Customer Reviews

Master the AM for Svs Off, 4/e (Arco Master the American Foreign Service Officer Exam)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had high hopes for this guide, since it is basically the only one and the previous version is out of date. But this version is no different. The length of the practice tests is not the same as what the actual tests will be. I have not yet taken the written exam, but if the foreign service's website is any guide (and one would think it would be), the questions that this book asks are not representative of what is on the actual exam. But worse yet, there are TYPOS in the practice tests, including in what the book judges to be correct answers. These typos are such that, on some questions, it is impossible to determine the "correct" answer because they are all wrong (and then if you look in the answers, you see what they actually meant to print). And these were the same mistakes as in the previous edition! Did they even try to improve it? I am very disappointed. (Incidentally, the tests are all the same as the previous edition, so don't bother getting this book for extra practice.) You're better off sticking to the FSO website.

Unless you know absolutely nothing about the US, the world, and/or English grammar, don't even think of buying this book. The book has not been updated for new test format, and has quite a few ?printing/editing? mistakes. Just use the study guide from FSOE website & any English grammar book to prepare.

This guide was extremely disappointing. I bought it after I discovered the $20 FSO guide straight from the registration site was just a practice test, but now I know I was better off with the first one. This book is full of badly phrased questions, spelling/grammar errors, and a few things that aren't even applicable to the subject matter based on the two official practice tests I've taken. It's not updated for the new format of the test either, as a previous reviewer mentioned. The only potentially useful thing about it is the Oral Assessment Guide, which demystified the process a bit for me.

Don't waste your money on it.

I passed with its help, so that's something. If you're interested in taking the test, this does a good job of preparing you for what to expect. It can't really teach to the test - the exam is much too broad, you pretty much have to know this stuff already through years of curious participation with the world - but there are a few things that it helps with, and just knowing more about what's coming helps.

I found the practice tests in here tougher than the actual one - which is just what you want in a practice test.

This study manual's only saving grace is its grammar section; otherwise, you can find something better. Truth be known, the FSOT is a 3-hour exam that I completed upon appointment at a testing center and it was a myriad of standard questions that cannot really be studied for. Why? The multiple-choice test covers several current events and past historical events, including a map section and a one-essay section. The section on biographical information was difficult as you only get 30-40 words per questionaire section.

The most challenging section on the FSOT? Grammar and essay hands down. Get yourself a literature/grammar textbook and study THAT as well. The rest of this study guide is truly "for the birds."

Conclusion: D+ (and only for the grammar review)

Try instead flash cards: FSOT Flashcard Secrets: FSOT Exam Practice Questions & Review for the Foreign Service Officer Test

I find this book to have been usefull in preparing me to take the FSWE. It went over lots of different usefull questions. it covered alot of different areas.

I am currently preparing for a career with the U.S. State Department and found this guide indispensible. Not only does it provide test preparation for all three sections of the written exam but also provides valuable strategies to prepare for the Oral Assessment portion of the application process. In addition, it provides information about the various career paths available to prospective foreign service officers.