The exam, they say, is the most grueling government exam because the

DFA is the most elite office in government. Out of 628 examinees in 2011,
only 9 passed
Rafael Ignacio
Published 4:45 PM, November 24, 2012
Updated 12:21 PM, November 06, 2013

For those planning to take the Foreign Service Officer exam (FSOE):
Define realpolitik and describe how this principle is evident in the
strategies of Otto Von Bismarck and Camillo di Cavour.
This is one of the questions in the world history portion of the FSOE written
test.
Ive heard people say that the FSOE is the most grueling government exam
because the Department of Foreign Affairs is, they say, the most elite office
in the government. Some even dare say that the exam is more difficult than
the bar. I really wouldnt know but one things for sure: the mortality rate is
definitely higher in the FSOE. Out of 628 examinees in 2011, only 9
passed. That's 1.4%. I heard there was even a year when no one passed.
I'm one of the lucky 9 who made it. And so to help future examinees
prepare for the FSOE, I thought of writing down and sharing my experience.
This is my own small way to thank and show appreciation for the people
who supported me and helped me make it through.

The exam is difficult because its the type of exam which you cant really
study for. The scope covers everything under the sun, and, actually, none of
the topics I studied for was asked. The exam proctor told my batch that the
best time to review for the FSOE is in college, which is a little bit too late by
now, right?
So the best tip I can give is simply to make reading a habit. Try committing
yourself to read for at least 30 minutes every day and youll have a pretty
strong fighting chance. What to read? The local news, Inquirer and Star
editorials, The Economist, the International Herald Tribune, you get the
idea.
Aside from reading, discuss what youve read with friends so youll develop
a deeper appreciation for the material. If your friend isnt familiar with what
youre talking about, explain it in simple terms. The best way to learn
something is to teach it, right? Discussing with friends will also help you
practice making an argument based on what youve read which is essential,
particularly in the written test. Tip: these topics come out every year
ASEAN, PH-China relations (e.g., PHs claim on the West PH Sea), and
current programs of the government. Sure points!
To prepare, I camped in coffee shops to read up on world history. I read "A
History of the World" by Perry, Davis, Harris, Von Laue, and Warren. It is
the textbook I used in high school history class. (You probably used this
too.) I also read briefing papers submitted by DFA to the Presidential
Management Staff (PMS) this is where I work, by the way. To break the
monotony of reading, I went to museums National Museum, Ayala
Museum, BenCab Museum in Baguio and watched movies and
documentaries with a historical backdrop like The Downfall (Der
Untergang), The Counterfeiters (Die Flscher), Bagong Buwan, etc.
1. Qualifying Test. (At Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 8 am to 12
nn.)
This exam is pretty much like a college entrance exam. It covers basic high
school knowledge (logic, grammar, math) but the time limit is so tight that it

seems the test was not designed to be completed. Youll just have one
minute to answer each question so budget your time well. In my case, I
shotgunned about 30 questions! (Take your pick C is the key or A is the
way.) Skim through the whole exam and answer the easy questions first.
For the reading comprehension section, read the questions first so youll
know what to look for when you read the selection. I think you know these
already.
People say this exam is a more sophisticated version of the Civil Service
Exam (CSE) which, I heard, is a no-brainer. But, of course, dont
underestimate it! I used the CSE reviewers sold in National Bookstore and
MSA reviewers I borrowed from a friend. Familiarize yourself with the test
types to save time in answering them. Just keep on answering the
reviewers and youll be fine. Also, be sure to sleep early the night before.
This can make or break you.
2. Preliminary Interview (At DFA, 20 minutes.)
Three panelists will conduct the interview. Best tip: be honest. The
examiners wont check whether you know the GDP growth rate for the first
semester 2012 or the population of Brunei so no need to review that much
on facts and figures. Theyll most likely ask you to explain what you do in
your current job or what you think a Foreign Service Officer does. Clich,
but you just really have to be yourself. If you dont know the answer, say so!
Dont pretend you know everything because they wont expect that you do.
When they sense that youre giving them crap, theyll pick on you even
more. Be direct and precise with your answers. Whats important is that you
can explain yourself and prove your point in a clear and organized manner.
Be confident but not cocky.
To give you a better sense of how the interview is, heres a list of what they
asked me:
a. What do you do in the Presidential Management Staff?
b. What can you contribute to the DFA? How?

c. What can be done to ensure a professional merit-based DFA? (I talked

about President Aquinos appointment of about 20 career ambassadors.)
d. You seem to have contradicted yourself you said that the Presidents
appointment of career ambassadors will ensure meritocracy in the DFA but
the President appointed Secretary Del Rosario, who is a political appointee.
Please reconcile.
Memorize the Three Pillars of PH Foreign Policy and relevant examples for
each. This will serve as a useful framework and you cant go wrong if you
link your answers to the pillars. Also, read up on recent news on the DFA so
youre updated and youll have a war chest of examples which you can use
to impress the panelists.
3. Written Test (At DFA, 3 days, 8 am to 4 pm, depending on how fast you
finish.)
This is a 3-day essay-type test. Make sure to construct your answers in a
structured and organized manner. Begin by giving a categorical answer
then proceed with supporting statements in order of significance. You wont
go wrong with answers in 3-part theme style which Im sure you learned in
high school. A professor of mine said that the examiners put more premium
on the justifications you lay down than the categorical answer. So just take
a stand then build your argument and supplement it with examples.
To give you a better sense of the level of questions, heres a list of some of
the questions they asked us:
a. English (20%).
- A Filipino citizen was sentenced to receive the death penalty in China for
acting as a drug-mule. As Secretary of Foreign Affairs, propose a plan,
which outlines the courses of action the President may undertake.
b. Filipino (5%).

- Towards the end of El Filibusterismo, a priest in the novel discussed the

idea of freedom. Describe what the priest said and relate it to how
Philippine society understands freedom today.
c. PH Political, Economic and Cultural Conditions (30%).
- Give five examples of the governments proposed Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) projects and give a brief explanation for each.
- Explain how the Conditional Cash Transfer program will alleviate poverty.
- Name a National Artist and describe the significance of his/her works.
d. International Affiars (20%)
- What are the benefits of forging an ASEAN Economic Community in
2015?
e. World History (20%).
- Compare and contrast the Spanish colonization experience of Latin
America and the Philippines.
f. Foreign Language (5%).
- I took Japanese. They asked for the meaning of basic greetings and
expressions and to identify the correct particle needed to complete the
sentence. Note that the whole test, even the instructions, was written in
Japanese.
To prepare for this test, I compiled sample questions from blog entries on
the FSOE. I only actually studied for the World History section, my weakest
area, and focused on Asian and Western history but none of these came
out!

4. Psychological Test (Philippine Mental Health Association, 8 am to 3

pm)
I dont think you can actually prepare for this. Youll be asked to answer a
battery of psychological tests like identifying patterns, sentence completion
and draw a person which Im pretty sure youve encountered previously. In
the last section, they will ask you to write down a narration which highlights
high and low points in your life then youll have a one-on-one discussion
with a shrink about it.
Though this test might seem trivial, dont mess this up. In my batch, 50%
(12 out of 24 examinees) got axed after this test. Answer carefully and
thoroughly, especially during the one-on-one discussion. When you discuss
your autobiography, underscore experiences, conversations or anecdotes
which make you believe that youre psychologically equipped to handle the
life of an FSO.
5. Oral Test (At DFA and Diamond Hotel, one and half days)
Day 1 was for the 20-minute panel interview (after which youre free to go).
The panel of about 10 people was composed of members of the academe,
senior ambassadors, and the heads of the Board of Foreign Service
Examiners. Before the interview, DFA will send you a personal data
questionnaire but with questions on your greatest achievement, your
weaknesses, etc. Review your answers because the panelists will ask you
about them. It would be embarrassing if you forget what you answered.
This panel interview is a more intimidating version of the preliminary
interview. They will challenge and disprove your points to see if you can
defend yourself. Dont be arrogant when answering them. Maintain your
cool and remain level-headed even if they challenge your personal

opinions. Like in the preliminary interview, they can ask you anything. I
heard they even asked an examinee whether he was gay or not (not that
theres anything wrong with being gay).
To give you a better sense of how the interview is, heres a list of what they
asked me:
a. Will you really join the DFA if you pass the FSOE? Will your boss allow
you?
b. Do you have a girlfriend?
c. How come the President does not seem to know about the existing
National Security Plan? He referred to creating one in the speech he
delivered last month. Please explain.
d. (Referring to the questionnaire) You mentioned here that you consider
traveling as an achievement. Please expound.
e. What do you think about the Presidents appointment of Domingo Lee as
ambassador to China?
f. Name one challenge to ASEAN economic integration.
As for the attire, I played it safe by wearing a white office barong. I heard
that examinees should stay away from pointy shoes because they look too
casual. For the ladies, business attire is safe. The formal dinner is a
different story I wore a coat and tie and the ladies wore a formal dress.
Day 2 was for the debate/group dynamics and the formal dinner at
Diamond Hotel. The proctor divided our group into the affirmative and
negative sides for the debate. Our batch was cordial and polite during the
debate but apparently, the panel was looking for a real debate. In their

words, they wanted to see fireworks. Dont be afraid to contradict and attack
each others points; its a debate after all.
During the formal dinner, the panel will check if you know how to use your
silver. Just google this and youll be fine. Also, chat up the panelist who will
be seated beside you. Youll get by with the usual dinner banter.
At the end of the dinner, the (in)famous impromptu speech segment will
begin. Youll be given one minute to read and prepare for the topic of your
speech. Afterwards, the host will call you to deliver a 3-minute speech. I
was lucky because I was familiar with the topic I got: You are the
ambassador of the PH to Japan and you are about to address the business
community in Tokyo regarding issues surrounding JPEPA.
Youll have the liberty to say anything but be conscious about the persona
you are taking and your audience. Heres what I did: I began the speech
with a greeting in Japanese and then I talked about how strong PH-Japan
relations were. I cited that Japan is the PHs largest bilateral aid donor and
narrated the successful State Visit of President Aquino in 2011. I addressed
the issue head-on and said that the ongoing review of JPEPA will be done
in a few months time and that I was confident that its results will lead to an
improvement of JPEPA and PH-Japan relations in general. Of course, to
close, I said thank you to the audience for taking time to listen to my short
speech.
When you finish, youll finally be able relax and enjoy the champagne
served for the final toast.