50 Tips for Your Cosmetology Exam

After finishing cosmetology school, most states require you to pass a standardized cosmetology exam in order to receive your license. The cosmetology exam consists of a written portion and a practical portion. This two-portion format ensures that receiving your license doesn't simply require memorizing a list of facts, and allows you to demonstrate your capabilities. The written portion requires you to understand a broad spectrum of cosmetology fields, and the practical portion is strictly judged, so passing can be a challenge. Here are 50 tips for how to pass your cosmetology exam with flying colors.

1. Bring all the required materials. The practical portion requires you supply your own equipment, and there are strict guidelines about what is allowed. Be sure to follow the rules carefully, or you will not be allowed to complete the practical portion. Find your state's requirements here.
2. Some testing centers supply parts of what you need for the practical portion – mannequins, disinfectant, or simply hot water. Check your state requirements so you aren't surprised when you arrive at the testing center.
3. The written portion has 100 questions, and you have a limited amount of time to complete the entire exam. Each state's time limit is different, usually between 90 minutes and two hours. Be sure to budget your time so that you don't spend too much time on each question.
4. The written portion of the exam is usually computerized. Be sure you understand how to select and record your answers so that you get the best possible score.
5. The written portion of the test covers sanitation and safety; shampooing and conditioning hair; hair cutting and styling; braiding; chemical procedures; hair coloring; skin care; nail care; and licensing and regulation. Be sure to study up on these subjects. Some requirements can be found here, and many tests are similar, but be sure to check the exact requirements of your state.
6. Don't be surprised by age or education requirements, some states require students be at least 16 or 18 years old in order to take the exam, or have a 10 th or 12 th grade education. Check your state's age and education requirements at the NACCAS website.
7. The exam fees differ from state to state. Check NACCAS requirements to be sure you have enough money saved to apply for the test.
8. Make sure you schedule your exam in the proper time frame. Some states require the licensing exam to be taken within 90 days of completing your training, while other states give you five years to become licensed. Just because your friend in a neighboring state told you that you have all the time in the world doesn't mean that you do. Check your state requirements so you don't have to take classes over again.
9. Bring identification to your test. Some states require only a picture ID; others require ID, proof of required training hours, and proof of citizenship. Check your state requirements to be sure you are allowed into the testing center.
10. Choose a good school. Before even taking a class or applying for a licensing exam, make sure you are getting the best education possible. If your school hasn't been evaluated by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) or doesn't appear on the cosmetology school list by the Commission for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), look elsewhere.
11. Go to class! You may feel that you know all your instructors have to offer, or that you don't need to put in the practice hours required, but your instructors have been trained to offer you the best education possible. You will regret not working harder when you see a failing score.
12. Cosmetology is so much more than simply cutting and styling hair. You must also know the chemistry of dying hair, how to do manicures, pedicures and facials, and even some history of cosmetology. Study every aspect!
13. Is school not your strong point? Look into apprenticeship programs. Many states allow apprentices with 2,000-3,000 training hours to apply for the licensing exam. Check your state's official requirements here.
14. Hundreds of flash cards, study guides, and how-to books are available to help you prepare for the written and practical tests. If you want to save money, borrow the books from a friend, or split the cost with a friend. Check your local library, too.
15. Practice exams for the written portion can be purchased online. This might be a good investment to help you determine which areas you need help on.
16. Find a testing method that works for you – some people find that it is best to answer the questions you know, and leave the harder questions blank to answer at the end. This is where practice exams are invaluable – they will show you where you need to study more, and how to be most efficient at answering questions.
17. Use practice tests to find the “trick questions” in the exam. Because the written portion is multiple choice, there may be options that seem correct, but small changes in the wording mean they are incorrect. Practice tests can help you recognize these tricks.
18. The golden standard for cosmetology information is Milady Standard Cosmetology . Books are available, and there is an excellent website at Milady Online.
19. Salon Fundamentals is another invaluable resource. Check your local library, or buy your own copy. It will be one of those textbooks you refer to over and over.
20. There is no “practice exam” for the practical portion. The best way to prepare for this is to find a good friend who will let you practice on them.
21. Don't forget that you are usually required to provide your own “model” for the practical portion. It might be helpful to practice on the same model you plan to bring to the test.
22. There are specific requirements of the model you use at your practical exam. Some states have age limitations, and many have requirements of nail polish and make-up on the model at your test. Check your state board so you and your model aren't surprised on test day.
23. The practical exam is timed and requires you to perform every step in exact order. Practice makes perfect! Find ways to help you memorize the steps, from putting them to music or making up a funny mnemonic.
24. Search online for quizzes that other cosmetology students have created and are sharing. Quizlet is a great place to look.
25. Create your own quizzes and flashcards. You can be your own greatest rival. Set aside time every day to study and challenge yourself to beat your highest score.
26. Study with friends. Cosmetology not only requires you to practice on other people, but you will help your interaction with clients as well. Friends can energize you to study harder, and give you suggestions and feedback that will help you pass the practical exam.
27. In the Internet age, you can find tutorials on how to do almost anything online. Get great tips and tricks from online videos, like those at YouTube.com.
28. Talk to a mentor. Find someone who has passed the cosmetology exam, and talk to them about the hardest parts, what they wished they'd studied more, or what the biggest challenge was. Talk to as many people as possible to get the best picture of the test.
29. Don't avoid studying what you find the hardest. Tackle the hardest subject first, and the rest of your studying will seem easier.
30. A great, all-inclusive website with information about licensure in every state, links to practice exams, and detailed sites on the subjects covered by the tests can be found here.
31. Be sure to check the exact requirements for the state you want to practice in. School and hours of apprenticeship requirements differ from state to state, so don't let your state's rules surprise you. The full information for each state can be found at the NACCAS site.
32. BeautyTech is a great resource to find information about state requirements, beauty schools, and study materials.
33. The National Cosmetology Association is also a great resource for school information, study materials, and state requirements.
34. Have fun while you study – brush up on the latest styles with a subscription to a fashion magazine. You may not pass or fail your exam based on your creative hair designs, but the more you learn the better your skills will be.
35. If you have learning disabilities or English isn't your native language, and you feel that you won't be able to pass the licensing exam – don't worry. Many testing centers offer help for test takers with learning disabilities, or have versions of the test in Spanish, or even Korean. Check with the testing centers in your area to see what accommodations they can make for you.
36. The first step in cosmetology is always sterilization. Make sure you know how to sterilize your equipment, work station, and your most important tools – your hands. Know how to keep them clean, in accordance with standards.
37. Know how to give a great manicure. Practice on friends to find the best way to properly and efficiently push cuticles, apply lotion, and evenly paint nails.
38. You might be in a hurry because of the time crunch, but make sure your used materials end up in the trash, not next to it. It will result in missed points.
39. Ensure that throughout the exam you recap bottles, clean and sanitize your work area, and rewash your hands between tasks. It is small mistakes like forgetting to do these that add up to lots of docked points.
40. Practice giving facials. This is supposed to be a relaxing procedure, and you will miss points for being too rough, or not applying or removing the lotions properly.
41. Know how to chemically treat hair. Be sure your hands are gloved, your mannequin is properly draped, and your chemicals are properly mixed.
42. Tinting and dying is usually demonstrated on a mannequin, and usually on a specific portion of the head. Be sure you know the rules, and carefully apply the chemicals, up to standard. This portion is timed so know how to be efficient.
43. You are also tested on chemical hair relaxers. Make sure you apply it to the appropriate section of the mannequin head, and you will be docked points if you get any chemicals on the “skin” or “ear” area.
44. Know how to apply, and almost as importantly, remove bleach products. Avoid getting any chemical on the mannequin.
45. Shampooing techniques are judged, usually based on a mannequin. If you've practiced on a model only, this can be a challenge. Make sure you know all your techniques on live and plastic models.
46. Your hair cutting ability is usually tested off one type of cut, called “hair shaping.” This test requires you use specific tools and methods. Make sure you know exactly what you will be tested on.
47. The waxing portion of the exam is usually tested on a mannequin, and with a “mock” wax (usually water). It may seem counter intuitive to practice for a waxing test using water, but the best way to ace your exam is to practice exactly what you will be tested on.
48. Your styling ability is usually tested with a curling exam. Know how to curl mannequin or a live model's hair with hot rollers or a thermal curling iron.
49. Many people feel that blow drying is second nature – after all, haven't most people been using blow dryers since their pre-teens? However, it is simple procedures like this that can trip up exam takers. Practice every aspect of the test in the exact method you will be tested.
50. If you don't pass on your first try, don't let it get you down! Learn from your mistakes and try again. If cosmetology is your dream career, you can make it possible.