Week Objective Monday Tuesday

Here, you'll see the Each day, right here you'll find
Week 1 objective of the the prompt of what you need
week. to do

Websites &
Resources

Scores, and
questions

A few Caveats This will not ensure that you'll pass the test.

I have left Sundays free for a make up day

Before beginning to study, go online and find out when the application will open.

This entire study plan revolves around the application opening on Week 8.

Unfortunatly there just is not that much information available about the SJT.

I highly recommend you read this entire excel book beforeyou start on it.
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Yellow, means a quiz or test

Below, you can copy-paste the

Here, write any questions you
questions and answers to the thins you
may have. got wrong.

when the application will open.

tion opening on Week 8.

on available about the SJT.

ok beforeyou start on it.

Saturday
 Week Objective Monday Tuesday

Take the official online DOS

Review questions from Version
Establish a base FSOT practice test --Version
1 that you got wrong as well as
Week 1 line and learn 1--be sure to screen shot
the ones that you were unsure
about the Test questions you think you
about.
didn't know.

Websites & https://careers.state.gov/

Resources survey/FSOT-Careers/

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday
Review the entire test process,
pages 1-23
https://careers.state.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2017/08/FS-
Selection-Process-
Information-Guide-7-2017.pdf
Thursday Friday
Review the 13 dimensions Review the 6 Core Precepts
https://careers.state.gov/uploads/
http://www.sixpica.com/
14/6e/
blog/wp-content/uploads/
146e2df7bea3f3b5bf5d5515200b11b0/
2009/04/ds1829cp.pdf
3.0.0_FSO_13_dimensions.pdf
 Saturday

Read this blog on preparing for

the FSOT

https://ficklomat.com/
2014/08/27/how-i-studied-for-
the-fsot/
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Communications (from this

site you have to write down
Week 2 Job knowledge Computer
your answers on another doc.
Then review the yourself)

https:// https://
Websites & www.testprepreview.com/
www.testprepreview.com/
Resources fsot_communication_practice fsot_computer_practice.htm
.htm

What was your score? Below, What was your score? Below,
Scores, and
copy-past the questions that copy-past the questions that
questions
you got wrong you got wrong
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Econ Management Math

https:// https:// https://

www.testprepreview.com/ www.testprepreview.com/ www.testprepreview.com/
fsot_economics_practice.htm fsot_management_practice.htm fsot_mathematics.htm

What was your score? Below, What was your score? Below, What was your score? Below,
copy-past the questions that copy-past the questions that you copy-past the questions that
you got wrong got wrong you got wrong
 Saturday

List any special skills (e.g. computer),

experiences, current licenses,
honors, awards, special
accomplishments, and/or training
(with date completed). 5 skills tops,
total 550 characters

Do this on a word doc of your own.

This doc will become your
application document
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Week 3 Job knowledge US culture US govt

https:// https://
Websites & www.testprepreview.com/
www.testprepreview.com/
Resources fsot_usculture_practice.htm fsot_usgovernment_practice.h
tm

What was your score? Below, What was your score? Below,
Scores, and
copy-past the questions that copy-past the questions that
questions
you got wrong you got wrong
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Cliffnotes any subject you feel Cliffnotes any subject you feel
World history and geography
weak on weak on

https://
www.testprepreview.com/
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides
fsot_worldhistory_practice.ht
m

What was your score? Below,

copy-past the questions that
you got wrong
 Saturday

Brainstom your most recent 10 jobs

and major volunteer activites. Under
each one, list which dimension/core
precept could be covered by a 500
word explanation of it. See below
for example.

Do this on that word doc which will

become your application

Cashier at Dominos
Oral Communication
Leadership
Judgement
Persuasion and Negotation
Workplace Perceptions
Etc.
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Review Grammar girl's webiste

Week 4 English Review proper comma usage. and go over any grammatical
Expression Go through each attached PDF
thing that you may doubt

https://
Websites & www.englishgrammar.org/ http://www.quickanddirtytips.
Resources
category/commas/ com/grammar-girl

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Read through these tips and

practice questions on reading
comprehension. Although for General grammar exersize Take this reading
comprehension practice test
the GRE, this guide applies the
same logic to the FSOT

https://www.ets.org/gre/
https:// https://
revised_general/prepare/ www.englishgrammar.org/ www.testprepreview.com/
verbal_reasoning/
general-grammar-exercise-28/ modules/reading1.htm
reading_comprehension

What was your score? Below, Share with the group your
copy-past the questions that you score and any questions or
got wrong concerns
 Saturday

In a word doc, provide a brief description of

your work duties, accomplishments, skills,
and knowledge: You get 500 characters
including spaces for 5 recent jobs

This should go on your application doc

 Week Objective Monday Tuesday

1st Essay. See directions

below. Copy and paste the
Review how essays are
Week 5 Essays text from cell D-13 to your
graded
blank word doc. (it's white
right now),

http://www.act.org/
Websites & content/dam/act/
Resources unsecured/documents/
Writing-Test-Scoring-
Rubric.pdf

Scores, and
questions

Directions:
Open a new word doc

Set it so that there will be no

spell check or auto correct
(you can do this by switching
the language of spell check to
Swahili or something)

Set a time for 30 minutes

Keep in mind that in the real
test you have only 1400
characters to write this essay,
so periodically while writing
the essay, check to make sure
that you haven't gone over the
limit. 
You can copy-paste the
prompt into your word doc if
you'd like. 

nk the federal government should underwrite health insurance coverage for all U.S. citizens, but that people should freely choose their he
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Essays are difficult, take this fun

2nd Essay. Cell E-13 quiz from the Christian Science Essay 3 Cell G-13
Monitor

https://www.csmonitor.com/
World/2011/0127/Are-you-
smarter-than-a-US-diplomat-
Take-our-Foreign-Service-
Exam/US-History

ng high grades. Some

School educators
boards support extending
and educators highStates
in the United schoolhave
to five yearstobecause they think students need more time to achieve all tha
begun
tion on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this
 Saturday

Provide a brief description of

your work duties,
accomplishments, skills, and
knowledge for your most recent
5 jobs. You get 500 characters
including space for your next 5
job experiences (you should
have 10 now).

This should go on your

application doc

tudents need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years becau
y present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
chool to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop in the fifth year. In your opinion,
fth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years?
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Situation Review the six precepts and

Week 6 Read this about SJTs
Judgement the 13 dimensions

Websites & http://www.sixpica.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/

blog/wp-content/uploads/ wiki/
Resources
2009/04/ds1829cp.pdf Situational_judgement_test

https://careers.state.gov/
Scores, and uploads/14/6e/
146e2df7bea3f3b5bf5d55152
questions
00b11b0/3.0.0_FSO_13_dime
nsions.pdf
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Take this situational

Take this SJT Take this SJT
judgement tests

https:// https://www.wikijob.co.uk/
www.practiceaptitudetests.co https:// content/aptitude-tests/test-
www.assessmentday.co.uk/
m/situational-judgement- types/situational-judgement-
situational-judgement-test.htm
tests/ test

If possible, save your SJT If possible, save your SJT resutlts If possible, save your SJT
resutlts so that you can review so that you can review what you resutlts so that you can review
what you got wrong and why. got wrong and why. what you got wrong and why.
 Saturday

Take the FSOT Guide SJT test (pages

28-29) and review the answers.

https://careers.state.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2017/08/FS-
Selection-Process-Information-
Guide-7-2017.pdf
 Objective Monday Tuesday

"Crash Course" videos on

Revise your application Economics. On the side bar,
package and send it to TWO
Week 7 Job Knowledge you'll see videos (there are 35
people for edits with a videos on Econ), today only
deadline of this Sunday
pick 3-5.

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?
Websites &
v=3ez10ADR_gM&index=1&lis
Resources t=PL8dPuuaLjXtPNZwz5_o_5ui
rJ8gQXnhEO

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

"Crash Course" videos on Crash course Civil rights videos

Principles of Management video
Economics. Only pick 3-5. (videos 39 & 40)

https://www.youtube.com/ https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.youtube.com/
watch? watch?
watch?
v=3ez10ADR_gM&index=1&lis v=S64zRnnn4Po&list=PL8dPuu
t=PL8dPuuaLjXtPNZwz5_o_5ui v=kIfjPIfYvn4&list=PLkC2larnXZb aLjXtMwmepBjTSG593eG7Obz
h7axbTiRSS3nYtdjYRTbkm
rJ8gQXnhEO O7s&index=40

There is a surprising emphasis

on civil rights in the FSOT
 Saturday

Crash course, modern US history

(videos 43-47)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2h4DkpFP_aw&index=44&list=PL8
dPuuaLjXtMwmepBjTSG593eG7Obz
O7s

There is a surprising amount on the

post Regan years in the FSOT
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Go through your job

descriptions and use
comment boxes to highlight
Review and revise your entire every dimension and core
Week 8 Apply FSOT package (hopefully with precept that is addressed.
edits from those mentors) Ensure that you cover most of
the dimensions and core
precepts and that you have
few redundancies.

Websites &
Resources

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Final edits, read it out loud,

then apply for the FSOT. This
Go get ice cream for youself, you
guide is set up to have you Cliffnotes any subject you feel
just took the first step toward
take the test on the first weak on
passing the Test
Saturday it's available. But of
course you can take it later.

http://
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides
www.pearsonvue.com/fsot/
 Saturday

Take the FSOT practice test in the

FSOT information guide (except for
the SJT you already did).

https://careers.state.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2017/08/FS-
Selection-Process-Information-
Guide-7-2017.pdf

Only grade it, but do not yet review

why you got stuff wrong.
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Review the Job knowledge

Week 9 English questions from the FSOT Read the US constition
guide test that you got wrong

https://www.archives.gov/
Websites & founding-docs/constitution-
Resources
transcript

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Take this test (only do 50

questions) but Be Sure to Do
Read the Declaration of Cliffnotes any subject you feel
Study Mode so that it can tell
Independence weak on you the answers after every
question

https://
https://www.archives.gov/ https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides
www.practicequiz.com/fsot-
founding-docs/declaration
full-test-bank/test-mode
 Saturday

Review landmark US supreme court

decisions. Slowely read this whole
page, it is golden.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_landmark_court_decisions_in_the_United_States
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Download the Dept. of State

app and review all of the
Review the English questions questions for a category you
Week 10 Essay and SJT from the FSOT guide that you feel weakest on. When you get
got wrong a question wrong, don't skip it,
actually google search WHY
you got it wrong

Websites &
Resources

Scores, and Include below those questions

questions you got wrong.
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Download the Dept. of State app

and review all of the questions
for a category you feel weakest
Review this guide on how to Review the usage of colons,
on. When you get a question
write a good thesis statements semi colons, and commas
wrong, don't skip it, actually
google search WHY you got it
wrong

https:// https://
writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-
writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-
and-tools/semi-colons-colons-
and-tools/thesis-statements/
and-dashes/

Include below those questions

you got wrong.
 Saturday

Download the Dept. of State app

and review all of the questions for a
category you feel weakest on. When
you get a question wrong, don't skip
it, actually google search WHY you
got it wrong

Include below those questions you

got wrong.
 Objective Monday Tuesday

Week 11 Essays Review these examples of Review the SAT examples of

good ACT essays good essay writing

http://www.act.org/
content/act/en/products- https://
Websites & and-services/the-act/test- collegereadiness.collegeboard.
Resources preparation/writing-sample- org/pdf/official-sat-study-
essays.html? guide-about-essay.pdf
page=0&chapter=0

Scores, and
questions
 Wednesday Thursday Friday

Read this, and take one of the Read this, and take one of the
essays, but you only have 25
essays, but you only have 25
minutes once you select an minutes once you select an Test your world countries
essay (that's how the real test
essay (that's how the real test
is). Same directions from week
is). Same directions from week 5.
5.

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/
test-prep/professional/ https://www.cliffsnotes.com/ https://lizardpoint.com/
test-prep/professional/other/
other/articles/foreign-service- geography/world-countries-
articles/foreign-service-officer-
officer-exam-the-written- quiz.php
exam-the-written-essay
essay
 Saturday

Take the official online DOS FSOT

practice test --Version 2--be sure to
write down questions you think you
didn't know because this won't let
you review your answers.

https://careers.state.gov/survey/
FSOT-Careers/

Share with the group how you did

 Objective Monday Tuesday

Review the Version 2 EE & JK

Week 12 Final Prep questions that you got Review the six precepts and
the 13 dimensions
wrong.

http://www.sixpica.com/
Websites & blog/wp-content/uploads/
Resources
2009/04/ds1829cp.pdf

https://careers.state.gov/
Scores, and uploads/14/6e/
146e2df7bea3f3b5bf5d55152
questions 00b11b0/3.0.0_FSO_13_dime
nsions.pdf
 Wednesday
Cliffnotes any subject you feel weak
on or go through grammar girl for
help on anything
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/
grammar-girl
Thursday
Review ALL of your JK, SJT, and
EE questions that you got
WRONG since Week 1. It will
take a long time, but it is worth
it.
Friday
Crash course. Take the day off
of work. Do what you need to
do to study what you need or
to retake any practice test.
Re-do any of the sections from
this test.
 Saturday

Eat a good breakfast, and go take

the FSOT.

Good luck!

If you are taking it next week, then

feel free to reuse any source from
here and/or ask the group for other
help
Day of Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Until
submission
Review this blog's advise: Read Brian's unofficial PN Review the QEP info session
https://ficklomat.com/201 advise, attached. advise
4/10/30/passing-the-qep-
aka-how-toby-keith-can-
land-you-the-career-of-
your-dreams/?wref=tp

-17 -16 -15

Write one or two essays for Write one or two essays for Write one or two essays for
one question.* one question.* one question.*
-10 -9 -8

As edits come in, As edits come in, incorporate As edits come in, incorporate
incorporate them. them. them.
-3 -2 -1

Finish editing and upload all

Final edits will be due essays to PearsonVUE as if
today.** Edit all essays and you were to submit, but Read out loud one last time,
read out loud. don't. and submit

Group A Mentors Quality of feedback?

Batman 8/10
Green Arrow 9/10
The flash 3/10

Group B Mentors
Captain America 9/10
Spider-Man 6/10
Daredevil 10/10
 Thursday
-21
Generally you'll find out this day,
and should celebrate that you
passed the first phase.
Friday Saturday
-20 -19
Email your mentors and ask them Brainstorm. Call friends and
if they'll be available to provide family, ask them the exam
you edits on your PNs. Divide your questions and ask what stories
mentors into two groups, the first from your life they remember
will provide initial feedback, and that may be applicable.
the 2nd will provide feedback on
your 2nd draft.

-14 -13 -12

Write one or two essays for one Write one or two essays for one Write one or two essays for one
question.* question.* question.*
-7 -6 -5

Final edit date. You should now be

able to narrow down to the 6
chosen essays.** Once those edits
are incorporated, submit to B
Group Mentors with a deadline to As edits come in, incorporate As edits come in, incorporate
respond you by -3. them. them.
Submission Deadline

Avoid submitting on the last day

to prevent "rushed" essays errors.

While debating which story to incorporate, on the next tab, write a

reference phrase for each essay, then put an "x" next to which 13
dimension or core precept it would be able to cover.

* It is helpful to keep open a document of successful PNs to see flow,

format, ideas, wording, etc.
** To help editing, go through you essay and highlight and comment
on which sentence applies to which dimension/core precept. Then
shorten, or cut out sentences that are address core
precepts/dimensions you'v already addressed.
 Sunday
-18
Brainstorm and use the next
sheet to decide which
essay(s) to write based on
which essay has the most
potential to answer the 13
dimensions and/or core
precepts. By seeing all the
essays at once in that way,
you can determine how to
best answer all of the
dimensions/precepts.

-11

Write those additional

essays you've been debating
to add (the more the better).
Review all essays, and
submit to A Group Mentors
with a deadline to respond
to you by -7
-4

As edits come in, incorporate

them.
Prompt/Idea ComCultExpeInfIni Jud ObjOralPlanQuaResoWork

The Foreign Service seeks a diverse workforce with broad job

skills and a depth of experience to represent the United States
overseas. Briefly describe why you chose the career track you
selected and what you bring to that career track.*

Story 1
Story 2
Story 3

In the Foreign Service, you will confront challenging situations

that require identifying the problem, collecting relevant
information, and formulating or advancing innovative solutions
to resolve the problem. Describe a time when you responded
innovatively to unanticipated circumstances to solve a problem.
Include the following elements in your response: the situation,
steps you took to think through this situation, and how your
actions addressed the situation. What were the results?*
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3

In the Foreign Service, you will be called upon to interact

effectively and diplomatically with people in difficult situations.
Describe how you have used your interpersonal skills in a
specific situation to resolve a problem or achieve a goal.
Include the following elements in your response: identify the
goal or problem, and the specific steps you took. What was the
result?*
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3

Communication skills are critical to successful diplomacy.

Describe a situation in which you used your communication
skills (either in English or another language) to further an aim
or achieve a goal. Include the following elements in your
response: the situation and the steps you took to deal with this
situation. What was the result?*
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3
Foreign Service Officers are often required to manage projects,
demonstrating the ability to plan and organize, set priorities,
employ a systematic approach, and allocate time and
resources efficiently. Describe a project you managed or
helped to manage and how you sought to achieve the project’s
goals. Include the following elements in your response: the
project, and the steps you took to manage this project. What
was the result?*
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3

Leadership can be defined as motivating others, encouraging

creative solutions, establishing positive team relationships, or
significantly influencing the direction of the work. Describe how
you have demonstrated leadership, either on one particular
occasion or over time. Include the following elements in your
response: the situation, and the steps you took to show
leadership. What was the result?*
Story 1
Story 2
Story 3
WritLeadInnovDecTeaOpeComm
Mana
OperDireMana
InteProPersWork
Commu
WritOral co ActiIntInf Criti ProfSubJob Ins Technical skills
Technical skills