Every Court examination has a pass mark for each section, not for the paper as a whole. At the first three levels the mark is 60%, and at the Master Sommelier Diploma it is 75%. The bigger difference is in how the sections have to be passed.
This article sets out the marks, the time limits and the rule for carrying a partial pass at the top level.
01The pass mark at each level
The Introductory has two sections, theory and practical, and the pass mark is 60% for each. The Certified and the Advanced each have three sections, theory, practical and tasting, and the pass mark is again 60% for each. At all three levels the sections must be passed together.
The Master Sommelier Diploma raises the mark to 75% in each of its three sections. It also changes the rule on how they are passed, which is the subject of the next section.
02Passed together, or within three years
At the Introductory, Certified and Advanced, passing together means a strong result in one section does not stand on its own. Each section must reach 60% at the same sitting for the level to be passed.
