Preparing for the FSOT

Last year I prepared for the FSOT using a variety of methods:

1. Read through the FSOT Yahoo group postings and archives. Many of the steps below were recommended there.
2. Bought the official study guide. Took the practice test.
3. Made two sets of flashcards: constitutional amendments and landmark Supreme Court decisions.
4. Had fun playing a variety of the Seterra geography games.
5. Subscribed to The Economist.
6. Divided a spiral bound notebook into tabbed sections based on the test topics (economics, management, math, world history, US history, US government, computers). As I read something useful, I took notes.
7. Skimmed a couple US history books, mainly paying attention to topics that I knew nothing about. Same thing with economics.
8. Skimmed Strunk & White's The Elements of Style.
9. Practiced writing about 20 timed essays (prompts available on the Yahoo group).
10. Reviewed my CV, to better recall conferences, papers, training, and committee service.

I passed with a 169.34 and an essay of 6. I did not pass the subsequent PNQs.

This year, preparation consisted of:

1. Reviewing last year's flashcards and notebook.
2. Practicing timed essays.
3. Taking the State Department's online practice FSOT.
4. Having fun with constitutional quizzes. Did more Seterra games, just because they are awesome.

Did it seem easier this year? Yes and no.

Yes, because I knew what to expect and had an efficient system to whiz through the easy questions and save the hard ones for last. No, because the job knowledge questions seemed harder.

Did any of these things help? Yes, a tiny bit. I think I correctly answered a couple questions as a result of studying.