I wanted to take the written exam way back in November, but when I attempted to sign up in September, (earliest I could attempt to sign up) I was informed that they were booked solid in Salt Lake City, and that I would have to drive 5.5 hours to a far away city by 10:00am in order to sit the exam. I couldn't swing it with work, not to mention I don't think I could do well on any exam where I had to make a trip like that, and since they did not offer the exam on weekends I had to postpone until February. Nearly ran into the same hurdle again when I attempted to sign up, but fortunately I snagged a seat for March.
I'm going into this exam with a strange mixture of feelings. On the one hand I'm nervous as this is my dream, this is where I want to work, I don't want to mess this up and wait another year. On the other, I've passed this exam before, I can do it again, I expect to pass it again. I'm still somewhat apprehensive as I only found out today that I did not pass an entrance exam for another government agency. But the State Dept has always been where I've wanted to go the most. If I do not do well this time around, I will probably be heading off to grad school. If I pass, I have to negotiate the review panel again, and maybe even another phone interview in Chinese. If I pass that, it's off to the oral examination again in Washington DC. What can I say? I liked what I saw when I visited the State Department last year.
I'm getting a good night sleep tonight, my exam is in the middle of the day, I'm going into it confident and prayerful. That combination seemed to work last time, I'm betting it will work again.
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Best of luck. I know you will do your best, and I think that they would be lucky for have you. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Well I'm back! The exam was as difficult as ever. I felt like I was very challenged with the multiple choice, did fine with the grammar, and did a pretty solid essay. Fortunately I should be finding out if I am continuing sooner this time around that on previous attempts. I have no idea if I passed. The first time I thought I did a good job and I didn't pass, last year I thought I tanked and I passed. This year, lets just hope third time lucky holds true. Thanks so much for all the support!
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Well I got the email today. Looks like they will not be moving my candidacy forward at this time. I need to wait until Spring of 2011 before I can take another shot.
I'm more than alittle disappointed, I really can't tell what the difference was between this attempt and the last one. I felt pretty comfortable with my performance this time around, and yet I did not pass. I'll be faxing my ACT request to see my actual marks as I need to know where I went amiss this time.
I'm not taking this kick in the ribs, I'm still gonna take this bloody thing every year until I get back to the oral exams and pass that too. Sorry you guys are going to have to endure another thread in about a year's time. I'm not going to take any time to lick my wounds. I'm gonna look at moving to a new apartment as there is now little chance I'll be moving any time soon. I need to reevaluate my direction, I need to look at other agencies, I need to consider grad school and start applying to take the GRE, the LSAT, the GMAT, whatever the case may be.
Thanks for all the support guys, I just wish this time I could have had the vindication of an acceptance letter. I'm not giving up, not even close.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Sorry for the disappointment BlackBlade. I would definitely look into grad school. I think education is rarely a waste, so getting another degree will likely be a positive step for you.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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