FAQ’s

No, Level 1 prepares students for an entry level job in hospitality or retail. It gives basic knowledge on wines, service and matching wines to meals.

It is recommended that candidates should hold the WSET Level 2 in Wines and Spirits. Candidates who believe they have a sufficiently good understanding of the subjects covered by the Level 2 syllabus are advised to consult before enrolment on the course of study for guidance on the accreditation of prior learning. Level 3 is a highly intensive course and the knowledge gained from Level 2 is expanded on in Level 3.

Once registration is completed and payment is received you will receive a study pack prior to the commencement of the course via Australia Express Post relevant to the course you have registered it.

1. Level 1 is 30 multiple choice questions
2. Level 2 is 50 multiple choice questions
3. Level 3 consists of 3 exams

• 50 multiple choice questions
• A question paper requiring short written answers
• Blind tasting of 2 wines

The exam papers are sent back to WSET in London for marking. Wine Spirit Training is notified by email and you will be notified of your mark via email from Wine Spirit Training. Certificates and badges are then sent, and they will be forwarded to you via Australia Express Post.

Level 1 in Wines - Pass Rate for Wine Spirit Training in 2013 was 100% - Globally 90%
Level 2 in Wines and Spirits - Pass Rate for Wine Spirit Training in 2013 was 97% - Globally 91%
Level 3 in Wines and Spirits Pass Rate for Wine Spirit Training in 2013 was
Tasting 100% - Globally 94%   Multiple Choice 92% - Globally 85%   Short Answer 83% Globally 65%

To give students an idea of the sort of questions which might be asked, here is a selection. The examination consists of 30 questions similar to these, to be completed in a maximum of 45 minutes.

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir
• Syrah
• Chardonnay

• Dry White
• Dry Red
• Sweet White
• Sweet Red

Participants must receive a total mark of 70% to achieve a pass

To give students an idea of the sort of questions which might be asked, here is a selection. The examination consists of 50 questions similar to these, to be completed in a maximum of 60 minutes.

• either higher or lower temperatures
• the same temperatures
• higher temperatures
• lower temperatures

• Merlot
• Semillon
• Shiraz
• Riesling

• South African red wines
• Portuguese fortified wines
• Australian wine wines
• Californian rose wines

• Chenin Blanc
• Classico
• Cotes du Rhone
• Crianza

• golden in colour, with yeasty flavours
• high in tannins and acidity
• sweet, with nutty aromas
• sparkling and dry in style

• Aggregate mark of 85% and above - Pass with Distinction
• Aggregate mark of between 70% and 84%. - Pass with Merit
• Aggregate mark of between 55% and 69% - Pass
• Aggregate mark of 54% and below - Fail

• Tinta Rorlz
• Ugni Blanc
• Touriga Nacional
• Touriga Franca

• Gamay
• Grolleau
• Malbec
• Cabernet Franc

• Guyot simple
• Gobelet
• Lyre
• Geneva Double Curtain

The paper will consist of four questions of equal weighting requiring brief written answers and one 4-mark question. The questions can be drawn from any area of the Unit One syllabus.

A customer who regularly purchases classic French wines requests New World alternatives. Recommend a suitable New World wine as a substitute for each of the wines listed, stating reasons for your selection.

• Pouilly-Fume
• Cote-Rotie
• Saint-Emillion
• Margaux
• Chablis

In question one candidates will be required to blind taste two wines and produce written analysis using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting technique.

The candidate will be required to identify each wine and indicate the retail price band for both wines.

50 marks are allocated to this paper.

A mark of 55% in each Unit is required to achieve a pass

• Aggregate mark of 80% and above - Pass with Distinction
• Aggregate mark of between 65% and 79%. - Pass with Merit
• Aggregate mark of between 55% and 64% - Pass
• Aggregate mark of 54% and below - Fail

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust does not release past paper for the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits. In order to give candidates an idea of the sort of questions that might be asked, this section includes five sample questions. The examination consists of 50 questions similar to these.

1. 10–15% abv
2. 25–30% abv
3. 35–40% abv
4. 45–50% abv

• The plate at the bottom of a column still has the highest concentration of ethanol.
• Liquid flows up a column still.
• It is possible to have three simultaneous collection points from a column still.
• Fermented alcoholic liquid enters the still at room temperature.

• Pisco
• VS Cognac
• Calvados
• VSOP Armagnac

• Reposado
• Straight
• VSOP
• Single

• Mojito
• Daiquiri
• Manhattan
• Rob Roy

Answers 1b, 2c, 3a, 4b, 5b

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits is assessed by a closed-book examination that consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in one hour. All examination questions are based on the published learning outcomes and the recommended study materials contain the information required to answer these questions. A candidate is required to pass with a minimum mark of 55 per cent.

• Aggregate mark of 85% and above - Pass with Distinction
• Aggregate mark of between 70% and 84%. - Pass with Merit
• Aggregate mark of between 55% and 69% - Pass
• Aggregate mark of 54% and below - Fail