What should I study for the Foreign Service exam?

You can be sure the written exam will ask you about geography, political structures, and modern world conflicts. Make a habit of reading The Economist, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, and other renowned current events periodicals.

Is the Foreign Service exam hard?

The FSOT is a very challenging exam with a low pass-rate (hovering between just 30% and 50% of test takers). So you should not underestimate the need to study for this test. In addition to a great overview of all the subjects, it provides a straightforward and highly-effective plan for using your study time well.

How do you prepare for the foreign service?

Want to Join the Foreign Service? Prepare Now.

  1. Learn. Learn anything and everything.
  2. Learn a language.
  3. Cultivate the light side of the force: practice being a nice person.
  4. Beat your smartphone addiction.
  5. Go beyond your syllabus, job description and other forms of conventional wisdom.
  6. Learn to write.

How much does a foreign service specialist make?

Foreign Service Specialist Salaries

Job TitleSalary
U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Specialist salaries – 2 salaries reported$119,906/yr
U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer salaries – 449 salaries reported$113,457/yr

How long does it take to become a foreign service officer?

A safe bet is to consider the whole process, from your decision to apply to when you are offered the job, to take an average of 1.5 years. What do you do during this time? The FSO selection process consists of the: Application.

How old are most foreign service officers?

Foreign Service Officer Age Breakdown Interestingly enough, the average age of Foreign Service Officers is 40+ years old, which represents 89% of the population.

Do you need a degree to be a foreign service officer?

To enter the Foreign Service, you must be an American citizen between the ages of 20 and 59 and, although there is no educational requirement to become a Foreign Service officer, the vast majority of applicants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

How much does an entry level Foreign Service officer make?

THE base salary for entry-level Foreign Service officers ranges from about $40,000 to $72,000 annually, but compensation can increase depending on the danger level of the posting and on a region’s cost of living.

Do diplomats get paid well?

Salary Ranges for Foreign Diplomats The salaries of Foreign Diplomats in the US range from $68,600 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $175,110 . The middle 50% of Foreign Diplomats makes $111,040, with the top 75% making $187,200.

How many times can you take the Foreign Service exam?

Is there a limit on the number of times a person can take the FSOT? There is no limit on the number of times an individual may sit for the FSOT. However, one must wait 12 months between each test.