Certified Sommelier Exam - Exam Guide - What to Expect & How to Prepare

Sep 30, 2026

Guidance document for candidates taking the Certified Sommelier Exam, outlining what to expect and how to build an effective study system based on industry experience. The exam is described as a one-day test with three sections: Deductive Tasting, Theory/Business, and a Hospitality and Service Practical. It details expected skills, potential roles, and study resources including courses, grids, mentoring office hours, prep sessions, and recommended reference books covering wine, beer, sake, and hospitality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose of This Document

Exam Description

Expected Skill Set of a Certified Sommelier

Potential Roles of a Certified Sommelier

Part 1: Study Resources

MS Office Hours

Certified Sommelier Exam Prep Sessions

Part 2: Digitization of the Certified Sommelier Exam

CERTIFIED SOMMELIER EXAM EXAM GUIDE WHAT TO EXPECT & HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE CERTIFIED SOMMELIER EXAM PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT: The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and a road map for a candidate to understand what to expect and how to prepare for the Certified Sommelier Exam. As this is a guide, success at the exam requires a combination of industry experience and a candidate creating their own study system to cover all necessary topics in depth. EXAM DESCRIPTION: The Certified Sommelier Examination is a one-day examination with three separate sections: Deductive Tasting, Theory/Business of the Sommelier, and a Hospitality and Service Practical. EXPECTED SKILL SET OF A CERTIFIED SOMMELIER: ▪ Working theoretical knowledge of principal beverage alcohol ▪ Proficiency in tableside service, including: o Still and sparkling wine bottle and glass pour service o Food and wine pairing salesmanship o Cocktail, beer, apéritif, digestif, and fortified wine knowledge o Benchmark producer and vintage basics for iconic wine regions ▪ Deductive Tasting Method ability for core classic red and white varieties ▪ Basic financial program management ▪ Working theoretical knowledge of principal beverage alcohol POTENTIAL ROLES OF A CERTIFIED SOMMELIER: ▪ Restaurant: Lead Server, Captain, Assistant Floor Sommelier, Bartender, Manager ▪ Other: Winery Tasting Room, Lead Retail Floor Salesperson, Distributor Representative, Hotel F&B Leadership PART 1 STUDY RESOURCES PART 1: CERTIFIED SOMMELIER EXAM-RESOURCES FOR STUDY The Resource Library of the CMS-A website has informational documents for each level of CMS-A education and examination. It is recommended you download the following documents to help prepare for the Certified Sommelier Exam. ▪ Certified Sommelier Exam Guide and What to Expect (this document) ▪ Certified Sommelier Exam Syllabus ▪ Certified Sommelier Exam Tasting Grid ▪ Certified Sommelier Level Examinable Wines ▪ Introductory Sommelier Course and Certified Sommelier Theory Exam Curriculum Guide ▪ CMS Hospitality and Service Standards . MS Office Hours Thirty-minute virtual office hour sessions for mentoring with Master Sommeliers are available and open to any CMS-A student. Sign up via the Master Sommelier Mentoring Office Hours link in the Mentoring Resources section of the Resource Library on the CMS-A website. Certified Sommelier Exam Prep Sessions Students can attend free Certified Sommelier Prep sessions offered virtually. Registration is through the Office Hours page. The program consists of five one-hour sessions spread over 10 weeks. These sessions provide a clear understanding of exam preparation and efficient study focus. Master Sommeliers and Advanced Sommeliers assist in small group breakout sessions as Course Aids. Large group sessions, which do not include breakouts, are recorded and available for on-demand viewing. Interactive breakout sessions require full student engagement. Sign up via the Master Sommelier Mentoring Office Hours link in the Mentoring Resources section of the Resource Library on the CMS-A website. CERTIFIED SOMMELIER EXAM-RESOURCES FOR STUDY ▪ Other CMS-A Resources o The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Introductory Sommelier Course Workbook o The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Service and Hospitality Videos ▪ Other recommended books and resources: [o ](o GuildSomm.com)[ GuildSomm.com](o GuildSomm.com) ▪ A wealth of up-to-date information, videos, and podcasts. The website includes study guides and access to the greater sommelier community through forumsand message boards to find like-minded study groups. o Wine: ▪ The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition By: Karen McNeil ISBN 1523510102 • A comprehensive source for in-depth wine fundamentals, plus, history, food, and producer information. ▪ The World Atlas of Wine, 8th Edition By: Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson • ISBN: 1784726184 • A referen

FAQs

What is the structure of the Certified Sommelier Examination?

The Certified Sommelier Examination is a one-day exam with three sections: Deductive Tasting, Theory/Business of the Sommelier, and a Hospitality and Service Practical.

What skills are expected from a Certified Sommelier?

Expected skills include theoretical knowledge of principal beverage alcohol, proficiency in tableside service and wine/food pairing salesmanship, deductive tasting ability for classic red and white varieties, and basic financial program management.

Where can candidates find study resources and mentoring support?

Candidates can use the CMS-A Resource Library to download exam-related materials and attend MS Office Hours and free Certified Sommelier Exam Prep sessions, with schedules and registration provided through CMS-A website links.

Sep 30, 2026

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