Language Tests
What is the Consular Fellows Program Language Test?
Candidates who have passed the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) are invited to take a language screening test administered by the Foreign Service Institute’s Division of Language Testing and Assessment (FSI). This is the second stage of the application process. Tests are conducted via online videoconference, and candidates who pass this screening will be invited to the Foreign Service Consular Professional Assessment stage.
The Language Screening Test is scored on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale of zero (no proficiency) to 5 (functionally native). The Consular Fellows language test is a threshold test, candidates are only tested up to the required score for their language, and will receive a score of Pass or Fail, not a numerical score. This test is valid only for screening for the Consular Fellows program; those who join the program and become Department of State Employees will be eligible to take a full FSI language test, which is valid for all purposes within the Department of State.
| Scores Required on the Language Comprehension Tests* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Speaking | Reading |
| Arabic | 2 | 1 |
| Chinese-Mandarin | 2 | 1 |
| Portuguese | 2 | 2 |
| Spanish | 2 | 2 |
For a description of the language skill levels please visit: http://www.govtilr.org/
While the required score to advance to the Foreign Service Consular Professional Assessment for Spanish and Portuguese candidates is IRL Level 2 in both Speaking and Reading, the Consular Fellows Program gives hiring preference to candidates who can score at Level 3 in both modalities. Candidates in these languages who pass the Foreign Service Consular Professional Assessment will be given the opportunity to test a second time should they wish to achieve a score of 3/3 and increase the likelihood of being selected for the program.
What is the format of the Consular Fellows Test
The test is comprised of two parts – Speaking and Reading – and is administered in a single session lasting approximately two hours. A two-person testing team administers the test:
- Examiner – Who runs the test and speaks to the examinee in English.
- Tester – Who communicates with the examinee in the language being tested.
Speaking Test
The Speaking Test assesses language proficiency in terms of the ability of the candidate to use the language effectively and appropriately in real-life situations. It does not address when, where, why, or the way in which a speaker has acquired his/her language. It is not an achievement test that assesses a speaker’s acquisition of specific aspects of course and curriculum content, nor is it tied to any specific method of instruction. The test does not compare one individual’s performance to others, but each individual performance to the assessment criteria. It is comprised of three parts:
- Warm-up – The examinee and tester have a discussion centered on biography, current events, or other topics.
- Discussion prepared and presented by the applicant, from a list of topics presented to the applicant.
- Interview of the tester – on a topic selected by the applicant – summarized back to the testing team in English
Reading Test
In the Reading test, candidates will be given two articles to read and explain (in English) to the testing team. They will have 12 minutes to read each article and then about ten minutes to summarize it. The Examiner may ask questions to elicit details.
Scores on the Consular Fellows Programs Language test are not reviewable. Candidates who do not pass may attempt the exam again in conjunction with a future successful application to the program.