SOMM Practice Test

The Certified Sommelier Examination is for candidates aged 21 and over who have already passed the Introductory Sommelier Course and Exam. This page sets out the format, fee, scoring and retake rules from the official sources, then gives you free practice sets by topic, worked questions, a study plan and answers to common questions.

SOMM Exam at a Glance

What the SOMM is and how it works

According to Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam, “The test consists of multiple choice, short answer, simple math, and matching questions. Candidates must complete the 45-question examination within 38 minutes.”^[1]

The Certified Sommelier Examination is run by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A). The Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same exam. It is offered in person only and is held on a single day, covering deductive tasting, theory and practical service. The theory and tasting parts are taken on Examplify, using your own laptop or iPad.

Eligibility: you must be 21 or older and must have passed the Introductory Sommelier Course and Exam.

Format and timing: the theory exam has 45 questions and a 38 minute limit. The blind tasting covers 4 wines and has a 45 minute limit. The service practical has a 16 minute limit.

Scoring: you need a minimum of 60% on every section within the same sitting. You see Pass or No Pass the same day, and the full Results and Feedback Report is emailed within 10 business days.

Fee and retakes: the fee is $849 per sitting at most US sites, and $799 in Denver. Enrollment closes 8 days before the exam. There is no discounted retake rate, so a retake costs the full fee again, and you must wait at least 90 days between attempts.

Dates, sites and fees can change, so check the official CMS-A exam calendar before you enroll.

SOMM content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official SOMM content outline published by Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through SOMM questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: In the US, what minimum percentage of a wine's grapes must come from a named AVA (American Viticultural Area) to use that AVA name on the label?

1. 51%
2. 75%
3. 85%
4. 100%

Answer: C. 85%

Explanation:

The correct answer is 85%. For a US wine to carry an AVA name on the label, at least 85% of the grapes must come from that area. The option 51% is too low for this rule. The option 75% is a plausible-sounding figure but is not the AVA threshold. The option 100% is too strict, because the rule allows some fruit from outside the named area. The general rule to remember: a place name on a label is a promise backed by a minimum share of grapes from that place, and each labeling term has its own threshold. When you study, learn the threshold together with the term it belongs to, so similar numbers do not blur together.

Example 2

Question: Armagnac differs from Cognac in that it is typically distilled using which method?

1. Double pot still distillation
2. Continuous column still (alambic armagnacais)
3. Triple distillation in copper pot stills
4. Vacuum distillation at low temperatures

Answer: B. Continuous column still (alambic armagnacais)

Explanation:

The correct answer is the continuous column still, the alambic armagnacais. Armagnac is typically run through this single column, which leaves a heavier, more rustic spirit. Double pot still distillation describes Cognac, so it is the trap answer here. Triple distillation in copper pot stills is not the standard method for either spirit. Vacuum distillation at low temperatures is a different technique and is not how these brandies are traditionally made. The general rule: link each spirit to its still type, because the equipment shapes the style. Contrasting two neighbouring regions, as this question does, is a common way to test that link.

Example 3

Question: Which viticultural term describes the practice of removing grape clusters before harvest to concentrate flavor in the remaining fruit?

1. Carbonic maceration
2. Green harvesting (vendange verte)
3. Saignée
4. Délestage

Answer: B. Green harvesting (vendange verte)

Explanation:

The correct answer is green harvesting (vendange verte), which means dropping excess clusters in summer so the remaining bunches ripen with more concentrated flavor. Carbonic maceration is a winemaking method in which whole bunches ferment without crushing, so it happens in the cellar, not in the vineyard. Saignée means bleeding off some juice from red must to concentrate the wine. Délestage is a rack-and-return technique used during red fermentation. The general rule: sort terms by where they happen, vineyard or cellar, and by what they change. Yield reduction in the vineyard points to green harvesting.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material, because it defines what you will be assessed on. Read the outline for each content area and note the topics you find weakest.

Then work through the practice sets by topic. Use the wine regions and geography set and the grape varieties and viticulture set as your base, and add wine laws and appellations, wine production, spirits and fortified wines, and beer, sake and beverage management as you go. After each set, read every explanation, including those for questions you answered correctly, and write down the rule behind each miss in your own words.

For the tasting area, practise out loud with real wine when you can. Use the same order of observations every time and finish with a committed conclusion. Use the wine tasting and wine pairing sets to check your vocabulary and reasoning.

For the service practical, rehearse the full sequence aloud, then use the wine service set to check the details. Time yourself on theory questions so the pace feels familiar, since the theory exam includes short answer and simple math as well as multiple choice.

In the final days, return to your list of misses and retake only those questions. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so treat them as practice, not a preview.

Sources & last verified

1. Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam — number of questions, passing score (official source). “The test consists of multiple choice, short answer, simple math, and matching questions. Candidates must complete the 45-question examination within 38 minutes.” Verified Oct 22, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
2. Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam — time limit, exam fee, delivery, eligibility (official source). “Candidates must complete the 45-question examination on Examplify within 38 minutes.” Verified Oct 22, 2026.
3. Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam — retake fee, retake policy, score release (official source). “We do not offer a discounted retake rate for the Certified Sommelier Exam.” Verified Oct 22, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
4. Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A); Court of Master Sommeliers Europe gives the same Certified Sommelier exam — other (official source). “deductive tasting” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.