Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

Overview: Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

 

  • Preparing for your NIC, PSI, or Pearson Vue Cosmetology Written Exam?
    We’ve handpicked 20 of the most challenging and deceptive questions from Cosmetology Practice Test 2 — questions that often trip up even well-prepared students.

  • If you think you know the answer — think twice! These are the curveballs you’ll face on exam day. Each question includes:

    • Correct Answer

    • Expert Explanation

    • Memory Tip  and Hint for quick recall on exam day

  • These cosmetology questions mimic the style and difficulty of the real exam, helping you gain confidence and speed.
  • Scroll down and start your first question now!
  • Most Important Cosmetology Question Test Format: Multiple Choice based on NIC, PSI, Pearson Vue
  • Tips to pass Cosmetology Practice Test: 30 minutes for 20 cosmetology questions and Focus on understanding why wrong answers are wrong — many tricky questions use distractor options that are technically correct but not the best answer.
  • Common Mistakes of taking Cosmetology Practice Test: Misreading key terms, overlooking qualifiers like “most”, “least”, or “except”, and mixing up similar-sounding terms are the top pitfalls in tricky questions.
cosmetology state board test 1
Free cosmetology practice test 1

Begin Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

Welcome to your Top 20 Most Difficult Cosmetology Exam Questions from Test 2

1. 
When performing hair coloring, which of the following requires a predisposition (patch) test?

Deselect Answer

Hint
2. 
When you mix blue, green, and violet together, what color will you get?

Deselect Answer

Hint
3. 
Which of the following is NOT a technique used for thinning hair?

Deselect Answer

Hint
4. 
When should an aniline derivative hair color product first be applied to the darkest areas of hair?

Deselect Answer

Hint
5. 
In permanent waving, which type of hair requires the use of a mild chemical solution?

Deselect Answer

Hint
6. 
To help prevent hair splits in a finished hairstyle, triangular pin curl bases are used. Which pin curl base is best suited for curly hair that needs little volume or lift?

Deselect Answer

Hint
7. 
Bleaching the hair before applying toner is necessary to lighten the natural hair color and also to improve:

Deselect Answer

Hint
8. 
What can happen if you vigorously brush, comb out tangles, and shampoo the hair before or after applying a chemical solution?

Deselect Answer

Hint
9. 
What is the name of the two-step process where the hair is first heavily lightened, and then recolored using a toner?

Deselect Answer

Hint
10. 
When performing a thermal hair pressing, special care must be taken at the hairline. Which of the following is the correct method to use?

Deselect Answer

Hint
11. 
If you want to change the hair color to a much lighter shade, what must be done to the hair first?

Deselect Answer

Hint
12. 
If a client has straight, fine, and soft hair, what is the best way to make their hair look thicker and fuller?

Deselect Answer

Hint
13. 
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Pure water is neutral with a pH of 7. When testing an acidic product, the pH will be between 0 and 6.9. What is the pH range for an alkaline (basic) product?

Deselect Answer

Hint
14. 
Yellow-orange, red-violet, blue-green, and blue-violet are tertiary colors. Which of the following are the secondary colors?

Deselect Answer

Hint
15. 
Which one of the following is not considered an antiseptic?

Deselect Answer

Hint
16. 
Thinning the hair is usually performed at which area?

Deselect Answer

Hint
17. 
When repeated color applications make the hair progressively darker, what is this process called?

Deselect Answer

Hint
18. 
Human cells of the body reproduce by mitosis. Protoplasm is a colorless, jelly-like substance found in:

Deselect Answer

Hint
19. 
When performing electrolysis for permanent hair removal, the needle must be inserted at the same angle as which part of the hair structure?

Deselect Answer

Hint
20. 
If hair becomes too curly when wet but turns straight when dry, what is most likely the cause?

Deselect Answer

Hint

FAQ of Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

Question: What is the best way to prepare for the cosmetology exam?

“answer”: “Taking practice tests regularly is the most effective way to prepare for the written cosmetology exam.”

Answer: Yes. Hair Structure & Growth is one of the most important sections in the written cosmetology exam.

  • 50 Multiple Choice Questions with Hint for learning.

  • Covers Hair Styling, Skin Care, and Nail Technology.

  • Real Exam Format (PSI/NIC)

  • Instant Results and Answer Review with Expert. Explanation

  • Study each topic individually (Hair, Nail, Facial)

  • Review the explanations for each answer

  • Take the test, flash card, technical vocabulary more than once to improve memory

  • Skipping sanitation and safety rules for cosmetology practice.

  • Confusing anatomy terms of cosmetology.

  • Misunderstanding chemical processing steps in cosmetology practice.

Most state exams have 100–120 questions. Our practice test includes 50 key questions to help you prepare. And then, You can try Real Cosmetology Exam.

Most states require at least 70% to pass. Which is 70/100 cosmetology questions.

Hair cutting/styling, skin care, nail services, sanitation, anatomy, and state laws.

Yes. Our test is updated based on the latest PSI/NIC/Pearson Vue standards for current year.

A: They’re designed to be slightly harder so you can be overprepared. The actual exam will feel easier.

How to Use These Questions for Maximum Exam Success

  • Study Strategy for Tricky Questions

    • Study each expert explanation and trap alert — tricky exam questions are often phrased to confuse you, using distractor options that seem correct at first glance.

    • Practice identifying qualifiers like “most”, “least”, or “except” before answering — many students lose points by missing these small words.

    • Focus on look-alike terms and similar procedures — PSI/NIC loves to test subtle differences in definitions.

You’ll Review

  • Hair anatomy & growth traps – Spot the distractor terms about cortex, cuticle, and hair bulb.

  • Chemical services pitfalls – Avoid confusion between patch tests, porosity tests, and product safety steps.

  • Sanitation & safety gotchas – Master OSHA guidelines without mixing up disinfection vs. sterilization.

  • Common conditions confusion – Differentiate between tinea pedis, trichoptilosis, and similar disorders.

  • Technical skill baits – Recognize the subtle setup differences in over-direction, conditioning, and client comfort checks.

  • Why this matters:
    These tricky questions sharpen your ability to dissect complex wording, avoid common traps, and apply cosmetology theory under pressure. Use the trap alerts and memory tips to boost accuracy and confidence on exam day.

Other Related Top 20 Tricky Questions on Cosmetology State Board Test 2

Recent Cosmotology Posts
Related Cosmetology Pages
Scroll to Top

Cookies Policy - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy