5 Key Points to Consider Before Making Your Decision.
If you are considering taking the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines certificate we can only tell you: do that! It is such an enriching experience. But before you start you should take into consideration a few important points.
What you should know before enrolling for the WSET 3
It is so much worth it; you won’t be disappointed.
Passing the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is a challenging undertaking for most candidates. It requires long study hours and thorough exam training. But it is so much worth it!! Why?
You will learn a lot. Pursuing a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines certificate will give you advanced knowledge of the vast and intricate world of wine. You'll learn about grape varieties, winegrowing regions, appellations, and factors that influence wine production, which will help you confidently identify and appreciate different wines.
You will enjoy global recognition. Everyone working in or with the wine industry knows and highly values the WSET. WSET-certified professionals are regarded as highly knowledgeable and skilled.
You can make use of your knowledge and feel confident. The knowledge you gain from earning a WSET 3 certificate can be applied to many jobs within the wine and hospitality industry. Even if you're not currently working with wine, as a motivated wine enthusiast, you can use this knowledge to help you read, select, and enjoy wine.
What you should know before enrolling for the WSET 3 It is a challenging exam.
More than 50% fail the exam. The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is a big step up compared to the Level 2 and it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to prepare for it properly. These are the four most common reasons for poor performance:
Most students tend to underestimate the time it takes to memorize everything they need for the WSET 3 exam. The time you need to memorize all that wine knowledge depends on your prior experience. If you've been working in a wine shop for the past 5 years, you may only need 2 months to get everything down. But, if you're new to the wine world, it could take up to 5 months to get it all memorized. If you're interested to know more about managing time effectively before and during the exam, check out this article on time management tips. You can also download the free ViniRama study time plans for WSET 3 here to help you stay on track.
The second most common reason why students fail is because they underestimate the level of confidence required to pass the exam. The WSET 3 textbook may be thin, but it's extremely dense, and you need to know everything in it. That's right, every little detail of every chapter, including the small ones at the very end of the book. It's also important to understand that simply knowing the facts is not enough. To formulate your short-written answers, you need to understand and create logical links between pieces of information found in different parts of the book. To learn more about how to formulate short-written answers for the WSET 3 exam and to get practice questions, click here.
Failing the WSET 3 exam is often caused by poor preparation tools. Simply reading the book won't cut it. To guarantee you're well-prepared, you need to use the right tools. For example, flashcards can help you remember everything you've studied, while practicing with mock exam questions can help you master the answering technique. So, make sure you're using these tools to increase your chances of success.
What you should know before enrolling for the WSET 3
Study material is the key to success.
To prepare for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, it's important to know that the study material you use will play a big role in your success. Here are some helpful tools to use:
The textbook: It has everything you need to know for the exam, so you don't have to do extra research.
The specification document: This document tells you what parts of the book are not included in the exam, so you can avoid studying unnecessary information. You can find it here.
Flashcards: These are great for training your brain in a different way than just reading the material. Answering questions from flashcards helps you recall information from memory, making it easier to remember later on. You can create your own flashcards or buy the ViniRama Flashcards here, which are the most complete digital flashcards for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine.
Mock multiple-choice questions: Once you've studied enough with flashcards, multiple-choice questions will be a breeze. It's still helpful to practice this answering technique in advance.
Mock short written answer questions: These are the toughest part of the exam, so it's important to train extensively for them. Check out this resource for tips on how to answer them effectively.
What you should know before enrolling for the WSET 3
Costs can vary a lot.
Common prices for WSET Level 3 courses range from around 550 EUR (~600 USD) to 1100 EUR (~1200 USD), depending on the chosen APP and course format.
Online formats tend to be cheaper since they don't include the tasting samples, but keep in mind that you'll need to budget for the cost of the wines separately. One option is to form or join a study group where you can share the costs of the wine and make the experience more enjoyable. Alternatively, you can purchase wine sample kits specifically designed for the WSET 3 exam, which contain small bottles of wine and are usually less expensive than buying each 75 cl bottle separately.
In-person WSET Classroom formats are typically more expensive than online formats and are offered in blocks, on weekends or in the evenings. They generally include all tasting samples.
What you should know before enrolling for the WSET 3
There are many formats available.
There are different ways you can study for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, and it's important to know what options are available.
Here are some common formats you might come across:
Day Course: Usually a 6-week program with eight-hour classes, once a week (including the exam). The classes can be during the week or on weekends.
Bock Course: Usually a 6-day program with eight-hour classes every day (including the exam).
Evening Course: Usually a 16-week program with three-hour classes, once a week (including the exam).
Online Course: Usually a 9-week program. This can be either live video classes or an online learning platform with a tutor to help answer your questions. But keep in mind, the exam must be taken in person!
The details of each program may vary, so it's best to check with your APP for more information.
If you decide to pursue go for it, remember that we offer an abundance of additional tips and tricks to aid you in your exam preparation. Moreover, we take pride in providing what we believe to be the most effective and comprehensive set of flashcards to help you excel in the exam.
Cheers,
Nicky