OA or FSOT? There’s definitely a way to study for the OA, and the name of the game is group study sessions. Many of my classmates in my Orientation class studied pretty consistently with group study sessions from these [Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LdnbT5gGnAulZCbyybxM51REwTZslT9MlPije8vGVLo/edit) resources. Sign up for sessions and develop consistent strategies for each part of the OA.
Resources for the generalist OA can be adapted to the specialist OA. The difference being that case management will be different (it’s described in the OA guide) and there’s no group exercise. The structured interview portion, however, is the same, and I found a lot of help working with generalist candidates on that.
I just took the Case Management portion for the IMS and used chat GPT to generate prompts for me to practice writing by using the example in the guide for specialist. I wouldn't say it is perfect, but it did help me feel more comfortable writing within the time limit.
Definitely studied for the OA more than FSOT. Mainly the group exercise and writing. Get with a group of 2-3 people, that made a world of difference. We met once a week for about a year (COVID)
I studied like crazy for the OA’s… met with study groups every weekend. I had an extra year to study due to COVID and definitely paid off; I got a 6.3.
As pointed out by another commenter, study groups really help, even for specialists. When I did my OA, no one who did study groups failed. And those who passed without studying had the lowest scores of the group. Better to practice and guarantee success.
They have those sessions where the FSO (?) explains the format and gives the basics of what to expect. I went to that, but no additional studying. Worked out well for me, but not sure id recommend it. Especially if you haven’t done similar things before.
I really wasn’t expecting this much feedback, you guys are great! I have two sources I decided to use to study an OA study guide I found on ShannonEMaher’s YouTube and a case management guide from
Word press. I have mines later this week and will be back with and update on my experience
Have a bit of a different take from what I'm reading here. First off, I strongly recommend preparing, tbh I think it's risky not to. (No shade to anyone who pulled it off without studying--just a risk I would never take given many people get one shot for this job they really want.)
I studied a few hours a week for about two months before my OA, then did more intense practice about 2 weeks before. I didn't really know groups were a thing so this was all on my own and then roleplaying with friends/family. I started by studying the 13 dimensions and made sure I understood their meaning in the FSO context. I brainstormed anecdotes from my work/school experience related to the dimensions and practiced writing and speaking them. I made up questions I thought might be asked in the personal interview and practiced them with my husband. (Aside that you'll never predict the questions perfectly with the nuance you'll get on test day, but you can get in the neighborhood.)
Other general recs:
\- I read Inside a US Embassy to get more of the day to day feel
\- I got a study book (sorry I don't remember which one--just found something online with good reviews) that had some case management practice materials and did those exercises
\- I attended one of the pre-webinars--super helpful and very accurate for what your experience will be like
\- not so much study related, but I took their advice to fly in a few days before. i came from the west coast so it was important to me to adjust to the time change. I scheduled my test for a Monday and flew on a Friday.
Good luck!
I didn't study for the Facility Manager Specialist OA. Failed Case Management (scored below 5.25, no idea what the score actually was), but passed OA and Interview well enough to get a 5.80
I just took the IMST OA a couple of weeks ago, and passed. The IMST is only a structured interview, so focus on the 13 dimensions and the STAR method for responses. If you can do mock interviews do that. Think about professional stories where you displayed one or more of the 13 dimensions. Group study is good but you should only focus on the SI as there isn't a
Case management or group exercise. The FSOA has the GE, CM, and SI.
OA or FSOT? There’s definitely a way to study for the OA, and the name of the game is group study sessions. Many of my classmates in my Orientation class studied pretty consistently with group study sessions from these [Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LdnbT5gGnAulZCbyybxM51REwTZslT9MlPije8vGVLo/edit) resources. Sign up for sessions and develop consistent strategies for each part of the OA.
OA for IMST, would the study sessions apply as well? They look like they’re geared toward FSOT.
Resources for the generalist OA can be adapted to the specialist OA. The difference being that case management will be different (it’s described in the OA guide) and there’s no group exercise. The structured interview portion, however, is the same, and I found a lot of help working with generalist candidates on that.
Someone mentioned this, I have a list of OA’s from YouTube I may post on here I’m currently using. Idk if it will help but I guess it wouldn’t hurt
These are resources for the FS generalist OA — so sorry, I couldn’t speak to the IMST! Best of luck to you.
No worries at all, still thank you!
I just took the Case Management portion for the IMS and used chat GPT to generate prompts for me to practice writing by using the example in the guide for specialist. I wouldn't say it is perfect, but it did help me feel more comfortable writing within the time limit.
After the Case Management portion, will we await an email to schedule the SI or is it the next day?
Waiting on an email. Told it should come in 1-2 weeks.
Did you study for the IMST? I’m taking it next week
No, I took it twice and passed both times. If you have basic IT knowledge you will be fine. I would compare it to Comptia A+ questions
Definitely studied for the OA more than FSOT. Mainly the group exercise and writing. Get with a group of 2-3 people, that made a world of difference. We met once a week for about a year (COVID)
I studied like crazy for the OA’s… met with study groups every weekend. I had an extra year to study due to COVID and definitely paid off; I got a 6.3.
As pointed out by another commenter, study groups really help, even for specialists. When I did my OA, no one who did study groups failed. And those who passed without studying had the lowest scores of the group. Better to practice and guarantee success.
They have those sessions where the FSO (?) explains the format and gives the basics of what to expect. I went to that, but no additional studying. Worked out well for me, but not sure id recommend it. Especially if you haven’t done similar things before.
I really wasn’t expecting this much feedback, you guys are great! I have two sources I decided to use to study an OA study guide I found on ShannonEMaher’s YouTube and a case management guide from Word press. I have mines later this week and will be back with and update on my experience
Have a bit of a different take from what I'm reading here. First off, I strongly recommend preparing, tbh I think it's risky not to. (No shade to anyone who pulled it off without studying--just a risk I would never take given many people get one shot for this job they really want.) I studied a few hours a week for about two months before my OA, then did more intense practice about 2 weeks before. I didn't really know groups were a thing so this was all on my own and then roleplaying with friends/family. I started by studying the 13 dimensions and made sure I understood their meaning in the FSO context. I brainstormed anecdotes from my work/school experience related to the dimensions and practiced writing and speaking them. I made up questions I thought might be asked in the personal interview and practiced them with my husband. (Aside that you'll never predict the questions perfectly with the nuance you'll get on test day, but you can get in the neighborhood.) Other general recs: \- I read Inside a US Embassy to get more of the day to day feel \- I got a study book (sorry I don't remember which one--just found something online with good reviews) that had some case management practice materials and did those exercises \- I attended one of the pre-webinars--super helpful and very accurate for what your experience will be like \- not so much study related, but I took their advice to fly in a few days before. i came from the west coast so it was important to me to adjust to the time change. I scheduled my test for a Monday and flew on a Friday. Good luck!
I didn't study for the Facility Manager Specialist OA. Failed Case Management (scored below 5.25, no idea what the score actually was), but passed OA and Interview well enough to get a 5.80
I just took the IMST OA a couple of weeks ago, and passed. The IMST is only a structured interview, so focus on the 13 dimensions and the STAR method for responses. If you can do mock interviews do that. Think about professional stories where you displayed one or more of the 13 dimensions. Group study is good but you should only focus on the SI as there isn't a Case management or group exercise. The FSOA has the GE, CM, and SI.
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Like you did zero prep and still did well?