22/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - More than 51,000 people applied for the first selection competition for EU officials under the new system launched on 17 March by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Testing of the candidates began on 6 April and will continue until 21 May. Assessment centre testing will be organised from September to November for applicants that have come through the pre-selection tests, and reserve lists of successful candidates will be ready before Christmas. The average age of candidates for this round of selection is 32.6 years and the gender spread is 53.5% women and 46.5% men. The greatest number (56.4%) applied for the European Public Administration option, with 14.2% applying for law, 12.4% economics, 11.4% ICT and 5.7% audit. (L.C./transl.jl)