E-tray is used by EPSO now as a stop-gap for various competitions (First batch was the cycle for AD in 2015). It previously was part of the AST assessment centre. From EPSO:

An e-tray exercise is a computer-based simulation of a real work situation and replicates an email inbox which contains information relating to a particular issue. Candidates need to find solutions in the best way possible within a fixed amount of time.

The E-tray is designed to measure four competencies:

  1. Analysis and Problem Solving
  2. Delivering Quality and Results
  3. Prioritising and Organising
  4. Working with Others

Initially, I have approached the e-tray as measuring one (max 2) competency per question. However, following paragraph from EPSO contradicts this:

The questions generally assess multiple competencies. Candidates have to make a choice on which competency they focus according to their preferences. Therefore there is no single correct answer to this sample question.

Scoring (from EPSO too)

In general points are awarded based on the pertinence of your answers for the measured competencies. More specifically, per question, points are awarded for the adequacy of your responses:

  • firstly based on the extent you agree with each individual option proposed;
  • secondly for your order of preference for the 3 options in relation to each other.

There is no pass mark for this exercise but each competency is marked out of 10. The candidates with the highest total marks qualify for the next stage of the competition. This test is automatically scored to ensure objective assessment for all candidates.

Note: This is an old post I wrote in September 2015, relevant to the EPSO competitions then.