foreign service essay

American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest

Ages: High School

Type: Submission

Scope: National

Theo Horn [email protected]

Participate

This essay contest is sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association in partnership with the U.S. Institute for Peace, Semester at Sea, and the National Student Leadership Conference. The contest challenges students to imagine themselves as a member of the Foreign Service tasked to resolve a crisis. Each year has a different topic for the essay.

Write an essay responding to a crisis topic as though they were members of the foreign service attempting to resolve the crisis.

American Foreign Service Association High School Essay Contest - Participation

Team Award. $0.

For all students who successfully completed submission requirements to this essay contest.

This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges. Click on a badge for further info.

American Foreign Service Association High School Essay Contest - Winner

Team Award. $2500.

The winner receives $2,500, a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet the Secretary of State, and full tuition for a Semester at Sea educational voyage.

American Foreign Service Association High School Essay Contest - Runner Up

Team Award. $1250.

$1,250 and full tuition for the NSLC's International Diplomacy summer program.

Website: http://www.afsa.org/essay-contest

Managing Organization: American Foreign Service Association

Contact: Theo Horn [email protected]

Eligibility: Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. Previous first-place winners and immediate relatives of directors or staff of the AFSA, the U.S. Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea and National Student Leadership Conference are not eligible to participate. Previous honorable mention designees are eligible to enter.

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HSFSA Essay Contest

The HSFSA is working with the American Foreign Service Association to provide a free essay contest to help high school students prepare for AFSA's National High School Essay Contest .

Having the same policies, the same judges, and a similar topic structure, this contest provides the perfect opportunity for students to master the ways to success in the main contest.

Winners Announced!

The High School Foreign Service Association would like to thank all students who participated in the organization's first essay contest! The judges were impressed by the quality and diversity of the submissions. All participants received their judge scoring sheet, which gave specific comments and scores regarding the quality of the submission as well as offering advice for improvement. The top 15 students also took part in a feedback webinar, learning about how to approach diplomacy-themed essays, how to structure their work and research, and much more.

We would like to congratulate:

Owen Wu from Walton High School for receiving 1st place

Olivia Schwab from Oswego East High School for receiving 2nd place

We would also like to give special recognition to the HSFSA chapter at Arroyo High School for having the greatest number of participants originating from a single school.

The HSFSA would like to express gratitude to the American Foreign Service Association for its assistance with judging, sponsoring, and organizing the essay contest, and we look forward to conducting more essay contests in the future.

Contest Info

• $200 gift card
• A copy of Inside a U.S. Embassy , signed by Ambassador Eric Rubin - the President of the American Foreign Service Association
• $100 gift card
• Judge feedback webinar - speak to the judges to learn how to improve your essay for the main contest!

Prizes are the courtesy of the American Foreign Service Association.

Contest Dates

Submissions open: October 13, 2022 (10:00 AM ET)

Submissions closed: November 6, 2022 (11:59 PM ET)

Results annnounced: November 21, 2022 (10:00 AM ET)

Eligibility

Participants must be students enrolled in grades 9-12 in a U.S. high school or an equivalent.

It is not required for a student to be part of an HSFSA chapter or any other organization to participate.

Participation is completely free.

Contest Rules

Topic: Select one form of diplomacy (i.e. economic, cultural, public, etc.) and discuss how it has evolved in the past 100 years. Feel free to select a country or region to use as an example or case study.

Length: Your essay should be no shorter than 500 and no longer than 750 words (not including the title and sources)

Sources: Standards of content and style from current edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers will be expected for (1) documentation of sources in the text of your essay; (2) the format of the list of works cited; and (3) margins and indentation. A bibliography following the MLA Handbook must be included.

Fill out the submission form below. All fields on the online form are required, including uploading a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file of your original work with a title, in English which should include a comprehensive list of sources consulted. Entries must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman or an equivalent font with a one-inch margin on all sides of the page. It is advised that you have your teacher/sponsor review your essay before submitting it.

Additional Resources

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service Essay

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Vinay Bhaskara and Alexander Oddo in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

• Personalizing Your Essay to the SFS

Deciding on a Topic

Other factors to consider as you write.

When applying to Georgetown, you are required to write a separate supplemental essay based on the school you apply to. If you are applying to The Walsh School of Foreign Service, the prompt is: 

The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world. – 1 page, single-spaced

In this article, we will discuss what The Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) is and how to approach this prompt.

Personalizing Your Essay to The SFS

The Walsh School of Foreign Service is the most competitive of the Georgetown schools. If the SFS is your goal, your essay is extremely important due to the competitiveness of this school. It is critical to illustrate and highlight your values in this prompt because it is a more personal question. The other essay prompts focus more on your academics or majors, but this one dives into your motivation for dedicating your undergraduate studies to a future in service of the world. 

While the SFS and the regular college don’t differ in acceptance rates, the SFS is looking for a particular type of student. It is important to tailor your essays to the student qualities that they are looking for. Your application needs to have a theme or a spike that relates to the values of the School of Foreign Service. 

Students usually have a lot of questions about which Georgetown school to apply to if you’re majoring in global business. If you are in this situation, the McDonough School of Business is the better option because they will have classes and professors that better suit your needs. If the School of Foreign Services still interests you, you will still be able to take some SFS classes while enrolled at the business school as well. If you are applying to the SFS, make sure that you are personally aligned with the mission of the school

A topic a lot of students want to write about is their foreign volunteering trips as a motivating factor. This is a bit of a cliche topic and may channel the tone of a savior complex While it might be the experience that motivates you, if you paid money to go on a volunteering trip it will come off as inauthentic and privileged. 

A good topic connects your passion to a broader goal that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion or social justice. Essays covering such topics are going to stand out a lot more as they have a deeper meaning. Make sure that your passion for global and public service is extremely clear and that you can convey that you are well-informed on the topic.

If you are applying to the School of Foreign Service, you are most likely taking relevant classes and doing well in them. It is important to show the admissions officers that you’re interested in global politics through your classes, essays and throughout your whole application, but keep in mind that your course load is already available to them. 

Your essays are an opportunity to showcase the smaller details that are not already present in your extracurricular activities and course list, so make sure that you are including revealing new information through your response. Nevertheless, your entire application as a whole – your classes, essays, and activities – should all point to the values that make you a good fit for the SFS. 

Georgetown is a specialized school when it comes to politics, so this is one of the best schools in the country for this focus. It is very common that the School of Foreign Services is many student’s first choice because of this, so you need to be sure that you stand out among other applicants. Showcasing who you are, how you think, and how this is aligned with the SFS in your essays is a key way to make sure you are remembered by the admissions officers.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

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The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)

The U.S. Department of State strongly encourages candidates to use a personal email address to which they will have regular, long-term access throughout the hiring process. Please consider this carefully before using a .edu or other email that may be attached to any current student or employee roles. Please also note the Department of State will communicate with candidates via the email address they provide at the time of original application and failure to respond by established deadlines may result in the Department of State discontinuing a candidate’s application. Candidates who are current U.S. government employees may not use their U.S. government email addresses for the Foreign Service application, testing, and assessment process.

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is an important part of the FSO selection process, covering the job knowledge, English expression and situational judgement necessary to work as a Foreign Service Officer. The FSOT also includes an essay. View complete information on the FSOT and the selection process .

Please note: New candidates must create a web account before they can submit an application.

FSOT At-Home Online Proctored Testing (OnVUE) Available!

Before the exam

• Visit the FSOT Online Proctoring page and review information on exam policies and procedures, system requirements, and the System Test.
• It is very important to complete the required System Test on the same computer, in the same location, and at the same time as your exam appointment so the System Test can accurately read the computer’s connectivity in that location and timeframe.
• Corporate, university, and military firewalls often cause issues while trying to take your exam. We strongly recommend taking your exam in a setting without an institutional firewall.
• Review the identification requirements below

On exam day

Showing Up : We ask that you log into your Pearson VUE account 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to start the check-in process and to allow for any troubleshooting. If you click on the “Begin Exam” button more than 15 minutes after your scheduled exam time, you will be considered a No Show and are unlikely to receive a refund.

Identification : Please be prepared to show one (1) valid form of unexpired, Government-issued personal ID. The Government-issued ID must have your signature and must have your photo. The name on the exam registration in the Pearson VUE system must match the name on the Government issued ID exactly. Please verify that your name listed on your confirmation email matches your identification. *If your identification is not considered valid, you will not be permitted to complete your exam and are unlikely to receive a refund.*

Examples of acceptable identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID (including spouse and dependent)
• Identification card (national or local)
• Registration card (such as green card, permanent resident, visa)

Please note that we are unable to accept the following ID’s for an online proctored exam:

• Renewal forms with expired ID’s
• Government-issued name change documents with Government ID

Personal Belongings : FSOT exams are closed-book exams. No personal items should be in the testing room. This includes all bags, purses, wallets, reference materials of any kind (books, notes or papers, etc.), electronic devices except for your cell phone (no tablets, PDAs, watches, calculators, etc.), writing instruments, food, beverages, etc.

Please note that you are required to have a clean and clutter free workstation. During check in, the Proctor will ask you to perform a room and desk scan using your phone or webcam and will inspect any materials near your workstation.

Logging into your Pearson VUE account:

• Login to your Pearson VUE Account
• Click on the Schedule/Reschedule my FSOT
• Click “Begin Exam” and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the check-in process
• Important : the “Begin Exam” button will show up 30 minutes before your exam appointment and will remain available until 15 minutes after your exam appointment. If the “Begin Exam” button is not visible, you are either too early or too late for your exam. Please check your appointment details to make sure you’re trying to start at the proper time.
• During the check-in process, you will be asked for your phone number so Pearson VUE staff can communicate with you while you are checking in for your exam. You will be asked to take a photo on your phone of yourself, your ID, and 4 photos of your room. The check-in process takes approximately 15 minutes for candidates who have previously completed a system test. After you have completed the check-in process, you will be asked to place your phone out of reach, but close enough to be heard.
• Once you have completed the check-in process you will be contacted by a Proctor to begin your exam at your appointment time. You may not be contacted by the Proctor before your appointment time to start the exam.

Facial Comparison Policy

You understand and agree that Pearson VUE may use facial comparison technology for the purpose of verifying your identity during the testing process. It will compare your facial image to the one on your identification and to facial images captured during the testing process and help us further develop, upgrade, and improve this application. If you do not agree to the use of facial comparison technology during your testing session, do not accept this term. You will not be able to complete your registration online. Instead, please call the Pearson VUE call center to complete your registration.

Reporting Unusual Circumstances : Significant and unusual circumstances that occur during the testing process should be reported immediately to the Pearson VUE exam proctor so an incident report can be filed. If you are unable to communicate with the proctor you are required to notify Person VUE ASAP. Please see the following page for help contacting: home.pearsonvue.com/fsot/contact

Reschedule Policy

Rescheduling an exam appointment can be done in your Pearson VUE account 24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central . You can reschedule your OnVue exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not reschedule your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

Cancellation Policy

Canceling an exam appointment can be done in your Pearson VUE account 24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central . You can cancel your OnVue exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not cancel your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

No Shows : Failure to appear for an exam forfeits the entire exam fee, unless documentation of extenuating circumstances is provided within 10 days, such as: death in the family, serious illness, or military duty. In such circumstances, the candidate should email the State Department at [email protected] as soon as possible, providing documentation and a full description of the situation.

Exam Canceled by Pearson VUE : In the event of an unforeseen circumstance occurring on the day of a scheduled exam, candidates will be given as much advance notice as possible and will not be penalized if Pearson VUE cancels their exam appointment.

For more information on On-VUE : please visit Or home.pearsonvue.com/fsot/onvue

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that each candidate be:

• A U.S. citizen on the date the candidate submits the registration package
• At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day the candidate submits the registration
• At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day the candidate is appointed as a Foreign Service Officer
• Open to acceptance of assignments based on the needs of the service

Registering for the FSOT

Candidates complete both registration steps - submitting an application and selecting a seat - during the same five-week period immediately prior to a specific testing window. Applications are valid only for that test and will expire when that testing window closes. The registration period closes three days prior to the opening of the testing window.

If you have a documented need for an accommodation, you must request and receive approval for your accommodation before scheduling your test.

Once an application for a test window is submitted it cannot be changed, and candidates may test only once in a 12-month period. Click here for answers to General FSOT FAQs .

Upcoming Foreign Service Officer Testing Windows

This chart contains relevant dates for upcoming Foreign Service Officer Test. As a reminder you will be able to register – apply and select a seat – for approximately five weeks before each testing window (dates subject to change).

October 2024

February 2025.

*The FSOT is offered at both domestic and overseas locations.

As a part of the registration process, all candidates will be asked to complete their Personal Narratives (PNs). Candidates will be asked to address the following six areas: Leadership Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Management Skills, Intellectual Skills, and Substantive Knowledge. Each of the six PNs will consist of no more than 1,300 characters. Beginning with the June 2022 FSOT, all candidates who complete the FSOT will proceed to the qualifications and evaluation panel for review.

Pearson VUE On Base Test Centers (OBTC) to Offer the FSOT

The Foreign Service Officer Test is offered at approximately 130 OBTC locations on U.S. military installations in U.S states and territories, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The OBTCs will add additional appointment options during each testing window for those candidates with access to the included military bases.

Click here to learn more about on base testing at Pearson VUE »

Use of Overseas Pearson VUE Testing sites

The Board of Examiners has expanded the number of Pearson VUE testing sites for the FSOT both domestically and overseas. Embassies/Consulates located in other cities may continue to offer the test as their resources permit. Candidates testing in locations outside the U.S. must use their U.S. passports for identification verification.

Please click on find a testing center to find the closest site available.

Plagiarism & AI Policy

• The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response.  Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy. 
• While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses.  The Department will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process. 

Find more information on a rewarding career in the Foreign Service . If you have specific questions about the Foreign Service Officer Test you may send them to [email protected] .

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: HR/REE, SA-1, H-518. 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 20522.

OMB Approval Number: 1405-0008 Expiration Date: 3/31/2021

AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 301(b) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (22 U.S.C. § 3941(b)).

PURPOSE: The information solicited on this form will be used to determine eligibility to take the Foreign Service Officer Test, to register for the Foreign Service Officer Test, to assess qualifications for selection as a Foreign Service Officer, and to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

ROUTINE USES: The information solicited on this form may be made available to prepare statistical reports and analyses at the Department of State. Such reports and analyses, which are prepared in such a way that they are not individually identifiable, may be shared outside the Department. This information may also be shared with other federal agencies in response to request for information about hiring or retention of an employee or to Members of Congress in response to an inquiry on behalf of the applicant. More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in the System of Records Notice State-31, Human Resource Records.

DISCLOSURE: Providing this information is voluntary. Failure to provide the information requested on this form may result in the user’s inability to submit appropriate responses to the FSOT questionnaire and/or the FSOT and oral exam.

How to study for the FSOT (2024)

A new year brings new guidance to your question: how do you study for the FSOT? If you’ve been thinking about taking the test but are unsure where to start, how to prepare, or how to study for it, this is the post for you.

In addition to several helpful resources throughout this post to help you study and prepare for the FSOT, consider subscribing to the blog to receive more guidance (sidebar and bottom of the page).

So, if you want to improve your FSOT score this year, you’ll love this guide.

What is the FSOT?

The FSOT, or Foreign Service Officer Test, is the first graded assessment completed by candidates interested in  becoming U.S. diplomats  (Foreign Service Officers). Overseen by the Department of State, the FSOT measures your knowledge in several different areas, including English grammar, U.S. government, and world geography, to name a few. 

The test has four sections; three are multiple-choice, and one is a written essay. The three multiple-choice sections are “job knowledge,” “English expression,” and “situational judgment.” Combined, the FSOT takes about three hours to complete. 

Pearson  administers the test, with options to complete the test online, via remote proctor, or at a testing center. 

What is included in the FSOT?

The FSOT is made up of four sections:

Job Knowledge

• Situational Judgment

English Expression

• Written Essay

You must have a strong understanding of the following knowledge and skill areas.

• Correct grammar, organization, writing strategy, sentence structure, and punctuation required for writing or editing reports.
• United States Government and Politics.
• United States History, Society, Customs, and Culture.
• World History and Geography.
• Economic Issues.
• Mathematics and Statistics.
• Management and Leadership.
• Communications. 

What is the FSOT pass rate?

The FSOT pass rate was historically around 30-40%. This low percentage means that the majority of applicants did not pass the FSOT. The reasons for the low pass rate are varied. Still, we could summarize in the following way:

• The breadth of knowledge required to score highly in the job knowledge section, 
• Applicants running out of time on the English Expression section, 
• Limited professional experience in determining appropriate approaches to situational judgment questions. 

Almost as if you were on a show of jeopardy, the questions are many, and they are varied. As the saying goes, the FSOT is about “breadth, not depth.” You must know a little about many items to either answer a question because you know the correct choice or because you can infer the right choice. 

Astute readers will see that I started this section by saying that the “pass rate was historically…” This note is because, beginning with the June 2022 exam, there is no longer a minimum passing score on the FSOT. All applicants who complete the test will move forward to the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP). However, a high score is still viewed more positively when assessing your candidacy. You can read more about the  reasoning behind the change at AFSA .

Why you should study for the FSOT

If there is no minimum score to pass the FSOT and the questions are so varied, you may wonder why you should study for the FSOT. Is there a point in reviewing the material?

The short answer is, yes, there is a point, and you should study for the FSOT. The reasons are (1) you are still competing with others, and (2) though there is a lot of information the test can draw from, there are areas you can focus your study on for a greater return on investment.

But how you study or, sometimes more appropriately, how you prepare for the FSOT makes the difference. For instance, is spending a week memorizing the capitals of each country a worthwhile investment? No.

Could there be a question asking for the capital of Brazil? Absolutely, and it’s Brasília, in case you’re wondering. But instead of spending time learning about all of the capitals, you would get a higher return on investment if you understand what the U.N., NATO, and World Bank are, their purpose, and how the U.S. engages with these entities.

How long should you study for the FSOT?

In my opinion, once you decide you want to take the test and this is your first time taking it, you shouldn’t study for the FSOT longer than two testing windows. For example, suppose you determine in April that you want to become a diplomat. In that case, the following two testing windows are in June and October. If you do not participate in the June test, you should take the October test. As such, you shouldn’t spend more than six months studying for the FSOT.

Can you study  everything  there is to learn for the FSOT within six months? No. It’s not possible. If you studied for a year, two years, five years, ten years, etc., could you research everything? No. It’s not possible. The source material is too vast, and every year it is growing.

Does this make you feel uncomfortable? If it does, that is fine. The test is challenging for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it within six months.

Remember, the test is your first graded assessment. You must cross more barriers in this application process, and each takes time. The sooner you take the test, the sooner you become a diplomat.

What are some FSOT example questions?

The State Department has a great information guide I recommend all FSO candidates review. Within the guide, there are FSOT example questions, and three of them follow:

• Strait of Hormuz
• Gulf of Bahrain
• Gulf of Aden
• Accept all the edits and say nothing to your supervisor.
• Ask to speak to your supervisor to understand the reasons for the edits.
• Accept only the edits you agree with and send the document to Washington.
• Ask your supervisor to explain how you can improve your writing skills.
• Discuss the edits with your supervisor and suggest accepting only the most important edits. 
• The United States owes much of its national character due to having a large and varied population.
• The United States owes much of its national character resulting from having a large, varied population.
• The United States owes much of its national character to its population that is large and varied.
• The United States owes much of its national character to its large and varied population. 

These three questions alone show that the knowledge and skills under assessment are pretty varied. State is not just assessing your book smarts. They are also trying to determine if you have the professional experience necessary to interact with colleagues.

The FSOT is part Jeopardy, part SAT, and part work life. Simple. Right?

Where can you find FSOT practice questions?

There are several places where you can find FSOT practice tests and questions. The majority of them are poor representations of the actual exam. However, there are two resources I highly recommend. 

First, I recommend you complete the Department of State  practice test . DoS created the practice test to help you better understand the types of questions and the test format (multiple-choice, timed, and digital format). 

It is an excellent introduction to the FSOT, and I highly recommend everybody take the practice test. There is a second practice test, but you have to wait six months after you take the first before attempting it. So mark your calendar. Additionally, the DoS practice test does not include the written essay section.

Second,  FSO Compass . Once you’ve completed the introduction that is the Department of State practice test, I highly recommend FSO Compass. Compass includes practice tests for every section of the FSOT, including the essay. It mimics the functionality of the actual exam (i.e., skip logic of questions, marking for review, etc.), which the DoS practice test does not include. But most importantly, there are many more practice tests to practice with right away. 

In addition to the practice tests, Compass includes courses to prepare for the application, FSOT, and narratives, the personal narrative challenge, a community of members with monthly meetings, interviews with Officers, and additional resources. 

Unlike the Department of State website, it is a paid resource. However, you gain access to more preparation material and a supportive community.

How can you improve your chances of passing the FSOT?

Reading widely and practicing is the best way to improve your chance of passing the FSOT. It’s a pretty simple process, but it takes commitment to enact.

For reading widely, the ground rule here is to read a periodical consistently. If you’re starting, then I recommend  The Economist . However, the  New York Times  and the  Washington Post  are excellent publications. Another option is to subscribe to daily briefings. All the periodicals above have one, and  Foreign Policy  has a good one. 

In addition, improve your subject matter expertise. Review State’s  suggested reading list  and determine which publication(s) interest(s) you the most. After completing the practice tests above, select the areas you scored weakest and focus your reading on those areas. The suggested reading list is sectioned by knowledge area to assist you.

Another approach, go broad. For example, the  Dummies  books are plenty helpful.  FSO Compass  also does an excellent job of presenting the knowledge areas comprehensively.

Alternative study methods. If you are a fan of:

• Video: I recommend  Crash Course  (especially U.S. History)
• Audio: Try  Audible  or  Scribd

For practice, there are three goals here. 

First, the more questions you test your knowledge, the more gaps in your understanding you discover. As you find more holes, you determine what to study. 

Second, simulate the environment. Many candidates fail the test simply because they run out of time. Why did they run out of time? For starters, they were not keeping an eye on the clock, but the actual reason is that they did not practice taking a test under pressure with a timing constraint. This is especially true with the English Expression section. If you practice, you better train yourself to understand how much time has passed and if you need to speed up your pace. 

The third is repetition. The more you do, the more you learn, the more you know, the more you are prepared, the more you are ready, the better you do. 

As such, practice often and as much as possible practice the right way – on a digital format, timed, seeing questions one at a time, and treating each practice as if it were the actual test.

Situational judgment

To study for the situational judgment section, reflect on when something annoyed you. Then, recall how you reacted and consider how you should have reacted (if different). But, this approach may not be the most effective because you need to know how State  thinks  you should have reacted (if different). 

To prepare, I’ve written my recommended approach to  pass the situational judgment section . Many have found the process beneficial, and I hope it assists you in your study.

A note regarding situational judgment practice tests that are not created by State, which you will find online. Take them with a grain of salt. Unlike the English Expression and the Job Knowledge sections, the Situational Judgment questions are unique to the State Department. I’ve read a few non-State study guides with situational judgment questions, and they’re always off. I’ve also looked online, and the questions are majority geared to retail (and primarily out of the U.K., which is interesting. Perhaps S.J. questions are more common across the pond). 

Try them out if you like, but be aware of their limitations. 

Much like Job Knowledge, to improve your score on English Expression, you need to practice, practice again, and practice some more. My primary recommendation is to prepare with a timer and the type of questions asked in this section. I have heard from many candidates who do not study or prepare for this section because English is their first language, yet they did not pass. Why? Because they forgot it is a timed assessment. The best way to study is to prepare with practice tests, such as  State’s ,  FSO Compass , or similar formats (e.g., SAT practice tests). 

Here are three free resources:  Khan Academy ,  SAT Writing Course , and  Grammar Book . 

The most recommended approach is to write a five-paragraph essay (note, recommended, not required). Yup, we’re going back to grade school, and you know what? It works. Go back to the basics here. 

• Intro with thesis 
• Supporting argument #1
• Supporting argument #2
• Supporting argument #3 or dispel a counterargument

The best way to study is to read opinion pieces. An easy way to accomplish this is to read a periodical like  The Economist . I like their publication because they provide background material, an argument, reasons to support their opinion, and where they see things going. Do you have to agree with them? Absolutely not. But use the information you gather to help write your essay.

An alternative approach, which is very helpful but limited, is  ProCon . The goal of ProCon is to “present sourced pros and cons of debatable issues, as well as a host of reference information relevant to those issues, thoroughly researched and compiled by our research staff and editors.”

The above is helpful for your study, but what about practice? The only resource I know that simulates the essay section is  FSO Compass . So, I highly recommend checking it out.

Where can you find FSOT study guides?

The quickest way to find FSOT study guides is to Google them or go to your bookstore. Yes, I have seen them there. Here are three, listed by their publication company, commonly mentioned on the online forums:  Mometrix ,  Test Prep Books , and  Aegis .

Do I recommend these study guides? 

If you are looking for random FSOT questions to test yourself, basically a question bank, then go for it. However, they do consistently have mistakes.

If you are looking for a resource to help you study  and  prepare for the FSOT, wait to purchase them. Instead, invest in  FSO Compass .

Why? Trivia is fun and all, but what you want to do is prepare yourself for the exam. To do this, you must practice on a digital platform, viewing questions one at a time, and simulating the experience as much as possible. Compass can do this, while the study guides cannot. In addition, the material to cover is super broad. A 100-page study guide cannot do this, and Compass has more material than these books combined. Further, the online platform updates more quickly to an ever-changing testing process. Finally, it’s a better bang for your buck. 

Registering for the FSOT

When are the fsot test dates.

The FSOT test dates are annual and occur three times: February, June, and October. There are two critical periods for each window: registration and testing. For 2024, the FSOT test dates follow:

How do you register for the FSOT?

To register for the FSOT, go to  Pearson VUE . Remember, you can only register for the FSOT during the registration window. You cannot register ahead of time. As such, you must remember the above registration dates. 

Click on “create account” on the Pearson website and follow the prompts when it is time to register. The registration process includes signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement, an application, personal narratives, and selecting your testing date and time (in that order).

You must submit your narratives and application before registering for the FSOT.

How much does the FSOT cost?

The test is free, outside your time, but there are a few costs to know. First, there is a $5 hold fee when you register. This fee is returned to you after you complete the test. If, however, after you register for the FSOT, you fail to cancel an appointment at least 48 hours before the test date or fail to appear for the test, then you are charged $72. 

Where can you take the FSOT?

To take the FSOT, you have two options presented to you at registration. The first is to find a physical testing site. You can find a test center using Pearson’s online  search tool . Do note you should use this tool as a possible testing location. Just because there is a testing center does not mean the FSOT will be administered at that site. You will only know for sure once you register for the test. However, it can provide you with a good idea of potential availability. 

The second is online proctoring. Online proctoring lets you take the FSOT at home or somewhere private and quiet instead of heading into a testing center. The obvious advantage is that you are not required to drive to a location. The disadvantage is that you must have a reliable internet connection, make sure your household remains quiet, and go through a room review process. You can  read about my experience , which had lows, but it all worked in the end.

You need to choose the option that works best for you in the end.

When will you find out if you passed the FSOT?

You will find out your FSOT score almost immediately after submitting your answers. You will only receive your score for the multiple-choice questions. The whole process is automated, and you will learn your score in as little as 20 minutes. That said, the officially stated turnaround time is up to 24 hours.

Taking the test?

There you have it! An overview of how to study and prepare for the FSOT. I’ve already provided you with my number one recommendation for scoring well on the test and narratives, so I highly recommend checking it out.

Thanks for reading! Want to receive guidance on joining the Foreign Service, including recommended preparation resources? Join a community of people interested in the FS and going through the application process . Enter your email now and join us.

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FSOT Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is required of anyone who is interested in working as a Foreign Service Officer of any kind. Whether you want to work in the consulate, diplomacy, politics, or any other department, taking this test will be a necessary step on your career path.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free FSOT practice test!

FSOT Eligibility

To be eligible to take the FSOT, you must adhere to the following guidelines:

• You must be no younger than 20 and no older than 59 on the day you register to take the exam
• You must be no younger than 21 and no older than 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer
• You must be a US citizen on the day you submit your registration package
• You must be available for worldwide assignments

FSOT Exam Outline

The FSOT contains 153 questions and one essay, and you will be given between 3 and 3.5 hours to complete the test.

The test is split into four sections.

Job Knowledge (60 questions)

The questions in this section will cover the following:

• The US Constitution
• The roles of congress in foreign affairs
• The United States political system and how it affects government policy
• Major events
• National customs and culture
• Social issues and trends
• The influence that society has on foreign policy
• Historical events
• Developments
• The impacts any or all of the above items may have on foreign policy
• Understanding of the basic economic principles
• Understanding the economic system of the United States
• Understanding of basic math
• Understanding of statistical procedure
• General understanding of human behavior
• Motivational strategies
• Equal employment practices
• Principles of effective communication
• Public speaking
• The goals and techniques of public diplomacy
• Basic knowledge of word processing
• Database basics
• Spreadsheet basics
• Email basics
• Internet use basics

Situational Judgment (28 questions)

For each question in this section, there will be four or five possible responses for you to choose from. You will be asked to select the best and the worst possible responses.

These questions will evaluate your abilities regarding the following:

• Adaptability
• Decision-making
• Operational effectiveness
• Professional standards
• Team-building
• Workplace perceptiveness

English Expression (65 questions)

This section tests whether you can recognize a correctly written English sentence and will give you options to make corrections to the sentence if necessary. You will need to pay attention to details such as structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling as you tackle this section.

For the FSOT essay, you will need to choose one of three topics to write 400-700 words about. Your essay should explain your position on the topic and explains your rationale for that position.

Check Out Mometrix's FSOT Study Guide

Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons

FSOT Application

The first step to taking the test is to apply. To fill out your application, you will first need to create a Pearson VUE account online. After your account is established, you can complete your eligibility requirements, fill out your application form, and complete your personal narratives.

Personal Narratives

As part of your application, you are required to write six short essays that highlight the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you have.

• Openness to dissent
• Community service you have been involved in or institution building
• Persuasion and negotiation skills
• Representational skills
• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Active listening
• Public outreach
• Foreign language skills
• Performance management and evaluation
• Management resources
• Customer service
• Information gathering and analysis skills
• Critical thinking
• Active learning
• Leadership and management training
• Understanding of US history
• Understanding of the US government
• Understanding of culture and application when dealing with other cultures
• Knowledge and understanding of career track information that is relevant

Check Out Mometrix's FSOT Flashcards

Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts

FSOT Registration

The FSOT is offered three times a year and each testing window comes with its own registration window. These windows are as follows:

• For tests given between June 2nd and June 9th, registration is open from May 2nd to May 30th.
• For tests given between September 29th and October 6th, registration is open from August 29th to September 26th.
• For tests given between February 2nd and February 9th, registration is open from January 2nd to January 30th.

You now have the option to take the FSOT at home using online proctoring. During registration, you will be given an option of where to take your exam. All you have to do is choose the online my-home or office option.

The fee to register is just $5, and that fee will be returned to you three weeks after you take the test. If you don’t show up to your test, however, you have to pay a $72 no-show fee.

In-person Testing

On the day of the test, you need to bring your admissions letter and a valid government-issued photo ID with you. If you are taking the exam at a consulate or embassy, you must use your US passport as your ID. Otherwise, a driver’s license, state ID, or military ID will also be accepted.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early and account for any possible delays like traffic or detours, as there will be no allowances made if you show up late.

Remote Testing

The remote version of the exam is offered through Pearson Vue’s online testing system. You will need to ensure that your equipment meets the requirements before you test at home:

• You must have a desktop computer or laptop.
• You are only allowed to use one computer monitor.
• You must have a webcam and microphone.
• You must have a reliable wired or wireless internet connection.
• If you utilize any VPNs, they must be disabled for the entirety of the exam.

There are also certain rules you have to follow during the exam itself:

• Your eyes must be facing forward.
• You cannot cover or block the webcam.
• No other person may be in the room with you during the test.
• Your mobile phone, PDA, pagers, smartwatches, or other electronic devices must be left in another room while you are testing.
• You cannot have wallets, purses, backpacks, or bags near you.
• You cannot wear headphones or headsets.
• You cannot have paper, pens, notepads, books, or printed material on your desk or nearby.
• You cannot have an eyeglass case on your desk.
• Firearms and weapons of any kind cannot be visible.
• You cannot leave the room during the test.
• You cannot move your lips or appear to speak out loud while testing.
• Do not hide your face or cover your mouth during the exam.
• Eating and smoking, including vaping, will not be allowed.
• Do not wear a coat or jacket.

How the FSOT is Scored

You’ll be able to view your scores within three weeks of taking the test. The score required to pass the test can shift slightly from year to year due to the way that scores are calculated. However, you usually need a minimum cumulative score for the three multiple-choice sections of 154.

Then, you need at least a 6 out of a possible 12 points on the written essay. If you do achieve a 154 minimum on the first three sections, your essay won’t be graded. If you do not pass the exam, you have to wait a full 12 months before retaking it. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time (at least six months) to study and prepare for this test.

Online FSOT Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online Foreign Service Officer Test prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The FSOT course includes:

• Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• 1,700+ Foreign Service Officer Test Practice Questions
• More than 900 Electronic Flashcards
• Over 180 Instructional Videos
• Money-back Guarantee
• Free Mobile Access

The Foreign Service Officer Test prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their FSOT exam. Click below to check it out!

How many questions are on the FSOT?

There are 153 multiple-choice questions and one essay.

How long is the FSOT?

The time limit is 3.5 hours.

How much does the FSOT cost?

There is a temporary $5 fee that will be refunded after you take the test.

What is a passing score for the FSOT?

To pass the FSOT, you will need a combined score of at least 154.

By Peter Rench

Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.

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by Mometrix Test Preparation | This Page Last Updated: March 4, 2024

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