Prep for Foreign Service Officer exam

[Schmedlap]

I'm taking the Foreign Service Officer exam in two weeks. Is there a way to prepare for this thing? It seems to be a potpourri of trivia, like Jeopardy, rather than an aptitude test or assessment of specific skills.

My impression is that it is just a quick check to verify that you read the news regularly, know basic facts and understand basic concepts related to economics and foreign affairs, and you are halfway compatible with a workforce of people whose focus is outside of our borders.

I did the practice test on the State Dept website - no issues there (though I think that one of their answers is incorrect). I generally don't spend too much time fretting over test prep - my preparation for the LSAT and GMAT consisted of purchasing the "for Dummies" book the day before each exam and things worked out okay. Unfortunately, I didn't see any "FSO Test for Dummies" book at B&N, so I'm going into this even more blind than with those previous tests.

[Abu Suleyman]

I haven't taken the test myself, but I have known many people who have. In general, almost all of them passed. While true that they are all top students, I don't think that the test is itself the screen out factor. Most didn't pass the oral exam.

[Old Eagle]

a great deal since I took it a hundred years ago. The State site is probably the best source of information. If there are any recent-select FSOs here, they can give specifics.

Back in the day, the written portion was an excuse to play Trivial Pursuit (r) with yourself, even if there was no hope or intent of passing. Full disclosure -- I was seriously considering leaving the military for the diplomatic corps, where my mother's side of the family was well established. AND, BOY, AM I GLAD I DIDN"T!!!! After service on four country teams, it became obvious to me that I was able to do all the diplomatic stuff the suits did, but I got to have all the fun that they didn't. And a couple of moments of unscheduled excitement.

As I understand it, the written test is still used as a "select out" process, while the interview portions are the "select in".

[John T. Fishel]

I've had two of my students take it and pass it in the last year, Neither of them were invited to take the oral exam! :eek: When I took it - back in the 70s - if you passed the written, you were automatically in the oral. If you passed the oral, then, you went through the security clearance and medical clearance process. (Back then hypertension was disqualifying.)

Cheers

JohnT

[Schmedlap]

Thanks for the feedback (comments on this thread, as well as those who emailed me).

I guess my remaining questions are...

If you "pass" the test, but do not get asked for an interview, then what does it mean to "pass"?

Are different career tracks more competitive in terms of what it takes to get an interview? When I signed up, I had to choose one of five career tracks (I forget all of them now, but consular and economic were two of them - I chose economic). I'm guessing consular is the most competitive???

Was I about right in that you really can't prepare for this? I mean, I read what was on the State Dept website, took the practice exam, got 95%+ of the questions right, but it seems like a trivia game more than anything else. How does one prepare for trivial pursuit? My old roommate, disgusted with his performance at the trivial pursuit board game, pledged to watch one history channel documentary per night via Netflix's instant streaming video. But that doesn't seem like the best way to go about this.

[John T. Fishel]

1. Trust that your "liberal" education was adequate.
2. Trust that your multiple guess test taking skills are well honed.

I like the way you pose the question about "passing" the exam. I guess that means there is passing and passing.

Consular and Administrative, in the past, were not among the most desired career patterns. Political and economic were the high prestige. Don't have a clue as to the fifth. Perhaps, P-M FSO can enlighten us on this and the other questions. :)

Cheers

JohnT

[jcustis]

To address your question, outside of reading the last five years of WSJ, WP, and NYT front pages, there is no specific way to prep.

I've passed it twice, with no special effort.

[John T. Fishel]

the other day and have an answer to what it means to pass the exam. The written exam is still the first critical hurdle. If you don't pass it you don't go on. The next step is new in the past decade - it is a board that looks at the exam, AND the other written materials the candidate submits and decides whether to invite the candidate for the oral assessment. After that it is the same as it used to be, although the anecdotal evidence suggests that more accomodations are made for medical conditions - including being blind.

Finally, an invite to the orals also depends to some extent on the cone selected. Political and Public Diplomacy are over subscribed so are very difficult to get into. There are shortages in the administative,management, economic and consular cones.

Cheers'

JohnT

[jcustis]

the other day and have an answer to what it means to pass the exam. The written exam is still the first critical hurdle. If you don't pass it you don't go on. The next step is new in the past decade - it is a board that looks at the exam, AND the other written materials the candidate submits and decides whether to invite the candidate for the oral assessment. After that it is the same as it used to be, although the anecdotal evidence suggests that more accomodations are made for medical conditions - including being blind.

Finally, an invite to the orals also depends to some extent on the cone selected. Political and Public Diplomacy are over subscribed so are very difficult to get into. There are shortages in the administative,management, economic and consular cones.

Cheers'

JohnT

That right there is good information to know...I'll be bookmarking this thread for future reference.

[John T. Fishel]

that the info is avaliable at the Website. BTW admin and management are the same cone.

Finally, Jon, have you looked into the Diplomatic Security Service. they are recruiting Special Agents and veterans are exempt from the age limit of 36 years old (not to have reache 37). If interesteed look under DSS - they are recruiting now.

JohnT

[MattC86]

You will be fine.

I invested in a couple of books and stuff to prepare and found that the daily round-up of news sources (not necessarily SWJ's - sorry) was the most helpful. Save yourself the money - if you know the Constitution decently, you undoubtedly have the rest down.

The only stuff I didn't know was "leadership principles" which were common-sense enough to guess with success.

Matt

[Jesse9252]

Finally, Jon, have you looked into the Diplomatic Security Service. they are recruiting Special Agents and veterans are exempt from the age limit of 36 years old (not to have reache 37). If interesteed look under DSS - they are recruiting now.
Slightly off-topic, but I have looked into DSS as a possible post-military career. However, I've heard from some folks that they are a very troubled agency these days (see various PMC scandals in Iraq/Afghanistan) and not at all a fun place to work. Any perspective on this?

[John T. Fishel]

I have generally been underwhelmed by the RSOs I've run into. I'm sure there are good ones as well as bad. I'm also sure that knowing nothing else about an applicant, if the choice is between a mil guy and a non-mil guy I'll take the mil guy any time. Which says that we need more good people in the DSS. Like you guys!:cool:

Cheers

JohnT

[jcustis]

that the info is avaliable at the Website. BTW admin and management are the same cone.

Finally, Jon, have you looked into the Diplomatic Security Service. they are recruiting Special Agents and veterans are exempt from the age limit of 36 years old (not to have reache 37). If interesteed look under DSS - they are recruiting now.

JohnT

Hmmm, are veterans exempted to any age, or just 37, which is the special agent limit for most agencies?... I did apply with DSS many moons ago when I had a break in service and was pursuing a different path (even took my second FSO test then). I was offered a chance to continue the battery of evals and exams once my application was accepted, but I committed to returning to the USMC once the opportunity presented itself...haven't looked back, but I've still got the bug so to speak. When my 20 yeart mark draws near, I will have some serious life-changing decisions to make.:D Just gotta get the wife on board that her eldest will be okay going to school CONUS if we are overseas already.


if you know the Constitution decently, you undoubtedly have the rest down.

Excellent point. When I sat for the oral board the first time, my lack of familiarity with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights dashed my hopes, and I knew it as I fumbled through one very simple and direct question. Total FAIL. Too much Int. Relations and little US governance during my upper class years proved to be my undoing.

[John T. Fishel]

an AMU grad course on Comparative Politics and it's amazing how ignorant many of my students are about American politics and government!:eek: we really ought to have a good general knowledge about the Constituion we swear to defend both in the military and Foreign Service.

Cheers

JohnT

PS Jon, my reading of the DSS website is that they will take veterans 37 or older.

[Surferbeetle]

From the FP website: Exclusive: GAO report finds State Department language skills dangerously lacking (http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/09/22/exclusive_gao_report_finds_state_department_langua ge_skills_dangerously_lacking)


About a third of Foreign Service officers in jobs that require language skills don't have the proficiency required to do their jobs, hurting America's ability to advocate its interests around the world, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.

The report, which has not yet been released, but was obtained by The Cable, spells out the consequences of having a Foreign Service that in many cases can't communicate with local officials or populations, relies too heavily on local staff for critical functions, and can't respond to bad press when it appears in foreign languages.

Substandard skills were found in people holding 31 percent of the approximately 3,600 jobs that require a certain level of language proficiency, known as language-designated positions, up from 29 percent in 2005. In critically important regions such as the Near East and South and Central Asia, that number rises to 40 percent.

Kaykuri, a DLI grad comments:


I have a strong desire to serve abroad, always have, but I confess that I am leery of the whole process. Now that I have built something of a career in the private sector, I am exactly the kind of mid-level person Diplopundit (http://diplopundit.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-re-run-language-shortfalls-at.html) talked about, that it seems DOS is incapable of hiring.

I apparently have to choose a career track first, with little info to go on and in which I will be stuck forever, then pass the exam and orals. For that I understand that I have to look forward to about 3 years of processing visa apps somewhere? Sign me up, baby.

[MattC86]

Honestly, surfer, after a long chat the other day with a former Marine who just became an FSO, "dangerously lacking" still serves to describe a whole lot of the State Department.

It's never good when a guy currently working at a place strongly dissuades you from (re-)applying. . .

Matt

[John T. Fishel]

All you young whippersnappers need to apply for the FS, get accepted, and change the ruddy culture!!!!! There certainly was a time when the FS drew people like Deane Hinton, Tom Pickering, Ed Corr, Ryan Crocker, and Dave Passage. It still has top quality folk like Anne Patterson in Colombia.

Po-Mil FSO, your comments would really be helpful here.

Cheers

JohnT

[Old Eagle]

I haven't read the GAO report, but I can't wait to see it.

So what exactly might the report mean? And how might it be fixed? Should every FSO be required to be a language sponge? There are many of them out there in the State Dept and in the military. In my last assignment, I was clearly the best linguist on the country team. Second best was the political officer, who had previous assignments in China, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. So he spoke Chinese, Arabic and Afrikaans in addition to German. How cool is that? Most of the other officers had similar shotgun careers, with varying degrees of proficiency in a host of strange languages.

The Army takes a totally different approach to developing soldier-statesmen. Army FAOs are developed as regional experts, focusing on the political, economic, cultural, language strauctures of a particular region. Once language proficiency is achieved, the first language is often used as a "springboard" to related languages -- romance, Slavic, Germanic, etc. The potential downside of that system is that steady-state proficiency requirements may not suffice in the next crisis de jour. The other downside of the Army system is that when I was up to my elbows in Southeast Europe, the Army passed over 3 premier Yugo specialist O-4s, and the best O-5 available. Guess we showed them. Although I am a firm believer in the Army system, maybe somebody at State has a better idea.

Now, if the GAO shoe fits, ya gotta ask how many military officers and NCOs are serving in jobs where they lack the requisite language skills. Damn! That shoe hurts when it's on the other foot.

[Pol-Mil FSO]

I have ambivalent views about the attractiveness of the Foreign Service as a career. On some days I would say that it has been a great opportunity to go places, do things, and witness history that I would never have gotten in any private sector job. On other days I would say that coping with the bureaucractic BS and a dysfunctional foreign service culture just isn't worth it. After 22 years, the main reason I stick around is because I want my sons to live in a prosperous and powerful country - I thus see my job as using my modest talent and experience to contribute to "empire maintenance."

Although my view may be skewed by my focus on Latin America, I think the GAO criticism of State Department language capability is overblown. Lack of language skills is a big problem in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that is due to the wartime pressure of trying to annually staff a large number of slots - the Department quickly blew through its pool of Arabic speakers and never had many Pashto and Dari speakers for historical reasons. I do not think it has been a problem in other areas of the world, at least for political and economic officer positions. At times it has admittedly been a different story for consular and management officers, junior officers, and diplomatic security special agents, among others, because these groups have not been given the emphasis nor resources to develop sufficient language capability. Finally, as noted in another post, the State Department language capability, with all of its failings, is superior to that of any other USG agency overseas.

The Foreign Service downsides that almost always grab the attention of FSOs with prior military service are 1) the lack of leadership skills or even training and 2) the blatant careerist mentality of most FSOs. FSOs are recruited based on their individual achievements and generally rewarded for their analytic ability and written and verbal skills. "Taking care of the troops" is not in the Foreign Service vocabulary. Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary Armitage tried to change this by, among other things, instituting mandatory leadership training at every rank but the Foreign Service Institute turned this initiative into "touchy-feely" courses that have little to do with real leadership. And among the two cones that provide the majority of career ambassadors - the political and economic cones - FSOs typically rise to senior ranks without ever being in charge of more that a dozen persons. In many instances, we see "successful" Ambassadors who do a great job of managing the Washington bureaucracy and relations with the host country while presiding over an Embassy that has poor morale.

The careerist mentality is also very disconcerting to persons used to the military but it is ingrained in the Foreign Service culture in large part because of the peculiar assignment process that place FSOs in direct competition with their peers to gain career-enhancing postings. For the most ambitious FSOs (especially prevalent in the political cone) it is not unusual to start trying to line up a subsequent job even as they arrive in their current job.
Some assignments will have 30 or more bidders on the position; the frontrunners are those who can obtain support from senior officers and form alliances in the geographic and functional bureaus that control assignments in embassies overseas. (The personnel bureau in the State Department doesn't truly make assignments - it merely ratifies decisions made in the bureaus. For example, the European Affairs Bureau decides who will be selected to the Political Counselor job and other Political Officer positions in in Embassy Paris.)

A final thought - I would have to be characterized as an "old fart" because I am not impressed by new FSOs who complain about the requirement to do at least one tour as a vice consul or do other things that they consider to be beneath their experience level. I see what I consider to be many self-centered and ill-disciplined individuals among those joining the Foreign Service these days. If it was up to me, I would not let anyone become an FSO unless they had prior experience in the U.S. Armed Forces, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps.

[Schmedlap]

I'm glad that this isn't something that I had my heart set on. I just figured that there's no harm in taking the test and seeing what happens. But this is an interesting thread for me and, I suspect, anyone else considering such a career.

[Tom Odom]

If it was up to me, I would not let anyone become an FSO unless they had prior experience in the U.S. Armed Forces, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps

As a retired Army FAO, with 6 tours around embasses, two times as a war zone DATT, and now serving as a POLAD in Iraq when State didn't come through with a serious nominee for my boss, I can only say:

Hell yes!

Tom

PS

Old farts rule!

[John T. Fishel]

I certainly agree with FSO's sentiment. I wonder if it could actually be made a requirement. If I were King - it's good to be the King:rolleyes: - I think I would give major preferences to those categories of individuals (along with some related experiences). Retired military would go to the head of the line at all stages of the recruitment process for all cones. RPCVs would be next in line, followed by former but not retired military, and them by Americorps. Last in line would be those fresh out of school with none of this experience.

I was particularly impressed watching my friend Ambassador Ed Corr in El Salvador because he was so clearly in "command" of his embassy. John Waghelstein makes the same observation about Deane Hinton. I've seen other Ambassadors who obviously didn't have the first conception of what a commander is let alonewhat one does. (But I would also have to acknowledge that I've seen a bunch of very bad military officers in command...:eek:)

Cheers

JohnT

[davidbfpo]

(taken from)I think I would give major preferences to those categories of individuals... RPCVs would be next in line..

John,

What is a RPCV? Retired Peace Corps Volunteer.

davidbfpo

[Surferbeetle]

Honestly, surfer, after a long chat the other day with a former Marine who just became an FSO...

Matt,

I too am a big fan of the old saying: Know all about Dodge and how to exit Dodge before entering...


I have ambivalent views about the attractiveness of the Foreign Service as a career. On some days I would say that it has been a great opportunity to go places, do things, and witness history that I would never have gotten in any private sector job. On other days I would say that coping with the bureaucractic BS and a dysfunctional foreign service culture just isn't worth it. After 22 years, the main reason I stick around is because I want my sons to live in a prosperous and powerful country - I thus see my job as using my modest talent and experience to contribute to "empire maintenance."

Pol-Mil-FSO,

Appreciate your sharing your experiences and observations (to include the importance of language skills at State). My two decades in the Army and Civil Service have been great opportunities as well as a chance to give back. I have enjoyed my time at one of State's Commissions as well as at a FSI course, my kids are grown...a FSO experience looks very interesting, we will see if the planets align at some point.

Best,

Steve

[John T. Fishel]

It's Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Since by its rules one can't make a career of Peace Corps you can't retire from it. The old rule was a total of 5 years in the organization as a volunteer, staff, or any combination. Don't know if they ever changed that rule but I think it is still in effect more or less.

Cheers

JohnT

[Schmedlap]

In no particular order...

I just got home from taking the exam. That was even easier than I anticipated. I mean, some of the questions were so simple that I read them three times just to make sure they really were that simple. Some tested one's basic understanding of how e-mail works and how to do basic functions in a word processor. I guess that means they're looking for office minions, rather than diplomats?

I finished two of the sections with at least ten minutes remaining - even after going back and double-checking my answers. The 30-minute essay is a real scramble - I might have made a few typos, as I was just finishing up and proofreading with about 15 seconds to go. Not very much time to read the issue, consider the question, outline an argument, and then type it.

The personal questionnaire was the only section that I had a really difficult time finishing within the time limit. Many questions take the form of, "how often do you [whatever] at your job?" or "how many jobs have you had where [random skill] is utilized?" For many questions, if you answer "often" or "more than 4" or something like that, then you are prompted to briefly describe whatever it is you were asked about. I suppose that some people might answer "never" or "rarely" to many of those. For me, I always had something to describe. I literally finished that section with about 6 seconds to spare because I had something to type in every textbox.

As for the job knowledge and English parts of the test, it would not surprise me if a significant number of people got every question right. It was that easy. I suspect that many high school students could ace the English portion (basically, if you're scoring over 700 on the SAT verbal, then you should ace this). For the job knowledge stuff, having completed an MBA program helped a little, but I suspect that I could have figured out the answers even without that. It just might have taken an extra few seconds per question (mainly the ones dealing with how to resolve conflicts in the workplace). I am only uncertain about two questions on the entire test. One was pure trivia (what was such-and-such random unremarkable piece of legislation known as?) and another would vary depending upon the political ideology of the question-writer (I assumed the writer leaned to the left - a safe assumption, imo, but it would be nice if the question had simply been a test of knowledge rather than bias).

In short, the FSO exam fails to live up to the hype - just like every other exam I've ever taken. I think many of these exams are hyped up just so that people will waste money buying books and taking classes to prepare for them. Good IO work by Kaplan, et al. I am not very smart and I did well enough on the SAT, GMAT, and LSAT to go to the schools that I chose without any preparation. The FSO exam, in my opinion, was between the SAT and GMAT in terms of difficulty and probably shorter than any of them. I did the whole exam with no breaks in about 2:30. Again I am not a particularly bright fellow, so this test cannot be that hard. I think the stumbling block is that it is graded on such a crazy curve.

Anyway, there you have it.

My tips to prepare:
1) Be interested in politics and international affairs.
- If you read lots of international news because it interests you, then you're off to a good start. If you're buying a subscription to the Economist and skimming through it to prepare, but you're not really interested in what you're reading, then your lack of interest will probably stop you from amassing the random knowledge that you're seeking.
- In regard to politics, I mean the actual mechanics of how things get done (how a bill becomes a law; powers of each branch and each house; how the branches interact. I am not referring to petty political bickering or other nonsense that you see on cable news. Politico might be useful - though even that isn't too deep on details. But if your reading is largely crap like Huffington Post, Daily Kos, Free Republic, and Red State, then you're probably a dilettante who will rightly fail when you get three questions asking you about a specific law from the 1960s that nobody talks about anymore.
2) Know how to use MS Word and Outlook. I think several of the questions were there to make sure that they won't need to teach you how to turn on a computer, type a memo, and print or email it. Really basic stuff.
3) If you take a course on statistics and another on trade theory, then you will be more than adequately prepared for any of the math/econ questions. Those were the questions that I read over and over because I thought, "this is too obvious - why don't they just ask me who is buried in Grant's tomb?"

[Know Why]

I just took the FSOT.
Now it's time for the "Super Critical Language" test.
I am hoping my Arabic is good enough to move me up the list.
Does anyone have any idea what the “Test by phone” in Arabic will consist of?

[John T. Fishel]

can be tested by phone. With a canned test they can very easily test your ability to hear and understand - they will read a passage in Arabic (or any other language being tested) and ask a series of questions about the passage either in the language or in English. Response would be to punch the appropriate letter. This would be very similar to the DLPT tests. The technology exists to test for speaking as well. This could be a live conversation with a native speaker or something that requires spoken responses in the language which will be recorded and evaluated later. This is generally what the testing capability would be. As to what the FS actually does, I'd have to check with our Diplomat in Residence - that might take a while.

I missed your post when it went up. HT to Schmedlap for calling my attention to it.

Cheers

JohnT

[MattC86]

I didn't take the test, as I didn't take enough Arabic in school. So take this with a grain of salt.

That said, my Arabic professor did teach at Monterey before coming to Cornell, and he eventually left over fights with lots of people over what he called their insistence upon testing orally in fusha rather than colloquial dialects. Of course, the argument for fusha was that colloquial varies by region, but I would be prepared for that, since otherwise they'd have to match up your dialect with the interviewer's.

That's all I can really offer.

Matt

[Abu Suleyman]

Alright, this is not necessarily the way the FS does it but there are several criteria in an oral exam for the military. I can't remember them all, but here goes.

To get a "1", you just have to be able to answer certain questions, like what is your name, and so on.

To get a "2" you should be able to do more complicated things with the language, such as give instructions, introduce yourself, tell a story, and most importantly talk about an important news item.

To get a "3" which is very good indeed, you should be able to talk about abstract concepts, like the meaning of life, or the legitimacy of torture.

I think I have mixed a few things up, but that is the general idea. In general, the instructor has an idea of where you are in the language, and will start with introductions, and lead you through a conversation, asking questions related to the level that s/he thinks you might be at. You get two tries at a higher level, and if you get that they will move up to those level questions. A longer interview is not necessarily better.

I hope that is helpful. Again, I cannot guarantee that the FSO uses the same method.

[Jedburgh]

Again, I cannot guarantee that the FSO uses the same method.
I took the FSO phone test in Arabic - and passed - last year. My experience was that the tester (native speaker - pure الفصحى) went directly from initial introductions to level 3 discussion about politics in the region. None of the incremental feeling out for capabilities like with a DLI OPI.

[Stan]

Alright, this is not necessarily the way the FS does it but there are several criteria in an oral exam for the military. I can't remember them all, but here goes.

In early 95 after 13 weeks of Estonian I took the FS exam in DC (vs traveling to DLI). I assure you that the telephonic portion was worthless. I received a 1+ (Estonian is a 45 week course, but I didn't have that much time in CONUS).

7 months later I took the DLI version and ended up with 2+ across the board and took the local living/working permit exam and ended up with 92%.

Turns out FSI only had a Finn and she administered my exam... LMDAO :mad:

I hope that a decade later FSI actually used a real Estonian to test Estonian language :wry:

[Know Why]

I took the FSO phone test in Arabic - and passed - last year. My experience was that the tester (native speaker - pure الفصحى) went directly from initial introductions to level 3 discussion about politics in the region. None of the incremental feeling out for capabilities like with a DLI OPI.

I read on the State Dept website that they were looking for all versions of Arabic. I am a Level 3+ (or above, according to their language reference website) speaker in Syrian "a3meya" or Colloquial Arabic. I also read and write Arabic.
If the phone test is in "Foos-ha" or Formal Arabic, for sure I will fail.

It makes more sense to me - with their broad interest in the Arab region- that they would first ask the test-taker what their specialty is and then match an appropriate test administrator to them. :confused:

Any words of wisdom and/or encouragement now would be greatly appreciated!

[Pol-Mil FSO]

Foreign Service Institute (FSI) language tests measure speaking and reading ability, with separate numerical scores for each. For example, 3/3 is usually the grade sought after completing FSI language training and usually adequate for work purposes. I've taken walk-in tests at FSI but don't know how they would measure the reading part through a phone conversation.

I wouldn't worry too much about "passing" the test because if it is an evaluation for job candidacy purposes then the objective is to measure actual language ability. The standard Arabic language training program for State employees consists of one year of intensive language training at FSI (more properly known as NFATC - National Foreign Affairs Training Center) in Arlington, Virginia, followed by a second year of intensive training in Tunis, Tunisia. Any candidate who has the ability to skip at least part of this training should have a benefit added to their ranking, although I am not sure exactly how this process works. (And the language incentive pay for "hard language" ability takes effect immediately after an employee scores a 3/3 on the relevant language.)

[karaka]

This is great information, thanks everyone for sharing. I was looking at FSO positions last week, even though I'm in no real position to even thinking about applying until this time next year.

So, there's an upper age limit; is there an average age for FSO applicants, in ya'lls experience?

[Pol-Mil FSO]

The upper age limit is 58, I believe, although it may be a little higher, I'm not completely sure. I think the rationale is that this limit allows a person enough time to gain tenure before facing mandatory retirement at 64. (New FSOs are on a 3-4 year probation period before receiving a full commission.) Fear of age discrimination suits seems to me to be a significant factor in this limit.

There seem to be exceptions to the above rule as when I was in Indiana this summer to help train newly-hired civilians going to Afghanistan I met a new USAID FSO on a limited (5 year) career appointment. He is 67 years old and a Marine veteran who had three tours in Vietnam with the CAP program, as a battery commander, and as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps.

I don't agree with the above age limit, I think it should be at somewhere in the mid to late 40s, maybe 48. The FSO personnel system is an up or out system modeled after the U.S. Navy officer system from about 1950. Each new officer theoretically has the ability to rise in ranks to become an Ambassador (about 10% make that goal) and is given 26 years from date of entry to make it into the Senior Foreign Service ranks or face mandatory retirement. Someone who becomes an FSO at 58 is obviously not going to have a full career.

[Pol-Mil FSO]

When I entered the Foreign Service in 1987 the median age in my class was about 30. I don't have any figures on recent classes but I suspect that it is in the mid to late 30's range.

[karaka]

So I still have time then! Time to plan ahead.

Thanks, PM FSO.

[mawawe]

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. An RPCV is anyone who has successfully completed their two years of service with the Peace Corps.

[mawawe]

I took the language test for the FBI, and I'm sure it will be the same. You sit in a room by yourself and take the test over the phone. It lasts about an hour, and no specific questions are asked. You take the test over the phone with two native speaking individuals in whatever language you're testing. You start off with basic information about yourself (your background, what you like to do, etc.), and then transition in to conversation about politics, etc. There is no specific question that is asked, it's just a long conversation to test you in all tenses of a language in a variety of settings.

[Schmedlap]

Okay, I just got a letter emailed to me today, which reads as follows...


Dear [Schmedlap],
Congratulations! The scores you achieved on your Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) qualify you for the next step of the Foreign Service Officer selection process, which is your prompt submission of a personal narrative for review by the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP).Any tips on the narrative?

[Hugh Davis]

When I took the test last year, the narrative was submitted with the application for the written test. If I had it to do over again, I'd have probably gone into more detail than I did. Judging by what I've read in your posts, I'd say you have a background that will be interesting to the review panel, & you express yourself well. Respond to the questionnaire, & tell them who you are & where you've been.
The big challenge seems to be the Oral Assessment. The explanatory materials on the DoS website explain the process well. There are three main components: a role-playing exercise with a group of applicants, a written exercise where you address a management problem, and a structured interview with two FSOs. The DoS website explains the process as well as I could ask for.
I'm waiting for the security clearance before the next round before an evaluation panel.
Best wishes.

[Pol-Mil FSO]

Schmedlap:

I would suggest that you stress some of the following issues:
1. experience in foreign countries
2. interaction with foreigners and understanding of foreign cultures
3. understanding of, and experience with, the interagency process
4. leadership experience
5. program management experience

At the risk of impugning your intelligence, I would also advise avoiding the following:
1. personal political, social, or religious opinions
2. personal views about foreign policy execution
3. pronouncements about grand strategy

A caveat: I do not know any FSOs who have actually served on the Board of Examiners (the entity that conducts the oral interviews). These positions are open to FSOs of any cone who have the appropriate rank but this is a niche area outside of the mainstream - not an assignment that usually attracts the ambitious or those identified as water walkers.

[Schmedlap]

At the risk of impugning your intelligence, I would also advise avoiding the following...

2. personal views about foreign policy execution
3. pronouncements about grand strategy

Ha! I spent enough time riding Metro while in uniform to grow very weary of hearing those from every random yahoo who thought that I had a direct line to the SECDEF.

Good info, though. Thanks.

[Schmedlap]

Just looked over the questions. For each question, they want a name and phone number for someone whom they can call to verify the information. This sounds like the most difficult part of the entire exam - finding phone numbers for people who have PCS'd twice and may or may not be deployed or living abroad or ETS'd.

[Jedburgh]

.....finding phone numbers for people who have PCS'd twice and may or may not be deployed or living abroad or ETS'd.
AKO people search. Although for ETS'd folks its no help, but for the rest - and for retired - it can still help dredge up a few lost POCs.

[jkm_101_fso]

Just looked over the questions. For each question, they want a name and phone number for someone whom they can call to verify the information. This sounds like the most difficult part of the entire exam - finding phone numbers for people who have PCS'd twice and may or may not be deployed or living abroad or ETS'd.

I know this is a nightmare, I'm trying to find people to prepare my TS paperwork. AKO helped a lot, just like Jedburgh said; but you want to know where I found most people's info?

Facebook.

[Schmedlap]

I don't have AKO access (added: but I've got some contacts who do). I'll give Facebook a shot, though the Facebook link below is the sum total of what I've dabbled with on Facebook. I guess I'll finally have to give in and set up a personal account.

This should be interesting. For most of my former commanders, I don't even know what country they're in (Korea, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan???)

[Cavguy]

Just looked over the questions. For each question, they want a name and phone number for someone whom they can call to verify the information. This sounds like the most difficult part of the entire exam - finding phone numbers for people who have PCS'd twice and may or may not be deployed or living abroad or ETS'd.

Use AKO White pages. Most people update their profile including address/position, and then cross-reference with whitepages.com or similar.

At a minimum you can get an organizational location/address from AKO.

Niel

[Schmedlap]

Two questions about selecting references...

1) Is there any significance attached to who the reference is? For example, in regard to one of my narratives, I think a former peer (now a CPT) can speak more specifically to the narrative than could a former commander (now a LTC). Will the folks attach any significance to rank? Or are they simply looking to verify the facts of the narrative and nothing more?

2) I could use one reference for 3 out of the 5 narratives. Is there a preference for more references? Or, again, are they just looking to verify the facts in my narratives? I'm thinking that if I only use 2 references then it looks like I can't find 5 people to vouch for me. All 5 individuals whom I have in mind will talk a good game. But the select 2 individuals whom I have in mind would talk a better game. Does it matter?

Two questions about selecting a response...

1) One of the questions pertains to interaction with people from another racial/ethnic/religious background. I've had a lot of interaction with locals in Iraq. I've also had a lot of meetings with ISF leaders. Would interactions with locals versus interactions with elites play better or worse? I think the interactions with locals better convey my ability to bridge cultural divides, but I think my interactions with elites (ISF officers and tribal sheiks) better convey my ability to actually get something accomplished in that setting. Is there a preference?

2) Obviously my experiences in the military will weigh heavily in my responses. For one of the five responses, I think that I could include something from graduate school. Should I do that simply to show that I've done something other than the Army? Or do they care?

[jkm_101_fso]

Two questions about selecting references...

1) Is there any significance attached to who the reference is? For example, in regard to one of my narratives, I think a former peer (now a CPT) can speak more specifically to the narrative than could a former commander (now a LTC). Will the folks attach any significance to rank? Or are they simply looking to verify the facts of the narrative and nothing more?

2) I could use one reference for 3 out of the 5 narratives. Is there a preference for more references? Or, again, are they just looking to verify the facts in my narratives? I'm thinking that if I only use 2 references then it looks like I can't find 5 people to vouch for me. All 5 individuals whom I have in mind will talk a good game. But the select 2 individuals whom I have in mind would talk a better game. Does it matter?

Two questions about selecting a response...

1) One of the questions pertains to interaction with people from another racial/ethnic/religious background. I've had a lot of interaction with locals in Iraq. I've also had a lot of meetings with ISF leaders. Would interactions with locals versus interactions with elites play better or worse? I think the interactions with locals better convey my ability to bridge cultural divides, but I think my interactions with elites (ISF officers and tribal sheiks) better convey my ability to actually get something accomplished in that setting. Is there a preference?

2) Obviously my experiences in the military will weigh heavily in my responses. For one of the five responses, I think that I could include something from graduate school. Should I do that simply to show that I've done something other than the Army? Or do they care?

I thought you were coming back on active duty?

[Schmedlap]

I thought you were coming back on active duty?
I'm pursuing multiple options. What if I can't come back? (Got some med issues that are iffy)

[MikeF]

I'm pursuing multiple options. What if I can't come back? (Got some med issues that are iffy)

Based off some of your recent comments and blog posts, I'm assuming that you aren't pursuing a job as a Fox News Military Correspondant or NYT Op-Ed writer:eek:.

Good luck with your search.

[Schmedlap]

Based off some of your recent comments and blog posts, I'm assuming that you aren't pursuing a job as a Fox News Military Correspondant or NYT Op-Ed writer:eek:.
I would sooner opt to be a drug dealer, pimp, or politician - they are more respectable, imo.

[Cyrano]

I would sooner opt to be a drug dealer, pimp, or politician - they are more respectable, imo.

Did you send in the fax to see your score break down? I took the october FSOT as well, and didn't pass, but found out I was quite close - 147.99 out of the 154 minimum.

My breakdown was pretty interesting: 61.22 job knowledge, 40.01 biographic, 46.76 english expression. Honestly I didn't realize before taking it that biographic mattered as much as job knowledge and english expression, though as a 22 year old two credits short of a bachelor's I didn't have many leadership experiences and whatnot to draw on. And I opted for the unfortunately popular political track. Analyzing politics for the government has been my dream job for the last couple years, and I have a deep passion for international relations theory. Oh well, there's always academia.

Good luck on your narratives/orals!

[Schmedlap]

Did you send in the fax to see your score break down?

... Honestly I didn't realize before taking it that biographic mattered as much as job knowledge and english expression, though as a 22 year old two credits short of a bachelor's I didn't have many leadership experiences and whatnot to draw on.

I didn't ask for my score breakdown, but now that you've reminded me, I will.

My understanding is that you can take the test as many times as you like (though I think you have to wait 11 months). I guess one advantage that you have now is that you know what is expected. You can tailor your internships/jobs/courses accordingly. As I finish up my PNs, my impression is that they are looking specifically for good communication skills, ability to function in other cultures, problem-solving skills, and leadership experience. Foreign language proficiency also can't hurt. If I were ten years younger, I would be looking for jobs/internships that help me to check each of those blocks. That way, when they ask for an example of my communication ability, I can tell them about X internship in which I needed to draft written communications and occasionally give presentations to various groups of folks.

[JeffWolf]

I realize this is an old thread, and a comprehensive one to boot.

Still...

I have the FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test) Study Guide, 3rd Edition, copyright 2008. I think I am relatively well-prepared for the test in terms of educational background. That said, I was taken by how difficult the questions seemed (at least to me), and hence, wish to prepare myself further. The logical way to do it would seem, to me, to read the appropriate books. However, the "Suggested Study Materials" at the end of the Study Guide are too many to read in time for my exam, and moreover, I don't know how to separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of what to read in a somewhat time-constrained situation (I'm taking the exam in early June).

Thus, to get to the bottom line, do people have *specific* recommendations on what books or textbooks to obtain and study from with respect to the specific subjects covered on the exam? The study guide lists some, but again, there are too many to read in the time available, and I imagine they vary in quality as well. Any suggestions, particularly from those who have taken the exam on topics such as American history, economics, etc., would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jeff

[Schmedlap]

I really don't know how one can prepare. And after talking a bunch of old retired FSO guys recently, they agreed. Either you are genuinely interested in international affairs and you read the news regularly and digest it - or not. That seems to be all that the test confirms. I did not look through any study guides or practice exams other than the one posted on the website, which was more difficult than the real exam. The real exam was so ridiculously easy that I thought I was misreading the questions. Where they really weed you out is the oral exam - which you also can't prepare for. I think the best advice is to simply be confident and recognize that if you don't "pass" you can take the test again and again and again.

[JeffWolf]

Thanks, Schmedlap. I appreciate your comment (sincerely).

Regards
Jeff

[jcustis]

This is actually a spin-off question with zero relevance to the test, but hopefully a State hand is subscribed to this thread and can tell me what sort of military liaison billets exist at Foggy Botttom itself. If so, can you recall whether any of them are/were Marine officers.

[Pol-Mil FSO]

Maj Custis:

See my private message for POC info on the Senior USMC representative at State.

[pd]

hi, last minute decision - i am taking the foreign service exam in february. im looking for someone to teach me american history, in specific- military history. yes, i could read all this, but i already have a huge reading list, and would prefer to discuss with someone knowledgeable. if you know the government system- about filibusters and other ridiculous things that would help too. im in nyc, so if you're in the area let me know. if not maybe we can do this over email or phone. let me know asap.

p.s. i can not pay you but if you're also planning to take the test then i am good in math/economics/geography and i can teach you. if you're good at everything i can teach you a another language. i speak many.

[defense linguistics]

The FSOT shouldn't be a last-minute decision. It rewards humility and preparedness. Military history is of limited utility in passing. Reading a history of the U.s. Supreme Court would be my first choice in preparing for the written. Next, would be a diplomatic history.

[deichmans]

I think a deliberate study of macroeconomics would serve you better in taking the exam. When I took it (a dozen years ago), I was surprised how much of the exam was purely economic in nature (fiscal policy impacts, net trade deficits, etc.). The historical questions really focused more on organizations (e.g., what ASEAN and OPEC stood for) rather than any military campaigns.

Good luck! After you pass the written exam, they'll invite you to an oral exam; pass that and they may make a job offer.

[bourbon]

I recommend the book For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States of America, by Allan R. Millet & Peter Maslowski. It covers from Jamestown in 1607 to the end of Gulf War.

[jcustis]

Any updates to this exceptional thread?

I am just about overcome with joy that my eldest daughter (who is not physically qualified for .mil service) has a strong interest in becoming an FSO. She won't start college until the coming Spring, but the time goes fast and she'll be taking the exam soon enough.

[cassander]

I've passed the test 3 times, what do you want to know?

[ganulv]

I am just about overcome with joy that my eldest daughter (who is not physically qualified for .mil service) has a strong interest in becoming an FSO. She won't start college until the coming Spring, but the time goes fast and she'll be taking the exam soon enough.

I have no input on the exam, but I do have a suggestion for college life more generally. If she is interested in doing study abroad I would recommend she consider doing it during her sophomore rather than junior year. The first semester of senior year is dedicated to beginning to wrap up college and beginning to organize for life after graduation. I have seen a lot of people coming back from time abroad wish they had more time to explore what they saw there in the classroom, and that is easier to do during junior year.

[jcustis]

I'm less worried about the written exam and more concerned with the oral board. I've passed the written part a couple of times myself.

I'd like to know how the oral portion is structured nowadays.

If things continue to track as they are, I might even find myself sitting for the exam at the same time as my eldest.

ganulv, that is good gouge about semester abroad. She has expressed in a semester abroad to either Japan or S. Korea. She'll wrap up her fourth year of Japanese in a month.