Personal Narratives are now one of the first things you must complete- I had to write them down before I could even schedule the FSOT at a specific location.

@RamiroEloy1997

4 жыл бұрын

I noticed that too. I wonder if you have to pass them before you can take the test

@mrAZcardinal

4 жыл бұрын

@@RamiroEloy1997 I'm unsure, but doubtful. It wouldn't give the State Department much time to review and grade the narratives before we'd need to take the FSOT.

@jameskim5046

3 жыл бұрын

Nope, they are only graded if you pass the written exam first. So after you pass the written the pns and along with the qeps are evaluated at the same time.

@kennethhart7161

Жыл бұрын

Did you have to include verifiers for each essay?

@SteffanBlanco1

4 ай бұрын

now they ask you to provide people to verify your answer

Bill, your insight is incredibly helpful as I sit down to work on my PN's (I have more time since they re-arranged the process for 2020). Thank you for putting this together for all of us in the FSO aspirant community.

Thank you for your help! What you have outlined gives me a better starting point.

Thank you for your informative insight. I am preparing for the October test and I am glad that I found your KZread page.

Thanks Bill! This is very helpful. Appreciate you taking the time.

I have just turned 20, and I am waiting for April 25th of 2023 to register my Personal Narratives to take the test in June. I hope I pass I've been going through the material provided in your videos as well as the resources you've cited. This will be my first attempt this year; most likely will to not be my last.

Great video. Thank you very much!!

Thank you so much for making this! I was not able to make it through the personal narrative section when I took the exam last time, so I have been looking forward to this video for quite a while.

@FSOTPrep

5 жыл бұрын

Glad it helps. Practice your writing so you get faster and stronger. Good luck!

Thanks for the help!

Thanks, Bill. I’m currently in the PN stage and this video was helpful.

Thank you so much for this video! I look forward to taking the test soon

Truly appreciate this

Thank you for these videos! They are very helpful! I know we all have different backgrounds and experiences. Any examples of successful past personal narratives out there? I’ve read that the style of writing shouldn’t be so structured, but have also read that the STAR method of writing is a good guideline... any advice would be appreciated.

HI Bill, I'm currently working on my PN's for a deadline at the end of this week(!!). Thanks for providing the most updated information out there!

@FSOTPrep

5 жыл бұрын

You've already accomplished a lot by passing the first part of the FSOT. Congratulations. Remember to write your PNs with personality, good teamwork skills, and answering the 3W's -- Why do you want to be an FSO, What do you bring to the Foreign Service, and What do you bring to your Career Track (Cone). Also, share your PNs with friends and family to get their feedback. Good luck!

@denequelee6221

5 жыл бұрын

@@FSOTPrep Thanks so much for your response Bill. Just a quick question: I heard it's not as important to emphasize your job titles because BEX will examine your responses along with your resume. Is this true, or must you spell out your experiences once again in the essays just in case? I've been reading advice from others who advise against including every achievement, even if it might be relevant. Thanks again!

@FSOTPrep

5 жыл бұрын

@@denequelee6221 Deneque, Use the most positive examples as you can. The Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) will have access to all of you documents: FSOT results & essay, registration application, resume and PNs. But I'm not certain whether the reviewer of your PNs is going to have access to (or even read) your resume during the 'grading' of your PNs. I know this might not help, but knowing how promotion and other panels work, the reviewers from your Career Track will likely read and 'grade' your PNs and then meet with the other groups (e.g. POL, PD, etc) to discuss their scores and rank order the applicants. Best, Bill

@denequelee6221

5 жыл бұрын

@@FSOTPrep Bill, I passed. Thanks so much for your help!

@FSOTPrep

5 жыл бұрын

@@denequelee6221 Congratulations! That's great news. Guess you're gearing up for the Oral Assessment now. I hope to have some videos out in early 2019 to help.

Thank you so much, sir! It is really helpful :)

Thank you!!!!

I find these the most difficult part is the application itself, asking you to provide someone who can verify your answers.

Question the personal narratives will they be pre written and submitted. Or will we need to train and memorize our narratives and them down on paper within an set time limit.

Thank you so much, I'm gonna get you a pizza when I go through the whole testing process and pass.

What is a cone?

@sohamDevRel

3 жыл бұрын

Your Career track One of the 5