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.

Written test results should be coming in a few weeks!

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.

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.......

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.

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.

*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?

FYI, Results came out today. If you didn't get the email, you can go to
https://secure.act.org/app/fswe_results/fswe_results

Good luck! I passed and am so excited!

quote:

Originally posted by Cinzia:
FYI, Results came out today. If you didn't get the email, you can go to
https://secure.act.org/app/fswe_results/fswe_results

Good luck! I passed and am so excited!

Congratulations!

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!

I passed too! I'm totally stoked. Now the fun part: Filling out all those forms ...

I didn't pass this time. It's depressing, but I shouldn't be too suprised I guess. The first time I took the test, I was sure that I totally bombed it and it turned out I passed. This time, I felt really good about it so it is no surprise that I failed it. I'm going to try and get my results to see how I did.

Best of luck to those of you who passed. If you have any questions about the Oral Exam feel free to PM me. You have to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, but I'll tell you what I can.

I suppose I'll take the written again next year, but in the meantime, I can hope that my current oral score will get me. It's not likely, but possible.

I'm also thinking of applying for Diplomatic Security. Rumor is they'll be accepting applications in August.

p.s. Vulkoria, veteran's preference does not apply to the written, but should you pass the oral exam, you can get a boost to your score.

Bummer, skobb. I was hoping I might see you at the orals. It seems everyone has bad luck the second time around on with this test. I may PM you as orals get closer.

What does diplomatic security entail, by the way? Basically security guard/police type work? Any particular experience required?

Rumor is that they raised the required score to pass this time. I'm not sure if it was on the job knowledge section or the essay. I wouldn't be surprised if they raised the essay score a point. I can definitely see me having passed everything, but missing the essay by a point. I didn't feel as confident on my essay this time.

Diplomatic Security is another branch of State that is connected with the Foreign Service, but totally its own thing. The job I want to apply for is Special Agent, which is comparably to a Secret Service or FBI agent in some ways. DS Special Agents are responsible for protecting the Secretary of State, visiting foreign dignitaries, investigating things like visa fraud, assisting in arresting fugitives who have fled the U.S. (and vice versa), and handling security for all embassies and consulates.

It's a totally different bag than Foreign Service, but something else I think I would also enjoy. I'm not giving up on FS, but looking to apply for security as well. They also employ Diplomatic Couriers, and various security IT and engineer types. I'll let you know if they announce any openings on their site.

Sadly, I didn't pass. But no surprise I was to busy cramming for midterms, and just off the plane back from Iraq. Where I lived in a technological void and all the news I did received was aimed to a British audience.

But, I'll try to do better next time. I decided to use my (PTSD) lack of being able to sleep to begin on the FS recommended reading list.

So, if anyone else wants to tackle the list I would love to start a book club. We can all read the same book and discuss it.

Hey skoob what the URL for Diplomatic Security? I also requested my score break down.