How to Become a Foreign Service Officer
What degrees are best for foreign service officer?
FSO Education
There are no specific education requirements to be an FSO, but the majority of Foreign Service Officers have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Here are the most common degree paths chosen: Accounting. Political science.
What are the two types of foreign service officer?
Career tracks
- Consular officers are charged primarily with working with American citizens overseas on such activities as adoptions and issues in the country where stationed.
- Economic officers work with foreign economic agencies to facilitate economic issues as well as foreign policy dealing with technology and sciences.
How long does it take to become a foreign service officer?
There will be moments during the selection process that require your full attention and other points of time where you won’t do anything for weeks or months. A safe chance 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 as a foreign service officer?
A foreign service officer serves to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect citizens who are traveling abroad. The foreign service officerrepresents the government and people of his or her home country in foreign countries and with international organizations.
How hard is the Foreign Service Officer Test?
The FSOT is a very challenging exam with a low pass-rate (hovering between just 30% and 50% of test takers).
How do I study for the Foreign Service Officer exam?
Tips for acing the written exam: Know your current events! 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 it hard to become a foreign service officer?
The search for extraordinary U.S. citizens to serve as Foreign Service Officers is intense and the qualifying process is rigorous, demanding and highly competitive. If you are interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), you must first register for and take the Foreign Service OfficerTest (FSOT).
What is a passing score on the FSOT?
To pass the FSOT, before October 2022, you needed a combined score of at least a 154 on the first three sections of the test, and then a passing score of six on the essay. After taking the test, it’s about three weeks before your scores are published. If you don’t receive at least a 154, your essay is not scored.
What is a good FSOT score 2022?
What’s a good score on the FSOT? A passing scoreis a good score. Passing is 154 and above on the multiple choice and 6 or above on the essay. You’ll get your results about 3 weeks after taking the test.
Is it difficult to become a diplomat?
The process to become a diplomat is a rigorous one. Moreover, there are always thousands of applicants for one diplomat job. However, while it is challenging to become a diplomat, becomingfluent in foreign policy and gaining experience through internships can help your chances.
What is the highest FSOT score?
A 195 is a fantastic score. Anything over 180 is impressive. 170s and 160s are ok. 154 is just passing.
Does FSOT score matter?
Though these are not graded as heavily, they are still relevant. Remember, the FSOT is a challenging exam. The pass rate is only around 20%. If you want to have a good chance of making it to the QEP, you need to have a firm grasp of what’s required.
How many times can you take the foreign service exam?
The Foreign Service Officer Test is offered several times a year. The exam can only be taken once in a 12-month period (that means if you fail the examthe first time, you‘ll need to wait a year to re-take it).
Is FSOT multiple choice?
The FSOT comprises three multiple–choicesections and one essay section. The three multiple–choice sections are Job Knowledge, English Expression, and Biographic Information.
How much does the FSOT cost?
The FSOT is offered three times each year in February, June, and October. Is there a charge/fee to take the FSOT? There is a $5 sitting fee for the FSOT.
How long is FSOT exam?
The Foreign Service Officer Test measures your knowledge, skills and abilities, including writing skills that are necessary to the work of a Foreign Service Officer. The FSOT is administered online at designated test centers in the U.S. and abroad and takes about three hours to complete.
Do foreign service officers pay taxes?
As a Foreign Service Officer or Specialist, you are a federal employee, and you will pay applicable US federal and state taxes.
How much does a foreign diplomat make?
Diplomat Salaries
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of State Diplomat salaries – 21 salaries reported | $115,607/yr |
| United States Federal Government Diplomatsalaries – 2 salaries reported | $106,497/yr |
| US Agency for International Development Diplomatsalaries – 1 salaries reported | $102,411/yr |
Is there an age limit for 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.
Is a diplomat the same thing as a foreign service officer?
But becoming a Foreign Service Officer, also known as a diplomat, is a job you really should consider if you’re a man who enjoys travel and learning about other cultures, is looking for adventure, and, as the State Department puts it, “you’re passionate about public service” and have a desire to “promote peace, support
Do diplomats live in embassy?
In some countries, American staff may live on the embassy compound, but they frequently live in apartments or houses in the host city. The ambassador’s residence is often used for official functions, and its public areas are often decorated with American art on loan from museums.
How many foreign service officers are hired each year?
FSOT. Over the past year, much attention has been paid to the number of test takers for the Foreign Service Officer Test, which is usually seen as a proxy for interest in a Foreign Service career. In calendar year 2021, 9,294 people took the FSOT—not unusual if we look at the past 20 years or so.
