30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Foreign Service Officer Test Registration Form

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

DATES:

Submit comments up to June 28, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents to Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service, Department of State SA-1, H-518. 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20522.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Registration for the Foreign Service Officer Test.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0008.
• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Human Resources, Board of Examiners.
• Form Number: DS-1998E.
• Respondents: Registrants for the Foreign Service Officer Test.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 12,000.
• Average Time per Response: 2 hours.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 24,000 hours.
• Frequency: Annually.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

Individuals registering for the Foreign Service Officer Test will complete a Registration Form, asking for their name, contact information, ethnicity, education and work history, and military experience. The information will be used to prepare and issue admission to the Foreign Service Officer Test, to provide data useful for improving future tests, and to conduct research studies based on the test results.

Methodology

The registration process, which includes concurrent application submission and seat selection, opens approximately four (4) weeks prior to each testing window. To register, individuals go to pearsonvue.com/fsot/ during the four-week period prior to a specific testing window to create an account, submit completed eligibility verification and application forms, and select a location and seat for the specific test date.