Free FSOT Practice Tests

FSOT Test Overview

The FSOT is administered digitally and has a total of four sections that are broken up throughout the testing period. Questions are all based on information that the State Department sees as essential for Foreign Service Officers. The first three sections are multiple-choice questions while the final section is an essay.

Section 1 – Job Knowledge

This is considered the most difficult section of the FSOT and will test a candidate’s understanding of the core fundamentals. The job knowledge section will tackle the following subjects:

• Math
• Statistical Analysis
• Economics
• US Government
• World History
• Geography
• Technology
• Proper Management Techniques
• Pop Culture

These subjects are not just picked up and learned in a day or two. They are designed to test cumulative knowledge and express the candidate’s experience. Candidates are expected to have a higher than average education.

You should expect random questions related to your educational experience. Taking a FSOT practice test will help applicants understand what they know and do not know.

Section 2 – English Expression and Usage

This section of the FSOT will test a candidate’s English knowledge. The difficulty is on par with the ACT and SAT. Candidates will receive a passage and then get questions related to proper grammar.

You must be have enough knowledge in grammar to understand its proper usage in a somewhat large context. Random rules are going to be asked and their solutions are not going to be obvious.

Prepare by studying the rules of English and the proper use of punctuation and grammar. Flash cards and an FSOT practice test will help you get ready for this grueling section.

Section 3 – Biographic Information

This section will be a section that’s about you, but don’t underestimate it. The information you provide here will be used in the oral assessment that you will take later, assuming you make it that far into the process.

You must be able to back up everything you say here.

This section is designed to verify the information you provide so it’s important that you’re completely honest here. You’ll likely be asked the same questions later on whether it’s on the test or during the oral examination.

As long as you’re honest, then you’ll be fine.

Section 4 – Essays

This section will ask you to answer two questions and it’s important to keep in mind that the answer itself is not being tested, but rather the way you deliver that answer.

There are five essentials that you must accomplish with your answers:

1. Make sure you provide a thesis statement in the opening paragraph.
2. Your argument must be supported with three paragraphs.
3. Provide a counter-argument, and then a counter to that counter-argument.
4. End with a conclusion that summarizes all of the points you made.
5. Proofread the essay to correct all grammar and spelling errors.

Think of it like a college paper where you need a thesis statement that lists three points you plan to argue. Then argue each of those points, giving one paragraph each. Finally, end with a summary of all three of those points.

Steps to Become a Foreign Service Officer

In order to become a Foreign Service Officer, a candidate must complete several steps. You can learn more about those steps below.

Step 1 – Choose a Career Track

Candidates will be asked to select a career track when registering for their FSOT exam. All U.S. diplomats are expected to communicate effectively with host governments, but each career track has a specific focus. Applicants may not change career tracks after they are selected. Some career tracks are:

• Consular
• Economic
• Management
• Political
• Public Diplomacy

Each career track offers something different. The U.S. State Department reviews each career track in-depth.

Step 2 – Register for the FSOT

The FSOT is administered in one 3-hour window and is generally offered in February, June, and October. It’s generally given at the Pearson testing site but candidates overseas can find testing slots at specific U.S. Embassies. 

Beginning in January 2020, candidates will need to submit six personal narratives when registering for the FSOT.

Step 3 – Take the FSOT

There are a number of requirements that candidates must go through before they can even be considered for the FSOT. Some of the requirements include:

• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen on the date they register for the FSOT.
• Candidate must be at least 20 years old and no older than 59 years old when they register for the FSOT.
• Candidate must be at least 21 years old and not yet 60 years old when they are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer.
• Candidate must be available for worldwide assignments

Step 4 – Evaluation Panel

After taking and passing the FSOT multiple choice section, your written essays will be reviewed by a panel – your personal narratives will also be reviewed.

Step 5 – Oral Assessment

The oral assessment is given to candidates who have met and passed all the steps leading up to this point. The oral assessment is a day-long assessment that is conducted in-person.

Applicant will be tested on their ability to demonstrate the 13 dimensions that are essential to a successful Foreign Service Officer. Included in this assessment are group exercises, structured interviews, and a case management writing exercise.

Step 6 – Medical and Security Clearances

This is the real deal breaker for a lot of people. In order for your application to be accepted, you must pass a medical and security check.

Since the application process is so time-consuming, it’s best to make sure you meet the requirements before applying. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time.

1. You cannot have any illegal activities on your record. Criminal activities like DUI or drug charges will get rejected immediately.
2. You must be willing and able to provide a comprehensive list of every address you have lived at for the past 10 years. Furthermore, you must provide the name and contact information of someone unrelated to you so that they can verify that you’ve lived at that location.
3. You cannot be married to an individual who is a foreign national who has a background that might be a concern for U.S. national interests. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who have a nationality to a rival country (i.e. China or Iran).

Step 7 – Suitability Review Panel

After completing all of the above steps, a panel will review you whole application and candidate profile. Everything you have completed up to this point will be reviewed except your medical records.

Step 8 – Placed on the Register

If you successfully pass all of the steps, you will be placed on the register. The register is a list of successful candidates that is sorted by career tracks.

FSOT Scoring

154 is the magic number that you’re looking for on the multiple choice sections of the FSOT. For the essay section, 6 or above is considered passing. However, passing this section is just one step in a lengthy approval process.

The overall body of work is then handed to a Qualifications Evaluation Panel (step 4) where they review the candidates to determine who to invite to Washington DC. Invitations are for an oral assessment (step 5).

What this all means is that while a higher score on the FSOT does improve your chances of passing the QEP, it’s not the only factor that’s considered.

The personal narrative essays are actually given far more weight than the FSOT, but that doesn’t mean that you should take the exam lightly. Prepare, study, and take an FSOT practice test so that you give yourself the best chance of success.

Test Day Expectations

You will have to bring a valid government-issued ID when you arrive to take the exam. When taking the test abroad, you’ll need your passport.

Make sure you are at the testing facility at least 30 minutes before your test. If there are delays and for some reason you are not in the doors on time, then you’ll not be allowed to take the test. There are no exceptions.

FSOT FAQs