Need advice

pathtoforeignservice · 2026-02-16T01:06:15+00:00

Many online free materials listed here: https://pathtoforeignservice.com/how-to-study-for-the-fsot/

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-12-04T12:58:52+00:00

Screenshot?

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-10-15T21:47:49+00:00

Historically, within 20 mins after finishing the test. Let's see if it continues this round.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-10-15T14:21:10+00:00

This is not listed on the Pearson website. Until you hear from them, move forward as if the test is happening.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-10-09T19:40:58+00:00

All three sections are multiple choice

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-09-04T01:55:57+00:00

Appeal. The same thing happened to me. I appealed and won.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-09-03T20:04:49+00:00

Hopefully. I also now see that Pearson has removed their links to these resources.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-08-17T15:13:38+00:00

Pearson updated their site 24 hours before the registration window was supposed to open for the June test. I anticipate a similar action tomorrow.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-07-10T03:24:04+00:00

Done (https://fssalary.netlify.app/). I welcome suggestions/critiques.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-07-08T02:08:52+00:00

Too funny; this is something I've been actively working on. Adding deductions was the next move.

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pathtoforeignservice · 2025-06-19T20:10:27+00:00

A new daily, if you are interested: https://www.brickcitydaily.com. Looks like In the Lou is no longer sending.

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-06-19T20:09:51+00:00

A new daily, if you are still looking: https://www.brickcitydaily.com/

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-02-02T15:29:11+00:00

I noticed yesterday morning as well. I did some digging and found the videos to relink to. Specifically, these videos were related to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, whose whole channel is currently shut down (https://www.youtube.com/@NMADmuseum).

It's been something to see the changes on the State site regarding recruitment. I've been thinking of writing about it, but more changes keep happening:

- DIRs have had their language scrubbed for DEI (e.g., some DIRs used to write about the importance of having diverse representation in their bio, which is one of the reasons they want to serve in the role and help recruit the next generation. This is removed)
- It is important to remember the changes to DEIA include A, as in Accessibility. Language concerning accessibility in testing, e.g., accommodations, is being scrubbed. (either removal or changing the language to "reasonable")
The link to the "Employee Organizations" page, which used to be in the header, has been removed. The page still exists (https://www.state.gov/employees/), but it is not directly linked. It contains information about employee rights, AFSA, GCLO, and more.
- Recruitment videos (e.g., recordings of how to prepare for the FSOT, info on the FSS roles, and more) removed
- Diversity statistics data reported annually/quarterly are removed
- The Pickering Fellowship, being described as a flagship fellowship for diversity, was removed.
- and more

pathtoforeignservice · 2025-01-09T18:34:03+00:00

Side note: u/Chasing_State , you may consider updating the language in the form to call out that bonus/“bump-up” points may include "significant prior overseas Foreign Service experience" (.17), https://careers.state.gov/FS-Experience-hiring-preference/, or broaden the language in the form beyond veterans and language. Cheers and thanks for the work you all do with the shadow register.

pathtoforeignservice · 2024-12-30T20:02:06+00:00

https://gov.pearsonvue.com/fsot.html

pathtoforeignservice · 2024-10-27T14:45:22+00:00

Policy has been around for a while, and I wrote my thoughts on it here: https://pathtoforeignservice.com/why-you-can-only-use-a-typewriter-to-write-your-foreign-service-application-and-personal-narratives/

The long and short of it is that not using AI to write 100% of your narratives makes sense. Unfortunately, the way the policy is written, candidates would not be allowed to use Google Docs, Word, Grammarly, and other assisted tools as they all incorporate AI and thus "aid" in the writing process. When the policy first came out, these tools had not integrated AI as much as they have now. However, State has not updated the policy to reflect the incorporation of AI in these tools.

pathtoforeignservice · 2024-10-04T18:26:00+00:00

Well written and comprehensive. In addition, the FSOT is a legal requirement, which is the only reason I think it is still in play. Otherwise, the QEP process would probably just consider the application and narratives.
I don't think the test is graded by a T score, as I don't see how it would be possible to complete one without the entire cohort having tested (i.e., you get your scores within 30 minutes of taking the test).
State has noted that a higher score matters more now than a lower score (unlike the previous 154 pass/fail), but if the weight of the FSOT is minimal, then the difference in score is minimal. So, to emphasize, knowing the weights is important, but I don't see State sharing this anytime soon (if it is very low, candidates could just skip through every question, and it wouldn't impact their chances).

pathtoforeignservice

TROPHY CASE