Critical Thinking 101

Read the Question First

In verbal reasoning tests, the conventional approach of reading the text first can often lead to wasted time and confusion. Instead, candidates can gain a strategic advantage by prioritizing the Q&A options before reading the text. This method focuses attention on key details and ensures efficient reading, improving our ability to select accurate answers quickly.

• Pre-Read the Question. Pre-reading the question enables efficient scanning of the text, focusing only on sections that directly pertain to the answer, saving time.

• Identify Keywords. Note key terms in the question and answer options to guide your reading, helping you quickly locate relevant information in the text.

• Active Engagement. Actively search for information in the text that aligns with the identified keywords and themes from the question and answer options, enhancing comprehension.

• Strategic Elimination. As you encounter supporting or contradicting information in the text, confidently eliminate incorrect answer options based on your focused reading.

These steps ensure a systematic approach to reading verbal reasoning exercises, to focus on what truly matters while minimizing the time spent on irrelevant details (there are many).

Focus on the Text and the Text Only

The topics covered in EPSO's verbal reasoning tests can vary widely, from EU-related policies and news to unrelated subjects like history, art, or science. Despite personal interests or familiarity with certain topics, the test is designed to evaluate your ability to analyze and interpret information only based on the text provided.

• Pitfalls of Familiarity. Candidates often have preferred topics or areas of expertise, which can pose challenges during the test. Familiarity with a topic might lead to biases where candidates inadvertently rely on their own knowledge rather than information directly from the text. This can result in choosing incorrect answers based on preconceived notions.

  
  
  💡 For instance, if a candidate is well-versed in telecommunications and encounters a text about Starlink and its European lobbying efforts, there is a risk of assuming knowledge not explicitly stated in the text. This could lead to selecting answers based on personal knowledge rather than the text's content, leading to incorrect answers.

• Benefits of Objectivity. Conversely, encountering an unfamiliar topic can initially cause discomfort or uncertainty. However, the distance from personal knowledge allows candidates to approach the text objectively. This objectivity enables systematic analysis of the text’s information, leading to more accurate selection of answers based solely on the text's content.

• Systematic Approach. During the test, focus on extracting information directly from the text. This involves understanding key details, identifying nuances in statements, and applying critical thinking to discern between what is explicitly stated, what is implied, and what cannot be determined.

• Practice for Objectivity. Practicing with texts across various topics helps develop the skill of objective analysis. The goal is to hone the ability to rely solely on information provided within the text, disregarding personal biases or external knowledge.

Our advice here is straightforward: focus exclusively on the text during EPSO verbal reasoning tests. This mitigates risks associated with personal biases.

Practice with Purpose

Before we dive in, it might be useful to review how to structure your practice sessions:

• Establish a Routine. Develop a consistent routine for identifying key phrases and concepts in the questions. Practice this routine regularly until it becomes second nature and you can quickly spot these elements during the test.

• Time Yourself. Start by measuring how long it takes you to answer one test question without rushing. Check the time allocation for the actual exam and the number of questions you need to answer. Gradually decrease the time allowed for each question to build speed and ensure you can answer all questions within the allotted time.

• Simulate Exam Conditions. Try to recreate the exam environment as closely as possible. Practice in a quiet, uninterrupted space, and use an alarm clock to simulate the pressure of the exam. This helps you get used to the time constraints and reduce anxiety on the actual exam day.

• Read on Screen. Since the EPSO exams are computer-based, practice reading texts on a computer screen. Measure and improve your reading speed by timing how long it takes to read comparable lengths of text. Copy one-page texts into a Word document and time yourself to get used to the format and speed required.

Final Tips for the Actual Exam

For most exams, you will only have around 2 minutes per question, so remember the following:

• Move On Quickly After Finding the Correct Answer. Once you're confident in your answer, move on without wasting time verifying why the other options are wrong. Your goal is to complete the test, and second-guessing can waste valuable minutes.

• Avoid Getting Stuck on Difficult Questions. If a question is giving you trouble, don't let it consume too much of your time. Remember, your overall goal is to answer as many questions as possible. If the pass mark is 10/20, it’s better to attempt all questions and miss a few than to answer only a few perfectly.

• Be Prepared to Take Educated Guesses. When unsure between two answer options, make an educated guess rather than spending too much time deciding. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so guessing can increase your chances of reaching the pass mark.