Studying For The Cicerone Exam

Study groups! It gives you a support system, and it also allows you to divide up the work. Instead of you making 100 note cards by yourself, you can split it up between (x) amount of people. While the written part is of equal importance, from everyone I've spoken to who has taken the exam, the tasting portion is the hardest part by far. Getting an off flavor kit is key. Having a group will help here as well when dividing up the costs of the kit. I've seen a lot floating around lately with people inquiring about this exam so I doubt you'll have any problems finding some people to join your group. Cheers and good luck!

 

Just curious but how difficult is the basic beer server course?

 

Best studying is group studying. When I was in Police Academy we studied as a group. It makes the task of studying which no one likes more enjoyable.

 

I have a 160 page outline that I put together based on the syllabus. Writing the outline IS the studying. Looking at the outline is simply a reminder of having done the outline. A review. You can't skip this part. I studied for the test more thoroughly than any class I took in graduate school. The scope of information is equivalent to a semester worth of courses.

The written portion of the test shouldn't be taken lightly. You have to know it. It's kind of a given that you would know it else why take the test. The tasting portion is more commonly failed than the written to be sure. To pass the tasting you must know styles backwards and forwards. What's to be expected in a style and what's out of place. Definitely taste the off flavors a few times beforehand. That's actually the easiest part of the tasting. Style identification is way trickier.

Shoot me a message if you want more info.

Cheers!

The Gimp

 

Here are a few other threads that might interest you

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/cicerone-cramming.75410/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...paring-for-the-certified-cicerone-exam.52182/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/cicerone-certification.36422/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/more-cicerone-questions.24250/

 

I took it and got a 78 overall but passed the tasting so I missed it by 2 points. You need to know some beer storage, liquor law stuff...how to tell if someone is intoxicated, 3 tier system. There arent tons of these but if you just drink and brew you may not know them. You also need very detailed flavor descriptors, I only received partial credit on some of that. Know your styles back and forward too! I printed an old version of the test and alot of similar questions were on it.

 

I think anybody on beer advocate forums should be able to pass the server exam.

 

How do you know what parts you got partial credit on? I never got my test back or saw individual grades, just an overall one.

 

Even if you don't pass the server exam, you're allowed to re-take it once within a certain time frame. I'm going to take mine in another week or so.

... and as I understand it from those who I know that have passed it before me, the server exam isn't super difficult if you study. I also understand that you don't get a chance to see where you messed up on your answers if you miss a few.

 

Read the draft quality manual, they are easy points and you will be kicking yourself if you get them wrong.
make mock essays for yourself on the history behind styles, important people in the history of the style, special ingredients/brewing techniques etc. if you have any questions feel free to send me a pm

 

I asked got a more detailed breakdown and they gave me good feedback. They weren't specific to questions. I had all 5 of my "areas" listed with their weighting towards overall.

 

Yea? The server exam has some questions (random) about how best to store kegs, splitting, best temps, and some other things that you really can only know if, a) you work in a bar, and/or b) you study. Def acknowledge many people on BA are way more knowledgeable about beer than many servers/bartenders, but there are specific questions that can only be known by studying or working in a bar. Drinking many, many beers and having a great palate, nose, and knowing different styles in detail does not help in that regard.

Agreed it's a relatively easy test. But the random questions specific to bars could be challenging to some.

 

I am pretty solid on beer styles, but I remember that section being a little more tough than expected. Study hard on styles, specs like abv, srm, gravity, etc.

 

Yeah.... You may miss some but it seemed relatively easy. It's not a complete breeze but I would say people fooling around on sites like this have a strong chance of passing the server exam.

 

Style geography can be tough too

 

Is the Certified Beer Server a one-time test? I don't work in the industry, just drink beer and homebrew, but I think it'd be cool to say I'm certified to serve beer.

 

I believe you get two tries and then have to repay. But honestly, you study for a couple days on and off or straight like 2-3 hours you should pass at least 90%. If you're an avid homebrewer, 1 hour study to just review styles. I dont work in the industry, but do homebrew, so questions seemed very straightforward. Missed only 2 and took around 18-20 minutes to finish

 

If you have the money - use the Beer Savvy resources on the cicerone website and buy an off-flavor kit from Siebel. In addition - the flash cards helped me the most. I used an app to create flash cards for all the styles and had people quiz me until I had them all memorized.