October Offering of the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) in Colombo
Are you interested in a career with the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer but not sure how to start?
Click here for more information on the Eight Steps to Becoming a Foreign Service Officer.
After choosing a career track, Steps #2 and #3 are to register and take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). The FSOT is administered online three times a year at test centers worldwide and takes about three hours to complete.
Embassy Colombo will be offering the FSOT in two time slots:
- Monday, October 2, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesday, October 4, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The FSOT will be administered in one of the Embassy Conference Rooms and the Embassy HR team will send out further information closer to the date.
There will be five (5) workstations available at each testing window. Note: There are a limited number of slots available at each session.
Upcoming Foreign Service Officer Testing Windows
The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is administered three times per year, generally in February, June, and October, each time for a period or “window” of eight days.
| October 2023 | |
| Testing Window Dates | September 30 – October 7, 2023 |
| Registration opens | August 22, 2023 |
| Registration closes | September 28, 2023 |
The deadline for candidates to cancel test seats without incurring penalties is 48 hours (two business days) before the start of your test. NOTE: Pearson VUE workdays include Saturdays, but not Sundays worldwide.
It’s best to give yourself plenty of time — avoid waiting until the deadline.
After registration: Candidates will receive a confirmation e-mail which includes details about the testing appointment, ID requirements, and directions to the testing center. Kindly notify ColomboHR@state.gov if you register yourself for the test.
On the day of the test: Candidates should arrive at the test center 15-30 minutes before the test begins with an admission letter and a valid government-issued photo ID: a U.S. passport (preferred), U.S. driver’s license, or military ID. Test-takers will not be allowed into the test center if they are more than 30 minutes late.
Candidates must cancel a test registration a minimum of two business days (at least 48 hours) before the scheduled appointment. The registration confirmation e-mail will contain information on how to cancel. Anyone who fails to appear, arrives more than 30 minutes late, or does not cancel in a timely manner, will be assessed a “no-show” fee of $72.
Would you like to re-take the test? Candidates may take the FSOT once in a 12-month period.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Human Resources Office at the U.S. Embassy at ColomboHR@state.gov
