How to Pass WSET: Study Tips for Levels 1, 2, and 3
So you want to learn about wine, but you’re feeling a bit intimidated? I get it. We all have a million things going on at all times and it’s hard to make time for ourselves….but if you’ve decided to take the plunge and enroll in WSET, you’ve come to the right place.
Or maybe you’re still not sure - I hope these study recommendations can help you decide if this is the right path for you!
WSET suggests study hours for each level, but I’m here to get real with you and tell you exactly what you need to do to pass levels 1, 2, and 3 of WSET.
I’ve also included the pass rates for the first three levels of WSET, so you can get a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
By the way, if you haven’t enrolled yet, I have a deal for you. Enroll in WSET or another wine class with Napa Valley Wine Academy and use code LexSte2022 for a discount!
If don’t know what WSET is, first read this post about this wine education system and the breakdown of its four levels.
How to Pass WSET: Study Tips for Levels 1, 2, and 3
Depending on the level you’re considering, the Wine and Spirits Education Trust is definitely a commitment.
Don’t worry about purchasing any additional materials, the books, workbooks, and other required items are included in the cost of each class.
Here is what you need to do to pass each level of WSET.
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:
You only need to score a 70%, so as long as you pay attention in class, you’ll pass. With the test at the end of the class, the information will be fresh in your brain and you’ll be good to go.
If you can give up one Saturday, I suggest starting here and seeing how you feel about the whole WSET system!
Plus, if you’re an everyday wine-drinker looking to improve your skills, this is the class for you. Or, you can book a virtual wine tasting with me and I’ll teach you the basics of wine tasting to help you discover wines you love!
Level 2
Level 2 requires much more than Level 1. You’ll have to take time outside of class to really study and prepare for the test.
How to study:
Read the book
Take notes in class
Make flashcards
I can’t stress this enough: Read the entire book!
Everything in the book is fair game for the test (even photo captions!). If you’re taking the class at an institute (rather than online), the exam is at the end of the last day, so you want to be sure you’ve finished the book before the last class.
You’ll get a syllabus at the start, so you know which topics will be covered on each day of class. I suggest reading the specific sections prior to class and then paying attention and taking notes during class.
After class each week, review your notes and make flashcards. Flashcards are key for this level because it requires a ton of information!
You can find some WSET Level 2 flashcards online, but I just made my own because I know that’s the best way for me to learn.
How much to study:
Of course, everyone is going different in their study habits, but I probably studied about 8-10 hours each week.
My classes were all day on Saturday’s, so on Sunday’s, I would review my notes and make flashcards.
Throughout the week, I made sure I read the book each night and was caught up before the next class on Saturday.
How to pass:
You only need to score a 55% on the 50-question multiple choice exam, which I think is very doable if you just read the book and pay attention in class.
Level 2 introduces different levels of achievement based on your score.
A score between 70-84% = pass with Merit
A score of 85% and above = pass with Distinction
These qualifications don’t really mean anything, but they do stand out on your resume if you’re pursuing a career in the industry. And it does feel good to know you achieved above passing!
Level 3:
Now, we jump to another standard of commitment and difficulty with Level 3. If you’re not pursuing a career in the wine industry, I would probably suggest you stop at Level 2.
If you are hoping to work in the wine industry, Level 3 is a great experience! But it does take a lot of studying and time, so you have to be committed.
How to study:
Read the book
Take notes in class
Make flashcards
Practice exam questions
Trace maps
Form a blind tasting group
Get to know your instructor’s palate
Understand the scoring system
Drink lots of wine
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).
I followed the same schedule of reading the book before class, taking notes during class, and making flashcards on the Sunday after class to review throughout the week.
For this level, I actually read through the entire book twice, just to really make sure the information was ingrained in my brain!
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.
For Level 3, it’s super important that you understand the scoring system for the test to make sure you pass. The test is broken up into three parts:
Blind tasting of two wines
Multiple choice test
Short essays
In order to qualify for the Level 3 certification, you’ll need to pass all three portions of the test. Here’s a summary of what to expect from each section…
Blind Tasting
For the blind tasting, first memorize each structural component you will need to describe for the wines in order to get the full points: aromas, acid, alcohol, tannin, body, etc.
In order to not miss any points, I’d suggest writing these categories on your paper before beginning your tasting. That way, you can fill in each line while tasting the wine and ensure you don’t forget anything.
For example -
Aromas:
Acid:
Alcohol:
Tannin:
In the aromas and flavors sections, list as many notes as possible! You cannot be docked for incorrect aroma and flavor descriptors, but you will be docked if you don’t have at least 5 that match your teacher’s notes, so the more the merrier!
Just try not to be too off topic.
If applicable to the wine, you’ll also want to list descriptors from the primary, secondary, and tertiary lists.
Pay attention to your teacher’s palete when tasting during class. During the blind tasting, your teacher will also blind taste the wines and make notes on each wine, just as you are doing.
Your blind tasting notes will ultimately be graded based on how they matched your instructor’s notes, so be sure to notice how your teacher picks up different elements of the wine during class.
For example, my class knew our teacher would almost always call a purple wine “deep ruby”, so we made note to call most red wines ruby, even if in our opinions they seemed purple.
Form a blind tasting group!
If you’re able to, gather some people in your class or your area who also want to work on their blind tasting skills. To be sure the wines aren’t revealed, you can ask your local wine shop to put the bottles in brown bags before you pick them up, or have everyone in the group bring a different wine.
I’ve found that with blind tasting, the only way to get better is to practice!
If you’re tasting on your own or with a small group and don’t want to open a ton of bottles at once, a Coravin definitely comes in handy! It’ll allow you to taste wines without popping the cork and allowing the wine to go bad before you can finish the bottle. Head to the link below to get yours.
Multiple Choice
The multiple choice portion should be the easiest part of the test, considering you’ve done your studying.
Be sure to go with your gut and don’t overthink these 50 questions.
Remember: process of elimination always helps!
I would also suggest going back over your answers after you’ve completed your essay questions to be sure you didn’t make any silly mistakes.
Theory Essays
And then there’s theory...unarguably the most intimidating part of the test. But don’t fret, as long as you’ve studied as much as you can and know the eligible points for each question, you’ll be fine!
This section focuses on your ability to take the theory you’ve memorized and apply it to vineyard practices, winemaking, and other factors that influence the wine.
The four essay prompts are broken down into short questions, each with an indication of how many points they are worth.
An easy way to make sure you’ve attempted the total amount of points: translate the number of points into the number of sentences (i.e. if the question is worth 4 points, write 4 sentences). Just confirm each of your sentences presents new information in order for each to qualify as a point.
Find some practice questions online and do a few per week leading up to the test. You can work with a friend in class to grade each other, or just look up the answers in your book to grade yourself.
Doing these practice questions will help you understand how the essays are structured, so you don’t run into any surprises on the test day.
Remember: one of the four questions in this section will be about either fortified wine or sparkling wine. Be sure to know these topics well and you’ll already have one essay in the bag!
How much to study:
A lot. Again, your required amount of studying is probably different than mine, but I made sure to study every single day after work for these few weeks.
On Sunday’s I spent pretty much all day reviewing my notes, going over flashcards, and reading the book.
I would estimate I studied about 15 hours or more per week.
How to pass:
To pass, you need an aggregate score of 55-64%. That means, you have to pass each level with a score of at least that.
For the more advanced placements:
A score of 65-79% = pass with Merit
A score of 80% or higher = pass with Distinction
Most importantly: don’t stress!
But I know that’s easier said than done. I was a complete stress case during my Level 3 course…just ask my mom or boyfriend. :)
Learning about wine can be overwhelming, but don’t forget that it’s also fun!
While WSET is definitely a commitment, it’s totally worth it and you’ll find your wine knowledge to be super well-rounded by the end!
I’m hoping to enroll in WSET Level 4 Diploma at some point, and then I’ll be able to share more study tips with you.
In the meantime, if you want to know about how each level is structured, what you’ll learn, and pricing, read this breakdown on the four levels of WSET.
For now, I hope you find these tips helpful and applicable. If you’ve already gone through any of these levels and have more advice to share, feel free to pop into the comments below!
Ready to further your wine education? Enroll in a WSET class today and use code LexiStephens for a discount.
Also, if you’re enrolled in a class and want to brush up on your tasting skills, book a virtual or in-person wine tasting with me! We’ll go over the Systematic Approach to Tasting and get you ready for your test.
Maybe you’re not ready to enroll in any WSET classes but would still like to learn how to taste wine…my wine tasting events are fun, informative, and approachable for any level of wine-drinker!
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