Once you’ve decided whether you want to be a political, economic, public diplomacy, management, or consular officer, you have to take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). In the past this was divided into the Foreign Service Written Examination and the Foreign Service Oral Examination. The name has changed, but the concept is the same–the Foreign Service should be the ultimate meritocracy.
The Foreign Service Officer Test is considered by many to be the great bond of the Foreign Service. Senior Foreign Service Officers and Entry Level Officers all got the job by passing the test. Henry Kissinger recently offered this criticism of the Service, “the views of those who did not rise through its ranks are not always taken seriously enough, perhaps on the theory that they could not have passed the Foreign Service exam.” Dr. Kissinger is of course correct. My boss once handed me a scathing three page critique of the Foreign Service. I couldn’t figure out why he was laughing until he showed me the biography of the author. The author, who did have a distinguished career, had graduated with a Master’s degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown but didn’t join the State Department until much later, as a political appointee. My boss laughed and said, “He’s still mad that he couldn’t pass the exam.”
The test is difficult. It has been considered the ultimate “smart-guy” test for decades. Among first time applicants, I’ve heard the failure rate is eighty percent. (I would guess, however, that the people reading this are slightly more prepared than the general group.) I’ve taken the test and proctored it, and I can tell you that people are nervous.
The written portion of the Foreign Service Officer Test consists of four sections, an essay, an English expressions portion, a job related knowledge portion, and a biographic questionnaire. I’m going to devote posts later this week on the first three sections. The Biographic Information Questionnaire doesn’t really have right answers; it just asks about the experiences of the test-taker, so I don’t have a lot to say on the matter. If you wanted to fake it, it’s pretty clear what the best answer would be. I strongly recommend that you do not fake it, however. Besides being immoral and probably unnecessary, I’m sure ACT (the company that administers the test) keeps on eye open for that kind of thing.
Go ahead and register now, and keep coming back here all this week for my take on the written portion!
This post is part of my unofficial Guide to the Foreign Service Exam.
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I’m on the CON register (from July 2008). I’m one of those 5.3s hoping to swim upstream fast enough for a call. Things are looking promising for now. I linked to you here: http://thewarpiper.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-fs-blog.html
Thanks for the good read.
Hey, just happened upon this. I’m registered to take the exam in a little over a month. On my way out the door now to pick up a bunch of suggested reading I’ve found elsewhere, and I’ll definitely be checking back here for updates. Thanks for writing this up!
I passed the test the first time on my own merit without any preparation or prior knowledge such as provided in this site. So how effective will the FSOT be as a measure of an individual’s capabilities if allowed to take it multiple times after several failures? In some instances 3 or 4 times before passing, and be considered part of the select few. I fail to see the relevance to being taken seriously based on the FSOT, the “smart-guy” test and success with the Foreign Service if you’re very intelligent but are lacking in other areas such as, leadership, self-less service, honor, integrity and last but not least, common sense. The “smart-guy” test, yes we have highly educated self serving elitist folks that have mastered the FSOT. My 2 cents……….
Great Site! The Biographic Information Questionnaire was like a Meyers-Briggs but you had to give examples! Not so easy given the time constraints. I agree that one could easily give brown-nose answers but best not to; no one is that perfect and I hope they don’t want those kinds of people anyways. For some questions it was hard because I simply didn’t have the experience they asked about.
Perhaps I was too honest and hope I didn’t screw myself or maybe it showed that I don’t fit their mold to some extent. This part was fun but hard in a very different way than the others.
I agree with Anonymous about the validity of taking the test multiple times. A limit of twice sounds good for me, otherwise is one really cut out for it? I do know very diplomatic smart folks who didn’t get it the first time, but after knowing how the test worked presumably, they were able to pass it.
Is it just me, or was the test WAY easier than advertised? I bombed most of the ARCO practice tests (50% is probably an all-time personal low). I fully expected the test to be tough.
With the exception of the essay section, I finished each section with at least ten minutes to spare–enough time to check over all my answers, run to the bathroom, and do some stretching exercises to relax. While I appreciate not having to sweat over my answers, this felt oddly anti-climatic. Am I missing something?
I’m with Bets! It felt very anticlimactic. It took me a little bit longer for the essay, just because I’m a ponderous writer, but for everything else I had 10+ minutes to spare. And the questions just seemed pretty simple. That said…I hope I passed!
Yes, same here as with Bets and Jill. Though I am glad I over-studied instead of under-studied(I really did learn a lot more in my preparation), I was mildly annoyed at how much I worried/stressed over something I found to be fairly nonchallenging…of course I don’t want to count my chickens yet though haha.
I thought the finite knowledge sections were about as difficult as I anticipated, and the experience section was almost just like a personality inventory that a lot of companies currently use.
I am very curious to see how they score the essay section. I am normally an excellent writer, but I was running a 102 degree fever on test day and felt like I bombed out on this section.
I agree with the last several posters. I thought, with the exception of the math questions (I haven’t needed to use anything more difficult than long division in about a decade), that the test seemed much easier than I had anticipated. If only they could convert this test somehow into Scantron format so we don’t have to wait a month and a half for the results!
just got the pass email today. passed it in 1984. then failed the orals and went off to the real world. maybe time for life’s second act.
I took the test recently , thought it was extremely easy, except for the job experience questions. I was so afraid of my answers since i have zero experience in that sector. I have been studying my entire adult life and am still in the process of finishing my masters degree. I received a letter that said my score did not qualify me for the next level. could this have something to do with job experience? i felt i did pretty well on the exam. I have also been praised for my writing skills. I received a 5 on my GRE writing section
I suspect the answer is “yes” - it’s the lack of real world experience. My research tells me that the govt is looking for practitioners rather than academics (of course this is a generalization…)
I don’t think it’s a matter of passing the test. I think it’s more of having the right application package and the test is just one piece of it.
I, too, took the test and received the “dear Jane” letter, to which I was very surprised, and saddened. As a “high achiever” I wonder about the possibility of answering a certain question “wrong,” and poof! I’m out.
My question to the blog . . . is anyone applying for specialist positions? Have you heard anything? Do you think “failing” the FSOT is a sure denial for that process, even though the test is not required?
I don’t know anything about specialist positions, but maybe you failed for something really little and easy to fix–looking at your above question, you used so many quotation marks –did you do the same in your essay? I could see that as something that would count against you, but it’s easy to fix… You should request your score and see where your weaknesses were and try again. I failed the first time too. Good luck next time
I am planning on taking the FSOT in Oct., and have been studying quite a bit. My undergraduate degree is in International Relations from a university in DC. I have spent extended amounts of time traveling in the third world and lived overseas twice. However, my work background lacks in anything solid or related. On the plus side I have quite a bit of volunteer experience with refugees and teaching English. If I do pass the FSOT, do I have a poor chance of progressing due to my lack of work experience. Any thoughts?
@chi–The State Dept. website states that no one is penalized for lack of experience; it’s what you’ve done with what you have that counts. Unlike most employers, State doesn’t ask for a formal resume. The QEP questions are open-ended, so you can choose how you want to answer. (For example, I answered one of the questions with a story about having my passport stolen in Vietnam. Time will tell if that was a good idea.) Make the most of your academic credentials, travel, and volunteer experience and go for it!
hi I took the fsot for the first time in June and passed… am happy just also 2 critical language oral tests and passed both so am now waiting for October to see if they call me for the Oral’s…. lets see if that happens… Fingers crossed!!!
hi everyone,
going to take the test in October. geez- with a 3.7 gpa and studying and working my arse off in school, I sure am disappointed by my scores on the practice tests! any advice would be MUCH appreciated. I just left law school b/c I realized I really want to work in International Affairs- not pay off law school debt to do the same thing I could have possibly done w/out the high priced education. Thanks for this blog!
JamieRobb82@gmail.com, California
@Jamie–cheer up! I bombed the practice tests but passed the written exam. (I’m waiting to hear if I passed the QEP.) For my two cents, the advice Hegemonist gives is pretty good. If anything, I think the FSOT is easier than advertised. Good luck in October!
I am taking the exam in October. Scared out of my mind. Practice exams kill me. I usually give up after ten consecutive questions that I don’t understand. And this from a guy who can carry on a fairly comprehensive discussion about world events and history. I had a friend (who took and passed the exam) recently tell me the U.S. history part was a joke– a question about what Roe v. Wade was about was the question that required the most knowledge of U.S. history.
What are some good study forums out there?
hey Nick. I totally agree man. What review book are you using? I have a bunch of books and i get killed on a lot of the questions.
are you studying geography, capitals, seas, rivers, etc?
how do you fare on the english section?
Hi,
Nice to have stumbled upon this site. The last time I took the exam (I had passed the FSWE all four times I took it but my final OA score had inched up to only a 5.1 falling short of the pass score by .15–this is when I picked management as opposed to my previous PD cone pick) was in April 2007 (back then FSWE was given only once a year I think). Cna anybody here tell me how different the FSOT is from FSWE of 2007?
Also, I see that they test your foreign lang. skills before the OA. Previously, one had to pass the OA as well before this was done. Can someone shed light on this, too, please?
After almost giving up on FS, I plan to retest the waters again. I’m taking my FSOT on Oct. 7 in Flushing, Queens. Anyone else here doing this?
Thank you.
MN.
Hey all! I’m taking the exam in Oct. Interested to know where to find the practice test. Thanks!
If anyone needs to brush up on African poltics (I did!) I recommend picking up “Understanding Contemporary Africa.”
Hi,
I passed the written test administered in June and subsequently sent in my personal narratives. Despite being perfectly bilingual (French) and having some proficiency in two other languages, having an Masters degree and having served two years in the Peace Corps, I am not invited to take the orals. I apologize for sounding so immodest, but I was surprised. I was fully prepared that I might fail the orals (and still be in very good company doing so), but I was pretty sure I’d at least get to take them. Anyone else out there with a similar experience or helpful insights?
If only someone could explain to me what the State Department wants in an Officer…
I have a Bachelors and a Masters in International Relations. I am multilingual. I have lived and worked abroad. I received a 3.9 GPA in my Masters program at NYU (yes, I am a nerd). I have worked in international corporate event planning for 12 years, managing departments, running logistics and building tech systems. I have tons of work, life and educational experience, and yet I have failed this exam twice - first the Written, then the Evaluation Panel.
I am about to take the test for the third time. I am ever hopeful. Third time’s a charm, right?!
maybe getting accepted is all about who you know in the foreign service, maybe connections are the key to entry
Response to Emily:
Thank you! Your story makes me realize I am in good company. I’ve reconciled myself to the situation, but hearing that other highly qualified people like yourself are in the same boat does comfort me. Best of luck if you do decide to take it again.
Having passed the written portion of the exam repeatedly since my undergrad days in 1987 when it was an eight-hour ordeal with 8 sections on Economics, Commerce, Diplomacy, Consular Affairs, Culture, Political, General Knowledge, and Written English, –I passed all but econ, which I missed by one point– I must say that the test keeps getting easier. This last time, I didn’t even prepare at all beyond my usual listening to NPR & CNN and reading those “magazines with no pictures” (as my college students call Foreign Affairs, & other such journals, Harpers, etc.). Most of it now is stuff one can pick up just by being aware of what is going on all around one. My problem is the oral, which is entirely subjective.
To AN and Emily:
I’m in the same situation. I passed the written exam, but was turned down by the QEP, despite having a PhD in history, solid Russian, French, and German language skills, and experience working both overseas and within the federal government. It is very frustrating to receive no feedback at all about why or how the QEP makes its decisions.
So, I’m a freshman in college who is thinking about becoming a foreign service officer. I decided to do some research, and while this site is very helpful, it makes me feel very intimidated by the exam. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions that I may pursue while I’m in college?
My ‘managerial experience’ submitted to the QEP was arranging an office BBQ. If PhDs and multilingual skills fail to impress, perhaps the management of hotdogs and hamburgers will do the trick?
Nick,
You can find online discussion groups either at http://www.fsotforums.net or on the Yahoo Groups portal.
Wondering what study materials test takers would suggest. I’ve purchased Cliff’s, and have been studying online topics on Wikipedia. Not sure if the AP books are worthwhile…
is the link above correct? there aren’t any discussions??? just a bunch of posts from the admin… looks like a dud :(
I took the exam in October and failed. Pretty discouraging.
Here are my suggestions for those taking the exam:
1. Read the study guide that you can buy from the Dept of State site. Read it thoroughly. Be sure you can answer every question on there.
1.a. For those subjects that you are not intimately familiar with in the job knowledge section (on the practice exam), get on wikipedia and read up on it. Go through however many links as necessary to understand the entire subject.
2. Take those online geography quizzes. You know, those ones where you place the country in the right place on the continent.
3. Look at the biographical questions in the practice exam. Find ways to make yourself appealing to the DOS. That is, if a question asks about how often you’ve interacted with foreigners, and you can’t answer positively to that, find an opportunity to do so before taking the exam. This is the part I scored lowest on– in fact, I would have passed if this section had been up just a smidge. It is subjective.
4. Subscribe to the Yahoo! group FSWE. Read every email that you get. Lots of good stuff there.
Now, for the actual exam, here’s my advice.
1. Pay attention to the directions. In the bio section you’ll be asked to describe or articulate why you responded to a question a certain way. You’re given a limit of how many characters you can type. It does count for you, but does NOT limit how much you can write. Learn how to make your point concisely.
2. Make a list of everything that could possibly be relevant to the bio section and go over it again and again before taking the exam.
3. Practice writing persuasive essays. Mine wasn’t graded, but I have read elsewhere that the graders are brutal on the essays.
That’s about it. I’m not going to violate the non-disclosure agreement, but if you have any questions, feel free to email me or just respond to this comment.
Perhaps this is unkind, but I find the “I went to a very expensive school and got high grades but didn’t pass!!!” comments extremely hilarious. There are different kinds of intelligence, and most kinds aren’t quantified in your GPA. Just the truth.
. . . Agrees with Clare. I find these high-larious.
I can also echo Jupiter’s concerns. As a recent law school grad, my ‘management experience’ in the traditional sense is next to none. I had to get pretty creative with the PNs. I had thought that signing up for ‘management’ meant signing up for an entry level position on a management track though, not a management position. Maybe they’re more interested in one’s capacity for management than management experience??? I sure hope so.
Campbell,
The http://www.fsotforums.net site is only 5 days old so there is not a lot of discussion yet, give it another day or two please! there are a lot of resources for study materials already uploaded.
Feel free to post a question to get the discussion rolling, I assure you the site will be actively managed and always remain free ;-)
the fswe forums have been a great resource. there are over 5 years of conversations regarding the exam, and the moderators are a great resource for information and suggestions.
I took the test twice and both times it was the Biographical test that was graded low so that I did not pass either time. I have two Masters degrees, am multilingual, worked at the United Nations, even on Mission, and have lived in various countries outside of the US for almost 10 years. It is my guess that this part is the part where politics comes into play and people can be given a low score if they do not fit in with whatever the person grading it feels is adequate or appropriate. Also I was in my 50’s when I took the exam and that might have been a factor as well.
I became very discouraged by this process because yes, the exam is quite tough and although I prepared for it, I left with my head feeling swollen like a balloon. A lady friend passed all levels - and waited expectantly for the entire year afterwards - and still did not get a job! Talk about frustrating!
I wish everyone taking the exam my sincere best wishes and hope you all succeed!