Barber Hairstyling & Natural Hair Practice Questions
Hairstyling & Natural Hair makes up 3 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest Barber practice test. Here are 10 of the 12 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the NIC National Barber Theory Examination outline (bulletin effective June 1, 2025: 60 items, 50 scored, 90 minutes). Original questions. Some states use their own exam; check your board.
1. When blowdrying, airflow should be directed:
- A.Against the cuticle
- B.From scalp toward the ends
- C.From ends toward the scalp
- D.Straight at the scalp
Answer: B. Drying from scalp to ends keeps the cuticle lying flat for shine. Blowing against it roughs up the cuticle and causes frizz.
2. A diffuser attachment is best for:
- A.Heating the pressing comb
- B.Cooling the scalp
- C.Smoothing straight hair
- D.Drying curly hair gently
Answer: D. A diffuser spreads the airflow so curls dry with less frizz. A concentrator focuses air for smoothing.
3. Locks (locs) are formed when hair is:
- A.Coiled and meshed together
- B.Pressed with a hot comb
- C.Chemically straightened
- D.Braided flat to the scalp
Answer: A. Locs form as coiled or twisted hair meshes together over time, started by methods such as comb coils, two-strand twists or palm rolling.
4. A braid made close to the scalp with an underhand technique is a:
- A.Rope braid
- B.Single braid
- C.Cornrow
- D.Fishtail braid
Answer: C. Cornrows are three-strand braids worked on the scalp, picking up hair as they go, with an underhand (inverted) technique.
5. Why is hair kept free of tension when braiding near the hairline?
- A.Add shine to the braid
- B.Keep the hair damp
- C.Avoid traction alopecia
- D.Finish braiding faster
Answer: C. Constant pulling on the follicles causes traction alopecia. Braids and locs should never be so tight that the scalp is raised or sore.
6. A hairpiece designed to cover the top of a man's head is often called a:
- A.Toupee
- B.Wiglet
- C.Switch
- D.Fall
Answer: A. A toupee (hair replacement system) covers thinning or bald areas on top. Falls and switches are added lengths.
7. How can human hair be told apart from synthetic hair?
- A.A pull test
- B.A 24-hour patch test
- C.A porosity test
- D.A strand burn test
Answer: D. Human hair burns slowly with a burnt-protein smell; synthetic fiber melts into a hard bead. A patch test checks for allergies.
8. A template is used in hair replacement to:
- A.Plan the fade line
- B.Trace the area to cover
- C.Color-match the hairpiece
- D.Glue down the base
Answer: B. A template made from plastic film or tape traces the exact area and shape the hair system needs to cover.
9. A heat protectant is applied before flat ironing or curling mainly to:
- A.Open the cuticle
- B.Reduce heat damage
- C.Make the curl permanent
- D.Lift the natural color
Answer: B. Heat protectants coat the hair and slow moisture loss under the iron, reducing breakage and dryness. Thermal styles stay temporary either way.
10. Pressing curly hair with a hot comb is called:
- A.Curl reformation
- B.Permanent waving
- C.Chemical hair relaxing
- D.Thermal straightening
Answer: D. A hot comb pressing is a temporary thermal straightening. It reverts with moisture and does not break disulfide bonds.
Practice all 12 hairstyling & natural hair questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free Barber training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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