How to manage WSET Diploma Theory examination

Daniele Benetton
Apr 11, 2020
4 min read

This post in English since many recent visitors and winelovers have been searchig for a solution or support to deal with The WSET Diploma. Here I put together my experience as a teacher (few learning theories) and all the info I got in attending the Diploma WSET and Weinakademiker course in Rust (Austria – Europe. Graduation date: nov 2019).

Three hours and five questions out of seven. Candidate should allow himself/herself to spend 30 minutes for each question. Strategy is to read through questions and spend 5 minutes to have a brief overview and select which to answer. Then have less than half an hour for the final review in the end.
Once selected, go for them and list a keypoints to cover the answer. It's important to create a mind map (concept or diagram map) of all regions or big entries so as to have everything under control.
Check carefully the answer and what is required from you. Everything is written in the question. Underline those vital keywords and plan your answer. Do not write generic things around the question. Be surgically precise and don't waste time in irrelevant informations.
Use the theory of didactic: have a cognitive understanding of the subject matter you are dealing with and metacognition (consideration on what you are writing). Use global thinking (from general rules to particular ones. Understanding first the big picture) or analytical thinking (proceeding step by step from particular to the general. Understanding the details first), deductive or inductive reasoning (from facts to rules versus from rules to facts).
If you get stuck in the middle of a question. Take a break. Go for another question. It is possible to remember things lately. Memory works by association.
In reading the examiner reports there are basically two great cases in which students fail to answer a question. First: go to point nr. 9. Second: memory problem. As in every exam the Long Term Memory is essential. Train your declarative memory (events, facts and emotion linked). Chew on this!
Don't develop your answer using bullet points. If you use them, you have to demonstrate application of factual knowledge and demonstrate discussion and analysis. Give statements and then explain them in a structured way.
Don't write anything you know if you don't know how to answer to a question. Just skip the question and hope you can manage the others...or stand up, leave the room and show yourself on the next exam session.
Diploma WSET needs you to recall factual information (WSET 3) and apply analysis, evaluation, explanation, comparison, discussion, critics and SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threats) analysis. Support observations with examples. How something affects something else.
Advice n° 1 : do an excel file containing all winestyles according to the script. Just download good technical sheets, copy&paste on excel and use filter to help you to compare different techniques.
Advice n° 2: do an excel file also for all viticulture and vinification entries.
Be aware of the meaning of words. Here you have a list:

Consider: give an account of (depending on context, give your opinion).
Critically assess: give a judgement on something having looked at it in detail.
Critically examine: weight arguments for and against something: assess the strenght of evidence on both sides.
Describe how something account for something else: show how you understand the facts that contribute to the final product. Analyse cause and effect.
Discuss: write about the most important aspects of something, including criticism. Give arguments for and against supported by appropriate evidence and examples.
Evaluate: assess the worth, the importance or usefulness of something, using evidence. Include “for” and “against”.
Examine: put the subject under the microscope looking at it in detail.
Explain: Make clear why and how something happens or is the way it is.
How important: say to what extent something is important, explain why and give examples.
How and why: say how something happens and explain why. Diploma exam requires candidates to apply both explanation and application.
Identify and outline: say what something is and give the main points about it.
To what extent: consider how far something is true or contributes to the final outcome and how far something is not true.
What and how: two parts to the question: say what it is and then how.
What impact...likely to have: say how much effect something is likely to have and give evidence to support this.
What do you think: give your opinion and give reasons for it with examples.
Write a paragraph about: write all the facts and relevant info about what is being asked.
What causes: identify the cause / reasons why something happens.

13. Write in block letters and excellent spelling and orthography. This will help examiners to understand what you are writing and not bin you paper for bad writing.

14. Check if you have read all these books (at least...):

The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia, Tom Stevenson (Superb maps)
Wine Marketing. A Practical Guide. M. Hall, R. Mitchell (for marketing, industry, logistics, prices, general business)
Wine Science. R. S. Jackson (deep understanding of the science behind)
Understanding Wine Technology, D. Bird (...technology...)
The Oxford Companion of Wine, J. Robinson (well: nothing to declare)
Grapes and Wines, O Clarke (I believe the best book about grapes and wines)
Concise Guide to Wine and Blind Tasting, N. Burton (outstanding overview of styles of wine in every country)

15. The day before the exam: do not brush up on your notes. Go as close as possible to the premises where the next day you sit the exam. Then turn around and go the closest lake to see the flora&fauna and have 2 or 4 glasses of wine and talk with local people (their apathy or disinterest in the pain you are suffering will help you releasing serotonin: the hormon of happyness and relaxation...).

16. The day of the exam. Stay calm, relaxed, remember this day (smell the air! Note every single detail! Look at the eyes of the other candidates!...then focus on your desk, paper, pen, hand) because if you love wine- or if wine is part of a bigger project in your life - then you probably feel that this is one of the best wine course and exam you have ever been taken up to that moment.

17. Within the first hour after the exam: Sit down, relax, have a glass...or maybe 3...and have a chat with local people showing interest in their boring life. Pray whoever you want (you Personal Goddess) according to your beliefs.

Additional Source

http://www.phillywine.com/wset/diploma/diplomaexams.html

Drink Responsibly.

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