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Tips for passing the NC Cosmetology State Board Practical exam

Tips for passing the NC Cosmetology State Board Practical exam

(Also there is PDF that you can print and use as a checklist to make sure you pack everything you need!)
  • Packing your bag: I would suggest having your bag packed with everything you need at least a week before your test. The most effective way to do that is to have a double of everything. That includes shears, combs, curling irons etc.
  • Eat before your practical test. I mean eat a healthy meal. I didn’t eat a good meal and I was starving after the test.
  • Stay the night where your test is taking place: If you can afford to stay in the place you take it. I stayed in Raleigh and it was a lifesaver. Stay within a 15-minute drive of the testing site.
  • Sanitize your hands even when you think it is unnecessary: This one is self-explanatory.
  • Do not cut the hair pass your second knuckle: They will take off points.
  • Make sure to cut the perimeters of the hair: The check to make sure your perimeter is even.
  • Make sure to arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the test.
  • Zip up your bag when you’re done getting things out of it: They take off a lot of points for it.
  • The waxing and tweezing portion are where a lot of points can be taken off: Take your time with the waxing. Test the mock wax on your wrist. Make sure to apply pressure on the “waxed” area of the mannequin. Also, tweeze in the direction of the hair growth.
  • To be on the safe side: I would suggest cutting a 90 degree or 45 degree cut on the mannequin. Make sure to use a razor from the nape to right above the occipital bone of the Mannequin.
  • You don’t have to wear scrubs: I would suggest wearing comfortable shoes (ie: No heels) and comfortable clothes. (No lie: A girl wore heels to the test.)
  • If you have long hair, Put it up: If you have long hair or hair that can get in your face, just tie it or pin it up. It gets annoying and will require you to need to sanitize your hands more.
  • It took my test session about 3 hours to complete: I was so worried about this test because while in school it took 5-7 hours.

Cara Lynn State board supply checklist

NC State Board supply List

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7 Comments

  • Terri Jennings

    Thanks so much. I take my state board November 20th and I was a little nervous. I can’t find any recent tutorials on youtube to just review for practice. This popped up when I googled NC Cosmetology State Board practical exam. I saw every state except N.C.

    • Cara

      Thanks for leaving a comment! I am so happy it helped you. I struggled to find good information on the practical exam. So that is why I wrote this. I really wanted to help others!

      • Erika Harrison

        Don’t forget to add mock base and protective cream and cotton for around the perm rod portion….also a wrap or towel for the hair for the eye brow portion, and an equal number of “color bowls” to transfer the product into from the original mock product container and something other than your brushes to scoop everything out. And 2 capes…one for chemical and one for the first part of the exam.

  • Julliette Ramos

    I really like this tip list, I take my test after 4years in April lol… I need a major refresher, and this tip list helped me out.

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