5 Tips to Study for the WSET Level 3 Advanced Wine Qualification

As we cheer on our current WSET Level 3 students heading into their exams, it’s the perfect time to share some of our top tips for success in this challenging and rewarding qualification.

It’s also the perfect moment to announce that enrolment is now open for our next WSET Level 3 course, running on the following Sundays:

14, 21, 28 September, 19, 26 October, and 2 November 2025

This six-day advanced course is ideal for anyone serious about their wine journey, whether you’re in the industry or just passionate about deepening your knowledge.

Now, here are our five best study tips to help you succeed in WSET Level 3:

1. Start Early and Stay Consistent

Level 3 takes things up a notch from Level 2. There’s a lot more theory to grasp, and you’ll need time to build understanding—not just memorise facts. We send out study materials as soon as you register, so get started early. Study in small, regular sessions rather than trying to cram, and give yourself time to absorb and connect concepts.

2. Get Comfortable with the SAT (Systematic Approach to Tasting)

Many students get the most stressed out about the tasting exam, but the good news is that it’s not about guessing the wine correctly. The tasting exam is designed to test your ability to accurately assess a wine using the correct vocabulary and structure. You earn points for each correct observation, so even if your final guess is off, you can still pass (and even score highly!) if you describe the wine accurately.

Practice is key here. By attending the course, you’ll taste over 60 wines under expert guidance, giving you ample opportunity to sharpen your skills. We also recommend arranging blind tastings with classmates to keep refining your process. Focus on remembering each step of the SAT, rather than worrying about naming the wine. It’s your structured description—not your guess—that counts.

And not to toot our own horn, but our student pass rates for the tasting portion of the exam are very high, so take a deep breath—you’ve got this!

3. Use Flashcards to Lock in Theory

There’s a mountain of information to retain—from grape varieties and wine laws to winemaking techniques and regional differences. Flashcards are a fantastic tool for reinforcing key facts and vocabulary. While online sets can be useful, making your own flashcards is an even better way to absorb the material. The process of writing them out helps reinforce your understanding—and they’ll be tailored to how you learn.

4. Make Connections, Not Just Notes

Don’t just memorise lists, focus on understanding how everything connects. For example, how does the timing of fortification impact the final style of wine? Or, what are the winemaking options for Chardonnay and how do they impact the finished wine? Understanding the why behind the theory helps you write stronger exam answers and grasp the bigger picture.

5. Tackle the Short Written Answers with Practice

Arguably the most challenging part of the exam is the short written answer section. This is where your ability to apply theory in a structured, clear way really gets tested.

Luckily, WSET provides past exam questions, which are a goldmine for practice. Use them to hone your writing style and learn how to rack up points. Be sure to practise structuring your answers efficiently—think clarity over creativity.

Bonus Study Resource: Discounted Access to Wine with Jimmy

We’ve partnered with the Wine with Jimmy YouTube subscription service, a fantastic support tool to use alongside our classroom sessions. His videos offer clear, visual explanations of key Level 3 concepts and tasting techniques, and are a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned in class. Our students enjoy a special discount on this resource—just ask us for the code when you enrol!

Whether you’re getting ready for your exam or considering joining our next course, we hope these tips help you feel more confident and prepared.

Early bird pricing is available if you register at least two weeks before the enrollment deadline—save 300 AED when you plan ahead!

Ready to take the leap? Visit www.HospoTraining.com to secure your spot.