I think there was probably 30 people total at my exam, which is a much smaller community than LA.
quote:
I felt much more confident about the written this time. Of course, last time I was sure I failed and I passed so I don't know how to take my feelings.
That was my experience last year! This time around (especially after getting pounded in the Orals), I felt much more relaxed about the exam. But for all I know, they may not pass me this time. Especially because I am stubborn and continue to stick to the Political Cone, which requires the highest score.
Don't take life so serious son, it ain't nohow permanant.
Posts: 96 | Location: Reno/Tahoe | Registered: 23 July 2003
I did download the FSWE official study guide and go through it. I took the practice test and when I scored it found that I pretty much got my ass handed to me. Was it useful? Hard to say. I guess it is useful in the sense that it lets you see what the format is like and a general feel for the questions.
I've heard that the Arco guide is a bit out of date and is actually quite a bit harder than the real thing. I didn't actually use it though so I couldn't say.
Your best prep is to read a quality newspaper everyday and good magazines like 'Time' and 'The Economist.' I read a lot of books on U.S. and world history, politics and government. Even books like "U.S. History for Dummies" can be a great way to refresh on the basics.
I would highly recommend learning the ins and outs of the Constitution as much as possible.
Did you take the FSWE on April 23? If not, you've got plenty of time to prepare for next year's.
I used the FSWE offical guide too. I'm not sure I'd say it was all that helpful, but for $15 it might be worth it. It at least prepares you for the format of the questions and the style of the test.
The test is so general that it's hard to "substantively" prepare. That is, unless you want to read a few dozen thick books on world history, US and foreign politics, management theory, economics, law, and geography. Some people do, but I decided to more or less wing it.
Another approach is to bone up on your weakest areas. The study guide has a list of recommended books, and you could just pick a few. I second the recommendation about the constitution. You're guaranteed at least a few questions about which amendment says what.
Posts: 1410 | Location: In transit | Registered: 23 December 2004
You can download their recommended reading list. I believe, in theory, if you read all of the books you would have the answers to all of the questions. Early in the process I thought I would try to read as many as possible. I think I got through 2 or 3. There are over 90 on the list. Many of the books are very dry, textbooks.
Posts: 2762 | Location: Киев, Украина | Registered: 29 April 2003
I think one of the reasons I found the Constitution part challenging is that I couldn't find a good study guide to it. It's easy to find the actual U.S. Constitution, but I couldn't find a good resource for dumbing it down.
Ultimately, the written exam is just a screening process. The oral assessment is the true test.
Posts: 2762 | Location: Киев, Украина | Registered: 29 April 2003
Originally posted by skobb: I think one of the reasons I found the Constitution part challenging is that I couldn't find a good study guide to it. It's easy to find the actual U.S. Constitution, but I couldn't find a good resource for dumbing it down.
Don't know if it's of value as of yet. But it's called 'The Constitution and the States: the Framing and Adoption of the Federal Constitution' by Patrick Conley. We shall see.
Posts: 422 | Location: Charleston, South Carolina | Registered: 08 November 2004
Originally posted by skobb: I think one of the reasons I found the Constitution part challenging is that I couldn't find a good study guide to it.
Skobb, I recommend three years of law school for that. It'll only cost you $100,000 and it's guaranteed to confuse you even more.
Actually, never mind.
A word of advice on the Con Law books: Get something as apolitical and basic as possible. Constitutional interpretation is obviously a very politicized field. Something like this is pretty good. The annotations are the most important part.
UG: The book you got sounds interesting, but it might only focus on the articles (i.e., the main text). Make sure you're up to speed on the amendments too.
Posts: 1410 | Location: In transit | Registered: 23 December 2004
This is a slight tangent, but I've assigned myself a fun (in my opinion) reading challenge. I recently read 'His Excellency' by Joseph Ellis, a biography of George Washington. I've decided to read a biography of each president, in order. It's a long term project and I'll break them up with other books, but I enjoy it so far. I'm reading about John Adams now (a vastly underrated man.)
These sort of books are excellent practice for the exam. Not so much because you can expect questions on James Madison, but because you may very well have questions the War of 1812, for instance, and decent biographies will touch on all of the events that occured during the subject's life.
My dad was in the foriegn service and he said he just read the new yorker and the economist to brush up on things. i believe his view of the test is a little skewed because he was a lawyer for aobut ten years before he decided to join.
"Build a man a fire and he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life."
Posts: 177 | Location: Not to sure actually.... | Registered: 14 March 2005
I took the test on 4/23 also. It was my second shot. My first was way back in 1996. It was quite different than what I remember. It seemed to be a little easier for me since they broke down the job sections. I am not very adept with economics......
So, anyone who took the test on 4/23 get results yet?
I'm still patiently waiting.......
Posts: 6 | Location: United States | Registered: 17 February 2005
No word yet on the FSWE, but I'm waiting not-so-patiently. I recently received my medical clearance and was just told today that my security clearance should be finished up any time now.
It's even looking like there is the tiniest, slightest chance that my current oral score could be high enough to get me in sometime next year. It's doubtful, but not as doomed as I once thought. Still, I'll be much happier if I can redo the oral this fall and get a higher score.
Posts: 2762 | Location: Киев, Украина | Registered: 29 April 2003
Supposdly the written test results will be out around August 1 and, if you passed, sign up for the oral exam will take place shortly after.
ACT actually placed some of the results online early thinking they wouldn't be found, but the folks in the Yahoo group found it and the site was later removed. ACT apparently underestimated how closely some people follow this process.
Posts: 2762 | Location: Киев, Украина | Registered: 29 April 2003
*crys* I so frustrated. I want my results, they said late July. This last three months has almost killed me, I am very patient but I still want them ASAP. Of course I don't expect to pass it the first time; on average it takes 4 tries. I hope being gone to war for the last year doesn't hurt me much, half the bio section I could answer sure I do that all the time, except every questions was written in the last year. There was no place for me to write "Hey I worked at the US embassy in Iraq and have been playing in the sand, so no I haven’t done any of the office or school related activities".
Sorry just on a rant. Hey does anyone know how veteran preference applies to this test?
Take the time for a cup of cafe.
Posts: 92 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 04 July 2005
Just got mine and I didn't pass. Not surprising because I took it right after all the stress of preparing for the Oral Exam. Plus it was the day after I'd given a big conference presentation. Still it's surprising because I finished all of the essays this time around, unlike last year, when I didn't finish one of the essays and yet somehow passed.
Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait until next year. Gives me plenty of time to actually start studying for it, instead of not being prepared, which is what I've done the past two times!
Don't take life so serious son, it ain't nohow permanant.
Posts: 96 | Location: Reno/Tahoe | Registered: 23 July 2003
