
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced that the next Career Service Examination (CSE) for Foreign Service Officer (FSO) will be held on Jan. 28, 2024.
CSC said the application deadline for this examination is Oct. 20.
The CSE-FSO is administered jointly by the CSC and the Department of Foreign Affairs' Board of Foreign Service Examinations (DFA-BFSE).
It is the first stage, known as the Qualifying Test, of the five-part FSO Examination.
Its goal is to identify and assess potential candidates for the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.
Competencies are assessed across four key areas: verbal ability, analytical aptitude, numerical skills, and managerial capabilities.
CSC said interested examinees can submit their applications through various channels, including the DFA Consular Offices within and outside Metro Manila, Philippine Embassies, Consulates, or Missions overseas, or at the BFSE Secretariat located at the DFA Main Office in Pasay City.
Once the application form and supporting documents have been inspected and accepted by the relevant DFA office, a non-refundable admission fee of P500 will be collected.
The CSE-FSO will be administered by the CSC in 18 testing centers across the Philippines.
These testing centers are located in Bacolod City, Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro City, Calasiao in Pangasinan, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, General Santos City, Legazpi City, Lipa City, Lucena City, Metro Manila, San Fernando City in La Union, San Fernando City in Pampanga, Puerto Princesa City, Tacloban City, Tuguegarao City, and Zamboanga City.
The CSC requires candidates to achieve a minimum score of 80 in the CSE-FSO to progress to the subsequent FSO examinations, which include a preliminary interview, written test, psychological assessment, and oral examination, ensuring the most qualified individuals advance through the selection process.
Those who successfully pass the CSE-FSO will be conferred the Career FSO Eligibility, which opens doors to first-level (clerical) and second-level (technical) government positions that do not necessitate professional practice and are exempt from bar, board, or other regulatory requirements.