The SKA is a required part of the application for those attending CMS-A's Advanced Sommelier Course in the United States. Any candidate meeting the eligibility requirements will be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their preparedness for the Advanced Sommelier Course.
The total time limit for the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment is 55 minutes, as noted on the Pearson VUE website. This reflects the total appointment time, including a Non-Disclosure Agreement, SKA Assessment time, and survey. Students should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment.
The Sommelier Knowledge Assessment is composed of a timed, randomized set of questions designed to measure a candidate’s aptitude in all three areas of our curriculum: Theory, Tasting and Hospitality & Service.
Notification
In 2026, there will be 200 seats available for the course. We have expanded the metrics as to how we allocate seats to include not only a candidate's performance on the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment (SKA) but also additional factors for inclusion of underrepresented communities. Our aim is to encourage unique perspectives, promote a more inclusive dialogue, and to serve as a more accurate representation of the make-up of the hospitality industry as a whole.
All applicants will be informed of their overall percentile score in the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment to ensure transparency and to give perspective for your future studies. Scores will be available in early January 2026.
