Mastering the US Foreign Service Exam

Being a diplomat seems like a pretty luxurious lifestyle. You get to jet-set around the world, meet with foreign leaders, and be an important part of the U.S. foreign policy. And while on paper it’s the perfect job for someone who likes to travel, there’s a lot that goes into becoming a Foreign Service Officer and even more responsibility when you become one.

The Basics Of The US Foreign Service Exam:

Before we even go into the caveats of the Foreign Service Exam, let’s look at the building blocks that you should have before even considering pursuing the position.

Becoming a diplomat is not just some job that you decide to do one day. It’s a career that could last a lifetime, and one that is very important to America and that comes with daily challenges that integral to U.S. foreign policy. While not required, there’s a good chance you’ll need at least your Bachelor’s Degree, and preferably in something like International Studies or Political Science. Additionally, it’s also useful to take courses that will help you pass the exam like public speaking, economics, government, psychology, and business. Being fluent in another language will also help your chances of landing the position.

The US Foreign Exam Test:

Broken into four different parts, the Foreign Service exam is a challenging test that is unlike many job applications. The applicant must complete and pass a written and oral exam, as well as submit a personal narrative and pass security and health tests.

The US Foreign Exam Written Portion:

This three-hour test is on the computer, covers a broad range of topics, and is only available to take three times a year, so make sure you register. If you flunk the written exam you need to wait an entire year to take it again.

Make sure to know your geography and current political and foreign events for the exam. Reading publications like the New York Times and the Economist will give you a fuller and more robust understanding of global trade. Additionally, you can check out the State Department’s suggested reading list to get a better idea. 

If writing isn’t your thing, you need to practice. Writing comprises a big part of the exam, and it will demonstrate your abilities to communicate effectively, a skill that will matter even more if you become a diplomat. Picking up LSAT or GMAT writing guides may be a good choice for someone uncertain of their writing skills.

Personal Narrative

Think of this part like a more complex cover letter. What you are trying to do here is demonstrate that you not only have the passion and desire for the job, but that your past experiences reflect why you would be a great Foreign Service Officer.

International work experience is the best thing you can have that will aid you in passing the Personal Narrative portion, but also having an education in International Studies or Foreign Affairs or doing a study abroad program will also highly improve your chances. Just like any other application, make sure that you are highlighting your experience.

Oral Exam

This is where many applicants falter in the exam and is arguably the hardest portion of it. The Oral Exam is split into three parts:

Hypothetical Situation: The State Department wants to make sure that you can rationally handle issues that one may face at a consulate or embassy. In a group format, they give you a hypothetical situation and you must solve it as a team. Make sure that in this portion you utilize your management or team skills. Having strong public speaking also helps here. Doing mock run-throughs at home out loud will help you with this. If you’re bad at public speaking you should consider buying The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas.

The Interview: You will then be interviewed by two people from the State that will evaluate your problem solving and communication skills. They will also try to determine your aptitude for current events and foreign affairs. Make sure that you are prepared and are current on world news. Have an understanding of the Foreign Service and what it takes to be a diplomat. Also, like any job, ensure that your passion is apparent and comes through strongly.

Case Study: You are then required to do a 90-minute written case study. Practicing with prior case studies can help you. You can find some examples at consultingcase101.com. It is crucial that you familiarize yourself with the layout of case studies before you take the exam so you can understand the document once test time comes.  

Another thing you can do to greatly increase your chances is to take the oral exam prep course given by the State Department. This will help give you an idea about what you will encounter during the test.

Finally, a person must be at least 21 years old and under 60 in order to be a Foreign Service Officer and be in good health as well as pass a security screening. While there are very little restrictions on the position, it’s still highly competitive with approximately 20,000 people taking the exam annually and only around 1-2% actually getting hired. Make sure you do your best in preparation to maximize your chances.