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 6 through November 24, 2023. The first day to take the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment at a Pearson VUE center is Friday, December 1, 2023 and the last day is Friday, December 15, 2023. We strongly encourage that you schedule your assessment as soon as possible to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances such as weather, vehicle, or technical issues.

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.

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 English is your second language, we may be able to provide you with additional time on the Advanced Sommelier Knowledge Assessment and the Advanced Sommelier Theory examination. Complete the Accommodation Request Form and submit via email to requests@mastersommeliers.org no later than November 1, 2023. Requests take 5-7 days to review and must be approved before scheduling the Sommelier Knowledge.

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 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.

In 2024, 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 2024.

Last updated 2023-10-24