Certified Cicerone

Four scored parts. A multiple-choice written section accounts for 66.75% of your overall score, a short answer essay section 12.50%, a practical service demonstration 4.00%, and the tasting exam 16.75%. There is also a study-heavy syllabus covering five knowledge areas, each weighted differently in the overall grade.

You need a grade of 80% overall and at least 70% on the tasting portion. Both conditions apply, so a strong written performance cannot carry a weak palate - the tasting component has its own minimum threshold you must clear independently of your total score.

The written portion costs $250, and the tasting and demonstration portion costs $200. Exam fees are non-refundable. Because the components are purchased separately, check the exam schedule for available online or in-person dates before committing to a sitting.

Yes. Retakes are priced per component: $200 to retake the written exam and $150 to retake the tasting exam. That structure lets you return to only the section you missed rather than repeating everything. Rescheduling and postponement options are set out on the programme's Exam Policies page.

Yes. Passing the Certified Beer Server exam is a stated prerequisite for the Certified Cicerone exam, and candidates must also be of legal drinking age. If you have not yet earned Level 1, start there - it is also a sensible way to build the fundamentals before tackling the deeper material.

Longer than most people expect. The programme notes that an experienced professional with strong tasting and academic skills might prepare in as little as six months, but many individuals should plan to spend one to two years. Treat that range as a realistic planning window rather than a worst case.

Keeping and Serving Beer, Beer Styles, and Beer Flavor and Evaluation each carry 25% of the syllabus, so together they dominate. Beer Ingredients and Brewing Processes is 15% and Pairing Beer with Food 10%. Note too that flavour evaluation also drives the entire tasting exam, which has its own 70% pass floor.

Both formats exist. The programme sells online and in-person components separately, with dates listed on its exam schedule. Choose based on which delivery suits your schedule, but be aware the demonstration and tasting components involve practical, sensory work rather than purely written answers.

Start with the Certified Cicerone Syllabus, which catalogues everything testable, then work through the Road to Cicerone courses, each dedicated to a specific syllabus area with an end-of-course quiz. Finish with the published sample written exam and sample tasting exam to check readiness before booking.