, supporting information from the source document.

Priorities or recommendations

These should be included when requested by the assignment. They must be based on the source material and should not consist of the candidate’s personal proposals or external knowledge.

Conclusion

The conclusion should summarise the central message and, where appropriate, the necessary direction for action. It should not introduce new information.

The most common mistakes

Adding external knowledge

The response must be based on the material provided. Even information that is generally correct may lead the text away from the assignment if it does not derive from the official source document.

Memorising a model answer

A memorised response may not match the required audience, format or precise focus of the examination assignment. Model answers should be used to understand the methodology, not as texts to be reproduced word for word.

Summarising the entire document

Candidates are not necessarily asked to present everything contained in the source material. They should select only the information that answers the specific assignment.

Lack of a clear structure

A text without headings, paragraphs or logical progression is difficult to follow, even if it contains factually correct information.

An overly general introduction

Statements such as “climate change is an important problem” are insufficient. The introduction should immediately lead to the specific subject and purpose of the response.

Failing to address part of the assignment

If the assignment asks for both weaknesses and priorities, for example, both elements must be covered in a balanced way.

Poor time management

Overdeveloping the opening paragraphs may result in an incomplete conclusion or the omission of important requirements.

A technical note for candidates taking the test in Greek

EPSO specifies that candidates taking the test in Greek will not be able to change their keyboard settings within the testing environment. Where a term or acronym in Latin characters is required, candidates may use the translated term followed by the acronym transcribed into Greek, in accordance with the official instructions.

How Study Community’s preparation can help

At Study Community, preparation is not limited to providing a general summary of the source document. It is designed to train candidates in the complete process required by the Written Test:

• understanding and mapping the official source material;
• identifying essential information;
• organising the possible topics into thematic groups;
• recognising the audience, purpose and appropriate format;
• creating a brief and practical outline;
• producing a complete response within 40 minutes;
• reviewing the structure, clarity, relevance and concision of the response.

The EPSO Written Test – Preparation & Personalised Feedback package includes:

• 20 Written Test exercises with detailed model answers;
• 2 complete case studies;
• structured analysis of the official material for the current competition;
• guidance on different forms of professional and administrative writing;
• examples of effective and ineffective approaches;
• 1 individual Written Test to be submitted for assessment;
• personalised feedback on structure, clarity, relevance, information selection and the overall effectiveness of the response.

Personalised assessment is particularly valuable because it helps candidates determine not only what they know, but also whether they can communicate it in the way required by the examination.

View a sample of the material

Below, you can view an indicative sample of our preparation material for the current EPSO AD7 Audit Written Test.

The sample is provided exclusively for educational purposes. The proposed assignments are preparation exercises and are neither official nor leaked EPSO questions.

Complete preparation for the Written Test

Success in the Written Test does not depend on memorising the largest possible number of ready-made answers. It depends on the candidate’s ability to understand the assignment quickly, select the correct information, organise it logically and produce a clear, focused text within 40 minutes.Systematic practice, realistic timed simulations and personalised feedback can transform an extensive and demanding source document into an organised and manageable preparation framework.View the preparation package: EPSO Written Test – Preparation & Personalised FeedbackStudy Community is an independent training provider and is not institutionally affiliated with EPSO or any institution of the European Union. For the official competition rules and instructions, candidates should consult the official Written Test page and the official competition page.

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