How difficult is it to pass the foreign service exam without a degree in international relations?

Question

How difficult is it to pass the foreign service exam without a degree in international relations or related field?

Answer 1

I passed the exam on the first try with a BA in anthropology and a history of working as a bookkeeper and as the training supervisor in a metal-working factory.  Nearly all the international relations majors who took it the same year failed.

George is absolutely right; when asked how to prepare for the exam, I tell people to read the NY Times, watch BBC News, and listen to All Things Considered for a year, then take it.  Playing Trivia Pursuit and Scrabble help, too. You need to know accounting, math, sociology, business, tailoring, auto repair, the arts, history - everything that makes a Renaissance Person.  You need excellent English language skills.  And even then knowing stuff will not substitute for on-the-ground smarts; the Foreign Service is looking for worldly, bright people with wide knowledge about everything and excellent judgement.  Good luck.

Answer 2

It's not that easy even with a degree in international relations. the test is scored on a curve so, only about 10% actually pass the written exam. So, if everyone is an Einstein the year you take it, and believe me, they aren't all Einsteins, then only the top 10% of the Einsteins will pass. too bad for the other 90% who are still Einsteins, just not the top 10 percentile. Then, of course, you got to get through the oral. So, you have to know how to talk and write as well. because the oral isn't just talking, any more.

Anyway, there's no set path. Do you watch something other than Fox News? You can watch Fox and still pass, but you need to watch something else as well. Do you read? You need to be aware of current events, history and international relations, some economics won't hurt either,but you don't need a degree from Georgetown or Princeton to prove it, if you're self-motivated. and if you speak Arabic, Chinese or Russian you get a few brownie points for that as well.

Answer 3

as said it is a difficult exam and only about 10% pass.  but you don't need to have a specific degree.  many degree programs will help you, history, economics, law, sociology, political science, but it is a must that you are well versed in ALL of these subject areas, as well.  additionally, even if you pass the foreign service exam, that doesn't gurantee you a job.   if you pass your application will still be placed in a rather large pool.

Answer 4

Depends on your background.  I knew someone who aced it on his first try without any background in foreign affairs...but this guy spent the previous 30 years working at NASA as a rocket scientist (no exaggeration).   Generally, if you have a work history in anything, you'll have a better shot than someone who, say, just got their BS in psychology.

Previously, it was much easier to get in if you picked the "consular" or "management" tracks rather than the political or economic tracks.  However, they're completely revamping the written test, so, people's previous experiences may not help you very much.  

Thing is, even IF you pass the written AND the oral, you get put in line based on your test score (and some random luck) for actually becoming an FSO.  After a period of time (18 months I think , but I'm not positive), you get kicked out of line and have to start the process all over again.