The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship provides academic funding for your IT-related bachelor’s or master’s degree and prepares you to enter the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO). As a FAIT Fellow, you’ll first need to take the Diplomatic Technology Officer Test (DTOT) and earn a qualifying score. Then you’ll need to pass the Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (FSSA) before you graduate.
What Is the DTOT?
The DTOT is the U.S. Department of State’s test for DTO candidates, administered by Pearson. It has three parts:
- Job Knowledge covers the information technology knowledge DTOs use on the job.
- English Expression measures your command of English grammar, punctuation and clear, concise writing.
- Situational Judgment assesses how you’d respond to realistic workplace scenarios.
Don’t let “job knowledge” intimidate you. The State Department considers an IT degree on its own enough to qualify for the DTO position, with no prior work experience required. Your coursework is your foundation.
To get a sense of what DTOs need to know, review the knowledge areas listed in the State Department’s DTO job announcement, which include networking, cybersecurity, telecommunications, cloud computing and project management.
How the DTOT Fits Into Your Fellowship
You can take the DTOT as soon as you’re selected and accept the fellowship. If you earned a qualifying score on the DTOT before applying to the fellowship, that score will count.
Once you earn a qualifying score, the State Department will register you for the FSSA at every available opportunity, up to every 182 days. You only need to earn a qualifying score on the DTOT once.
Don’t wait until orientation or your first internship to take the DTOT — especially if you’re in the one-year fellowship. If you don’t earn a qualifying score, you must wait one full year to retake it. Because FSSA openings come up only periodically, a late start could leave you without enough time to complete the FSSA before you graduate.
Where and How You’ll Take It
You’ll complete an online application through Pearson, then take the DTOT in person at a Pearson test center. Centers are located throughout the United States, and many offer weekday, evening and weekend appointments. You’ll receive your results immediately after you finish.
The test is free, but you’ll need to provide a credit or debit card when you register. Pearson charges $5 to hold your appointment and refunds it a few weeks after you test. If you miss your appointment or cancel less than 48 hours in advance, you’ll be charged a $45 no-show fee.
Tips for Registering
- Use a personal email address you’ll have long after graduation, rather than your school email. The State Department will contact you at the address you provide.
- Review your application carefully before submitting it. You won’t be able to make changes for six months.
- Schedule your appointment within eight weeks of the date you’d like to test.
Questions? Email FAITFellowship@twc.edu.
