How to become a Foreign Service Officer

The Foreign Service Officer Written Examination is a multiple-choice test. It measures knowledge and skills gained over an extended period of time.

The Exam will have three sections, as well as the written essay segment, and will likely test the following:

Job-Related Knowledge Section

• Knowledge of the historical antecedents of international affairs to aid understanding of foreign governments and societies
• Knowledge of world geography to understand the geographic context of foreign relations and U.S. foreign policy
• Knowledge of major events, institutions and movements in the history of the United States to facilitate understanding the U.S. system of government
• Knowledge of the history of U.S. intellectual, artistic and cultural life to interpret U.S. cultural life for foreign nationals
• Knowledge of social, cultural, political and economic trends in the U.S.
• Knowledge of the U.S. political process and its impact on policy
• Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the structure of the U.S. Government
• Knowledge of U.S. economic systems, their institutions and philosophical principles, to aid in interpreting U.S. policies and actions to foreign nationals
• Knowledge of the U.S. educational system
• Knowledge of the basic principles of economics
• Knowledge of major contemporary international economic and commercial issues to understand the impact of economic conditions on the host country and on U.S. programs and policy interests
• Knowledge of foreign political systems

English Expression Section

This section of the examination measures knowledge of correct grammar, organization, spelling and punctuation, which would be required for writing reports and for editing the written work of others. In addition, it tests the ability to express ideas clearly and accurately, to correct sentences, and to read with comprehension.

The writing exercises measure the use of complete sentences/Appropriate tense/Agreement between parts of a sentence/Noun-Verb, Noun-Pronoun/Sentence joining — coordination, subordination and modification/Shift in focus within sentence structure/Parallel structures and expressions/Idiomatic usage of language/Conventions of usage/Economy and clarity of expression/Recognition of correctly written sentences.

Biographical Inventory

This section measures the candidate's skills and experience and achievements in school, employment and other activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer.