More than half of Luxembourg's civil servants failed an abstract thinking test

Interior Minister Léon Gloden and Civil Service Minister Serge Wilmes presented a report to parliament on the abstract thinking tests used in the selection of employees for Luxembourg's state and municipal bodies.

As per the 2024 results, the abstract reasoning test has become a key barrier for candidates:

• In Group A2 (administrative posts), 55.84 per cent of the candidates failed the test.
• In Band D2 (technical staff), 68.13 per cent of candidates failed.
• In group D3 (lowest level of civil service), 43.36 per cent of participants failed the test.

According to ministers, the test assesses analytical thinking, the ability to adapt and solve complex problems. These qualities are critical to working in government, especially in the face of rapidly changing regulatory requirements.

Research shows that employees with high scores on this test are better able to adapt to new challenges, learn complex concepts faster, and make better decisions in non-standard situations.

The Ministry of Civil Service is preparing new rules to be included in a draft law that is in the final stage of preparation. In the future, candidates for the A1, A2, B1 and C1 groups will take combined tests including:

• Reasoning (abstract, verbal and numerical reasoning)
• Assessment of planning and decision-making ability
• Situational tests for customer focus and ability to co-operate

However, the procedure will be simplified for municipal positions. It is planned to abolish the compulsory abstract thinking test as a preliminary stage of admission, as analyses have shown that its results do not correlate strongly with the final success in municipal positions.

To attract more candidates, the authorities plan to increase awareness of public sector job opportunities, as well as participate in career fairs and initiatives for students.