A new year brings new guidance to your question: how do you study for the FSOT? If you’ve been thinking about taking the test but are unsure where to start, how to prepare, or how to study for it, this is the post for you.
In addition to several helpful resources throughout this post, consider subscribing to the blog (sidebar and bottom of the page) for more guidance on studying and preparing for the FSOT.
So, if you want to improve your FSOT score this year, you’ll love this guide.
What is the FSOT?
The FSOT, or Foreign Service Officer Test, is the first graded assessment completed by candidates interested in becoming U.S. diplomats (Foreign Service Officers). Overseen by the Department of State, the FSOT measures your knowledge in several different areas, including English grammar, U.S. government, and world geography, to name a few.
The test has three multiple-choice sections: “job knowledge,” “English expression,” and “logical reasoning.” The test and application process went through a major change in September 2025.
Pearson administers the test, with options to complete it online, via remote proctoring, or at a testing center.
What is included in the FSOT?
The FSOT is made up of three sections:
- Job Knowledge
- Situational Judgment
- Logical Reasoning
You must have a strong understanding of the following knowledge and skill areas.
English Expression
- Correct grammar, organization, writing strategy, sentence structure, and punctuation required for writing or editing reports.
Job Knowledge
- U.S. Government, History, and Society
- World History and Geography
- Economics
- Math and statistics
What is the FSOT pass rate?
The FSOT pass rate was historically around 30-40%. This low percentage indicates that most applicants did not pass the FSOT. The reasons for the low pass rate are varied. Still, we could summarize in the following way:
- The breadth of knowledge required to score highly in the job knowledge section,
- Applicants running out of time on the English Expression section,
- Limited professional experience in determining appropriate approaches to situational judgment questions.
Almost as if you were on a show of jeopardy, the questions are many, and they are varied. As the saying goes, the FSOT is about “breadth, not depth.” You must know a little about many items to either answer a question because you know the correct choice or because you can infer the right choice.
Now, the “passing score” has changed twice in the past four years.
Beginning with the June 2022 exam, State removed the minimum passing score on the FSOT (formerly 154). All applicants who completed the test moved forward to the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP). However, beginning with the October 2025 exam, a high score is now most critical for moving forward to the FSOA. Read more about the change.
Why you should study for the FSOT
The FSOT is now the deciding factor for moving forward to the FSOA. Candidates will move forward only if they score the highest in their chosen career track.
Again, this is a major change from the last several years where you would only need a passing score or where the score didn’t matter. Now, it is critical to score high.
How long should you study for the FSOT?
In my opinion, if this is your first time taking the FSOT, you shouldn’t study for more than two testing windows. For example, suppose you determine in April that you want to become a diplomat. In that case, the following two testing windows are in June and October. If you do not participate in the June test, you should take the October test. As such, you shouldn’t spend more than six months studying for the FSOT.
Can you study everything there is to learn for the FSOT within six months? No. It’s not possible. If you studied for a year, two years, five years, ten years, etc., could you research everything? No. It’s not possible. The source material is too vast, and it grows every year.
Does this make you feel uncomfortable? If so, that’s fine. The test is challenging for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it within six months.
Remember, the test is your first graded assessment. This application process involves crossing more barriers, each of which takes time. The sooner you take the test, the sooner you will become a diplomat.
What are some FSOT example questions?
Here are two FSOT example questions, one each for the Job Knowledge and English Expression:
- [Job Knowledge section] Iran’s location allows it to exercise control over which strategic international maritime pathway?
- Suez Canal
- Strait of Hormuz
- Gulf of Bahrain
- Gulf of Aden
- [English Expression section] Select the one sentence (of the four options) that best meets the requirements of standard written English.
- The United States owes much of its national character due to having a large and varied population.
- The United States owes much of its national character resulting from having a large, varied population.
- The United States owes much of its national character to its population that is large and varied.
- The United States owes much of its national character to its large and varied population.
The FSOT is part Jeopardy, part SAT, and part LSAT. Simple. Right?
Where can you find FSOT practice questions?
There are several places where you can find FSOT practice tests and questions. Most of them are poor representations of the actual exam. However, I highly recommend two resources.
First, I recommend that you complete the Department of State practice test. The DoS created the practice test to help you better understand the types of questions and the test format (multiple-choice, timed, and digital).
It is an excellent introduction to the FSOT, and I highly recommend that everybody take the practice test. There is a second practice test, but you must wait six months after taking the first before attempting it. So mark your calendar.
Second, FSO Compass. Once you’ve completed the Department of State practice test, I highly recommend FSO Compass. Compass includes practice tests for every section of the FSOT. It mimics the functionality of the actual exam (e.g., question skip logic, marking for review), which the DoS practice test does not include. But most importantly, there are many more practice tests you can use right away.
In addition to the practice tests, Compass includes courses to prepare for the application, FSOT, a community of members with monthly meetings, interviews with Officers, and additional resources.
Unlike the Department of State website, it is a paid resource. However, you gain access to more preparation material and a supportive community.
How can you improve your chances of passing the FSOT?
Job Knowledge
Reading widely and practicing are the best ways to improve your chances of passing the FSOT. It’s a pretty simple process, but it takes commitment to put into practice.
For reading widely, the ground rule here is to read a periodical consistently. If you’re starting, then I recommend The Economist. However, the New York Times and the Washington Post are excellent publications. Another option is to subscribe to daily briefings. All the periodicals above have one, and Foreign Policy has a good one.
In addition, improve your subject matter expertise. Review State’s suggested reading list and determine which publication(s) interest(s) you the most. After completing the practice tests above, select the areas you scored weakest in and focus your reading on those areas. The suggested reading list is sectioned by knowledge area to assist you.
Another approach is to go broad. For example, the Dummies books are plenty helpful. FSO Compass also does an excellent job of presenting the knowledge areas comprehensively.
Alternative study methods. If you are a fan of:
- Video: I recommend Crash Course (especially U.S. History)
- Audio: Try Audible or Scribd
For practice, there are three goals here.
First, the more questions you test your knowledge on, the more gaps in your understanding you discover. As you find more holes, you determine what to study.
Second, simulate the environment. Many candidates fail the test simply because they run out of time. Why did they run out of time? For starters, they were not keeping an eye on the clock; the actual reason is that they had not practiced taking a test under pressure with a time constraint. This is especially true with the English Expression section. If you practice, you’d better train yourself to understand how much time has passed and if you need to speed up your pace.
The third is repetition. The more you do, the more you learn, the more you know, the more prepared you are, the more ready you are, and the better you do.
As such, practice as often and as much as possible the right way—on a digital format, timed, with questions shown one at a time, and treat each practice session as if it were the actual test.
English Expression
Much like Job Knowledge, to improve your score on English Expression, you need to practice, practice again, and practice some more. My primary recommendation is to prepare with a timer and the type of questions asked in this section. I have heard from many candidates who do not study or prepare for this section because English is their first language, yet they did not pass. Why? Because they forgot it is a timed assessment. The best way to study is to prepare with practice tests, such as State’s, FSO Compass, or similar formats (e.g., SAT practice tests).
Here are three free resources: Khan Academy, SAT Writing Course, and Grammar Book.
Logic Reasoning
Logical Reasoning rewards a very specific skill: reading a short argument and judging whether the conclusion actually follows from what’s stated.
Most questions fall into a few repeatable “moves,” such as:
- Identify the conclusion (what the author is trying to prove)
- Spot the support (what evidence they’re using)
- Find the assumption (what must be true for the argument to work)
- Strengthen/weaken (what would most help or hurt the reasoning)
- Draw a valid inference (what must be true based only on the facts given)
A helpful ground rule: don’t add facts. Your job is to work with what’s on the page, not what you think is probably true.
If you want free practice material that maps well to this style of reasoning, LSAC’s Logical Reasoning sample questions are a good place to start. If you want a larger bank of official-style drilling in an online format, LSAC’s LawHub is another solid option.
FSO Compass also includes Logical Reasoning practice questions written in a State Department–style voice and context, so you can drill the same reasoning skills using scenarios that feel closer to what you’ll see on test day.
Where can you find FSOT study guides?
The quickest way to find FSOT study guides is to Google them or go to your bookstore. Of the printed study guides, Mometrix is probably the best. That said, do I recommend these study guides?
If you are looking for random FSOT questions to test yourself, basically a question bank, go for it. However, they do consistently have mistakes.
If you are looking for a resource to help you study and prepare for the FSOT, wait to purchase them. Instead, invest in FSO Compass.
Why? Trivia is fun, but what you want to do is prepare yourself for the exam. To do this, you must practice on a digital platform, viewing questions individually and simulating the experience as much as possible. Compass can do this, while the study guides cannot. In addition, the material to cover is super broad. A 100-page study guide cannot do this, and Compass has more material than these books combined. Further, the online platform updates more quickly to an ever-changing testing process. Finally, it’s a better bang for your buck.
Registering for the FSOT
When are the FSOT test dates?
The FSOT test dates are annual and traditionally occur three times: February, June, and October. There are two critical periods for each window: registration and testing. For 2026, only the February test is currently listed – this does not mean there will not be a June and October test – with the following dates:
- Testing Window Dates: February 28 – March 7, 2026
- Registration Opens: February 16, 2026
- Registration Closes: February 26, 2026
How do you register for the FSOT?
To register for the FSOT, go to Pearson VUE. Remember, you can only register for the FSOT during the registration window. You cannot register in advance. As such, you must remember the above registration dates.
Click “create an account” on the Pearson website and follow the prompts to register. The registration process includes signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement, an application, personal narratives, and selecting your testing date and time (in that order).
You must submit your narratives and application before registering for the FSOT.
How much does the FSOT cost?
The test is free, but there are a few costs to be aware of. First, there is a $5 hold fee when you register. This fee is returned to you after you complete the test. If, however, after you register for the FSOT, you fail to cancel an appointment at least 48 hours before the test date or fail to appear for the test, you will be charged $72.
Where can you take the FSOT?
To take the FSOT, you have two options at registration. The first is to find a physical testing site. You can find a test center using Pearson’s online search tool. Please note that you can use this tool as a testing location. Just because there is a testing center does not mean the FSOT will be administered there. You will only know for sure once you register for the test. However, it can provide you with a good idea of potential availability.
The second is online proctoring. Online proctoring lets you take the FSOT at home or in a private, quiet location instead of going to a testing center. The obvious advantage is that you don’t have to drive to a location. The disadvantage is that you must have a reliable internet connection, make sure your household remains quiet, and go through a room review process. You can read about my experience, which had lows, but it all worked in the end.
You need to choose the option that works best for you.
When will you find out if you passed the FSOT?
You will learn if you are invited to the FSOA 8-10 weeks after taking the test.
Taking the test?
There you have it! An overview of how to study and prepare for the FSOT. I’ve already provided you with my number one recommendation for scoring well on the test and narratives, so I highly recommend checking it out.