DFA bares requirements for foreign service exams

The Board of Foreign Service Examinations of the Department of Foreign Affairs has announced the forthcoming Foreign Service Officers Examinations for 2007 to be held in various parts of the country.

In Central Visayas, DFA regional director Angel Espiritu said FSO examinations would be conducted at the Cebu Normal University.

Composed of three parts, the tests include the FSO Qualifying Test scheduled on May 6, the FSO Written Examination scheduled on August 22, 23 and 24, and the FSO Oral Examination scheduled in December and January 2008.

Espiritu explained that the qualifying test covers English grammar and correct usage, 40 percent; reading comprehension, 20 percent; logical reasoning, 15 percent; quantitative reasoning and data interpretation, 20 percent; and leadership/knowledge of management concepts, 15 percent.

Other areas for the qualifying examination are Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, San Fernando City in La Union, Legazpi City, Quezon City, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City.

There are also tests to be held in Washington D.C., Vienna, Austria and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Espiritu said those who will pass the qualifying test with a rating of at least 80 percent would be allowed to take the FSO Written Examination, which covers six subjects.

English makes up 20 percent of the written test; Filipino, five percent; Philippine political, economic, social and cultural conditions, and Philippine history, culture, foreign policy, geography, government, development issues and goals, 30 percent; international affairs that include theory and practice of international economics and trade, international politics, international laws and treaties, 20 percent; world history, 20 percent; and foreign language that include Arabic, Bahasa, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian or Spanish, five percent.

Other testing areas for the FSO Written Examination are Pasay City, Davao City, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City.

Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 75 percent in English and a composite score of at least 75 percent in the written test to qualify for the Oral Examination.

Espiritu said the FSO Oral Examination is held in Manila after the written test results shall have been determined. The test includes an assessment of the candidate's oral expression skills, logical thinking and values and attitude.

The DFA will also consider the previous records and experiences to determine the candidate's fitness and aptitude for the Foreign Service work.

Espiritu said a candidate must receive a mark of not less than 80 percent in the oral examination for the DFA to certify that he/she is eligible for appointment as FSO IV.

Application forms can be obtained from the DFA website, www.dfa.gov.ph, DFA Regional Consular Offices and the Civil Service Commission offices.

All application forms must be submitted either by mail or in person to any DFA Regional Consular Office, or to any Foreign Service Post not later than April 20, and to the DFA Main Office not later that April 25.

Application forms must be attached with transcript of college or university record and diploma; birth certificate (In case a birth certificate cannot be presented, the applicant must submit other evidence of birth such as baptismal certificate, birth affidavit, and passport and naturalization papers); one copy of 2x2 photo and four copies of 1x1 photo that are taken not more than six months before the date of the examination showing the full frontal view of the face with a name tag; and two self-addressed envelopes marked as priority mail.

Those who qualify to take the FSO Written Examination will pay an admission fee of P200. - Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM