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Preparing for the Foreign Service Officer Written Examination
The following is a list of suggestions provided to help candidates begin their preparation for the Foreign Service Written Examination.
The Foreign Service Officer Written Examination is a multiple-choice test. It measures knowledge and skills gained over an extended period of time.
Study Guide
An order form for the Study Guide for the 2001 Foreign Service Written Examination will be included in the exam registration book, which will be available by June 15, 2001. Watch this Web site for on-line order information for the Study Guide. You may still order the 2000 FSWE Study Guide by clicking here.
The Foreign Service Written Exam will have three sections as well as the written essay segment and will likely test the following:
- 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 the 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
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.
This section measures the candidate's skills and previous experience and achievements in school, employment, and other activities.
Foreign Service Test References
The Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment for all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, marital status, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity.