Foreign Service Officer Test Pass Rate
View complete information on the fsot and the selection process.
Foreign service officer test pass rate. That means that 2 out of every 3 are destined to fail in their first step to becoming an fso it actually means 4 out of every 5 are destined to fail 20 pass rate is fractionally 1 5. Registration is open for the five week period immediately prior to a specific testing window this is a change from the previous continuously open. The fsot is a very challenging exam with a low pass rate hovering between just 30 and 50 of test takers.
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. Of those who pass about 25 pass the next step the qualifications evaluation panel what is the qualification evaluation panel. So you should not underestimate the need to study for this test.
Around 45 50 of those who take the foreign service officers test fsot. The fsot also includes an essay. Only about 40 of applicants pass the foreign service officer test and then only 40 of the remaining applicants pass the qep essay round and are invited to the oral examinations.
If you successfully pass the foreign service officer test fsot multiple choice and essay questions you then are asked to submit a personal narrative to the qualifications evaluation panel qep which will determine if you will be invited to take the foreign service oral assessment fsoa a day long assessment comprising. It was the end of a 7 month process that started with registering for the written exam in september 2016 and ended with a full day assessment in downtown dc where i was not only told i passed the exams but also presented with a score that made me feel happy and confident i d get the job eventually. Those who make it through next go through the foreign service oral assessment.
Passing the foreign service oral assessment fsoa back in march of 2017 felt cathartic. Candidates seeking to become foreign service officers or generalists next register for the foreign service officer test which is offered three times a year in february june and october. The process to become a foreign service officer is long and grueling.
The foreign service exam pass rate is a dismal 20. Most diplomats went through this process more than once as did i.