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In this episode, Joanne shares insights straight from the mouths of her current WSET Level 3 students during their second-to-last class — the sparkling wine session. As champagne was flowing and conversation opened up, she asked her students:
“What do you wish you could tell yourself six months ago?”

What followed was an honest and revealing conversation about what students underestimated, what they overlooked, and what they would absolutely do differently if they were starting Level 3 again.

Whether you’re just beginning your Level 3 journey or are deep in the study trenches, this episode is full of practical advice and reflection from students who are almost at the finish line.

The 5 Things Level 3 Students Wish They Knew Sooner

1. The 200-Hour Study Commitment Is Real

   • Students acknowledged they underestimated how much time was truly required and wished they had started preparing earlier.

2. The Study Group Never Happened — and They Regret It

   • Despite Joanne’s encouragement, many didn’t follow through with forming a study group, and felt the lack of peer accountability.

3. They Weren’t Refreshed on Level 2 Knowledge

   • The importance of entering Level 3 with a firm grasp of Level 2 material can’t be overstated. It’s foundational and necessary.

4. Class Participation Requires Preparation

   • Level 3 isn’t a lecture—it’s interactive. Students need to come prepared and speak up, because participation cements understanding.

5. They Didn't Understand the Importance of Linking Concepts Early

   • Many didn’t realize until halfway through that everything ties back to climate, geography, and production methods. Grasping this early makes the course far more manageable.

Joanne reminds us that the WSET Level 3 pass rate hovers around 57%—and that’s simply not good enough. The tools, structure, and mindset to succeed are available, and this podcast (along with the Launchpad course) is designed to help students walk in the door better prepared.

• A review of a brand-new tasting kit Joanne and Nancy tried

• An honest look at aroma kits: are they worth the money?

• More practical tools and strategies for wine students

Have a topic you want Joanne to cover? Send her an email at joanne@wineeducate.com — she’d love to hear from you.

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You’ve done the studying, now it’s time to focus on how to walk into your WSET Level 3 exam rested, clear-headed, and confident. In this episode, Joanne shares exactly what to do—and just as importantly, what not to do—in the 24 hours before your exam.

Drawing from her experience guiding hundreds of students through WSET Level 3, she breaks down the habits and decisions that can make or break your performance, from sleep and snacks to managing your nerves and packing your supplies.

Whether you’re preparing for an in-person exam or sitting the remote version, this episode will help you take control of your final hours and give yourself the best possible shot at success.

Sleep > Cramming

• Why sleep is non-negotiable the night before your exam

• The research-backed benefits of getting 7+ hours of sleep

• Diminishing returns of late-night studying

Environment Matters

• Why staying with friends (no matter how lovely) isn’t ideal

• The value of booking a hotel room to control your space and routine

• Planning your route to the exam location to avoid last-minute stress

Nutrition & Hydration

• Avoid sweets, mouthwash, and orange juice that dull your palate

• Go for neutral, savory options for breakfast

• Hydration tips (and a reminder to listen to Episode 10!)

What to Pack

• Pens, pencils, ID, water bottle, snacks (yes, almonds count)

• Don’t forget to review your flashcards for a low-stress refresher

• Prioritize a light review of sparkling and fortified wines

Palate Calibration

• Should you taste wine before the tasting exam? Maybe.

• Tips for using wine to get your palate tuned without overwhelming your nerves

Managing Nerves

• Test anxiety is normal—build a routine to keep yourself grounded

• Use tasting acronyms (like SABIB) to stay structured and reduce errors

• Listen to Episode 30 if you’re unsure what to expect on exam day

You’ve already done the hard part—now your focus should be on taking care of yourself. Good sleep, hydration, a calm mindset, and knowing your environment are far more valuable than any last-minute cramming.

As Joanne says:

“Level 3 doesn’t have anything to do with luck. It has everything to do with being prepared.”

Need help getting prepared?
Check out wineeducate.com/launchpad to join the next session of our Level 3 Prep Course.

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With a global pass rate of only 57%, you’re certainly not alone if you didn't pass the theory portion. Joanne discusses why students often struggle with the written exam — and why tasting exams typically have a much higher success rate. More importantly, she shares a compassionate but clear message: don’t give up.

This episode outlines common pitfalls (straight from the examiner’s reports) and gives you a step-by-step plan to regroup, study smarter, and retake the exam with confidence.

• Understanding the WSET Level 3 pass/fail statistics

• Why the theory portion is so challenging (and how it’s different from Level 1 and 2)

• Common reasons students don’t pass, including misreading questions and lack of answer structure

• Requesting feedback from WSET and key deadlines to know

• Setting a realistic timeline for your retake

• The importance of study groups and staying accountable

• How retakes work for theory and tasting portions

• Grading rules for retakes (and how it impacts distinctions and merits)

• How the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course can support your success

Failing the theory exam doesn't mean you're not capable — it just means you might need a different strategy. Joanne encourages you to stay committed, recalibrate your study approach, and know that success is absolutely within reach.
And remember: if it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth it.

If you’re looking for extra support, check out our Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course to help guide your next steps.

Have any questions or need personalized advice? Reach out at joanne@wineeducate.com — we're here to help!

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• Resources & Links

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  How to Contact Us

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In this episode, Joanne Close addresses a common concern among WSET Level 3 students: the difference between testable and non-testable wines. If you’ve ever second-guessed your tasting notes or stressed over wines that don’t match your expectations, this episode is meant to put your mind at ease.

Joanne explains what makes a wine “testable” for exam purposes—wines that show clear, predictable characteristics and represent textbook styles, like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are great for calibrating your palate and practicing structured tasting.

But not every wine poured in class is meant for the exam. Joanne discusses why it's important to include wines that may not be considered “testable” but are still valuable learning tools. Examples include wines that teach about lees aging, oak influence, regional styles, or variation within a grape variety—like a Pinotage or a Chianti Classico Riserva.

She reminds listeners that only about 20% of wines are truly “testable,” and the rest are included for context, discussion, and exposure to the real diversity of the wine world.

If you’re preparing for the Level 3 exam, check out the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course, which includes a list of ~20 testable wines for SAT practice—even without the bottle in front of you.

• Episode 17: Tasting Walkthrough – New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

• Episode 20: Tasting Walkthrough – Oaked Chardonnay

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In this episode, I’ll walk you through the top five mistakes I regularly see students make on the theory portion of the WSET Level 3 exam—and how you can avoid them. Because let’s be honest: it’s not just about knowing the material. Success comes from knowing how to take the exam.

We cover:

• Why having a game plan going into the exam is essential

• The danger of misreading essay questions

• Why more is not better when it comes to your answers

• The section of the syllabus you cannot afford to ignore

• And the importance of handwriting practice (yes, really!)

If you’re studying for Level 3, this episode will help you get focused, save time, and maximize your score on the written portion of the exam.

• The ideal time breakdown between multiple choice and essay questions

• How to identify the “action words” in each essay prompt

• Why over-answering can actually hurt your score

• The one essay topic that’s always included—and how to prepare for it

• How writing essays by hand now will give you a real edge on exam day

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In this episode, Joanne tackles one of the most stressful parts of the WSET Level 3 exam: the tasting portion. As someone who has graded many exams, she walks through the five most common mistakes students make when writing their tasting notes—and explains how to avoid them.

This episode is packed with clear, practical advice to help students approach the tasting exam with structure and confidence.

• Why the tasting section feels intimidating, and why you shouldn’t panic

• The importance of using specific SAT vocabulary—no wine poetry

• Why guessing the wine and building your note around it can lead to failure

• The difference between aromas and flavors, and why you must list both

• Why omitting key words like “lemon” or “dry” can cost you

• The mistake of using “medium plus” for alcohol and how to get that point back

• Why memorizing the SAT order is crucial (you can’t use the card during the exam)

• The value of creating your own “anagram” to structure your note under pressure

• A reminder that calibration matters—know your instructor’s tasting style

We’ll move on to the theory portion of the WSET Level 3 exam and discuss the top five most common mistakes students make in their written answers.

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In this episode, Joanne explores one of the most effective tools for success in WSET Level 3: the study group.

If you're on the fence about joining or starting a study pod, this episode covers the research, real-world results, and how to make it work for you. Topics include:

• Why collaborative learning can significantly improve retention and exam scores

• A real-life example where 100% of a study group passed the exam

• The science behind peer teaching and active learning

• Accountability and how group structure reduces procrastination

• Tips to set up a focused, well-run group—without wasting your time

• Why disorganized pods fail, and how to avoid common pitfalls

Joanne also shares how the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course includes built-in support for connecting with others—whether you're attending in-person or online.

Email Joanne@wineeducate.com with any questions about the course.

In the next two episodes, Joanne will break down the top 5 most common (and preventable) mistakes students make in both the theory and tasting portions of the WSET Level 3 exam. Stay tuned!

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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Joanne breaks down one of the biggest predictors of success in WSET Level 3: early preparation. While Levels 1 and 2 can be approached with minimal advance study, Level 3 is a different story. Joanne shares how giving yourself a longer runway—starting prep weeks or even months before class—can transform your experience and lead to both success and enjoyment in the course.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why early starters tend to outperform more experienced peers

• The common mistake of waiting until the course begins to start studying

• How underpreparing affects your ability to engage and retain information

• The benefits of building small, consistent study habits over time

• A recommended timeline for revisiting Level 2 material and reading the Level 3 textbook

• How the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course can help you build a custom plan

• Why Level 3 is entirely passable—with the right tools in place from the start

Next Episode:
Tune in for Episode 33, where we’ll explore the importance of study pods—what they are, how to find one, and why they’re so helpful during Level 3.

Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Never miss an episode—subscribe to the Wine Educate Podcast and follow Joanne on Instagram @wineeducate for weekly study tips, class updates, and more.

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