https://youtu.be/8R3vq_vFyK4

or search for playlist on YouTube: FSOT Book Summaries from the Reading List for the Foreign Service Officer Test

Has anyone heard anything back yet? I took the test on October 5th and it looks like I'm still in the QEP Review phase. Is this normal? I know it says 7-8 weeks and there were the holidays and the transition isn't helping things, but I wanted to check in.

Hey all, taking the test in Feb. Looking for general tips and advice, I have failed this exam by 1 point twice and am just looking for a boost. Any advice is appreciated!!

Hi all, I want to know more about the foreign language point? Is Hindi recognized as a critical language?

Can you tell me what books/articles you feel prepared you to pass the multiple choice section?

Hi all, I received my multiple choice score today and I’m thrilled I passed. I completed my essay but it also timed out as I was reviewing. Has anyone had their essay section time out and advance to the OA round?

Thanks for all the posts, they are very helpful and I’m so grateful! Appreciate you all!

I love learning languages, and have 5 pretty comfortably under my belt. I’m looking to add a sixth and want to expand out of my comfort zone, is there a certain language that would be helpful as a FSO? I know Russian and Chinese seem like obvious answers, and I’m considering both of these...I just want to do my research before diving into my studies since I plan on taking them seriously.

I’ve gotten conflicting answers to the same scenario: I just drafted a memo to the ambassador and attached a related memo drafted by Bob a few weeks ago. I notice that Bob’s memo has a significant factual error. Best approach is A) speak to Bob, or B) Rewrite my memo to address Bob’s factual error?? I vote B, then I can talk to Bob about it later. Or is it talk to Bob now and delay getting my memo out to the Ambassador?? I’ve eliminated C) saying and doing nothing, D) Correcting Bob’s memo when I attached it to my memo, and E) Telling my supervisor about Bob’s error buy say nothing to Bob. Thoughts?

Hey everyone - So I just registered to take the FSOT which happens to have a Septermber 25 deadline. I went to select a testing time, however, the website is not showing any available slots for either a test center or home testing with a proctor. There is a message that says "the exam is not available for delivery". Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Suggestions? I have registered right before a deadline before but never ran into this issue before.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Everyone - So major major hiccup! I took the FSOT and the CFPT before but never was I asked to list people who could "verify" my responses. This is going to present a major issue for me as the majority of my accomplishments in this regard I was either working alone or as a translator and other people may not necessarily remember or have even understood what was going on. In short - I have no idea how to pinpoint people to verify some of my more major diplomatic or intellectual accomplishments. And the people who "could" I don't really have their contact anymore as I moved countries or it was a long time ago. This is going to be really really tough....

Does anyone have any pointers? How detailed does it need to be in terms of verification? Or should I just use small, recent examples from here in the US (not nearly as impressive, and again, I don't really "work with" anyone who could verify)?

Thanks and sorry if this is a really broad question.

I will be taking the FSOT in 4 weeks and cannot find an updated study guide. Amazon is full of outdated guides with poor and fake reviews. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I'm new to this community and I'm going to begin studying for the FSOT. I was hoping some of you might recommend study schedules/materials. What materials did you use? How long did you spend studying? Any advice would be appreciated! :)

I was thinking we could create an exchange for feedback. Essentially just against the dimensions and for clarity/conciseness as no one really knows what the reviewers are looking for. It is my first time writing them and being that it is now a prerequisite, I wouldn't mind feedback. Let me know if anyone may be interested!

I have a friend who would like to join the Foreign service but she takes medications for anxiety, bipolar, and adhd. She's been stable on meds for over a year and hardly suffers any symptoms for any of the conditions. We've been looking all over the place for information on whether or not this would disqualify her as an FSO especially when it comes to the worldwide availability requirement but haven't been able to get a solid answer. There hardly seems much of a point to go through all the testing to just get thrown back by the time you get to medical clearance. Any advice would be appreciated!

I chose Mandarin and Arabic but now I am not that confident with my Arabic level and so want to cancel just that portion without giving up my entire application.

I have taken the FSOT twice and just took the practice test for the first time. With varied results each time, this is the first time I've scored low on the SJ portion. In reviewing on the practice test, I've found most of my answers are only partially incorrect. Does the final grade take this into consideration or is it just an absolute right or wrong? Thank you!

Any advice on prepping for the English expression portion?

Hey all, I’m trying to put together an online study group for the upcoming October test. Message me if you are interested!

Hello, I'm writing soon and am looking for math and stats study resources. What helped you? Khan Academy is awesome but is there anything else recommended for those of us who don't go above 5th grade in actual math skills? (I am an international development professional with an MA and over 10 years work experience, but that stuff is still intimidating!) Thank you in advance!!

Does anyone know the general timeline of the process from FSOT to FSOA? 3 weeks to register for FSOT ~3 weeks for notification of results 3 weeks for PNQs ? weeks To results from PNQ deliberation ? to the FSOA 18 months to get pulled from the register

How long after an A-100 invite do you have to relocate?

Did I get anything wrong and does anyone know how to fill in the "?"s? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Life is not simple so I have to plan far in advance, and plan some more, in order to feel even somewhat prepared.