WSET exam format guide

WSET Level 1 exam format

The Level 1 exam is 30 multiple-choice questions with four answer options each. It covers basic wine knowledge: types of wine, major grape varieties, storage, service, and food pairing.

The exam is typically taken at the end of a one-day course. It is closed-book — no notes or materials allowed. You have 90 seconds per question on average, which is generous for the straightforward Level 1 questions.

There is no tasting exam at Level 1, although the course includes a tasting component for educational purposes.

WSET Level 2 exam format

The Level 2 exam is 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes. Each question has four options, and you need a minimum of 55% to pass.

Questions cover grape varieties, wine regions, winemaking techniques, tasting terminology, and food pairing. Some questions are straightforward recall, while others require you to apply knowledge — for example, identifying which grape variety is grown in a specific region.

Level 2 does not have a formal tasting exam, but the course includes guided tastings that help reinforce the theory material.

The exam is closed-book. At 72 seconds per question, time management is less of an issue than at Level 3, but don't linger on difficult questions.

WSET Level 3 exam format

Level 3 has two separately assessed components. You must pass both to receive the qualification.

Theory paper (2 hours)

The theory paper is a single closed-book exam combining 50 multiple-choice questions with 4 short-answer written questions (each worth 25 marks). You have 2 hours total to complete both parts. The MCQ section accounts for one-third of the theory marks (50 out of 150), while the written section accounts for two-thirds (100 out of 150). The written section is where most students find the greatest challenge.

You must achieve 55% in both the MCQ section and the written section of the theory paper to pass Unit 1. Questions are significantly more detailed than Level 2. Written answers need to use correct wine terminology and demonstrate understanding, not just recall.

Tasting exam (30 minutes)

You taste two wines blind (labels hidden) and describe them using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). You must assess appearance, nose, palate, and provide a conclusion including quality assessment and readiness for drinking.

The tasting exam is assessed separately from the theory paper. Even if your theory is strong, you must also pass the tasting to receive the qualification.

What to expect on exam day