How To Prepare For The Foreign Service Officer Exam

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is a screening test for people looking for a career in the foreign service. The dissimilar sections on the examination examination your knowledge, judgment, and English skills.

The strange service exam is the third footstep in the FSO selection process, and the beginning major hurdle you will need to overcome on your path to becoming a foreign service officer. You will be unable to move on in the process until you lot have passed the test.

Y'all will take the FSOT test at a Pearson VUE test center on a computer. You'll take about iii hours to complete 125 multiple selection questions, navigate 28 multiple option scenarios, and write one essay.

Did you know?

The FSO exam is divided into 4 sections covering a wide range of topics: (1) Chore knowledge, (2) situational judgment, (iii) English language expression, and (iv) English essay writing. If you score less than a 154 on the first three sections of the test, your essay will not be graded. To excel on this test you will need a wide range of knowledge, and be able to work speedily through the fabric.

Free FSOT Practice

FSOT Question Types Explained

The Foreign Service Officeholder Test is a multiple-choice examination with an essay roofing four different sections. Yous will have iii hours to complete all the sections of the test. Occasionally, the FSO includes an actress 30 minutes of questions, which are non included in your score but are used for research purposes. Y'all should be made aware of that before yous become in for the examination.

Section	Number of Questions	Fourth dimension Limit	Boilerplate Time Per Question
Task Cognition	threescore	40 minutes	40 seconds
Situational Judgement	28	42 minutes	xc seconds
English language Expression	65	50 minutes	46 seconds
Written Essay	ane	32 minutes

Job Noesis Test

The Job Knowledge test covers several major content areas and is equally of import across all 5 foreign service tracks. You will have forty minutes to answer 60 questions covering a wide range of subject area matter.

Those subjects include:

U.S. Government
U.S. History, Order, Customs, and Civilization
Globe History and Geography
Economic science
Math and Statistics
Management Principles, Psychology, and Human being Behavior
Communication
Computers and Internet

The following paragraphs provide boosted detail on each of the subjects.

Us Government – general understanding of federal government, the constitution, Congress and its function in foreign affairs, the U.S. political system and its function in government policies

United States History, Social club, Customs, and Civilization – includes major events, institutions, history, politics, national customs and culture, social issues, trends, the influence of society on foreign policy

World History and Geography – includes globe-historical events, bug, developments, and their impact on US foreign policy

Economics – agreement of basic economic principles and the economic system in the U.S.

Mathematics and Statistics – basic math and statistical procedures

Management Principles, Psychology, and Man Behavior – general understanding of human behavior, leadership, motivational strategies, and equal employment practices

Communications – know principles of effective communication, public speaking, media, and the goals and techniques of public diplomacy

Computers and Internet – basic knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and internet use

All questions are multiple-option, and yous will accept four options from which to cull.

Winning Tip

Your score is based on the number of correct answers you submit. If you don't know an answer, you can ever skip the question and come dorsum to it after you've finished the questions you lot know, before yous leave the section of the examination.

Effort a Chore Noesis Sample Question

0 of i Questions completed

Questions:

Information

You take already completed the test before. Hence you lot tin can not start it again.

Test is loading…

Y'all must sign in or sign upward to start the examination.

You lot must first consummate the following:

Test complete. Results are existence recorded.

Time has elapsed

Situational Judgment Test

The Situational Judgment section presents you with 28 scenarios and four or five possible responses. Yous are asked to identify both the best and worst possible responses amongst the choices given. The scenarios cover adaptability, decision making, judgment, operational effectiveness, professional standards, team building, and workplace perceptiveness.

Yous don't need to know Country Section policies or procedures to answer these questions.

Winning Tip

Accept your time to read through the scenario and response options carefully. You are existence asked to identify 2 things in these questions, simply you too take a minute-and-a-half for each scenario, so utilise the time fully.

Effort a Situational Judgment Sample Question

0 of 1 Questions completed

Questions:

Information

Y'all have already completed the test before. Hence you can not offset it over again.

Examination is loading…

You lot must sign in or sign up to starting time the examination.

Yous must kickoff consummate the following:

Examination complete. Results are beingness recorded.

Time has elapsed

English Expression

The English Expression portion of the test gives y'all 65 questions testing you in all manners of English. You will be asked to select correctly written sentences, make corrections in sentences using the options provided, and organize or revise paragraphs.

All questions are multiple-selection and take iv options for each question.

Winning Tip

Familiarize yourself with the types of questions you will meet on the examination, and so you don't waste a lot of time trying to empathize what is being asked of you lot.

Attempt an English Expression Sample Question

0 of one Questions completed

Questions:

Information

You lot have already completed the test before. Hence you tin can not showtime information technology again.

Test is loading…

You must sign in or sign upwardly to showtime the exam.

You must kickoff complete the post-obit:

Test consummate. Results are being recorded.

Time has elapsed

Written Essay

You volition be presented with 3 topics for the essay, and have 7 minutes to choose the topic you want to write virtually. Once selected, you will have 25 minutes to write a well-written, concise, ii,800-character essay (roughly 400-700 words) that takes a position on your topic and develops a rationale for that opinion.

You will be scored on your ability to analyze a topic and the quality of your writing. Y'all are not evaluated based on your opinion.

Winning Tip

Practice writing essays before the test to give yourself a meliorate sense of 2,800 characters. That will enable you lot to visualize the essay and plan the length of your arguments.

FSOT Training Strategies

While there are sections within the foreign service officeholder test that are difficult to study for, yous can ready for many of the components inside the test. While we unremarkably recommend buying a book to written report from, the FSO is different. Nigh of the available books are out of date and don't cover the situational judgment test. Await to online sources, including iPrep's class, which tend to be updated more frequently and should serve you well.

1. Read the Newspaper

Start by reading major newspapers, like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Make sure to read foreign papers as well, such as The Guardian and The Daily Mail. Don't ignore online publications like The Times of India or China Daily, which give insight into a number of areas.

2. Take the FSOT Practice Test

The official foreign service exam exercise test volition simulate atmospheric condition and requite y'all a realistic preview of what to expect, too as offer yous report materials that will help you laissez passer. However, you tin can only take the practice test once every 6 months, and the exercise FSOT test does not include the essay.

It behooves you to enroll in online written report courses with test simulators, like the one offered by iPrep, which will help you mark progress as you prepare for the test.

3. Double-Check Your Online Materials

The FSOT has changed over the years, and many online sources volition prepare you for a test that has changed. Be sure that the examination prep site you are looking at is aware of the changes, and the description of its materials is aligned with the electric current FSOT exam.

4. Practise Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple-choice questions are a skill, and learning to answer them quickly tin make the difference between finishing within the allotted time and reading through question 34 when the time is upward.

Take a course that shows how to quickly eliminate options, and make educated guesses.

5. Find a Study Buddy

Piece of work with a friend or someone you observe online to study together. Endeavour to find someone who can assist fill in general knowledge areas where you may be weaker. You'll also be able to talk over situational judgment scenarios and talk through the notions that are being assessed.

Test Features

Test Fast Facts (tl;dr)

Total of 153 questions and scenarios
The test takes about 3 hours to complete
There are iv sections
- Job Knowledge – includes politics, current events, history, geography, math, and more than
- Situational Judgment – asks y'all to identify reactions to scenarios
- English Expressions – covers a range of English questions
- Written Essay – asks you to write a 2,800-character essay on a topic
The test is administered three times a year: Feb, June, and October
You may non use calculators or mobile devices during the examination
The examination costs $5
If you miss the examination or fail to cancel at to the lowest degree 48 hours in advance you will be charged $72
The test is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers
You lot must show a current government or land-issued ID
For security purposes, your picture volition be taken at the test eye

Common Names of the Examination

While the official name of the test is the Foreign Service Officeholder Test, the test has many unofficial names, including:

FSOT
Foreign Service Test
Foreign Service Officer Examination
FSOT Written Exam
FSO Test
FSO Test
Foreign Service Officer Test
Foreign Service Test
FSOT Exam
US Foreign Service Exam
Foreign Officer Exam
Pearson VUE FSOT

All these names refer to the aforementioned test.

Retake Policy

If you exercise not pass the test, y'all may retake it once every 12 months, every bit many times every bit you similar. If you do pass the examination merely are non selected every bit an FSO, yous will demand to retake the examination to exist considered for the position again.

Fees

There is a $5 fee to take the test. However, if you lot miss the examination or do not abolish at least 48 hours in accelerate, you volition be assessed a $72 fee. You lot volition be unable to sign upward for future tests unless you pay the fee.

Technical Facts

The FSOT is given every bit a screening examination for candidates interested in condign a member of the foreign service. To apply, you must run across the following criteria:

U.S. citizen
Aged 20-59 on the day you submit FSOT registration
Aged 21-59 on the solar day y'all are appointed every bit a Foreign Service Officer
Bachelor for worldwide assignments, including Washington D.C.

FSO Selection Process

The selection procedure for condign a Foreign Service Officeholder is quite lengthy. There are 8 steps that you must complete to become an FSO.

Step 1: Choose a career path

There are many different careers within the foreign service. They autumn into five categories:

Consular
Economic
Management
Political
Public Affairs

You lot must declare your career track before taking the Foreign Service exam.

Step 2: Register for the FSOT

You lot may register for the exam at Pearson VUE v weeks before the testing window. You will demand to create an account with Pearson VUE, and submit the following materials:

Eligibility verification forms
Application forms
6 complete personal narratives

You will select a exam location and seat for your examination date.

FSOT registration closes iii days before the exam or when all available seats are filled.

Pace three: Take the FSOT

You'll be sitting in forepart of a computer for several hours. Yous will non exist in contact with any Foreign Service Officers during the exam, so apparel comfortably.

Step 4: Qualifications Evaluation Console (QEP)

If yous pass the FSOT exam, the QEP will review your written essay and read through your personal narratives. Successful candidates will so exist invited to the Oral Assessment.

While test scores effigy prominently in this process, you may successfully consummate all stages to this betoken and non be invited to the adjacent stage if there aren't available positions. If that happens, you will exist required to echo the selection process.

QEP results are available approximately two months later completing the FSOT.

Pace v: Oral Cess

This full-day assessment takes identify in Washington D.C., and occasionally in Chicago and San Francisco. Successful candidates demonstrate the post-obit thirteen dimensions throughout the assessment.

Sophistication
Cultural adaptability
Feel and motivation
Initiative and leadership
Judgment
Objectivity and integrity
Speech
Planning and organizing
Quantitative analysis
Resourcefulness
Working with others
Written communication

This is a job interview, and so dress professionally, exist on fourth dimension, exist prepared. Later passing the oral assessment, you volition receive a conditional job offering

Step 6: Medical and Security Clearances

You will receive instructions on how to apply for the clearances that are required.

Step vii: Suitability Review Panel

A panel will review your unabridged file, and determine whether you are suited for a career in the Strange Service. The console takes by behaviors into consideration, including criminal conduct and behavior at prior workplaces.

Step 8: The Register

One time you have passed all steps, your name is placed on the register, listed by successful candidates. Your name will remain on the annals for upwards to eighteen months. During that time, if an appropriate opportunity comes up, y'all may be offered an engagement.

Results Scale and Interpretations

Your FSOT results are available about three weeks after taking the test. Your raw scores are normalized into percentiles that compare your scores to every other candidate within your testing period.

The precise algorithm has not been disclosed past Pearson VUE. However, you must score a 154 or college on the exam. Anything below that score is considered failing and you will not movement on in the procedure.

A score of merely over 50 in each section is considered a passing score
Scores that are above threescore in each section are considered to exist good scores
Scores that are higher up 70 are considered to exist an astonishing score
Scores above 80 are rare, and 99.9% of all exam takers score below eighty

Higher scores volition often enable yous to motion frontward in the procedure, and become through the QEP phase.

If you score 154 or higher, the QEP will evaluate your essay. The essay is worth upward to 12 points, with 6 being a passing score. Scores are rarely higher than 8. If yous score below a 6, your candidacy will be eliminated regardless of how high y'all scored on the other sections of the examination.

Source: The US Lath of Examiners for the Foreign Service

NOTES

Your FSOT score is valid only for the fourth dimension period during which you were tested. If y'all scored well but did not submit your personal narratives, your candidacy volition non exist considered and you must await 12 months to take the test once more.
There is no punishment for wrong answers in the Task Cognition and English Expression sessions, so if y'all are stuck, you are better off guessing.

Wrong answers will reduce your score in the Situational Judgment section. If you are completely unsure, you volition be better off leaving an answer bare.

FSOT FAQs

What is the Foreign Service exam?

The Strange Service Exam is an informal name of the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). It is a screening examination used by the Strange Service to identify candidates for roles within its organization.

What is on the FSO written exam?

The Foreign Service Officers Test is a multiple-pick test that covers a wide spectrum of topics including the U.S. Government, history, economic science, math, and English. It also includes scenarios where y'all are asked to choose the best and worst reactions from a series of choices.

How practice I fix for the FSOT?

To prepare, you'll want to take false practice FSOT tests, like those offered by iPrep, to familiarize yourself with the examination format and types of questions. You lot can also study using online test prep courses.

What score practise you lot demand to pass the FSOT?

There isn't an verbal pass/fail score, but generally speaking, a score of 154 or higher will be enough to accept your personal narratives and essay evaluated by the QEP.

How many questions are on the FSOT?

There are 153 questions and scenarios on the FSOT, plus one essay.

Is the Foreign Service Officer Test hard?

The FSOT is a challenging test, with questions roofing a wide array of content. However, with most of the questions, you either know the answer or yous don't. You won't need to exercise many calculations to arrive at an reply.

What is on the Foreign Service Officer Test?

The FSOT tests your cognition of America and the world. It examines the judgments you make and tests your English and writing skills.

What are the requirements to be a foreign service officer?

Strange officers must be U.Due south. citizens anile 21 and upwardly. New employees must exist younger than 60.

How hard is information technology to join the strange service?

The Foreign Service has a clearly designed process to join. Yous will need to write personal narratives, pass a exam, spend a twenty-four hours on oral examinations, and then pass a final review. Once you have successfully completed that process, your opportunities will depend on whether at that place are bachelor jobs for y'all.

What happens if you pass the FSOT?

If you pass the FSOT, your essay and personal narratives are reviewed by the QEP. If y'all pass their review, y'all will be invited to the oral examination.

Tin can you lot retake the FSOT?

Y'all can retake the FSOT once every 12 months for every bit many years equally you desire.

What is a practiced score on the FSOT?

A score of 154 or higher is considered to exist a good score on the FSOT.

Does FSOT score matter?

Your FSOT is one of the criteria used past the Strange Service in determining whether you will be successful there. If you neglect the FSOT, you will not be able to join the Strange Service.

What should I study for the FSOT?

The FSOT covers a large amount of content. Yous should brand an effort to written report the following subjects:
– English Composition/Rhetoric
– American History
– American Studies (including cultural and social history)
– American Political Thought
– Us Political System
– American Economical History
– Introduction to Economics (micro and macro)
– World History (Western and not-Western)
– Earth Geography
– International Economics
– World Religions
– Introduction to Statistics
– Introduction to Management Principles
– Intercultural Advice
– Mass Advice
– Psychology

How much does the FSOT cost?

The FSOT costs $5 to have the exam. However, if y'all miss your examination or cancel within 48 hours of the exam, you will exist assessed a $72 fee.

How many times can yous take the foreign service exam?

You can have the exam once every 12 months, for equally many years as you need to.

FSOT Test Tips

Here are some tips to assist go you lot through test mean solar day.

1. Reply the questions you know commencement

While you can't jump from ane department to the next, you can skip questions within a section and so come up back to the questions you lot skipped. Since all questions are worth the same number of points, and the test doesn't go progressively more hard, it makes sense to answer the items yous know right abroad.

2. When in dubiousness, eliminate and approximate

There are no penalties for incorrect answers in the Job Knowledge and English Expressions sections, then if you are unsure about an reply, do your best to eliminate some of the options. If you can eliminate two apparently wrong answers, the odds of guessing right increases by fifty%. Wrong answers in the situational judgment sections tin can hurt your score, so if yous are going to guess, only do so if yous have eliminated several of the options. If you are completely unsure, you will be best off leaving the item unanswered.

3. Read the directions advisedly

Brand sure to understand what is being asked of yous earlier submitting your reply. Skimming over keywords might cost y'all the correct answer.

4. Practice writing 2,800-character essays

Write some essays that run across the length requirement. You may be surprised at how much—or how picayune—ii,800 characters can be.

v. Exist aware of the time

Don't spend too much time on any one question. For many of the sections y'all take less than a minute to answer so do your best, and either answer the question or skip it for later.

half dozen. Stay calm and be well-rested

Taking intendance of yourself earlier the test will assistance you perform your best on test twenty-four hours. Get a good night'south slumber beforehand, eat a healthy meal, and keep your brain feeling clear and ready.

Administration

Test Location: Tests are given at Pearson VUE testing centers
Examination Schedule: In that location are three exam windows during the yr, each of which lasts for 1 week. Tests are administered in February, June, and October. FSOT registration opens 5 weeks before the exam dates and closes when all seats are taken or 3 days before the exam.
Test Format: Multiple-choice, taken on a computer.
Test Materials: Taken on a computer. You may not employ whatever exterior materials.
Price: The fee for the test is $5. If you miss the test or cancel inside 48 hours, you will be assessed a $72 fee, which must be paid before you lot tin can reschedule the examination.
Retake Policy: You lot may accept the test every 12 months.

Gratis FSOT Practise

Test Provider

The FSOT test is administered past the Pearson VUE on behalf of the Strange Service and the Department of Country.

The examination is designed to provide the Foreign Services Office with unbiased data regarding the likelihood of a candidate succeeding in the Foreign Service.

Disclaimer – All the information and prep materials on iPrep are genuine and were created for tutoring purposes. iPrep is non affiliated with the Strange Service, Department of State, Pearson VUE testing centers, or any other company mentioned.