Prep for Foreign Service Officer exam

**Schmedlap** · 11-15-2009

Originally Posted by Cyrano

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** · 05-03-2010

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** · 05-03-2010

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** · 05-04-2010

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

Regards
Jeff

**jcustis** · 05-25-2010

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.