Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas

We are inspired by your commitment and achievement within the hospitality industry. We hope your experience during the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment is both positive and invigorating.

Scheduling

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Sommelier Knowledge Assessment (SKA) appointment at a Pearson VUE center must be made in advance and is subject to availability. Scheduling is open in the Pearson VUE website from November 5 through November 21, 2024. The first day to take the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment at a Pearson VUE center is Monday, December 2, 2024 and the last day is Monday, December 16, 2024. We strongly encourage that you schedule your assessment as soon as possible to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances such as weather, vehicle, or technical issues.

Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas Sommelier Knowledge Assessment

The SKA is a component 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 time limit for the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment is 55 minutes, as noted on the Pearson VUE web page. 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 2025, 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 2025.

English as a Second Language (ESL) and Disability Accommodations

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas welcomes all individuals who can fulfill the essential duties of a professional sommelier to participate in CMS-A courses and examinations according to our Accommodation Policy.

If you have a disability or if English is not your first language, , we may be able to provide you with additional time on the Advanced Sommelier Knowledge Assessment. Complete the Accommodation Request Form and submit via email to requests@mastersommeliers.org no later than November 1, 2024. Requests take 5-7 days to review and must be approved before scheduling the Sommelier Knowledge.