The EPSO EU knowledge test rewards study more directly than any other part of the AD5 competition: the answers are written down in the Treaties. These ten practice questions cover the institutions, the legislative procedure, voting in the Council, the budget, fundamental rights and the Union’s competences. Each answer gives the Treaty article behind it and explains why every wrong option is wrong.
How to use this page. In the AD5 competition (EPSO/AD/427/26) the EU knowledge
test has 30 questions in 40 minutes, taken in your second language, with a pass mark of 15 out of 30. Above the pass
mark every point counts: EU knowledge is 30% of the preliminary score and 25% of the final one. That is about 80
seconds a question, so give yourself 13 minutes for these ten, note your answers, then open the
explanations.
Ten EU knowledge practice questions
Question 1 · Institutions · Legislative procedure · Medium
Under the Treaties, which institution normally has the sole right to propose EU legislative acts?
- The European Council
- The European Parliament
- The European Commission
- The Council of the EU
Show answer
Answer: C. Article 17(2) TEU: Union legislative acts may only be adopted on the basis of a Commission proposal, except where the Treaties provide otherwise (for example some acts in police and judicial cooperation, which a quarter of the Member States can initiate).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The European Council sets the Union’s general political directions but “shall not exercise legislative functions” (Article 15(1) TEU).
• B — Parliament can only ask the Commission to submit a proposal (Article 225 TFEU); if the Commission declines, it must give reasons, but nothing obliges it to propose.
• D — The Council, like Parliament, can request a proposal from the Commission (Article 241 TFEU) but cannot table one itself.
Habit to take away. “Request” is not “propose”. Parliament, the Council and a European citizens’ initiative can all ask; only the Commission drafts the proposal.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The European Council sets the Union’s general political directions but “shall not exercise legislative functions” (Article 15(1) TEU).
• B — Parliament can only ask the Commission to submit a proposal (Article 225 TFEU); if the Commission declines, it must give reasons, but nothing obliges it to propose.
• D — The Council, like Parliament, can request a proposal from the Commission (Article 241 TFEU) but cannot table one itself.
Habit to take away. “Request” is not “propose”. Parliament, the Council and a European citizens’ initiative can all ask; only the Commission drafts the proposal.
Question 2 · Council · Voting · Medium
When the Council acts by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, what does the “double majority” require?
- 55% of the Member States, representing at least 65% of the EU population
- 65% of the Member States, representing at least 55% of the EU population
- 72% of the Member States, representing at least 65% of the EU population
- Two thirds of the Member States, whatever their population
Show answer
Answer: A. Article 16(4) TEU: a qualified majority is at least 55% of the members of the Council, comprising at least fifteen of them, representing Member States with at least 65% of the population. A blocking minority must include at least four Council members.
Why the other options are wrong:
• B — The two percentages are swapped.
• C — 72% is the reinforced qualified majority, used when the Council does not act on a Commission or High Representative proposal (Article 238(2) TFEU).
• D — There is no population-blind two-thirds rule for ordinary qualified majority voting in the Council.
Habit to take away. Remember the order: states first (55%), people second (65%). The bigger number protects the population side.
Why the other options are wrong:
• B — The two percentages are swapped.
• C — 72% is the reinforced qualified majority, used when the Council does not act on a Commission or High Representative proposal (Article 238(2) TFEU).
• D — There is no population-blind two-thirds rule for ordinary qualified majority voting in the Council.
Habit to take away. Remember the order: states first (55%), people second (65%). The bigger number protects the population side.
Question 3 · European Parliament · Easy
How many Members does the European Parliament have in the 2024–2029 term?
- 705
- 750
- 751
- 720
Show answer
Answer: D. European Council Decision (EU) 2023/2061 set the composition for 2024–2029 at 720 Members. Article 14(2) TEU caps Parliament at 750 Members plus the President, with between 6 and 96 seats per Member State.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — 705 was the number for 2020–2024, after the United Kingdom left.
• B — 750 is part of the Treaty ceiling, not the actual number of seats.
• C — 751 (750 plus the President) is the maximum the Treaty allows and the size of the 2014–2019 Parliament.
Habit to take away. Learn the ceiling (750 + 1) and the current number (720) together: EPSO likes to offer one as a trap for the other.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — 705 was the number for 2020–2024, after the United Kingdom left.
• B — 750 is part of the Treaty ceiling, not the actual number of seats.
• C — 751 (750 plus the President) is the maximum the Treaty allows and the size of the 2014–2019 Parliament.
Habit to take away. Learn the ceiling (750 + 1) and the current number (720) together: EPSO likes to offer one as a trap for the other.
Question 4 · Institutional framework · Medium
Which of the following is not one of the seven institutions of the European Union listed in Article 13 TEU?
- The Court of Auditors
- The European Economic and Social Committee
- The European Central Bank
- The European Council
Show answer
Answer: B. Article 13(1) TEU lists seven institutions: the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank and the Court of Auditors. The European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions are advisory bodies (Article 13(4) TEU).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The Court of Auditors is one of the seven institutions.
• C — The ECB has been an institution since the Treaty of Lisbon.
• D — The European Council became a formal institution with the Treaty of Lisbon.
Habit to take away. “Committee”, “Bank” (EIB), “Agency” or “Ombudsman” in the name usually means a body, not an institution. The ECB is the exception to watch.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The Court of Auditors is one of the seven institutions.
• C — The ECB has been an institution since the Treaty of Lisbon.
• D — The European Council became a formal institution with the Treaty of Lisbon.
Habit to take away. “Committee”, “Bank” (EIB), “Agency” or “Ombudsman” in the name usually means a body, not an institution. The ECB is the exception to watch.
Question 5 · Fundamental rights · Medium
What is the legal status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?
- It has the same legal value as the Treaties
- It is a political declaration with no binding force
- It binds only the Member States that ratified it separately
- It is a protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights
Show answer
Answer: A. Article 6(1) TEU, in force since the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009: the Charter “shall have the same legal value as the Treaties”. It binds the EU institutions, and the Member States only when they implement Union law (Article 51 of the Charter).
Why the other options are wrong:
• B — That was its status from its proclamation in 2000 until the Treaty of Lisbon.
• C — The Charter was never ratified separately; it applies through Article 6(1) TEU.
• D — The ECHR is a Council of Europe treaty, a separate legal order from the Charter.
Habit to take away. Charter = EU, Strasbourg Convention = Council of Europe. Questions that mix the two are among the most common traps.
Why the other options are wrong:
• B — That was its status from its proclamation in 2000 until the Treaty of Lisbon.
• C — The Charter was never ratified separately; it applies through Article 6(1) TEU.
• D — The ECHR is a Council of Europe treaty, a separate legal order from the Charter.
Habit to take away. Charter = EU, Strasbourg Convention = Council of Europe. Questions that mix the two are among the most common traps.
Question 6 · Legal acts · Easy
Which legal act is binding as to the result to be achieved, but leaves the choice of form and methods to the national authorities?
- A regulation
- A decision
- A recommendation
- A directive
Show answer
Answer: D. Article 288 TFEU defines the five legal acts. A directive binds each Member State it is addressed to as to the result, and must be transposed into national law by a deadline, by whatever means each state chooses.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — A regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, with nothing left to choose.
• B — A decision is binding in its entirety (on its addressees, if it names them).
• C — A recommendation has no binding force at all.
Habit to take away. Directive = direction to a result; regulation = rules everywhere, word for word.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — A regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States, with nothing left to choose.
• B — A decision is binding in its entirety (on its addressees, if it names them).
• C — A recommendation has no binding force at all.
Habit to take away. Directive = direction to a result; regulation = rules everywhere, word for word.
Question 7 · Budget · Hard
How is the regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework (MFF) adopted?
- By the ordinary legislative procedure, with Parliament and Council as co-legislators
- By the European Council, acting by qualified majority
- By the Council, acting unanimously, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament
- By the Commission, after consulting the Council
Show answer
Answer: C. Article 312(2) TFEU: the Council, acting under a special legislative procedure, adopts the MFF regulation unanimously after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, given by a majority of its component Members. The European Council may unanimously allow the Council to use qualified majority instead.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The MFF regulation follows a special legislative procedure, in which Parliament can only approve or reject the Council’s text, not amend it.
• B — The European Council negotiates the political deal but does not adopt the regulation.
• D — The Commission proposes the MFF; it does not adopt it.
Habit to take away. Separate the MFF (seven-year ceilings: Council unanimity + Parliament consent) from the annual budget (Article 314 TFEU: Parliament and Council together, with a conciliation committee).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — The MFF regulation follows a special legislative procedure, in which Parliament can only approve or reject the Council’s text, not amend it.
• B — The European Council negotiates the political deal but does not adopt the regulation.
• D — The Commission proposes the MFF; it does not adopt it.
Habit to take away. Separate the MFF (seven-year ceilings: Council unanimity + Parliament consent) from the annual budget (Article 314 TFEU: Parliament and Council together, with a conciliation committee).
Question 8 · Values · Article 7 TEU · Hard
Under Article 7(2) TEU, who determines the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU?
- The Council, by a four-fifths majority of its members
- The European Council, acting unanimously, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament
- The Court of Justice, on an application by the Commission
- The European Parliament, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast
Show answer
Answer: B. Article 7(2) TEU: on a proposal by one third of the Member States or by the Commission, and after obtaining Parliament’s consent, the European Council acting by unanimity may determine the breach (the Member State concerned does not vote). The Council may then suspend certain rights by qualified majority (Article 7(3)).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Four fifths is the threshold of Article 7(1), which determines only a clear risk of a serious breach.
• C — Article 7 is a political procedure; the Court’s jurisdiction over it is limited to procedural points (Article 269 TFEU).
• D — Parliament gives its consent (by two thirds of the votes cast, representing a majority of its Members), but it does not take the decision.
Habit to take away. Three steps, three bodies: Council for the risk (7(1)), European Council for the breach (7(2)), Council again for the sanctions (7(3)).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Four fifths is the threshold of Article 7(1), which determines only a clear risk of a serious breach.
• C — Article 7 is a political procedure; the Court’s jurisdiction over it is limited to procedural points (Article 269 TFEU).
• D — Parliament gives its consent (by two thirds of the votes cast, representing a majority of its Members), but it does not take the decision.
Habit to take away. Three steps, three bodies: Council for the risk (7(1)), European Council for the breach (7(2)), Council again for the sanctions (7(3)).
Question 9 · Competences · Medium
In which of the following areas does the Union have exclusive competence?
- The environment
- Energy
- The common commercial policy
- The protection and improvement of human health
Show answer
Answer: C. Article 3(1) TFEU lists the exclusive competences: the customs union; the competition rules necessary for the internal market; monetary policy for the euro area; the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy; and the common commercial policy.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Environment is a shared competence (Article 4(2)(e) TFEU).
• B — Energy is a shared competence (Article 4(2)(i) TFEU).
• D — Here the Union can only support, coordinate or supplement national action (Article 6(a) TFEU).
Habit to take away. Five exclusive areas are worth learning by heart. If the option is not one of them, it is shared or supporting.
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Environment is a shared competence (Article 4(2)(e) TFEU).
• B — Energy is a shared competence (Article 4(2)(i) TFEU).
• D — Here the Union can only support, coordinate or supplement national action (Article 6(a) TFEU).
Habit to take away. Five exclusive areas are worth learning by heart. If the option is not one of them, it is shared or supporting.
Question 10 · European Council · Medium
How is the President of the European Council chosen, and for how long?
- Elected by the European Parliament for five years
- Elected by the European Council by qualified majority for two and a half years, renewable once
- Each Member State holds the post in turn for six months
- Appointed by the Council of the EU for two and a half years, non-renewable
Show answer
Answer: B. Article 15(5) TEU: the European Council elects its President by qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. The President may not hold a national office at the same time (Article 15(6)).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Five years is the Commission’s term, and Parliament elects the Commission President, not the European Council’s.
• C — Six-month rotation applies to the presidency of the Council of the EU, not the European Council.
• D — The European Council elects its own President, and the term can be renewed once.
Habit to take away. Two presidencies, two rules: the European Council’s permanent President (2½ years) and the Council’s rotating presidency (6 months).
Why the other options are wrong:
• A — Five years is the Commission’s term, and Parliament elects the Commission President, not the European Council’s.
• C — Six-month rotation applies to the presidency of the Council of the EU, not the European Council.
• D — The European Council elects its own President, and the term can be renewed once.
Habit to take away. Two presidencies, two rules: the European Council’s permanent President (2½ years) and the Council’s rotating presidency (6 months).
What the ten questions teach
| # | Topic | The habit to keep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Institutions · Legislative procedure | “Request” is not “propose”. Parliament, the Council and a European citizens’ initiative can all ask; only the Commission drafts the proposal. |
| 2 | Council · Voting | Remember the order: states first (55%), people second (65%). The bigger number protects the population side. |
| 3 | European Parliament | Learn the ceiling (750 + 1) and the current number (720) together: EPSO likes to offer one as a trap for the other. |
| 4 | Institutional framework | “Committee”, “Bank” (EIB), “Agency” or “Ombudsman” in the name usually means a body, not an institution. The ECB is the exception to watch. |
| 5 | Fundamental rights | Charter = EU, Strasbourg Convention = Council of Europe. Questions that mix the two are among the most common traps. |
| 6 | Legal acts | Directive = direction to a result; regulation = rules everywhere, word for word. |
| 7 | Budget | Separate the MFF (seven-year ceilings: Council unanimity + Parliament consent) from the annual budget (Article 314 TFEU: Parliament and Council together, with a conciliation committee). |
| 8 | Values · Article 7 TEU | Three steps, three bodies: Council for the risk (7(1)), European Council for the breach (7(2)), Council again for the sanctions (7(3)). |
| 9 | Competences | Five exclusive areas are worth learning by heart. If the option is not one of them, it is shared or supporting. |
| 10 | European Council | Two presidencies, two rules: the European Council’s permanent President (2½ years) and the Council’s rotating presidency (6 months). |
How EPSO builds the wrong options
Look back at the explanations and the same patterns come up again and again:
- The right rule, the wrong body. The Council and the European Council, the Council of the EU and the Council of Europe, the Commission proposing and Parliament requesting.
- The right body, the wrong threshold. 55% and 65% swapped, four fifths instead of unanimity, 720 Members instead of the 750 ceiling.
- An old rule presented as the current one. The Charter before Lisbon, the 2014–2019 Parliament, the institutions before the European Council and the ECB were added.
So learn each fact together with its neighbour: the number and the number it is confused with, the institution and the one with the similar name.
How to prepare for the EU knowledge test
- Read the guide first. EPSO EU knowledge sets out what the test covers and how to study it, and the EU policies page covers the seven policy areas.
- Learn the institutions in context. The EU Knowledge chapters present each topic as audio, slides, an infographic and a report; chapter 1 is free. The EU institutions map shows where the 70 institutions, bodies and agencies sit.
- Practise in volume. Every one of our eight AD5 practice sets has 30 EU knowledge questions with worked explanations, and the EU Policies bible adds 145 more with a 182-page PDF.
- Practise in your second language. The test is in Language 2. The site works in 14 languages, so switch to the one you will be tested in.
The test is part of Part 2 of the AD5 competition, expected in 2027, so there is time to cover the material properly. The Part 2 guide explains what follows the reasoning tests.
Practise EU knowledge with full explanations
Set 1 includes 30 EU knowledge questions: the first 5 need no account, and a free account opens all 30.
Open the practice sets → First 25 questions free · Premium €7 a month · cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
How many questions are in the EPSO EU knowledge test?
In the AD5 competition EPSO/AD/427/26 the EU knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, taken in your second language. The pass mark is 15 out of 30.
Does the EU knowledge test count towards the ranking?
Yes. Above the pass mark, the EU knowledge score is 30% of the preliminary score and 25% of the final score, so every extra point improves your place.
What topics does the EPSO EU knowledge test cover?
The EU institutions and how they work, the Treaties, the decision-making and legislative procedures, the budget, fundamental rights, the Union’s competences and its main policies and current priorities.
What is the best way to study for the EU knowledge test?
Learn the rules from the Treaties together with the facts they are confused with, then practise with timed questions that explain every wrong option. Practise in the language you will be tested in.
Questions written by EU Testing for this article, 28 October 2026, and checked against the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Test format: EPSO notice of competition EPSO/AD/427/26.