5 Top Tips for the CSW Exam

The Certified Specialist of Wine, or CSW exam is one of the most revered in the industry. It can also be one of the most frustrating for students. Some consider it to be the most difficult of the exams, compared to exams from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS). 

The CSW is entirely theory, and there are no practical portions, such as tasting or service. It includes 100 multiple choice questions, and a 75% is what is needed to pass. By comparison, to pass the CMS theory portion, you need a 60%. For WSET, it’s only 55%. 

Beyond that, questions can come from any of the major wine regions all over the world, such as Spain, France, or Germany. But they can also come from lesser-known regions like China, North Africa and Brazil. 

Personally, I found the amount of information to be overwhelming at the beginning. Especially when it came to geography and the quality levels in each region. AOC, DOC, DO, DAC, QBA, VQA. It’s enough letters to make heads spin. 

Recently, I spoke to a fellow CSW and wine educator, Jade Palmer. Like me, she appreciated the breadth of information in the exam. 

“It’s incredibly dense material and spans the entire breadth of the winemaking world. If a place makes wine it’s written about in the CSW book,” says Palmer. “To this day, I still use the book as a reference, if I want to know something very specific about a region, sub-region, or winemaking method.” 

But, there are some things that will make studying much more manageable and increase the chances of succeeding.

Here are 5 tips for passing the CSW exam and becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine.

This is the #1 tip for a big reason. While the exam does not require any coursework or specific studying before taking it, there are many resources that the Society of Wine Educators (SWE) offers. Most importantly, SWE has a 15-week course, led by a “rockstar” educator Jane Nickels. Jane walks through every region and helps candidates understand the important regions, sub-regions, grapes, and more. Candidates who take her course have a significantly higher pass-rate than those who do not.

SWE also offers flashcards and practice exams to refresh on the topics at hand. For Jade, all of these were important to her success.

“I used all of the resources available to me through the SWE, the map exercises, their flashcards, and then making my own flashcards and notes, “ she said. “I just kept doing it until I got it right several times. It helps a lot.”

This one might not be recommended or endorsed by SWE but it will really focus your studies. While the exam is 100 questions and questions can come from anywhere, they are not equally distributed. Some regions will have far more questions in the exam than others. Candidates should really focus on France, Italy, Germany and Spain at a minimum. Know these regions backward and forward. 

Learn the locations of all regions and sub-regions. Learn the terroir, the macro-climate (e.g. “warm continental climate”) and micro-climates (region/vineyard specific climatic factors.) Then learn the major grapes, wine styles, laws, and region-specific terms. For example, you should know that Burgundy is continental, with six major sub-regions, well-draining soils and focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 

These four regions are likely to make up the majority of the questions on the exam. With a cursory understanding of the remaining regions, and maybe a little luck, passing the exam is well within reach.

One of my favorite wine education platforms is Wine Folly and their mantra is “where we learn, by drinking.” While the CSW does not require tasting or purchasing wine, it is a great way to learn. Tasting can highlight the things that are being discussed in the textbook. Riper wines tend to come from warmer climates closer to the equator. Wines that are lighter with high acid tend to come from colder climates. Wines with salinity often come from the coasts. 

Find a few examples of wines from places that are mentioned in the book and see how the words on the page jump out.

We all have our favorite way to study, but sometimes, breaking out of the normal routine can be really helpful. Jade recommends finding a new method to study the same material and bring it to life in a different way. Put the flashcards down and pick up a map, or place a matching game instead of practicing questions. These are all good ways to make studying more fun. 

“It’s important to also vary up your study routine,” says Palmer. “If you’ve been doing flashcards the whole time, find another way to re-imagine that information. Instead of doing flashcards of Loire Valley appellations, maybe map out your favorite producers.”

This may come as a surprise, but sometimes the best study tip is to stop studying! I am definitely someone who wants to keep pushing. But as Jade reminds us, the best way to pass the exam is to show up ready to take it in the first place. 

“I think at that point [closer to the exam], it’s important to take brain breaks. There is a point where you’re just looking at words and it’s not clicking, so you need time away.” says Palmer. “You don’t want to run your brain ragged. You have to take care of yourself so you can show up as your best self on exam day. That’s part of being successful.” 

Many thanks to Jade for her wisdom and perspective. You can follow her at @lowkeywinenerd on Instagram. You can find me at @untoldwinestories. If you’re taking the exam and want help, send me a message!