How to Prepare for the Foreign Service Exam
The Foreign Service Officer Test is known as one of the most difficult series of exams ever developed. It includes a written exam portion, an oral assessment section, and scrutiny of credentials and test scores by the QEP.
If you wish to study for the FSOT, here are some tips:
- Take practice tests.
- Concentrate on subjects wherein you have insufficient knowledge.
- Familiarize yourself with different formats.
- Read condensed study references.
Available Practice Exams
The United States Department offers a practice guide to individuals who wish to enter the Foreign Service. The guide can be found at the State Department’s website as a program for free download. It comprises information, not just about the examination, but about the hiring process of the Foreign Service as well.
One can also select from a number of practice guides produced commercially, and can be seen on the Net or at larger bookstores. These guides are often more in-depth and comprehensive when compared to the test guide from the State Department, containing three to four practice tests per specific topic.
Investing time and effort in going through these practice exams will give you a better grasp on what you already know and what you still need to work on. The first practice test will let you know what subjects your strengths lie in, and what else to diligently study. Mental preparation is also a benefit that comes from practice tests, as the format is very similar to that of the actual FSOT exam, allowing you to maneuver through the test better. Many candidates taking exams lose precious time because of their unfamiliarity with the format of the test. Knowing how the exam flows will give you a much-needed edge on the day of the exam itself.
Also, since you will see an overview of the subject matter included on the practice exams, you can pinpoint what your weakest subjects are. If, for example, you feel that you cannot answer most questions relating to governmental structure, you should direct your focus to this area. If you find it easy to answer questions about recent history, you can push that portion of study aside. Take time to review the results of your practice exams, and list the topics you need to learn more about. Place the weakest subjects at the top of the list, and use this list as a study guide.
Time Management
Make a schedule that notes the time you should devote per subject. Stick to the time frame allotted. Dedicating a few days to a specific topic means that you should move on to the next after the time is up. This will help you cover more ground, compared to studying a topic for as long as you deem necessary – you may forget to go through some subjects due to this. Keep in mind that general knowledge on each and every topic can be enough preparation.
Study Guides
Study guides provide focused data on many topics. After studying a particular topic, go to the guide’s practice questions near the close of the chapter. For questions you cannot provide answers to, simply find the relevant answers, review them with the questions, and move to the succeeding chapter.
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