It’s been a few weeks since I completed the rigorous and challenging WSET Level 4 Diploma, and as I sit here reflecting on my seemingly endless 2 ½ year journey, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude towards myself for persevering and never giving up, but also deep gratitude for the people and resources that helped me conquer this beast and achieve it with Merit.
I won’t get too emotional or digress too much—after all, you’re here because you’re looking for guidance. While there’s no easy way to navigate the Level 4, there are definitely some tips, tools, and resources that can make the journey more manageable.
Before we dive in, let’s first understand what the WSET Level 4 Diploma entails. To earn the diploma, you’ll need to pass five exams and complete one research paper on a designated topic (two topics are released each year). The units are as follows:
D1: Wine Production (1.5-hour closed-book written exam)
D2: Wine Business (1-hour closed-book written exam)
D3: Wines of the World (theory and blind tasting exam, conducted over two days)
D4: Sparkling Wines (1.5-hour closed-book written exam and blind tasting)
D5: Fortified Wines (1.5-hour closed-book written exam and blind tasting)
D6: Research Paper (3,000 words)
Completing this work will take anywhere from two to three years, depending on how you choose to pace the units. While you’re required to complete D1 and D2 first, the remaining units can be taken in any order.
One thing APPs (Approved Program Providers) might not emphasize is that you can take different units at different APPs if that better suits your schedule. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to travel to the designated APP for the exams, and no exams are conducted online.
From my experience, tackling the diploma on your own would be incredibly challenging—you’ll need resources beyond the provided reading materials. So without further ado, here’s everything you need to succeed in passing the WSET Level 4 Diploma:
1. Read and Understand the Specification Booklet
As I emphasized in my post about Level 3, it’s crucial to thoroughly read and understand the Specification Booklet. This document provides a detailed outline of the learning outcomes, which are essential for planning your studies, as the exams are specifically designed to assess these outcomes. Additionally, it includes a list of recommended tasting samples, examination guidelines, and regulations. In short, if you want to know what you’ll be tested on, the answers are all in there.
2. Read Ahead!
The sheer amount of information you’re required to retain can feel almost overwhelming, and starting with D1 can be particularly intimidating as it dives straight into topics like biology and chemistry. A good strategy is to read through all the materials at least once before the class begins; this helps you start connecting the dots early on. There is a LOT of material to cover, and while it might be tempting to take a break between units, it’s honestly best to start reading for the next unit as soon as possible—it can help ease some of the anxiety. I truly wish I had begun my D3 reading even earlier!
3. Sign Up for a Wine With Jimmy Subscription
Jimmy's videos were a vital resource during my Diploma studies. I discovered them through a friend who initially failed the WSET 3 theory exam but passed with Merit after subscribing. Jimmy’s comprehensive videos are invaluable—not only because he’s based in London and closely collaborates with the WSET school there, but also because he breaks down the content directly from the book into digestible sections. Concepts like the Douro's Beneficio or German wine law can be challenging to grasp, and this is where Jimmy truly excels.
I passed my WSET Level 4 Diploma D1, D5 theory, and D3 theory with Distinction, and my D4 theory with Merit and much of my success is owed to his exceptional guidance. With this link, a 10% discount will be applied to your subscription at checkout!
4. Space Out Your Units as Needed
This isn’t a race, and if you have children or a full-time job, it might be wise to space out your units or take breaks for your own well-being. My APP didn’t offer certain units at the same time as others, so rather than stress myself out by taking two exams on the same day or overlapping study periods, I opted to take the unit at another APP. Keep in mind that you’ll need to travel to the corresponding APP for the exam, so make sure that’s feasible for you. Also, be aware that there’s a fee if you need to extend your studies beyond the 3-year mark.
5. Start a Tasting Group
When I say "it takes a village," I truly mean it. Find a group of colleagues or classmates to taste with—and be sure you're all tasting according to the SAT! Having a tasting group is invaluable for calibrating your palate and deepening your learning. As tedious as it may seem, I strongly recommend writing out the full SAT every single time, especially when practicing for the exam, and do so under timed conditions. For the tasting portions of the exams, it's recommended to spend no more than 10 minutes on each wine. There's a lot to cover in those 10 minutes, so it's imperative to practice!
6. Get a Coravin
When you're not with your tasting group, it's important to continue tasting regularly on your own. Having a Coravin was absolutely essential for me—it allowed me to sample a wide variety of wines without having to pull the cork and risk wasting an entire bottle. This tool not only helps you practice blind tasting with friends and family at home but also allows you to revisit the same wines over time to see how your palate develops. Even more exciting, they have a Coravin for sparkling wine now too which is helpful for D4!
7. Download and Subscribe to Brainscape
I powered through over 5,000 flashcards during my subway and train commutes! Unlike other levels, it’s not enough to simply regurgitate facts and information from the book—you need to make connections and use those facts to support your answers. Brainscape was instrumental in helping me memorize some of the more tedious details (e.g., yields, rainfall, temperatures, etc.), which were crucial for backing up my responses. This approach can make the difference between a Pass and a Pass with Merit or Distinction. Use code GRAPECHIC24 to get 20% off your first subscription purchase.
8. Join the WSET Diploma Facebook Group
This Facebook group connects you with current and past WSET Diploma students from around the world. You’ll need to be accepted into the group, but once you're in, you'll have access to tips and tricks from others who are on the same journey. This is also where I discovered Alex Tsui (winner of the 2024 Vintner's Cup), who offers invaluable advice, and Joana Mesquita, a Diploma alum who hosts free online study sessions every Sunday.
9. Sign Up with Elevage Wine Coaching
Amber and Noelle were truly invaluable throughout this process, especially for D3. A membership to Elevage not only gives you access to online tastings and seminars but also offers personalized one-on-one coaching, including customized study schedules. They create practice exam questions based on past exams and provide insightful advice on how to improve. Thanks to them, I picked up countless tips and tricks, like the "one, two, punch" technique, which teaches you to state a fact and follow up with two impacts. This approach was incredibly helpful in connecting the dots for the D3 exam.
10. Ditch the Handwritten Notes
Yes, you heard that right. While handwriting notes may be useful for a few of the smaller units, once you reach D3, you'll quickly realize there just isn’t enough time to write out all the information by hand. My advice is to create an Excel template where you can easily create new tabs and input the details for different regions and countries. I also found it helpful to draw out maps and annotate key facts directly onto them.
11. Put in the Time
This may sound extreme, but Level 4 is a huge step up from Level 3. It’s not enough to put in a few hours a week and expect to pass. While the Specification provides recommended revision hours for each unit, in my experience, you’ll likely need to increase that significantly. This means saying goodbye to trips (unless they’re wine-related), nights out, date nights, and so on. By the time I was in the last three months of D3, I was studying four hours a day.
12. Focus on Command Words
According to past Examiner’s Reports, the biggest pitfall for candidates is not answering the question directly. Always circle the command words (e.g., identify, explain, describe) in the question to ensure you structure your response correctly. For example, if the question asks how the growing environment of Bourgogne impacts the quality of the wine, don’t just "fact dump" all you know about the region. You will fail! Instead, focus on making clear connections back to quality, as that's what the question is asking for. This article from Cambridge does a great job in helping to understand command words.
13. Enjoy the Journey
When I was in it, I thought I hated every minute, but now that I'm done, I look back and really miss the journey. The late nights, the endless flashcards, and the intense study sessions were all part of an incredible learning experience that pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. Embrace the challenges and the small victories along the way—they’re all part of what makes this achievement so rewarding. Remember, it’s not just about the destination, but the journey that shapes you into the wine expert you’re becoming.
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