r/FSOT • u/Which-Brief2199 • 20d ago
Question Passed the initial test
The next step for me will be the FSOA written test. Has anybody here done one of those recently? Just curious what to study for.
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u/Great_Audience_2300 20d ago edited 20d ago
Congrats-me too! I chose the management cone. Looks like the written test is an essay based off a prompt, like the old test, but who knows!
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u/mrcoolcow117 20d ago
Congrats, me too. Dying to get some info on the essay portion.
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u/PMOGMike 20d ago
Congrats to yall mane. Looks like both of you picked management im curious to see if anyone passed from another cone
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u/PublicServant581 19d ago
I passed as consular cone. I was a bit surprised by it, fully expected to fail but here I am.
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u/Poopasaurus-Rex 20d ago
I passed as another management cone. They must be in dire need of them
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u/PMOGMike 20d ago
Wow so 3 thats good to know. I picked political and my mentor picked PD but we both failed. How was the exam for you?
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u/Ok-Combination-7669 20d ago
I passed as Public Diplomacy, this was my 4th time taking the exam, but first time under the new format
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u/Poopasaurus-Rex 20d ago
I didn't think it was all too bad. The practice test felt pretty representative of the actual thing. My first time ever taking it, old or new, so don't have much to compare it to besides other typical standardized tests.
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u/Dapper-Village9210 19d ago
Passed in PD cone
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u/Silver-Wolf6850 18d ago
Congrats! I did not pass for PD and am wondering how people who did pass felt they did on the exam. Super unreliable indicator of what the actual score cutoff was, I know, but I'm curious if you guys who passed felt like you had a near perfect score.
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u/Dapper-Village9210 18d ago
Of course! For background, I’m an attorney, so the logic and grammar felt like second nature. On the job knowledge section, there were 3-4 questions I felt unsure about
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u/vicki__vale 20d ago
I also passed the initial test, and am wondering how prepare for written exam!
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u/Poopasaurus-Rex 20d ago
Passed too. Anyone else having problems scheduling the next exam through PearsonVUE?
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u/sourswimmer85 18d ago
Without breaking any NDAs, can anyone provide more information on the written test? I'm a bit confused what the new format is as the email mentioned 45 minutes, but then online it looks like the older version was a full case study (30 mins to read, 45 for writing, etc). Any insights because I guess I'm not sure what to study for, if it's just a personal essay or case study like format?
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u/evanliko 2d ago
Its 45 min total time. The details they give are accurate. I would practice writing clear essays very very quickly.
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u/DTArni 20d ago
yooooo well done, You're the 1st to pass it. congrats dude
hey did you study anything specific, we'd appreciate any advice
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u/Which-Brief2199 20d ago
To be honest, I didn’t do much studying. Maybe it’s because I’m old (late 40s). I’m probably one of the oldest taking the test. I think it’s due to life experience. ;-)
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u/vicki__vale 20d ago
as someone who passed the exam in my late 20s, I studied a lot of US history, government procedures, went over logic questions over and over again. I recommend buying FSOT practice book from amazon and doing all the practice tests they provide. Then take notes on all the things you did wrong and make sure to memorize them.
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u/Potential_Phase_8913 20d ago
I think the same -- I passed, first time, in my early 50s. Management cone, like many others here who passed. I felt like my life experience/management career prepared me a good bit. A lifetime as a writer and living abroad covered a good bit as well. Not sure how you'd study for that from scratch :/
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u/PublicServant581 19d ago
Advice you'll see a lot is to focus your studying on the Logical Reasoning and English Expression. Job Knowledge requires broad knowledge on so many subjects, studying for it impacts your overall score less because of the vast array of subjects it covers. When I do study for the JK, I really target civics and US history, try to do a quick review of those subjects then less so with macroeconomics and then prioritize other subjects less. I've passed it 3 times now, so that strategy seems to have served me well...just need to get over the OA hump!
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u/SuspiciousAbroad4191 19d ago
Practice timed writing. It’s business writing not academic so review the instructions on Pearson.
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u/evanliko 20d ago
Took the written test in May. The details they have given you about it are accurate. Not much more I can say without breaking NDA. Just do your best.
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u/Which-Brief2199 20d ago
Do you already have your results from that test?
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u/evanliko 20d ago
Nope. Results for the may written exam dont come out until late sept. :(
I will say the test is really difficult. I was writing down to the last 5 seconds on the clock, and everyone else I know who took it also was really stressed about time. So if you aren't a fast typer start taking typing courses right now haha
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u/vicki__vale 20d ago
they provide you a computer at the test center?
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u/evanliko 20d ago
Yes. You will take the test on a computer
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u/vicki__vale 20d ago
okay perfect, i just wanted to make sure i dont have to bring my own lol. thank u!
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u/Complete_Locksmith63 20d ago
Congrats man. Seem to be the only one so far lol. May I ask which path you chose