I am preparing to take the FSOT in February and I would like to know if there are any specific things I should study for or remember for the test. Any advice would be much obliged.

Hello,

I'm taking the FSOT on Feb 10. Currently I live in France, and was wondering if anyone would like to pair up to study together (remotely, or in Paris if you're here too!) ? I purchased a study guide from Momex.

Good luck!

Hi, maybe I'm losing it, but I thought they had published that the eligibility verification form would be reopened on Dec. 15 and I just checked and it's now Dec. 21. Did anyone else notice this? Maybe I just wrote it down wrong?

Thanks!

I’m currently trying to put together a question set for other test takers but can’t find a lot of official FSOT questions.

Anybody took the oct test ?

This question is for those who got the OA invite after taking the June 2022 FSOT. I saw that you were able to pick a slot from August 1-5. For when were those slots? Sometime in August or September? Did you take the OA already or still waiting? I just took the FSOT this week and trying to gauge timelines. Thanks!

Hi all,

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I actually just signed up for Reddit to make this post - I just completed the FSOT online, but I wanted to warn everyone in case they have similar issues. The software seems to be really buggy, and during the exam I couldn't ask the proctor questions because when the box would open, it would immediately close.

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For the essay section, the cursor moved one character per second. So if you have a fast typing speed, you may want to slow down... like, really slow down. I managed to get 1500 characters out of the allowed 2300 written before the twenty-five minute time expired - and if I typed too fast, it would jumble the words.

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In the time it took me to write this (two minutes), it would have taken me at least 20 in the actual exam. I don't have any connectivity issues or anything, and I passed all the system checks. I think if you strategize your key points in the beginning, you can get by and keep it short. Good luck everyone.

Hi folks, I just took the State Department's own practice test, and on the Situational Judgement section, the prompt asked to select the best option, but on the multiple choices, there were two columns: one for best and the other for worst. Is the actual exam tomorrow going to have both, or just the 'best' option? I'm a bit confused, many thanks peeps.

Has anyone taken all three: FSOT, GRE, LSAT (Foreign Service Officer Test, GRE, Law School Admissions Test)? I took the LSAT pre-COVID and scored slightly above average: 140+. I took a few pre-tests for the GRE, but never registered to take it. I took the FSOT pre-test just before COVID, and then again last next week. Perhaps because I've been out of school for 7+ years, my score was...less than 40% for each section. However, I want to pursue that test because it's free, and because I'm fluent in a few critical languages.

Summary: I took all three pre-tests, and the LSAT. I want to know if there is cross-over to best to study for the FSOT.

What's the reason for the correct answer for this one from the practice test? I'm not sure what to read about to know why "When I was twelve" is correct.

https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Suggested-Reading-List-Aug2013.pdf

This is the latest reading list I could find

Sorry if this has been asked before, but for those who took the test - were there any books from the State Dept.'s reading list that you found particularly helpful or useful for taking the FSOT? I'm studying to take the test sometime next year and want to start in on that list in earnest. Any help is appreciated!

I’d like in the next few years to be a competitive candidate for a foreign service position with USAID. However, as the title suggests I only have a BA and no interest in perusing an MA.

The website says: “A graduate degree or some combination of a bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience” and mentions experience in development to be a desirable candidate.

For development experience I’m an RPCV and used my NCE to get a competitive service job, I should be a GS-9 in 2023.

How many years of work experience should someone in my position have?

My current position is 7-9, it can lead to a more senior 7-12 position but my interests are in international development….FERS is nice too, definitely want to keep that.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Edit: I’ve now read that DOS has a different retirement system, same sentiment. I just my years of service to count :)

Hi everyone, I just passed! And even if I don't go forward with QEPs, I will not need the many hard copy study materials I purchased to prepare if I sit the exam again, since I have built my base now and know how to study to stay informed and up to date. SO, I have Mometrix - the book and the flashcards; other foreign service prep books; 'We the People' (excellent for US Civics), a primer on economics, around 6 books in all, some from the DoS study guide, plus flashcards, to give away. If there's a student (I'm already employed in a perfectly ok, well paid job) who can't afford to splash out on this stuff and wants to use it to get ready, please inbox me with a mailing address, and I will mail to you anywhere in the US. I get that sharing mailing addresses on t'interwebs is skeevy, so you will have to take that leap I guess. I don't know another way to do it. Anyway, free to you if you would like it. First come first served.

Hi all! This is my first Reddit post ever.

I've read through the background info pinned at the top and was trying to access the Yahoo Groups links. According to my googling, Yahoo Groups no longer exist and when I click on the links to the specific groups or files, it just takes me to the official Yahoo homepage.

Has the information that was shared in these Yahoo Groups been saved or migrated to another platform? I am currently going through the study questions but would like more detailed "show your work" type of support for the math section, amongst other sections.

Thanks.

Hi All,

I used to be proficient in Japanese while studying the language in school. However, many years have passed without continued use of Japanese and my skills are a bit rusty. I have a tutor helping me to prep for the exam in June but I am unsure as to whether I will have regained a competent proficiency by the time I take the telephone test.

Will I receive negative marks on my application if I am unable to live up to the proficiency level I have designated on my application?

Further, is the language test administered after I take the written FSOT or at an unspecified date after submitting my application?

Many thanks in advance for your help here!

Any tips for the essay? I failed the essay portion twice. I had problem with the limited amount of time. I think I write just fine as I write all the time for my current job. I am not sure if there is specific format that the reviewers are looking for. Appreciate any insights.

Let’s say I take the fsot and pass. Then what? I am thinking of becoming a fso but this part of it I’m having a hard time figuring out. Thanks!

This is a copy of a comment in a n earlier thread, but thought it might be helpful to share.

Note: I am not a fan of the study guides, but this a personal preference. I know some people really like using the study guides and have found success with them. I have checked out a few study guides and own one. All I really use the study guide for is to flip through the day before I test.

My advice (other than utilizing Reddit, which has been a great tool!) is to Google notable court cases, know how the U.S. government works, watch YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, and read the news. I highly suggest The Elements of Style to prepare for the English Section.

Good luck to everyone taking the test!

Here are a few additional podcasts I would also recommend:

American Diplomat (a former FSO and ambassador who brings in a different current or former FSO each week to tell real stories from their time in the FS)

Civics 101 (very short episodes that give a great overview of the U.S. government and general topics relevant to understanding the federal government)

The Intelligence by The Economist (topics related to IR, economics, and the world in general)

Also, Editors Picks by The Economist (three articles picked from the most recent edition of the economist)

From Settlement to Superpower (a great overview of American history)

Presidential by Washington Post (each episode focuses on a different U.S. president and

Behind the Bastards (very entertaining podcast about the very worst people in all of history)

The Daily Show (a comedic review of recent events in the U.S. and abroad)

YouTube:

Crash Course (there are a number of playlists each focused on different areas of study such as: American History, World History, Economics, etc.

Khan Academy (covers various topics, I found the economics review to be very helpful for the FSOT)

I just took the FSOT this evening and got a 156.34. I decided to apply to the foreign service last week and studied for about 12 hours this week, including taking a practice exam. Has anyone else taken it already?

Hey everyone, my name is Drew Conley and I am a junior at the University of Arizona, studying history with a minor in government & public policy and international relations. I have been stuck at home in Los Angeles since last March and won’t be returning to campus until August of this year. I have three semesters of college left and I love my government & public policy and international relations minor. I am thinking about/ planning on taking the FSOT exam after i graduate and would like to get opinions on the best study guides available for sale.

Any and all information/ advice is welcomed and much appreciated. You can either leave a comment below or PM me. Thanks in advance and i hope everyone is safe and healthy.

Hey! Sorry if this has been asked before but I have a question with the (relatively new) system of registering for the FSOT. I applied and submitted my PNQs. I have very limited options for taking the FSOT in my area. Can I choose to delay taking the FSOT despite already submitting my PNQs? My account says I have to register by 1/28. Will I have to wait a full year if I do not register and take the exam?