How often is the FSOT administered?
The FSOT is offered three times each year in February, June, and October.
Is there a charge/fee to take the FSOT?
There is a $5 sitting fee for the FSOT. This fee is fully refunded to the candidate one to three weeks after the testing event. However, should a candidate fail to appear for the FSOT and/or not cancel a previously-scheduled appointment 48 hours prior to the appointment, the candidate will be assessed a $72 no-show fee.
Is there a limit on the number of times a person can take the FSOT?
There is no limit on the number of times an individual may sit for the FSOT, however, one must wait 12 months between each test.
Am I able to submit an application whenever a registration period is open?
No. You will only be able to register when you are eligible to take the FSOT, i.e. once every 12 months. For example, if you take the October 2016 FSOT your first eligibility to retest will be the October 2017 FSOT.
I tried to register for the FSOT but cannot, what’s going on?
Please recall that registration for each FSOT is a unique event, occurring approximately five weeks before the actual test dates. Candidates should first ensure that they are attempting to apply within this registration window.
Remember, if you took the FSOT exam within the last 12 months, you are not eligible to register until after this timeframe has passed.
If you seem to be experiencing technical problems or are unable to login, the registration window has already opened and you last took the test 12 or more months ago, please contact Pearson VUE customer service for assistance.
I registered for the June FSOT, then had to cancel my appointment and ended up not taking the test – do I have to wait 12 months to re-test?
No. The 12 month wait applies only to candidates who sat for any portion of the test. Candidates who cancelled or otherwise missed their appointments may apply to re-test in the next test window, provided they have paid any applicable no-show fees.
I registered for the October FSOT, but had to cancel. I want to change my career track when I register for the February FSOT — is that possible?
As long as you are otherwise eligible — have taken the FSOT no more than once in the last 12 months — you will be able to submit a new application during the five-week registration period and change your career track. If you do not take the FSOT during that testing window, the application expires. You will be able to submit a new application during the next registration period.
Is the FSOT offered overseas, and if so, where?
The FSOT will be offered in October, February and June at the following Pearson Professional Centers: Melbourne and Sydney (Australia); Sao Paulo (Brazil); Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver (Canada); Paris (France); Frankfurt (Germany); Athens (Greece); Osaka and Tokyo (Japan); Seoul (Korea, South); Mexico City (Mexico); Manila (Philippines); Singapore City (Singapore); Johannesburg (South Africa); Madrid (Spain); Taipei (Taiwan); Bangkok (Thailand); Istanbul (Turkey); and London (United Kingdom).
The Embassies and Consulates who will offer the FSOT changes with each test window. A list of Embassies and Consulates who will offer the FSOT for a given test is posted to careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer/test-process approximately four days prior to the opening of the registration window.
Will the FSOT be offered at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in my country?
Each Embassy or Consulate determines whether it has the resources available to offer the FSOT shortly before each of the three annual test windows (October, February and June). A list of Embassies and Consulates who will offer the FSOT for a given test is posted to careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer/test-process approximately four days prior to the opening of the registration window.
I already submitted my application, but I want to change something on it – can I?
Once an application has been submitted, candidates are unable to make any changes to it during that particular test cycle. This includes changes to career track.
I don’t see my school listed in the drop down box – what do I do?
If a specific educational institution is not listed, please use “OTHER” and “Other Domestic.”
I’ve made an appointment, but need to change it — can I?
Candidates may change, modify or cancel appointments up to the close of the registration window through their Pearson VUE account. After the close of the registration window, there is no way to change or modify an appointment.
If you have an extenuating circ*mstance and are suddenly unable to make your appointment and need to cancel after the close of the registration window, please contact Pearson VUE customer service. Please be aware that you will need to provide sufficient documentation to support your claim that you are unable to make it to your scheduled appointment.
How do I pay the no-show fee so that I can register for the FSOT again when the registration window opens?
Please contact Pearson VUE customer service to pay a no-show fee.
Why is the FSOT longer this time?
From time to time the State Department includes additional test material on the FSOT, increasing the test time from 180 minutes to 210 minutes in length. The additional test material is for research purposes and is not scored.
I took the FSOT, but did not receive an email with my results — where can I get my results?
Candidates should log into their Pearson VUE account to see if test results are available. Results can take up to 2-3 days to be posted to your Pearson VUE account.
I suspect an error may have occurred when my Foreign Service Officer Test was scored. Can I ask that my exam be scored again?
The multiple-choice portions of the FSOT, as a computer-based test (CBT) instrument, are not susceptible to random scoring errors like a paper and pencil test, therefore it is highly unlikely that a rescore will result in any scoring changes. For this reason, we do not offer a re-scoring of the multiple-choice portion of the test.
Can I request that my essay be rescored?
Essay content will be reviewed and scored during your QEP stage and are not included in your FSOT score so no rescore will be allowed.
When will QEP results be available?
QEP results are announced approximately two months after the close of the testing window. Pearson VUE will send candidates an email when the results are posted, directing candidates to log-in and check their accounts for these results. You can also login and check your Pearson VUE account to see if your results are available.
I have not received my QEP results – where can I get them?
Candidates should first check their “Junk Mail” folder (or equivalent). Candidates can also log into their Pearson VUE account to see if test results are available. If a candidate still cannot find their results, please contact Pearson VUE customer service.
How long is my FSOT score valid for?
An FSOT score is valid only for the period in which the testing occurred. For example, if a candidate completed the FSOT and failed to submit Personal Narratives, then that would be the end of the process. The candidate would have to re-take the FSOT 12 months later to start the process over again.
I can’t find my FSOT scores from prior to June 2014 – where can I get them?
Pearson VUE does not have access to results from any tests administered under the previous FSOT contractor (ACT) and prior to June 2014. The Department of State does not maintain these results, either. We strongly recommended that candidates print out or digitally save a copy of test results or other documents related to this process for future reference.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) administration and procedures, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in navigating the intricacies of this rigorous examination. Having delved deep into the nuances of the FSOT, I can attest to the significance of each aspect of the test and the meticulous processes that surround it.
Now, let's dissect the information presented in the article:
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Frequency of FSOT Administration:
- The FSOT is administered three times each year in February, June, and October.
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FSOT Sitting Fee:
- There is a $5 sitting fee for the FSOT, fully refunded to the candidate one to three weeks after the testing event.
- A $72 no-show fee is assessed if a candidate fails to appear or cancels a previously-scheduled appointment within 48 hours.
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Limit on Test Attempts:
- There is no limit on the number of times an individual can take the FSOT.
- However, there is a mandatory 12-month waiting period between each test.
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Registration Eligibility:
- Registration is only possible when eligible to take the FSOT, i.e., once every 12 months.
- Technical issues or inability to log in should be addressed with Pearson VUE customer service.
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Changing Career Track and Re-Testing:
- Changing career tracks is possible during the five-week registration period, provided the candidate is otherwise eligible.
- Application expires if the FSOT is not taken during the testing window.
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FSOT Locations Overseas:
- FSOT is offered in various Pearson Professional Centers around the world during the October, February, and June test windows.
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Embassies and Consulates Offering FSOT:
- The list of Embassies and Consulates offering the FSOT changes with each test window.
- Information is posted approximately four days prior to the opening of the registration window.
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Modifying Submitted Application:
- Once an application is submitted, changes cannot be made during that test cycle, including changes to career track.
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Changing Appointments:
- Appointments can be changed, modified, or canceled up to the close of the registration window through the Pearson VUE account.
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No-Show Fee Payment:
- To pay a no-show fee and re-register for the FSOT, candidates should contact Pearson VUE customer service.
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Extended FSOT Duration:
- Occasionally, the FSOT may be longer due to additional test material for research purposes, not scored.
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Accessing FSOT Results:
- Test results are available on the Pearson VUE account, and candidates should log in to check. Results may take 2-3 days to be posted.
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Requesting Rescore:
- Rescoring the multiple-choice portion is unlikely due to the computer-based test nature. No rescore is allowed for the essay portion.
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QEP Results Availability:
- QEP results are announced approximately two months after the close of the testing window. Pearson VUE sends email notifications.
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FSOT Score Validity:
- An FSOT score is valid only for the period in which the testing occurred. Re-taking the FSOT is necessary after 12 months if the process is not completed.
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Accessing Old FSOT Scores:
- Pearson VUE does not have access to results from tests administered under the previous FSOT contractor (ACT) and prior to June 2014. Candidates are advised to retain copies for future reference.
This comprehensive breakdown should serve as a guide for individuals navigating the intricate journey of the FSOT, ensuring clarity on various aspects of the testing process.
