What are the educational requirements to take the Foreign Service exam?
(You can adjust your selection if you apply again with a fresh application, however.) There are no educational requirements to take the exam and apply to join the United States Foreign Service; however, most candidates are widely-read or have taken a variety of college courses.
What is the Foreign Service exam pass rate?
Let that sink in for a bit. The Foreign Service exam pass rate is a dismal 20%. That means that 4 out of every 5 are destined to fail in their first step to becoming an FSO.
What happens after you pass the Foreign Service officer exam?
Once you pass the written exam, you’ll be asked to submit a personal narrative to the Qualifications Evaluations Panel (QEP). Here, you’ll highlight what you’ve done, who you are, and what you’ve learned from your experiences in essay format. This is your chance to express why you’re qualified to be a foreign service officer.
What is the Foreign Service officer test?
The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is required of anyone who is interested in working as a Foreign Service Officer of any kind. Whether you want to work in the consulate, diplomacy, politics, or any other department, taking this test will be a necessary step on your career path. When Can I Register for the FSOT?
How many people fail the foreign service exam?
The Foreign Service exam pass rate is a dismal 20%. That means that 4 out of every 5 are destined to fail in their first step to becoming an FSO.
Is it hard to get into the foreign service?
The search for extraordinary U.S. citizens to serve as Foreign Service Officers is intense and the qualifying process is rigorous, demanding and highly competitive. If you are interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), you must first register for and take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
How many questions are on the FSOT?
You will take the FSOT test at a Pearson VUE test center on a computer. You'll have about 3 hours to complete 125 multiple choice questions, navigate 28 multiple choice scenarios, and write one essay.
What is the acceptance rate for the foreign service?
It is common for a candidate with a low score to simply expire from the register, thus making the process even more competitive. In the end, fewer than 2% of initial applicants to the State Department Foreign Service will matriculate as Foreign Service Officers.
How many times can you take the Foreign Service exam?
Is there a limit on the number of times a person can take the FSOT? There is no limit on the number of times an individual may sit for the FSOT, however, one must wait 12 months between each test.
How many people take the Foreign Service test?
In recent years, more than 20,000 candidates have taken the Foreign Service Officer Test annually.
Is the FSOT exam hard?
It's the easiest part of the hiring process, FWIW. For some people, it's not especially hard.
How long should I study for the FSOT?
six monthsIf you do not participate in the June test, you should take the October test. As such, you shouldn't spend more than six months studying for the FSOT.
Is the FSOT pass fail?
Please note that QEP scoring is not a pass/fail exercise nor is there a pre-set invitation score. Rather candidates receive a relative ranking in their respective career tracks. The most highly competitive candidates in each career track are invited to the Oral Assessment based on our anticipated hiring needs.
Are diplomats in high demand?
CareerExplorer rates diplomats with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future.
How many new Foreign Service Officers are hired each year?
By "normal" I mean that every year around 300 Generalist Foreign Service Officers are hired, typically in batches of 70, as well as approximately the same number of Specialists. This has been more or less the average since 2013.
How much do US Foreign Service Officers make?
The Foreign Service operates on a pay scale that takes into account qualifications, experience and responsibilities. The starting salaries for recent graduates are $47,439. The candidates holding a Master's or law degree have a starting salary of $53,065. Salaries can rise as high as $142,180.
What to expect after completing the Foreign Service written exam?
After completing the Foreign Service written exam, you’ll be asked to complete a personal narrative. This narrative will be sent to the Qualifications Evaluations Panel (QEP). Having been on the QEP myself, you will definitely want to check out my article on the things I've seen, and things you should avoid.
How long before FSOT test can I cancel?
Registration is done at http://www.pearsonvue.com/fsot/. You have until three days before the test to cancel or change dates.
What is a DIR in the FSO?
A DIR is a Diplomat who has been assigned to a local area so as to best represent the Foreign Service and help potential FSO’s prepare and take the FSO process.
Is FSOT exam 2020-2021 up to date?
FSOT Exam Prep 2020-2021. The FSOT Exam Prep 2020-2021 takes second because although it is more up-to-date on the test information, it has two major issues. The first is that it was not written by a FSO. Instead it was made under a fake 'FSO' group.
How to survive a foreign service?
Do your best, and mentally prepare, but take nothing for granted. Apply for other jobs, go to school if you want, travel, etc. Live your life as if the foreign service isn't a factor. That way, in the (sorry) likely event that you never make it through, you don't have to start over with your life or backtrack.
Why are foreign service officers considered generalists?
Because US Foreign Service Officers are considered Generalists, they are expected to know something about a great many things. Questions have ranged from American art and architecture to how the US government works, how laws are passed, how the US economy works or doesn't work, and of course American history.
Why do we need both consular and political officers?
Because they need both political officers and consular officers, you could , in theory, have a better chance of advancing if you chose a less popular track. (I did political officer the first time and chose the public diplomacy track the second time.)
Is there a quota for passing through orals?
Being overly aggressive or competitive is a great way to bomb your score. There is no quota when it comes to passing through orals. Some groups have everyone pass and some have no one pass. It's not like there are X people in the group coming for Y number of spots.
Is there a cutoff for a competitive exam?
Because it is a competitive exam, the absolute cutoff will vary from year to year. How good any individual score is is dependant on how good your fellow exam takers are. Thus the same score can be good enough to make the cutoff one year and not good enough in another.
What is the Foreign Service Officer test?
The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) The Foreign Service Officer Test is a significant hurdle and the one most applicants associate with becoming an Officer. This is because upwards of 60% of applicants do not pass the test. The test consists of the following four sections:
How old do you have to be to be a foreign service officer?
At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day the candidate submits the registration. At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day the candidate is appointed as a Foreign Service Officer.
How long does it take to pass the FSOT?
With the October 2019 rule change, your essays are now scored as part of the QEP. This means that you will find out within 30 minutes to two days if you pass the FSOT.
When do you have to submit personal narratives for FSOT?
Beginning in February 2020, applicants must submit their personal narratives with their application. This is a BIG change from previous years when only applicants who passed the FSOT were required to provide personal narratives.
What is the role of a political officer in the foreign service?
The Political Officer’s role is to be in the know to provide advice. Learn more.
What is a foreign service management officer?
Management Officer. The ones who keep the embassy or consulate running , the Foreign Service Management Officers are in charge of small and large projects. Staff leaders, management officers supervise (potentially several) local staff from the beginning.
What is the mission of the Foreign Service?
The official mission of the Foreign Service is “to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.”.
What is a US Foreign Service Officer?
Updated June 25, 2019. United States Foreign Service Officers are members of the United States Foreign Service, along with Foreign Service Nationals and Specialists. They serve in countries throughout the world, carrying out foreign policy and helping to maintain diplomatic relations.
How long does a foreign service officer have to be on a limited assignment?
What to Expect If You Pass. Once officially employed, new officers are hired on a limited assignment that cannot last longer than five years. They are required to be proficient in foreign language and transition into the other Foreign Service sectors before becoming tenured employees.
Can I get an offer of employment if I am a foreign service officer?
Note that, depending on your place on the Register and the number of Foreign Service Officers needed, it is still possible that you may not receive an offer of employment. Finally, for those who are successful, it's a Foreign Service career with the US Department of State.
What is FSOT practice test?
FSOT Practice Test. The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is required of anyone who is interested in working as a Foreign Service Officer of any kind. Whether you want to work in the consulate, diplomacy, politics, or any other department, taking this test will be a necessary step on your career path. FSOT Study Guide.
How long do you have to wait to take the 154 essay?
If you do achieve a 154 minimum on the first three sections, your essay won’t be graded. If you do not pass the exam, you have to wait a full 12 months before retaking it. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time (at least six months) to study and prepare for this test.
Does Mometrix offer FSOT?
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online Foreign Service Officer Test Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The FSOT Course includes:
What is the FSOT test?
It’s easy to take one look at the first step—the foreign service officer test (FSOT)—and run in the opposite direction. But fear not! Here’s an inside look at the FSOT and some tips on how you can ace it. The FSOT consists of four parts: a written exam, a personal narrative, an oral assessment, and finally, a security clearance.
What is the purpose of the written exam?
The written exam is a computer-based test on everything. Literally. From questions about the origin of bee-bop to the specifics of East Asian labor laws, the exam is designed to test general knowledge.
Are You Eligible to Apply?
An Overview of The Foreign Service Officer Application Process
- Here is a look at the process of applying to become a Foreign Service Officer. Select a Career Track The first step in the application process is to select one of five career tracks: consular, political, economic, management, and public diplomacy. This choice cannot be changed during the application process, so choose carefully. (You can adjust your selection if you apply again wi…
The Hiring Process
- The process is competitive, so it's important to prepare as thoroughly as possible for the exam. Applicants for Foreign Service Officers go through a written exam, an oral assessment, and a security background check. It is estimated that less than two percent of applicants become Foreign Service Officers. Candidates that have passed all requirements and clearance tests rece…
Foreign Service Exam Study Guides
- Many websites have study guides to assist applicants in preparing for the exam with the hope of becoming a Foreign Service Officer. Depending on the career track of choice, these study guides help explain the application process, what to expect on the test, how to write an effective personal narrative, how to prepare for the oral assessment, and an explanation of how the exam is evalua…
What to Expect If You Pass
- Once officially employed, new officers are hired on a limited assignment that cannot last longer than five years. They are required to be proficient in foreign language and transition into the other Foreign Service sectors before becoming tenured employees.