FSI (Foreign Service Institute Test)

  • Administered by: U.S. Department of State.
  • Purpose: Assesses language proficiency of U.S. diplomats and government staff.
  • Format: Includes multiple components—speaking, reading, listening, sometimes writing.
  • Scoring: Also uses the ILR scale (0–5).
  • Use Cases:
    • Required for U.S. Foreign Service officers and government roles abroad.
    • Tailored for professional use in diplomacy and international relations.
  • Arabic-Specific Notes: FSI training and testing cover MSA and dialects, since diplomats need both for effective communication.