- So What Exactly Do You Know?
- How Well Do You Know English?
- Who Are You as a Person?
So What Exactly Do You Know?
This is the section that most people think of when they hear about the foreign service written exam. It's like a jeopardy game covering U.S. government, culture, history, geography, management issues, economics, etc. What's important to realize here is that the exam tests breadth, but not depth. In other words, you're not going to need to know any one issue in great detail. What you will need to know is some generalized knowledge about a lot of issues. This usually works in your favor I think. Because the test covers so many things, there's no fear of completely failing the test just because you (for instance) completely suck at economics. You can always make up the points elsewhere. Obviously, you can't suck everywhere, but the test gives you some leeway.
I did not study for the written and I would not advise buying a study book for this test.
What I will recommend is that you read the newspaper. You don't need to be reading every article, but at least scan the headlines. Know what's going on in the world. Again though, breath and not depth. For instance, the test is unlikely to ask you why two countries are disagreeing over some topic. It's more likely that it'll just ask you which country is disagreeing over another country over this topic (something you could pick up just by glancing at a headline).
I can't emphasize reading the newspaper enough. Most people I know who passed the test didn't exactly study for it; they are however are voracious international affairs readers. Most are also some kind of history buff and have a good background (or at least strong memory of high school) for U.S. history.
Other tips
Know who's responsible for what! From the branches of the government to the committees of Congress to different departments/agencies. You'll be representing your country so it'd be good for you know what in your country is responsible for what!
Don't go memorizing maps. The time you spent trying to memorize every country and capital in the world won't be worth the one question that might pop up (remember breadth, so there won't be a hundred questions on geography). If you are going to study maps, I'd suggest just knowing large deserts, forests, oceans, etc. Just enough so that you know where the Gobi is vs. the Sahara.
If you really want to brush up on U.S. history, I'd suggest the Cliffs Notes version. You don't need to read a 300 page book of U.S. history, you want just the highlights. Know what others would consider important events in our U.S. history and what those events are. Know the important documents (Constitution, amendments, etc.) Essentially, just think about it as if you're going to go overseas as a U.S. representative, what should you be able to answer about the U.S.
I recommend the same Cliffs Notes strategy for any economic/management principles. I have zero background in management and my economics knowledge was pretty much nonexistent after high school. I pretty much had no idea what was going on in those questions, but there weren't many of them (breadth!) and the ones that were there were pretty general (at least for economics, I have no idea what was going on in the management ones).
I absolutely agree with these tips. I've taken the FSWE several times and there's really no way to "cram" for it. You just need to be an extremely knowledgeable person who has a strong sense of current events, history, and some trivia thrown into the mix.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the following tips, recommendations and advises. If you have no idea what's on the test, it's probably high time to browse our http://proofreading-services.org/proofreader.php online. It's up to you to decide what company to utilize, but we are the best!
ReplyDeleteI totally concur with these tips. I've taken the FSWE a few times and there's truly no real way to "pack" for it. You simply should be a to a great degree proficient individual who has a solid feeling of current occasions, history, and some trivia tossed in with the general mish-mash.
ReplyDeleteResearch paper writing help
I'm unquestionably getting a charge out of the information.This site is wonderful as is the manner by which the topic was expressed. I additionally like a couple of the reactions excessively. Prepared to the future review.
ReplyDeleteHigh Pressure Tanning beds
Truly your work is exceptionally decent and i like this article.Thank you for sharing this brilliant data. Your web journal is truly cool. It was really easy to use experience
ReplyDeleteStampe su rigido
It's amazing to your sympathetic wife that's prepared to keep up your falter morale every time in your life! You do have such an interesting blog. Thank you! Bieszczady noclegi Drewniane domki o wysokim standardzie w Bieszczadach. Własne kąpielisko, boisko, plac zabaw, Domki bieszczady,Bieszczady domki ,Domki w bieszczadach ,Bieszczady noclegi ,Noclegi bieszczady.
ReplyDeleteIts extremely brilliant YouTube video in terms of features, actually good, its quality is genuinely appreciable.
ReplyDeletePhoto retouching services
Quality content is the key to invite the users to go to see the site, that’s what this website is providing.
ReplyDeleteChalkboard
Top 10 merit casino sites in the Philippines
ReplyDeleteEstablished 1997, the 바카라사이트 merit casino is a new online gaming site from the Philippines. 바카라 사이트 Established 1997, it has over 25 years experience 메리트 카지노 in online gambling