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I didn't fail the first time, so I think there's hope for everyone. The test is the easy part! Of course, since you're being compared to everyone else taking the test in that cohort, you could be a total rock star and fail or have a bad day and still squeak by.

The official study guide is a good source for all the sections. Since I've always done well at English, I didn't study for it, but I imagine that GRE/SAT study guides might be of some use. I don't know if it would be of much practical use for FSOT studying, but one of my college classes used this book and I felt it was very good at elucidating the hidden rules of English grammar.

Last time I used the app, I remember the questions seeming more challenging than the actual test. There's tons of free college courses online (Coursera and the like) that might help you improve your knowledge. While I think finishing my MBA last year helped, I feel like the breadth of the subject compared to the number of actual management questions probably doesn't make it the most efficient focus of your study.

I'd say effect and purpose is plenty of knowledge for the amendments. No need to memorize verbatim.

Good luck!

This is what I used to get an idea of the Bio section.

The Kindle version is only $10, but if that's too much, you can also start a free trial of Kindle Unlimited and read it free that way.

As others have said, it really isn't something you study for. Reading a practice test version is mostly useful in that it helps you to get an idea of the types of questions that might be asked. "Studying" for this section is more like making sure you know your resume really well and can quickly/easily explain your answers. The text boxes under the multiple choice questions barely have more space than a tweet, so it's mostly impossible to answer in actual sentences.

Here's an (NDA-compliant) example of the format of the questions:

>How many ice cream flavors have you eaten in the past 6 months? Detail the ice cream flavors that you've eaten and who you ate them with.
>
>A - 0
>
>B - 1
>
>C - 2
>
>D - 3
>
>E - 4 or more X
>
>Chocolate - Bill
>
>Strawberry - Susan
>
>Vanilla - Marie
>
>Chunky Monkey - Kathy

It really is as simple as knowing a lot about yourself and being able to come up with examples on the fly.

Some General Advice Here:

• Talk with your academic adviser or career adviser
  

• They will probably have information about student programs, such as Pickering/ Rangel, or they might be able to get you in touch with an Alum
  
  

• Get in touch with the Diplomat-in-Residence (DIR) in your area
  

• The DIR is always a great resource for an FS-related Qs, but they can also give really great insight on the career. See if they will plan a visit to your university
  
  

• Maintain relationships with faculty and directors
  

• Works wonders when you can get a letter of recommendation later on from a supervisor/ faculty that can strongly advocate for you
  
  

• Apply for a U.S. Department of State internship
  

• The deadlines for the summer are released very early (i.e. OCT/NOV 2016 for Summer 2017), but this is the best way to get experience and make connections for a future career in the FS
  
  

• Pick up a language (ESP a Critical Language)
  

• http://clscholarship.org/
  
  

• Read up on the career
  Career Diplomacy
  
  Inside a US Embassy
  
  *Look into Fellowships
  Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
  
  Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program
  
  Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship
  
  Payne is for the FS with USAID
  
  I hope that helps!

Are you familiar with https://www.italki.com/ ? It's a pretty great resource to work on conversation in a way that's tailored to you.

Also, if grammar trips you up, this book is highly recommended: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Spanish-Grammar-Self-Teaching-Guide/dp/0471134465/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1526487698&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=spanish+grammar&psc=1

Bill Burns has a new one out that is excellent. https://www.amazon.com/Back-Channel-American-Diplomacy-Renewal/dp/0525508864/

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Prudence Bushnell's book is also excellent. https://www.amazon.com/Terrorism-Betrayal-Resilience-Embassy-Bombings/dp/1640121013/

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Not a career FSO, but I also really liked Wendy Sherman's book. https://www.amazon.com/Not-Faint-Heart-Lessons-Persistence/dp/156858816X/

Naked Economics is a really great, approachable book that i've read and re-read before taking the test. I highly recommend it!

Not the same guy, alas, though I've heard good things about Jimmy Mauldin. Nicholas Kralev, who is the interviewer, is also a real mensch. He recently put out an excellent book called America's Other Army discussing the changing priorities of the foreign service. I highly recommend it,

Remember that the Job Knowledge is only one section of three, and that it encompasses more than just American Foreign Policy. Make sure you review everything.

That said, I re-read this book every year before taking the test, and it was a pretty good review for me: Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy Since 1938. It used to be on the reading list, not sure if it still is.

Er, not really. If you want to go really comprehensive here's a post I made over at r/suggestmeabook with the reading list I used to prep for the test
https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/3umzlz/looking_for_a_book_list_to_help_me_understand_the/cxh36xm


And this is the book I used for the management terminology

http://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Behavior-Managing-People-Organizations/dp/1133626696/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442932724&sr=1-14&keywords=organizational+behavior


Plus Spark Notes US History and the Constitution, you should be good.

I really recommend outpost by Ambassador Chris Hill. It is my favorite FS related book. 5/5, plus a bonus point for throwing shade at Dick Cheney.

I recently bought this under the seat Samsonite bag and love it. It's also affordable on a government salary. I have been thinking about the pros and cons of 1 vs 2 pieces of checked luggage.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Wheeled-Underseater-Small-Black/dp/B00F9KE5UC/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_yo_pop_d_pd_t2

i would do a search on amazon and your local library for study guides.
this is the one I [bought] (https://www.amazon.com/Complete-FSOT-Study-Guide-Preparation/dp/1523814993/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480022309&sr=8-1&keywords=foreign+service+officer+test+study+guide+2016)
and i got several more at the lib
i found the practice tests really helpful

If you take a look at the job knowledge section, there are only 60 questions, with at least 10 different topics included in that section. That means there just won’t be a ton of math questions. However, you need to be prepared to handle the topics they throw at you, and for that I highly recommend this book: Everything You Need to Ace Math In One Notebook

Might want to check out Pignose guitars. Built-in amp and supposedly they sound filthy good.

I strongly recommend her reading this book. It's written from the perspective of an FSO spouse.


Am I Going to Starve to Death?: A Survival Guide for the Foreign Service Spouse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013QX90Y4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xbRbBbJ7AHY9N

It's short, it's witty, and it's really just a fun read and puts a lot of doubt to rest. At least, it did for my spouse.

If you have enough time, read Inside a US Embassy . It answers most of those questions and may give you material for more in-depth questions. Your university library may have it in the stacks, or available through inter-library loan.

I read these two and then just did all the questions on the app and the study guide (use the 2017 version because it has the answers to the practice situational judgement questions! 2018 doesn't):

Rise to Globalism:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142004944/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CliffsNotes US History

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764563726/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1