WSET Level 3 Wine Exam Resit: Tips and Strategies

Did you take the WSET Level 3 wine exam but unfortunately didn’t achieve the result you hoped for? Are you planning to retake it and want to maximize your chances of success? Wondering how to review effectively?

Whether you didn’t pass one part (theory or tasting) or both, WiSP offers specialized support to help you retake your WSET Level 3 exam.

In this article, we provide an effective method to review and prepare for both sections of the WSET Level 3 exam so you can retake it with confidence.

heoretical Exam

The WSET Level 3 theory exam is divided into two parts:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):
  • 50 questions in total.
  • A minimum score of 55% is required, meaning at least 28 correct answers.
• Short Written Answers:
  • 4 comprehensive questions worth 100 points.
  • You must score at least 55% to pass this section.

Passing both the MCQ and the short-answer sections is mandatory to validate the theoretical exam.
The total duration is 2 hours.

Tasting Exam

The WSET Level 3 tasting exam involves a blind tasting of two still wines—one white and one red.
The goal is to follow the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), accurately describing:

• Appearance
• Nose
• Palate
• Quality
• Aging potential of the wines

This exam lasts 30 minutes.

What battle plan should you implement? Here are three tips to follow during your revision:

1. Master the Theoretical Basics

• Focus on the fundamentals: Ensure you understand the key grape varieties, wine regions, and wine styles.
• Take a methodical approach: Study each region by covering three main aspects: climate and soil, viticulture/vinification practices, and their impact on the style and quality of the wines.
• Use recommended tools: The WSET manual is essential. Also, study the maps, watch the instructional videos, and review the tasting guides.

2. Learn to Answer Using the WSET Method

• Each question has a theme, context, and an action verb. Clearly identify the instruction before writing your response.
• Write concisely, answering precisely as required without straying off-topic.

3. Practice with Exam Simulations

• Complete multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short-answer questions from past exams.
• Time yourself to stay within the time limits.
• Review your answers and ask yourself: “Did I link my arguments to the context of the question?”

On the Day: What Strategies to Adopt to Succeed in the WSET Level 3 Wine Theory Exam?

1. Manage Your Time to Avoid Panic
   Time is limited—you only have 2 hours in total.
   • MCQ: 30 minutes maximum. Answer quickly and use the process of elimination if a response is unclear.
   • Short Answer Questions: 1 hour 30 minutes. Allocate about 22 minutes per main question.
     Tip: Write on your scratch paper when to move from one question to another.
2. Decode the Short Answer Questions and Focus
   • Read all four questions in full before starting.
   • Analyze each question and clearly identify the theme, context, and action verb.
   • Start with the question you’re most comfortable with.
3. Craft Clear and Concise Answers
   • List: Provide a precise list without explanation.
   • Describe: Give details on a concept or process.
   • Explain: Link your arguments to the style or quality of the wines.
   • Respect the weighting of sub-questions. For example, a sub-question worth 3 points should not take more than 2 minutes to answer.

Common Mistakes
The most frequent errors are going off-topic, not considering the context, and poor time management.

To avoid these mistakes and prepare for the WSET Level 3 Wine exam, we offer a catch-up coaching program. Our WSET Level 3 catch-up sessions are designed to:

• Identify any gaps in your knowledge, whether theoretical or practical (tasting).
• Simulate real exam conditions to help you get fully prepared.
• Help you avoid common errors that lead to failure.
• Provide you with practical and effective learning tools.

Our sessions cover the theoretical content and tasting techniques in detail, with case studies, targeted exercises, and exam simulations.

With all these tips and the catch-up coaching offered by WiSP, you’ll be ready to tackle the exam with confidence and efficiency. Good luck!