Comments on: Society of Wine Educators: Tips for the CSW Exam

By: Steve Thompson

Steve Thompson — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:43:07 +0000

If you would like some (free) practice quizzes, check out The Bubbly Professor’s Website…they are tough and help a lot!!
http://bubblyprofessor.wordpress.com/

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:02:27 +0000

Hello all,

I am currently considering taking the CSW exam at some point in the future. I am wondering if anyone has a used SWE study guide they are willing to sell me or if anyone knows where I can obtain a used study guide rather than spending the $$$ for a brand new one–since I am not currently in the wine industry and am not sure when I will be prepared to take the exam. I am doing this for personal fulfillment.

Thanks in advance!

Angela

By: shannon

shannon — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:54:54 +0000

WoooHooo! Passed with a 92! Did not think I did that well. What a relief. I don’t think the pass rate was very good as many of the people I talked to before the exam had only just started studying. I took everyone’s advice on how to study for this. I was surprised at some of the questions going, “really?” Sure I missed those. Everyone was right..this was not an easy exam…at all! Someone said, “study the minutia.” Glad I took that seriously. Your new CCSW (onward)

By: m-anonymous

m-anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:22:07 +0000

I took the exam in Fall 2011 and passed with a score of 89%. I basically read the study guide over and over again.

By: shannon

shannon — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:34:30 +0000

Taking my CSW Exam in a couple of weeks in LA (12/10) Scared to death. Don’t really want to take this over again, especially when so many people are counting on me passing. Not in the wine industry, but plan on working in the Paso Robles area next year and hope this will be a basis for a better job. I have been studying since February and still panic over not knowing some of the non-relevant stuff.
Thanks for everyone’s help. SFSOMM…even I knew the TBA answer.

By: Winecaptain

Winecaptain — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:44:25 +0000

Recently took the exam and am awaiting the results. I hope that I passed. I will say that at least 50 of the 100 questions were relatively easy (would expect that I was 95%+ on them) and straight forward. Most people with a resonable amount of studying would score at that level. Then there were about 25-30 that were difficult and relatively obscure from the study guide (they were published, but not in bold or even things that you would focus on). I would expect that I scored 60-70% on them. Finally there were about 20 that I would call truly obscure and not on my radar at all. Several had 2 answers that appeared correct and were actually correct when I looked them up. You had to make a guess as to which was the answer that they were looking for. All in all, it is a multiple choice test, but I would suggest looking at things that are more obscure and not really relevant to one’s actual wine knowledge. ie… Wines from the Franken region are sold in what type of bottle? brown, green, flask, or clear. I am not sure how relevant this is in the grand scheme of things (by the way Flask is the correct answer). I would think that the 1855 classification (which was not on my test at all) is far more relevant to the wine industry (just a personal opinion). All the best to everyone studying!

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:58:14 +0000

Thank you for the article and comments. Good background and study tips for those looking for CSW certification. Good Luck to all who look to learn more about the world of wine. BTW…pretty funny how SFSomm, the self-proclaimed “expert”, thinks a TBA is dry. Hilarious…when, in fact, it is the sweetest of all German pradikats and among the greatest sweet dessert wines of the world D Cheers.

By: Blake

Blake — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:16:28 +0000

Stumbled upon this site (got lucky I guess). For what it’s worth. I took my CSW test last month (July) and failed with a 73. Discouraged!…No, though I’ve been in the industry for over 10yrs (restaurant & retail) this test is a little humbling. I’ve been asked if I was a Somm throughout my years at the restaurant level, so my knowledge did hold some weight with my customers, even though I not a Somm. I studied for about 40hrs, with many distractions. For those who are considering taking this test, you’ll need more knowledge other than the study guide and lesson plans to pass in my opinion. Even though I failed the first time, I’m more committed to the cause and I’m shootin’ for 90%+ next test. Hey SFSOMM! If you project knowledge and professionalism, and your customers trust you and keep coming back, then you are an expert no matter what level of knowledge you have or don’t. What was your score SFSOMM? BTW… this test helped me pass 1st level somm, that was offered to me a week before the class and test, not much time to study for it, but I passed. Silver lining I’d like to think.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:16:55 +0000

Hi there,
I paid the $400 for the study guide and I take my CSW exam in 2 weeks. You are so right about getting to the point of exhaustion in regards to the mention of wine. I’ve been taking it slow, but I know it has come to the point of having some fear and hoping I do well as I don’t wish to wait another year to take the test over again.
Thank you for your insight, was so disappointed your study guide was gone! That would have been terrific!

By: Thirsty Reader

Thirsty Reader — Sat, 07 May 2011 06:47:22 +0000

Unfortunately, I got a cease and desist for that Study Guide…