NIC National Barber Theory Exam — Practice Exam
Facial hair: shaving: practice questions
Our NIC Barber Theory bank has 12 questions on this topic. Here are 4 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What does lather do during a shave?
- Lightens the beard
- Colors the beard
- It closes the pores and disinfects the razor's edge
- Softens the beard, lubricates the skin and helps the razor glide
Show the answer
D. Softens the beard, lubricates the skin and helps the razor glide — Reapply as needed.
Question 2
A client is nicked during a shave. What should the barber do first?
- Continue the shave and use a shared styptic pencil at the end
- Stop, put on gloves, and apply pressure with clean cotton, then an antiseptic
- Continue shaving over the cut
- Rinse the razor and keep going
Show the answer
B. Stop, put on gloves, and apply pressure with clean cotton, then an antiseptic — Follow blood exposure procedures.
Question 3
What is the usual angle for holding a straight razor against the skin?
- 90 degrees, straight into the skin
- 45 degrees pointing upward
- A low angle, about 30 degrees
- Flat against the skin at 0 degrees
Show the answer
C. A low angle, about 30 degrees — Too steep cuts the skin.
Question 4
What is applied at the end of a shave to cool and close the skin?
- A coat of hair spray
- A dusting of talc powder
- A hot towel, followed by more lather to soften the skin
- A cool towel and an aftershave or toner
Show the answer
D. A cool towel and an aftershave or toner — Soothes and refreshes the skin.