WASHINGTON, DC, April 9, 2014 — Computer-based assessment company Pearson VUE is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has selected it, in partnership with Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), to manage and deliver the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) to candidates aspiring to represent the United States as Foreign Service Officers (FSOs).
The new agreement will allow FSO candidates to take the test throughout the United States within Pearson VUE’s network test centers and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
The FSOT is a necessary component of the pre-hire selection process. The timed assessment includes a job knowledge test, biographic questionnaire, English expression test and a written essay. Pearson VUE will manage the application and registration sections of the FSOT as well as the personal narrative evaluation which leads to a candidate’s oral assessment by the DOS.
Hans Klemm, Acting Director General of DOS, said: “We selected Pearson VUE to deliver this critical test in partnership with HumRRO because of their innovative computer-based technology and sophisticated global testing capabilities. Candidates will have the convenience of taking the test at local state-of-the art testing centers domestically and in our embassies around the globe.”
Bob Whelan, CEO and President, Pearson VUE, said: “We are proud that this new program will help generations of aspiring FSO candidates to become valued Foreign Service Officers for the U.S. Department of State.”
The DOS is interested in expanding program capabilities in the future, taking full advantage of HumRRO and Pearson VUE’s advances in measurement, exam development, technology and test delivery.
About HumRRO
HumRRO (www.humrro.org) is a non-profit organization that consults with and conducts research and analysis for a wide range of federal agencies, commercial businesses, professional associations, state and local government and agencies within the national security community. In addition to the area of training research and development, we are an industry leader in developing high-stakes operational assessments used for both hiring and promotion, and leadership evaluation. Our corporate headquarters are located in Alexandria, Virginia, with field offices in Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Monterey, California.