Prepare for the PSI Cosmetology State Board exam with these practice questions and answers. This comprehensive guide covers all topics tested on the PSI cosmetology written examination.

Q: When using a chemical relaxer, which of the following must you avoid using?

Answer: Bleaches or high-lift color products

Q: Alkaline waves are recommened for all of the following hair types EXECPT

Answer: Fine hair

Q: When using a chemical relaxer, it changes the shape of the hair by breaking down which of the following bonds?

Answer: Disulfide bonds

Q: When using relaxers incorrectly, which of the following could happen?

Answer: The hair melts

Q: In which of the following areas would you start a relaxer retouch application?

Answer: Area most resistant

Q: All of the following are relaxers EXECPT

Answer: No-lye relaxers

Q: What is the name for a permanent wrap when it is wrapped from the ends to the scalp in overlapping layers?

Answer: Croquignole Perm Wrap

Q: What does a stylist look for during a scalp analysis for chemical procedures?

Answer: Abrasions on scalp

Q: What equalizes porosity?

Answer: Fillers

Q: Fillers are NOT used for?

Answer: Grey coverage

Q: What would you use for dramatically lighter hair color?

Answer: Prelightening

Q: Which hydrogen peroxide developers is used with most high-lift colors?

Answer: 40-Volume

Q: An alkalizer can do everything EXECPT

Answer: Make a physical change

Q: What can NOT be achieved in the use of demipermanent color?

Answer: Cover gray hair

Q: Which of the following government agencies can issue fine for salons that do not have MSDS’s available during business hours?

Answer: OSHA

Q: What is NOT a concern to the FDA?

Answer: To legally require companies to share information on their products

Q: What does OSHA NOT regulate?

Answer: Evaluation of skilled and competent services

Q: Extended exposure to salon products without proper precaution can effect all of the epithelial tissues EXECPT

Answer: Cartliage

Q: Light therapy, the application of light rays to the skin is used for everything EXECPT

Answer: To decrease circulation

Q: What refers to hair elasticity?

Answer: Stretchability and strength of the hair

Q: Hirsutism, a form of terminal hair growth, is characterized by what?

Answer: Long, coarse, pigmented hair found on the scalp, legs, arms, and bodies of males and females

Q: In which phase of hair growth is new hair produced?

Answer: Anagen

Q: All of the following are utilized to evaluate your clients needs and desired results EXECPT

Answer: Giving your preference as a stylist

Q: What is the best hairstyle for a round facial type?

Answer: Create height or volume on top and no volume at the sides

Q: What focus points fits a combination cut?

Answer: Varying amounts of weight

Q: What is the most flexible and versatile wig construction method?

Answer: Hand-tied

Q: Which haircut technique involves the tips of the scissors being pointed toward the hair ends rather than into them?

Answer: Notching

Q: Understanding the effect of ________ will help create any desired shaping?

Answer: Elevation

Q: Which shears is MOST recommended for use by a new cutter to remove excess bulk?

Answer: Thinning shears

Q: What will be the result after burning a human hair wig?

Answer: Distinctive oder

Q: What should ALWAYS be done during a proper cross-checking?

Answer: Cross-check opposite of cut partings

Q: What determines the temperature setting of the iron?

Answer: Texture

Q: Which lines create length and height in a hair design?

Answer: Vertical

Q: What density and texture combinations would create the MOST volume in a hair style?

Answer: Thick-coarse hair

Q: The stylist objective is to create the illusion of that facial shape?

Answer: Oval

Q: What is NOT an essential nutrient to maintain heathy skin?

Answer: Fats

Q: What is considered a galvanic treatment using a very low level of electrical current?

Answer: Microcurrent

Q: What is NOT considered corrective facial skin conditions?

Answer: Skin tone

Q: What is recommended when applying makeup fir a special occasion that will include a lot of photographs?

Answer: Matte colors

Q: What type of hair removal has an advantage of removing hair even if it is only 1/8-inch long?

Answer: Sugaring

Q: What is the most common form of temporary hair removal?

Answer: Shaving

Q: What type of hair removal uses a caustic alkali preparation?

Answer: Depliatories

Q: What is the structural material that composes the natural nail?

Answer: Keratin

Q: What will cause a nail tip to crack?

Answer: Trimming with a fingernail clipper

Q: What implement is NOT used for a basic manicure?

Answer: Nail rasp

Q: What type of nail wrap is considered to be the strongest wrap fabric?

Answer: Linen

Q: What abrasive file would you use to shape a weak natural nail?

Answer: 240 grit

Q: What is the definition of a synergistic product line?

Answer: Compatible products

Q: What is the BEST way to describe an effleurage movement of the hand?

Answer: Smooth and gental

Q: The UV gel should AVOID contact with all of the following EXECPT

Answer: Matrix

Q: Chemical safety DOES NOT include

Answer: Use of products in unlabeled containers

Q: What is the FIRST step in responding to a blood exposure incident?

Answer: Stop the service

Q: What disinfectant is appropriate for stopping the take over of the hosts cell’s reproductive fucntion?

Answer: Virucidal

Q: What is the BEST thing to do FIRST in the event of a minor burn?

Answer: Immerse in cold water

Q: What is a sterilizer thats approved for salon use?

Answer: Autoclave

Q: What is the MOST common way HIV virus can be spread?

Answer: Cuts

Q: What can NOT be used to remove callus from the foot?

Answer: Blades

Q: When draping a client, stylists need to be most aware of?

Answer: Cape does touch skin

Q: How often should capes and linens be laundered?

Answer: After each use

Q: What is a device that uses steam to sterilize equipment and deactivate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores?

Answer: Autoclave

Q: What is the meaning of hepatitis?

Answer: A bloodborne virus that causes disease and can damage the liver

Q: What is the FIRST step if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin?

Answer: Immediately flood the exposed area with water

Q: A wax burn with some redness and irritation, but no blisters characterizes what type of burn?

Answer: First degree

Q: What is the highest level of decontamination used for implements in salons?

Answer: Sterilization

Q: What is a place used for strong disinfected tools and implements in the salon?

Answer: Covered container

Q: What procedure would prepare implements that may accidentally be exposed to blood or body fluids?

Answer: Disinfection

Q: Where is the BEST work environment for applying acrylic fingernail products?

Answer: A ventilated work table

Q: What is the lowest level of decontamination?

Answer: Sanitizing a surface

Q: Why do tuberculoidal disinfectants require special handling?

Answer: They require special method of disposal

Q: What is the single most important practice to eliminate cross-contamination

Answer: Hand sanitizing

Q: What is not considered a use of matter in cosmetology?

Answer: Applying light therapy

Q: What is the BEST consult when in doubt about how to use a product?

Answer: Manufacturer’s Instructions

Q: What BEST describes a procedure or condition that may produce undesirable side effects during a scalp massage due to any medical issues a client may have?

Answer: Contraindicated

Q: What type of shampoo contains an active agents that binds to metals and removes them from the hair?

Answer: Clarifying shampoo

Q: What BEST describes the substance in conditioners that absorb moistures or promotes the retention of moisture?

Answer: Humectants

Q: Brushing the hair before a scalp treatment helps remove everything EXECPT

Answer: Dandruff

Q: What conditioner could be determined during a scalp evaluation on a client who had brittle hair and red papules, or spots at the opening of the hair follicles?

Answer: Tinea Capitis

Q: What type of conditioners should NOT be used on braids

Answer: Creamy

Q: ______ Is NOT a foundation for cornrows

Answer: Elevation