The Donald Trump administration is scrapping the State Department’s current Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) and introducing a new version that it says would be strictly “merit-based,” in contrast to what it calls the existing “DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)-riddled” system.
“The Trump Administration is reforming how America recruits its diplomatic corps. That begins with a new Foreign Service Officer Test to select the best and brightest. We are choosing merit over DEI and affirmative action,” the State Department announced on its official X account, confirming an exclusive news report and sharing a link to it.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s wider effort to restructure the agency, cut wasteful spending, and realign its priorities with US national interests.
According to the report, the FSOT being phased out included questions on how often applicants “seek out activities with diverse ethnic and cultural groups” and whether they were likely to build relationships with people whose first language was not English.
“Secretary Rubio, under President Trump’s leadership, is eliminating these distortions and restoring a system where talent—not affirmative action—determines opportunity. The new test will welcome patriots ready to serve, regardless of race, religion, sex, or ethnicity,” a senior agency official was quoted as saying.
Another official argued that some questions in the previous exam were designed to “exclude ordinary Americans from the Foreign Service based on their upbringing.”
Foreign Service officers are tasked with managing US relations with allies and partners around the world. The new test is part of a broader overhaul of the Foreign Service programme.
In February, Trump, who began his second and final term the previous month, signed an executive order directing a revamp of the US diplomatic corps and charging Rubio with building “an exceptional workforce of patriots.”
“The Trump Administration is reforming how America recruits its diplomatic corps. That begins with a new Foreign Service Officer Test to select the best and brightest. We are choosing merit over DEI and affirmative action,” the State Department announced on its official X account, confirming an exclusive news report and sharing a link to it.
The Trump Administration is reforming the recruitment of America's diplomatic corps. That starts with selecting the best and brightest through our new Foreign Service Officer Test.
— Department of State (@StateDept) September 3, 2025
We are choosing merit over DEI and affirmative action. https://t.co/eJewjTpkOQ
The move is part of the Trump administration’s wider effort to restructure the agency, cut wasteful spending, and realign its priorities with US national interests.
According to the report, the FSOT being phased out included questions on how often applicants “seek out activities with diverse ethnic and cultural groups” and whether they were likely to build relationships with people whose first language was not English.
“Secretary Rubio, under President Trump’s leadership, is eliminating these distortions and restoring a system where talent—not affirmative action—determines opportunity. The new test will welcome patriots ready to serve, regardless of race, religion, sex, or ethnicity,” a senior agency official was quoted as saying.
Another official argued that some questions in the previous exam were designed to “exclude ordinary Americans from the Foreign Service based on their upbringing.”
Foreign Service officers are tasked with managing US relations with allies and partners around the world. The new test is part of a broader overhaul of the Foreign Service programme.
In February, Trump, who began his second and final term the previous month, signed an executive order directing a revamp of the US diplomatic corps and charging Rubio with building “an exceptional workforce of patriots.”
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