FSOE (Foreign Service Officer Examination) is the entry exam for Foreign Service Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It's one of the most selective government exams.
How it works:
- The first stage is the CSC-administered Career Service Examination for Foreign Service Officer (CSE-FSO)
- Those who pass move on to later stages run by the DFA's Board of Foreign Service Examinations, which include written, psychological and oral examinations
Next CSE-FSO: 24 January 2027, with applications from 16 September to 30 October 2026, filed through the DFA.
What it means for you:
- Expect a long process over many months
- Strong writing, current-affairs knowledge and communication skills matter
- Check the DFA's current announcement for eligibility rules before you apply