• Foreign Service Officer
  • Becoming a Foreign Service Officer
    •   Choose a Career Track
    •   Register for the Test: Application
    •   Take the FSO Test (FSOT)
    •   Submit Personal Narrative
    •   Take the Oral Assessment
    •   Clearance: Medical and Security
    •   Final Review Panel
    •   The Register
    •   Assignments and Training
    •   Key Considerations
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Diplomacy Fellows Program
  • Meet Our People
  • FAQs
• Foreign Service Specialist
• Civil Service
• Jobs in Iraq
• Jobs in Afghanistan
• Local Employment in U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Step 5: Oral Assessment

The Oral Assessment is conducted in Washington, D.C. and in various major cities around the United States. This day-long program seeks to determine whether you have the 13 dimensions (35kb, PDF) that are essential to the performance of Foreign Service work. It includes a group exercise, a structured interview, and a case management writing exercise.

The Oral Assessment is an assessment for selection as an entry level Foreign Service Officer. Oral Assessment exercises:

• are based on a job analysis of the work of the Foreign Service
• reflect the skills, abilities and personal qualities deemed essential to the performance of that work.
• are not an adversarial process: you do not compete against other candidates but instead are judged on your capacity to demonstrate the skills and abilities necessary to be an effective Foreign Service Officer.

Please click here (140kb, PDF) to download the Letter from the Director of Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service, a detailed explanation of the Oral Assessment and the dimensions measured by it, as well as sample exercises.

Please click here to see the schedule for the Foreign Service Officer Test and Associated Oral Assessment Schedule.

Visit http://careers.state.gov/resources/employment-forms.html#forms_pe for a list of what you should prepare and bring to the FSOA.