The Cosmetology Exam is Hard, But You Choose a Career to Express Your Creative Side
The cosmetology exam is hard, but you chose a career to express your creative side and help people feel their best. You have the skills and knowledge to pass.
You just need to get comfortable taking timed tests. That’s what Varsity Tutors helps you do with our State Board App with theory films, practical films and a built-in cosmetology exam study book.
How long is the test?
During the written exam, you’ll answer multiple-choice questions that cover the vast majority of cosmetology topics. The test also contains questions specific to your state’s laws and rules.
You’ll take the practical cosmetology test either at your school or off-site at a testing center. Either way, there’ll be other students possibly from other schools and a proctor test administrator in the room with you.
The amount of time you’ll get to spend on each task depends on your state. You’ll have a cosmetology state board kit that includes everything you need to complete your tasks. It’s important to set up your station and keep the materials organized and neat throughout the exam. If you don’t do this, you may be asked to leave the room immediately.
The key to success is practice. Taking plenty of practice tests will help you learn cosmetology theory, identify weak spots and build your confidence. We make it easy with our comprehensive State Board Exam Preparation course that’s included in every Salon Success Academy program.
What are the questions on the test?
You spent countless hours in class learning how to apply cosmetology skills on mannequins. You’ve mastered roller sets, men’s haircuts, and wedding updos. But it’s the written state board exam that is the final obstacle between you and your cosmetology career.
You need to answer multiple-choice questions about skin structure, nail structure, haircutting, and sanitation. You’ll also have to know about different levels of infection control in salons.
These subjects seem intimidating, but they aren’t impossible to master. The key is in creating an efficient study plan and taking the right practice tests. You should also take the time to understand the theories behind the questions, not just their answers. This will help you build context for the material and ensure you don’t just memorize facts without understanding them. The Filmbook State Board app includes a built-in glossary that explains cosmetology terms and concepts as you study. You can even tap on them in the app and have the definition pop up.
What are the test’s format?
Typically, written cosmetology exams are multiple-choice and timed. In most cases, you will take the test at a professional testing center and be tested with other candidates.
Often, the questions on your state board exam will include laws and rules in your field. For example, the New York cosmetology test asks questions about salon operations, licensing, and violations and penalties. These questions are usually found in your state’s CIB or Candidate Information Bulletin. The Filmbook State Board app lets you select your state when you subscribe and then automatically quizzes you on these laws and rules questions in all of your cosmetology practice tests!
The state board test also includes questions about cosmetology theory. The Filmbook State Board app explains these topics in films and in a step-by-step built-in book so you can pass the written cosmetology test with confidence! Just tap on any term to see its definition. Unlike other state board prep apps, ours is free to try and $4.99/month unlocks all content.
How do I prepare for the exam?
You’ve worked hard in cosmetology school and put in countless hours performing roller sets, men’s haircuts, wedding updos, hair color and texturing services. The last thing standing between you and your dream career is the state board exam. The written exam is a timed test with multiple choice questions. Taking practice tests is the best way to see how you measure up and identify what areas you need to study more.
The practical exam is a series of timed tasks that you earn points for. How long you get to complete these tasks depends on your state and is defined in your CIB or Candidate Information Bulletin.
Practice these tasks often and learn the theory behind them. Things like finger angle and position, elevation, overdirection, guidelines, base placement for perms etc. Memorize these terms and theories with online flashcards and the Filmbook State Board app. It’s free to download and has all the questions you need for your state.