FSOT Pretest Questions Answers 2025

Last Updated on January 20, 2025

FSOT Pretest Questions Answers 2025: Preparing for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Pretest: Essential Tips and Strategies. The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is a crucial step for anyone aspiring to join the U.S. Foreign Service. The pretest phase, consisting of 35 items, is designed to help candidates familiarize themselves with the test format and content. Here are some expert tips to help you prepare effectively for the FSOT pretest and increase your chances of success.

Understanding the FSOT Pretest Structure

The FSOT pretest is divided into various sections, each assessing different skill areas essential for a career in the Foreign Service. These sections typically include:

English Expression: Evaluates grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
U.S. Government: Tests knowledge of the structure and functions of the U.S. government.
U.S. History: Covers significant events, figures, and movements in American history.
World History: Assesses understanding of major global events and historical contexts.
Economics: Focuses on basic economic principles, theories, and terminology.
Mathematics: Includes questions on basic arithmetic, algebra, and statistics.
Management Principles: Tests knowledge of management practices and organizational behavior.
Communications: Evaluate effective communication strategies and public speaking skills.
Computer Literacy: Assesses proficiency in using standard software applications and understanding basic IT concepts.

FSOT Pretest Questions Answers

FSOT Pretest Quiz

FOST Pretest Exam

FOST Pretest Exam
Foreign Service Officer FSOT
Total Items: 35
Time Limit N/A

1 / 35

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote?

(A) The 15th Amendment

(B) The 19th Amendment

(D) The 26th Amendment

2 / 35

The Council of Economic Advisers advises which of the following on monetary and fiscal policy?

(A) The Federal Reserve Bank

(B) The Joint Economic Committee of Congress

(D) The Senate Budget Committee

3 / 35

The military academies at West Point and Annapolis require candidates to obtain a nomination for admission from what U.S. government official?

(A) Federal district court

(B) Member of the Chief of Staff’s office

(D) President

4 / 35

In the early 20th century, reformers committed to using journalism to expose corporate and urban corruption were commonly known as:

(A) Monkey wrenchers

(B) Muckrakers

(D) Boodlers

5 / 35

In federal government budgeting, “mandatory” spending differs from “discretionary” spending in which way?

(A) Legislative committees may not cut mandatory spending levels.

(B) Mandatory spending is not subject to the annual appropriations process.

(D) Bills to re-categorize mandatory funding as discretionary must originate in the House.

6 / 35

What is the primary goal of effective communication in a business setting?

(A) To entertain the audience

(B) To transmit information clearly and efficiently

(D) To demonstrate the speaker’s knowledge

7 / 35

Which branch of mathematics deals primarily with the relationships between angles and the lengths of sides of triangles?

(A) Algebra

(B) Calculus

(D) Trigonometry

8 / 35

What was the main cause of the Cold War?

(A) Territorial disputes

(B) Ideological conflict between capitalism and communism

(D) Economic competition

9 / 35

Which U.S. document declares its independence from British rule?

(A) The Constitution

(B) The Declaration of Independence

(D) The Federalist Papers

10 / 35

What type of software is used to manage large amounts of data?

(A) Word processor

(B) Spreadsheet

(D) Presentation software

11 / 35

In public speaking, what is the term for the fear of speaking in front of an audience?

(A) Agoraphobia

(B) Claustrophobia

(D) Xenophobia

12 / 35

A project manager’s primary responsibility is to:

(A) Keep the project within budget

(B) Ensure the project is completed on time

(D) All of the above

13 / 35

Which statistical measure is used to calculate the average value of a dataset?

(A) Mean

(B) Median

(D) Range

14 / 35

During which historical period did the Industrial Revolution begin?

(A) 16th Century

(B) 17th Century

(D) 19th Century

15 / 35

The concept of "zero-sum game" is often discussed in which field?

(A) Literature

(B) Economics

(D) Medicine

16 / 35

Which U.S. President was instrumental in the Louisiana Purchase?

(A) George Washington

(B) John Adams

(D) Abraham Lincoln

17 / 35

What principle states that in a democracy, the government’s power derives from the consent of the governed?

(A) Republicanism

(B) Federalism

(D) Checks and balances

18 / 35

What does the term "phishing" refer to in the context of internet security?

(A) A method for optimizing search engines

(B) A technique used to infect computers with viruses

(D) A process for speeding up network connections

19 / 35

Which function is commonly used in spreadsheet programs to calculate the total of a range of cells?

(A) AVERAGE()

(B) SUM()

(D) MAX()

20 / 35

When giving a public speech, what is crucial for maintaining the audience's attention?

(A) Using complex language

(B) Speaking in a monotone voice

(D) Limiting audience interaction

21 / 35

What is the primary purpose of public diplomacy?

(A) To promote national security

(B) To influence foreign governments

(D) To control international media

22 / 35

Effective leadership is most likely characterized by:

(A) High levels of autonomy granted to subordinates

(B) Consistent micro-management

(D) Focusing only on financial outcomes

23 / 35

Which theory suggests that people are motivated by a hierarchy of needs?

(A) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

(B) Vroom’s Expectancy Theory

(D) Skinner’s Behaviorist Theory

24 / 35

If the probability of an event happening is 20%, what is the probability of it not happening?

(A) 20%

(B) 80%

(D) 30%

25 / 35

What is the median of the following set of numbers: 3, 8, 9, 15, 17?

(A) 8

(B) 9

(D) 12

26 / 35

Inflation is best described as:

(A) A decrease in the price level of goods and services

(B) An increase in the price level of goods and services

(D) A decrease in the value of money

27 / 35

What does GDP stand for?

(A) Gross Domestic Product

(B) General Domestic Product

(D) Gross Domestic Percentage

28 / 35

What is the capital of Canada?

(A) Toronto

(B) Ottawa

(D) Montreal

29 / 35

The Treaty of Versailles ended which conflict?

(A) World War I

(B) World War II

(D) The Vietnam War

30 / 35

The New Deal was a series of programs and projects instituted during which President's administration?

(A) Theodore Roosevelt

(B) Franklin D. Roosevelt

(D) Herbert Hoover

31 / 35

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

(A) He don’t like going to the movies.

(B) They likes to read novels.

(D) None of these sentences contain errors.

32 / 35

Identify the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

(A) The meeting was cancelled; therefore, we went home.

(B) She likes coffee; and tea.

(D) He is a doctor; and his brother is a lawyer.

33 / 35

Who is responsible for nominating Supreme Court justices?

(A) The President

(B) The Senate

(D) The Attorney General

34 / 35

The Constitution assigns the power to declare war to which branch of government?

(A) Executive

(B) Legislative

(D) Both A and B

35 / 35

Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

(A) The 13th Amendment

(B) The 15th Amendment

(D) The 21st Amendment

Your score is

See also:

FREE FSOT Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide [PDF]
FSOT Pretest Questions Answers
FSOT Job Knowledge Practice Test (30 MCQs)
FSOT Job Knowledge Practice Test (60 MCQs)
FSOT Situational Judgment Test
FSOT English Expression Practice Test (60 MCQs)