EPSO Digital Skills Practice
The digital skills test covers the 5 DigComp competence areas (framework updated to version 3.0 in 2025): information & data literacy, communication & collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem solving. Questions are scenario-based and practical.
The test at a glance
What the EPSO digital skills test is
The digital skills test measures practical digital literacy against the European Commission's own DigComp framework (updated to version 3.0 in 2025). Its five competence areas are: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem solving. Questions are scenario-based — "a colleague receives this email, what should they do?" — rather than definitional.
Under EPSO/AD/427/26 (AD5 2026) it is the most time-pressured test EPSO runs: 40 questions in 30 minutes, 45 seconds each, in your Language 2. You cannot afford to deliberate; either you recognise the situation or you flag it and move on.
How it is scored
The pass mark is 20 out of 40, and the test counts for 25% of the AD5 2026 ranking — the same weight as EU Knowledge. It appears in the AD5 generalist competition; specialist AD7/AST competitions and CAST selections do not include it. Formats are set per competition, so check your Notice of Competition.
What it actually covers
No programming is required. Expect questions on evaluating information sources and spotting manipulated content; netiquette and collaboration tools; licences and copyright basics when creating digital content; phishing recognition, password hygiene and data protection principles; and choosing the right digital solution for a task.
Because the test runs in an EU institutional context, EU digital rules provide the backdrop: the GDPR for personal data, and the wider digital acquis (AI Act, NIS2, DSA/DMA, eIDAS) at the level of what they regulate — not article-by-article detail.
How to practise effectively
Train at 45 seconds per question from the start — accuracy without speed fails this test. Learn the DigComp vocabulary, because options often distinguish between adjacent competences (data literacy vs. content creation), and practise scenario questions rather than memorising definitions: the exam asks what you would do, not what a term means.
Our question bank is aligned with the DigComp 3.0 framework, competence by competence, with explanations that name the exact competence each question tests.
Frequently asked questions
What framework does the EPSO digital skills test use?
DigComp — the EU Digital Competence Framework, updated to version 3.0 in 2025. It covers 5 competence areas, from information and data literacy to problem solving.
Do I need to know programming?
No. The test focuses on practical digital literacy: data protection principles, online safety, basic spreadsheet operations, and understanding of EU digital regulations.
Which EU regulations might appear?
GDPR (data protection), NIS2 (cybersecurity), AI Act, DSA/DMA (digital services/markets), and eIDAS (electronic identification).
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Start practising free →Format figures verified against Notice of Competition EPSO/AD/427/26 (AD5 2026). Framework: European Commission DigComp (JRC), version 3.0 (2025). Each competition sets its own format — always check your Notice of Competition on eu-careers.europa.eu. eu-careers.europa.eu ↗