The foreign service oral examinations for aspiring diplomats will push through before the end of the month.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) has allowed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to hold the 2021 Foreign Service Officer Exams (FSOE) oral tests from July 28 to 30.
The foreign service exams, which screen a candidate's knowledge in current events, history, international relations, among others, as well as on character, critical thinking, and decision-making, are considered among the most difficult exams in the country.
"Recognizing that the conduct of Foreign Service Officers Examination (FSOE) is part of essential government operations, the Department of Foreign Affairs may conduct their FSOE Oral Tests on 28-30 July 2021 for their twenty-six (26) examinees to be held at different venues within the DFA Building," the latest IATF resolution read.
Based on the DFA website, the FSOE involves five phases namely the qualifying test, the preliminary interview, written test, psychological test, and oral test. A candidate's knowledge and skills on English, Filipino, the country's political, economic, social and cultural conditions, international affairs, world history, and foreign language will be assessed in the written test.
An average of 80 percent in the written and oral tests will be needed to pass the FSO exam.
Those who passed the test will be recommended to the President for possible appointment as FSO IV. A six-month training program will be required in preparation for responsibilities as a junior diplomat in the home office or at posts abroad.
"Foreign Service Officers are in charge of promoting and protecting the interests of the Philippines and the Filipino people, at home and at our 88 posts overseas," the DFA said in its website.
"The duties of an FSO IV include: drafting reports, correspondences, position papers, talking points, legal opinions or agreements; attending local and international meetings and conferences; coordinating with government agencies and diplomatic missions on matters pertaining to the mandate of his/her Division; handling assistance-to-nationals cases; and supervision of staff at the Home Office and at Posts," it added.