EPSO CAST Permanent 2026 Test Dates and Language Rules

The next EPSO CAST Permanent reasoning dates are October 6 and November 19, 2026. Results are expected at the beginning of November and the end of December respectively.

These are not open public booking dates. A recruiting service first searches the permanent candidate database, shortlists a profile and asks EPSO to invite that candidate.

The test uses verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning in the candidate's language 1, not automatically English. Start a free SpeakShark conversation for general workplace communication, then use EPSO instructions for CAST testing.

Key takeaways

• The next testing dates are October 6 and November 19, 2026.
• CAST registration is always open and has no general deadline.
• Registration does not guarantee a test invitation.
• Language 1 requires C1 and is used for EPSO reasoning.
• Language 2 requires B2 English, French or German.
• Successful reasoning results remain valid for 10 years.

In this guide: calendar | booking | registration | languages | format | invitation | validity | later selection | profiles | method | FAQ

CAST Permanent 2026 calendar

The calendar page lists common testing events, but an individual participates only after shortlisting and an EPSO invitation.

October 6 is 39 days after this guide's update. November 19 is 83 days away. Those gaps are not application deadlines because candidates can register continuously.

Result timing is explicitly indicative. A candidate should treat the account publication, not the forecast month, as the official result.

Earlier 2026 events do not prove that every function group or profile had candidates in every session. EPSO testing responds to recruitment needs and shortlists from multiple institutions.

Why a testing date cannot be booked directly

CAST Permanent is a candidate pool rather than a one-time open competition.

The current sequence is:

1. A candidate creates an EPSO account.
2. The candidate registers for one or more eligible profiles and function groups.
3. EU recruiting services search the database when vacancies arise.
4. A service shortlists profiles matching its requirements.
5. EPSO invites shortlisted candidates to reasoning tests.
6. A successful candidate can enter recruiting-service interviews or further tests.
7. A service may make an employment offer.

A person cannot select October 6 merely because their CAST profile is active. The test date belongs to an invitation generated after shortlisting.

The reverse is also true: not receiving an October invitation does not mean the permanent profile has failed. It remains available while interest is renewed.

This differs from EPSO AD5 2026, where a closed application cohort is moving through one named competition. CAST can continue across years under many reference numbers.

Open registration and the six-month update rule

The expression of interest is open-ended. There is no general application deadline unless EPSO publishes a specific exception.

Candidates may apply for several profiles or function groups when eligible, but only one application is permitted for a given function group in the same profile.

Every application must be changed or reconfirmed at least once every six months. Renewal gives it a new validity date.

If interest is not renewed:

• The application stops being visible to recruiting services.
• The stored data is not immediately deleted.
• The candidate can later update the profile and become visible again.
• Missed visibility does not create a retrospective right to an invitation.

Candidates should put the six-month renewal date in a calendar rather than wait for EPSO to treat inactivity as a withdrawal.

Only one personal EPSO account is allowed across competitions and CAST applications. Multiple accounts can lead to temporary exclusion.

Language 1, language 2 and English

Language 1 can be any of the 24 official EU languages. Language 2 must be English, French or German and must differ from language 1.

English is therefore mandatory only when selected as language 2 or language 1. A candidate can use Italian at C1 for reasoning and French at B2 as language 2.

For translator or proofreader profiles, the target language must be language 1. A German translator uses German as language 1, then chooses a different B2 language 2 from English, French or German.

EPSO itself tests reasoning in language 1. The recruiting service may later assess language 2 or any other language relevant to a vacancy through an interview or additional test.

The C1 and B2 declarations apply to speaking, writing, reading and listening in the application. They are eligibility levels, not a promise that EPSO will administer a separate four-skill certificate exam.

For broad fluency, use English speaking and writing skills, vocabulary for speaking, office small talk in English, and adult conversation topics.

Reasoning-test format and pass scores

Candidates have an average of 105 seconds for each verbal question, 120 seconds for each numerical question and 60 seconds for each abstract question.

Passing requires two separate outcomes:

• At least 10/20 in verbal reasoning.
• At least 10/20 across numerical and abstract reasoning combined.

A verbal score cannot compensate for a combined numerical-and-abstract score below 10. Likewise, a high combined score does not repair verbal reasoning below 10.

All three tests are multiple choice. The invitation specifies delivery mode, software and other operational details, so an older testing-platform screenshot should not replace current instructions.

When the invitation arrives

EPSO's current help material uses two close but not identical descriptions: around 10 days before testing and approximately two weeks before testing for contract-staff reasoning invitations.

The safe operational interpretation is that notice is short. Candidates should not expect months between an invitation and October 6.

The call requires candidates to check the EPSO account at least every three calendar days. Invitations, result letters and other important information are sent through that account.

When instructed, a candidate may need to book inside a limited period and complete mandatory technical steps such as:

1. Installing required software.
2. Synchronising the testing application.
3. Running a connectivity or system check.
4. Completing a mock or technical-prerequisite test.
5. Following the specified identity and environment rules.

Failure to book, sit or complete the tests normally ends participation in that testing period. It does not automatically create a place in the November event.

Ten-year validity and four-month failure rule

A successful reasoning result remains valid for 10 years from publication in the EPSO account.

It applies:

• To the function group tested.
• To lower function groups.
• Across all CAST Permanent profiles.

It does not automatically cover a higher function group.

For tests taken from January 2025 onward, failure blocks another invitation for the same or a higher function group for four months from the test date. During that period, a lower-function-group invitation remains possible.

After four months, a candidate does not receive an automatic retest. A recruiting service must shortlist the person again for a relevant vacancy.

Successful validity also does not remove the six-month profile-renewal rule. A ten-year test result and an active searchable application are separate conditions.

What happens after passing

Passing makes a candidate eligible to continue with a recruiting service. It does not create a permanent-official reserve-list position or an employment contract.

Recruiting services can conduct:

• A structured or ordinary interview.
• A written test.
• An oral test.
• A practical task.
• A simulation.
• Further language assessment.

The service explains its own test features in advance. A candidate can be invited multiple times by different services for vacancies at the successful function group or below without repeating the EPSO reasoning tests while the result remains valid.

Contracts are generally fixed-term for up to six years, though certain agencies, delegations, representations and other services can offer indefinite-duration arrangements under the applicable rules.

General interview practice can include English job interview role plays, HireVue interview questions, how to pass a HireVue interview, and ways to practise speaking alone. Start free speaking practice without treating SpeakShark as an EPSO scoring product.

Profiles and function groups

Current profiles include administration and human resources, finance, communication, law, ICT, political affairs, project management, translators, proofreaders, security, building management, childcare, educational psychology and records management.

Specific references map each profile to a function group. Translator is EPSO/CAST/P/22/2019 at FG IV, while proofreader is EPSO/CAST/P/21/2019 at FG III.

Country recruitment systems use very different routes. Compare the Spain National Police BAS43 certificate rule, Canada federal SLE, U.S. Foreign Service test, Austrian Foreign Ministry selection, and German Foreign Office selection.

English certificate calendars such as C1 Advanced in Germany, C2 Proficiency in Austria, and IELTS in France do not replace CAST reasoning tests or employer shortlisting.

How we researched this guide

On August 28, 2026, we opened the live CAST Permanent overview through the existing browser profile. It supplied the June, July, October and November events, result forecasts, permanent-registration rule, language levels, profiles and ten-year validity statement.

We then checked the February 2026 reader-friendly consolidated call. It supplied the exact reasoning format, six-month renewal, language routing, account-check rhythm, failure waiting period and recruiting-service stages.

Where EPSO help pages describe invitation timing as about 10 days or approximately two weeks, we report the range instead of pretending those phrases are identical. We did not invent a public booking route or use SpeakShark customer data.

We are a speaking improvement tool. We are not an exam preparation provider, and we are not affiliated with the European Personnel Selection Office, the European Union institutions or any exam board. For test format, booking and official practice material, go to the exam body directly. Use SpeakShark to make your spoken English stronger, and use official material to learn the test.

FAQ

The next published CAST Permanent testing dates are October 6 and November 19, 2026. Results are indicated for the beginning of November and the end of December respectively. These dates apply only to candidates shortlisted by an EU recruiting service and invited by EPSO; registration alone does not create a test appointment.

No general registration deadline applies because CAST Permanent is an open-ended expression-of-interest system. Candidates can apply at any time, but they must confirm or update each application at least once every six months to remain visible to recruiting services. A profile can remain registered without being shortlisted for a testing date.

EPSO administers verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning in language 1, which requires at least C1 and can be any official EU language. Language 2 must be a different language chosen from English, French or German at B2. Recruiting services may assess language 2 or other relevant languages during later interviews or tests.

Verbal reasoning has 20 questions in 35 minutes and needs 10/20. Numerical reasoning has 10 questions in 20 minutes, while abstract reasoning has 10 questions in 10 minutes. Numerical and abstract reasoning use a combined 10/20 pass score, so candidates must meet both the verbal threshold and the combined threshold.

A successful result remains valid for 10 years from publication in the candidate's EPSO account. It applies to the same and lower function groups across all CAST Permanent profiles. Passing does not itself create a job offer; the recruiting service can still conduct interviews, written or oral tests, practical exercises and language assessment.

For tests taken from January 2025 onward, a failed candidate cannot be invited again for the same or a higher function group for four months from the test date. Expiry of four months does not create an automatic retest. Another invitation requires a recruiting service to shortlist the candidate again.

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Sources

1. CAST Permanent overview and dates, checked for 2026 events, profiles and registration.
2. Reader-friendly consolidated CAST call, checked for languages, tests, scores and validity.
3. CAST general planning, checked for October and November dates and indicative results.
4. EPSO test FAQ, checked for invitation timing and remote testing context.
5. Council of Europe CEFR, checked for C1 and B2 context.
6. EU Staff Regulations, checked for employment context.
7. SpeakShark pricing, checked for current free and paid options.

EPSO can change testing events and delivery instructions. Follow the invitation and check the account at least every three days.