
How to prepare for the WSET Level 3 exam overview
- Tip 1: Stick to the WSET 3 textbook
- Tip 2: Match the progression of your course with self study
- Tip 3: Maintain a paced study schedule
- Tip 4: Don’t just learn the facts off by heart
- Tip 5: Region coupling
- Tip 6: Should you study in a group for the WSET Level 3 exam?
- Read the Book ASAP! ...
- Understand the Specification Booklet. ...
- Start a Tasting Group. ...
- Do Practice Tests on the Weekends. ...
- Download Brainscape. ...
- Push Your Exam if Needed. ...
- Buddy Up! ...
- Know the Difference Between “Identify,” “Explain,” and “Describe”
How much time do I need to prepare for WSET Level 3?
This will include helping you to: Calculate how much time to spend in each topic area Find practice exams – perfect as a learning tool and to ensure that you are fully prepared for your exam The recommended classroom time for the WSET Level 3 in wine qualification 32.5 hours. This includes 2.5 hours for the examination.
How to study for the WSET Level 3 wine exam?
When studying for the WSET Level 3 wine exam, stick strictly to the textbook. You won’t be asked any questions on anything that isn’t directly covered in the textbook. In order to study for the WSET Level 3 more efficiently, focus on the WSET 3 textbook, and always the most current edition thereof. All of the answers are in there.
How do I prepare for a WSET exam?
There is so much that goes into preparing to take a WSET exam, at any level and in any subject stream. The most obvious advice for candidates is to read the qualification specification, attend class and read your textbook. For many candidates, this is enough to ensure success.
Are WSET exams multiple choice?
With a multiple-choice question, you know with 100% certainty how that question will be marked. WSET’s Level 3 and Level 4 examinations include other question types which may be less obvious. A truly prepared exam taker goes beyond preparing to answer questions, they prepare how to answer them.

How hard is it to pass WSET Level 3?
Worldwide, the WSET Level 3 exam has about a 50% pass rate. Most students who stumble do so in the essay section; I was about to learn why.
How long should I study for WSET Level 3?
Recommended hours The recommended classroom time for the WSET Level 3 in wine qualification 32.5 hours. This includes 2.5 hours for the examination.
How long does it take to get WSET 3 results?
WSET London confirms that your exam results will be released in approximately 3-4 Months after your exam date. All exam results will be emailed to you the day we receive the Gradelist from WSET.
Is WSET hard?
Thankfully, WSET Level 2's test is not the most difficult style of exam out there. There is no tasting component (much to Angie's delight, that comes in Level 3) and many of the multiple-choice questions can be figured out through critical thinking if you can apply logic based on what you've learned in the course.
What is a level 3 sommelier?
Level 3: Advanced Sommelier Find a mentor that knows more than you, and let them teach you their tips and tricks. This exam is a real commitment, and requires a 60% pass rate on each of the following sections: Theory: A written exam concerning knowledge of wine, beverage, and sommelier practices.
What is wset3?
WSET Level 3 is an intense 10-week wine course that dives into many elements of wines of the world. As we've talked about WSET courses many times on this site, in this one we wanted to turn our attention to the exams specifically.
How many people pass WSET?
Global wine, spirits and sake professionals and enthusiasts embrace WSET qualifications during COVID. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has reported that in the last academic year (2020/21) a total of 108,584 students took a WSET qualification through the organisation's global network of course providers.
Do WSET certifications expire?
Passing students receive a certificate and pin. I prepared 6 months prior to the exam. Level 1 expires after 3 years and is required to continue to level 2. Approximate cost of the course is $700.
What can you do with a WSET certification?
WSET certifications can open doors to careers in wine writing, academics, retail, distribution, restaurants and bars, consulting, and so many more. We are also seeing more and more job postings in hospitality and retail actually requiring their candidates to have formal wine certifications.
Can you skip to WSET Level 3?
WSET does not require completing Level 2 before jumping into Level 3, but it is highly recommended for many reasons.
How many people have WSET 4?
In the last 50 years, there have been over 10,000 WSET Level 4 Diploma graduates. The Diploma comprises six individual units each student must successfully pass in order to receive the qualification.
How should I prepare for WSET?
These five simple tips will help you prepare to get the most out of your WSET learning experience and set you on track to achieve your goals.Know what's expected. ... Read your textbook before the course starts. ... Start building your sensory memory bank. ... Be realistic about your study requirements. ... Know your study style.
Can you skip to WSET Level 3?
WSET does not require completing Level 2 before jumping into Level 3, but it is highly recommended for many reasons.
How long does WSET diploma take?
2-3 yearsThe Diploma is comprised of 6 Units, and it can take 2-3 years to complete the full program. The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines is the WSET's flagship qualification, designed to prepare those in the trade for senior positions within the wines business.
What can you do with a WSET certification?
WSET certifications can open doors to careers in wine writing, academics, retail, distribution, restaurants and bars, consulting, and so many more. We are also seeing more and more job postings in hospitality and retail actually requiring their candidates to have formal wine certifications.
How to prepare for WSET level 3?
How to prepare for the WSET Level 3 exam overview. Tip 1: Stick to the WSET 3 textbook. Tip 2: Match the progression of your course with self study. Tip 3: Maintain a paced study schedule. Tip 4: Don’t just learn the facts off by heart. Tip 5: Region coupling.
What is the best approach to take WSET Level 3?
Because the WSET Level 3 exam covers so much information, the very best approach is to break the content down into small, manageable chunks and spread that learning out over the duration of the course.
How long is the WSET exam?
The overall course is typically about 16 to 20 weeks long (four to five months), which is plenty of time to prepare for the exam if you prepare from day one. If, however, you want a more specific (and personalized) estimate of how many hours you need to study for the WSET Level 3, turn to Brainscape!
How to study for WSET 3?
The best way to study for WSET 3 is to take a logical approach.
What is the WSET 3 exam?
Successfully passing the WSET-3 exam is a jewel in your crown of achievements and one that opens a world of wine, food, and hospitality career opportunities to you. Sure, it’s a challenge but don’t focus on the mountain of knowledge ahead of you. Rather, focus on the delight of discovery as you learn about the world’s most exciting winemaking regions and the beautiful wines they craft.
What is level 3 on WSET?
You WILL see questions on the WSET Level 3 exam that test your understanding of the facts and how they relate to each other. So, boldly learning the facts off-by-heart, word-for-word via rote memorization (parrot fashion) will only get you so far.
Can you squeeze a few extra marks out when asked to write down the various descriptors for a wine?
There is a crafty way you can potentially squeeze a few extra marks out when asked to write down the various descriptors for a wine’s aroma and flavor profiles.
What is the problem with WSET level 3?
When it comes down to it, one of the biggest problems with the WSET Level 3 essay exam is simply blanking out on the topic outright. So be sure to sit back, take a breather, and reflect on everything you know. When it comes down to it, logic and the power of deduction may be all you need to get a few extra points even when you are unsure of the best answer!
How many possible answers are there on WSET?
First, WSET multiple-choice exams only have four possible answers, and you can likely deduce the right answer in many cases. Even without that, I'll take a 25% chance of being right over 0% any day.
How many points are in the level 3 essay?
At the time of my exam, the Level 3 Essay portion included “four” questions that were worth a total of 100 points and required complete sentence responses.
How many points do you need to pass a wine test?
As you only need 55 points to pass, you'll do well to recognize that sparkling, fortified, and wine recommendations account for 30. Knowing these can really go a long way to get a passing score!
How many points are there in wine course?
It is also worth highlighting that the course specification tells you the points distributions in the various learning outcomes, which for my exam included 70 points for still wines of the world, 20 points for sparkling and fortified wines, and 10 points for providing information and advice to “customers and staff” about wine.
What is level 3 in WSET?
WSET Level 3 is at least three times more the material than level 2. The first half of the textbook is all about winemaking, grape growing, environmental factors, maturation, production, etc. The second half of the book is broken up into chapters by countries and wine growing regions. The book then finishes with fortified wines and sparkling wines.
What is the only thing you are graded on for WSET Level 3?
Complete all of the practice questions and work. The only thing you are ever graded on for WSET Level 3 is the exam. However, it is so important that you complete all of the work assigned to you in the online course! There are often practice quiz questions or discussion questions that will pop up on the exam.
What is the difference between WSET level 2 and level 3?
The biggest difference between WSET levels 2 & 3 is the amount of materials and the exam. WSET level 2 is often a 6 week course that starts off with a little bit of winemaking background and then jumps heavily into the different grape varietals. Each chapter is broken up by the different grapes, while mentioning key characteristics and regions.
How to be successful on the tasting portion of the SAT?
In order to be successful on the tasting portion of the exam, it requires lots of practice! To make things more fun, host a tasting with family or friends. This gives you an opportunity to share your wine knowledge, practice tasting different wines, while becoming a better taster. Don’t forget to go through your Wine Lexicon and use the SAT from the book!
How to review before a WSET exam?
Below is a sample of how I review before an exam. Taking the WSET Level 3 Specification, open it to the topic you are reviewing. Take a blank page of paper and brainstorm what you can remember for the given subject. Check against your syllabus, and review your notes from weeks 1 & 2 to refresh your memory.
How many multiple choice questions are there on the WSET?
There are 50 multiple choice questions on the exam. Below you'll see WSET's breakdown of the exam topics.
How to title a sheet?
Title your sheet with the region name, and reference the page numbers.
How to prepare for WSET?
The most obvious advice for candidates is to read the qualification specification, attend class and read your textbook. For many candidates, this is enough to ensure success.
What is a study guide for level 3?
For Level 3 qualifications, the study guide is an invaluable resource. It goes into some depth explaining how questions are structured and it offers examples of short answer questions together with their answers.
How many questions are asked in the Level 2 wine exam?
How does this help you? This time let’s take the Level 2 Award in Wines examination as an example. The specification tells you that exactly 19 of the 50 questions will be on topics from Learning Outcome 3, which is “ Understand how environmental influences, grape-growing options, winemaking and bottle ageing influence the style and quality of wines made from the principal grape varieties ”.
Do you need to list ten things on a test?
On the other hand, you shouldn’t need to list ten things. As soon as the marker gives you the third point, they stop reading. There is no extra credit here, and time is precious during your exam. You should plan to use every minute to get every possible point, which means no wasting time!
Do WSET exams have access to current documentation?
They will always have access to the current documentation from WSET, and because of the number of candidates they work with, and their extensive experience offering WSET exams, they will have built up plenty of wisdom over time that they can share with you. Best of luck in your studies!
What is the trickiest aspect of short answer questions?
One of the trickiest aspects of the short answer questions are the way they are asked and worded. Understanding the verb in the question will make or break you answering correctly. I found an amazing blog piece via Napa Valley Wine Academy that breaks down a short answer question by verb, noun, adjective etc. This will help you understand how to give the answer they’re looking for.
How many questions are asked in the blind tasting test?
The first thing you should understand is how the exam is graded. It is split into 3 parts - the blind tasting (1 white and 1 red wine), 50 multiple choice questions, and 4 short answer questions (we ighing 25 pts each). For the blind tasting, you don’t need to call the wine, but you do need to write the correct notes from top to bottom according to the SAT (Systematic Approach to Tasting). You only need a 55% to pass, but don’t let that fool you. You need a 55% minimum in all 3 areas individually, so don’t think just because you’re an excellent taster it will make up for some of the theory…it won’t.
How many hours does it take to get to level 3?
As you can see, Level 3 is more involved, requiring 30 hours of class time and a lot more outside studying.
How much time does it take to study for level 3?
But it does take a lot of studying and time, so you have to be committed. As you can see, Level 3 is more involved, requiring 30 hours of class time and a lot more outside studying. Like Level 2, you should definitely read the entire book, take notes in class, and make flashcards (a LOT of flashcards).
How to not miss points in wine tasting?
That way, you can fill in each line while tasting the wine and ensure you don’t forget anything.
What to do after class each week?
After class each week, review your notes and make flashcards. Flashcards are key for this level because it requires a ton of information!
What is the challenge of level 3?
Though memorization is still key, one of the biggest challenges with Level 3 is that you are now expected to apply the theory you learn to show you actually understand. You can expect to explain how factors in the vineyard, winemaking processes, and other external factors influence the wine.
How many prompts are there in an essay?
The four essay prompts are broken down into short questions, each with an indication of how many points they are worth.
How many hours of class time is required for Level 1?
Level 1. This class requires no outside studying and only 6 hours of class time…easy peezy! It’s only a one-day commitment. how to study: No outside studying required. The exam is composed of 30 multiple choice questions, but you’ll take it on the same day as your class at the very end. How to pass:
What is level 3 wine?
At Level 3, you are expected to develop a strong ability to describe wine accurately, and account in detail for the style, quality and price of wines.
How often do you turn up for Level 2?
At Level 2, you more or less turn up once a week and never even have to look your coursemates in the eye if you don’t want to. However, in addition to your written exam Level 3, you have a blind tasting assessment.
How to keep your knowledge fresh?
You need to stay motivated, and the best way is to make it fun. Watching TV shows, listening to podcasts, attending tastings, and visiting wineries are all great ways to keep your knowledge fresh and your mind open to the subject.
Can I skip level 2?
You can skip Level 2 if you have equivalent training or already know your stuff — like the chef — but trust me, you need some kind of starting point for this. I took the course late last year, but I was still a bit rusty.
Is the course material difficult to read?
BUT, I found the course material difficult to read at times. Maybe it was the depth and breadth of knowledge we were expected to have. Maybe it was some of the awkward wording in chapters, but as a dyslexic it wasn’t exactly a picnic.
