Video:What Is the Foreign Service Exam?

Transcript:What Is the Foreign Service Exam?

Hi I'm Charity Jordan, founder of Playclass Atlanta, and I'm here with About.com to tell you what is the foreign service exam.

Importance of the Foreign Service Exam

The foreign service is described by the U.S. Department of State to be a career of a lifetime. It is demanding both physically and psychologically as officers can easily be stationed to danger or war zones. With that being said, not everyone is fit for a career in foreign service. To weed out candidates, the U.S. Department of State administers a foreign service officer exam. You must register online for the exam, but the test is taken at a center designated by U.S. government. The test is offered once per quarter to interested candidates on a first come, first served basis.

Preparing for the Foreign Service Exam

To measure a candidates to meet the demands of the job, the test asks a range of questions that are later analyzed by a Qualifications Evaluation Panel. If you're nervous or get test anxiety easily, be sure to read the materials on the suggested reading list prior to taking the test. Suggested coursework is also available: Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service by Harry W. Kopp and Charles A. Gillespie is an insider's guide that examines the Foreign Service as an institution, a profession, and a career that is recommended by the U.S. Department of State to anyone interested in foreign service.

Additional Parts of the Foreign Service Exam

If you pass the test, the next step is taking the oral exam administered in Washington, D.C. This phase measures your knowledge and skills. There is a group exercise, an in-person interview and practice case activities included in this phase of the process. For more information, visit About.com.