We often receive questions on the grading for the various levels of WSET Wine qualifications. This information is available in the Course Specification document for each level, but we thought it would be useful to include it here.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines/Spirits/Sake
The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes.
To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions.
The full specification including the examination criteria is available here.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines/Spirits/Sake
The Level 2 Award in Wine exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in one hour.
Pass marks
Pass: 55% - 69%
Pass with Merit: 70% - 84%
Pass with Distinction: 85% and above
The full specification including the examination criteria is available here.
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines/Spirits/Sake
The course assessment is split into two units.
Unit 1: Theory Examination consists of two parts: 50 multiple-choice questions & a paper with 4 questions requiring short written answers (25 points per question) to be completed in two hours.
A mark of 55% in each part is required to achieve a pass.
Unit 2: Tasting Examination is a blind tasting of two samples (wines, spirits or sake, depending on the qualification), that must be completed within 30 minutes. A combined mark of 55% is required to achieve a pass.
Candidates who successfully complete both units will receive an overall grade based on their aggregate mark over all examination papers.
Results are graded as follows:
Pass: aggregate mark of between 55% and 64%
Pass with Merit: aggregate mark of between 65% and 79%
Pass with Distinction: aggregate mark of 80% or above (with no individual examination paper below 65%)
The full specification including the examination criteria is available here.
Resits (applies to all levels)
Candidates may apply to resit the examination if they are unsuccessful.
There is no limit on the number of attempts that may be made.
Candidates who have passed are not permitted to retake to improve their grade.
In addition, only applicable to Level 3 qualifications:
Candidates who have passed either unit (theory or tasting) only have to resit the remaining unit.