How to take the Foreign Service Officer exam

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, Nov 24, 2012
Updated 12:21 PM, Nov 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!
FSOE Sample Questions

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.
Good Luck!
- Rappler.com

Rafael Ignacio is a Director in the Presidential Management Staff. He passed the

Foreign Service Officers Exam in June 2012 and will take his cadetship in 2014.