NIC National Cosmetology Theory Exam — Practice Exam
Haircolor: practice questions
Our NIC Cosmetology Theory bank has 26 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Which color is used to neutralize brassy orange tones?
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Blue
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D. Blue — Blue and orange are complementary.
Question 2
Which type of color deposits without lifting and uses a low-volume developer?
- High-lift tint
- Demi-permanent
- Temporary rinse
- Permanent (oxidation) color
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B. Demi-permanent — Demi-permanent fades over several weeks; permanent can lift and deposit.
Question 3
Why is a strand test useful before color correction?
- It tests the client for allergies to the color before any formula is mixed
- It sets the price
- It shows how the hair will take the formula before committing the whole head
- It isn't useful
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C. It shows how the hair will take the formula before committing the whole head — Corrections are unpredictable.
Question 4
What are the three primary colors?
- Orange, green and violet
- Red, green and blue
- Black, white and gray
- Red, yellow and blue
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D. Red, yellow and blue — Secondary colors are orange, green and violet.
Question 5
Why must hair with metallic dyes be tested before oxidation color or lightener?
- Metallic dyes make hair resistant to all shampoo
- Metallic salts can react with peroxide, causing heat, breakage and odd colors
- Metallic dyes wash out in one shampoo
- It is only a cosmetic concern
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B. Metallic salts can react with peroxide, causing heat, breakage and odd colors — A test strand in a peroxide-ammonia mix shows the reaction.