A four-week study plan

A four-week study plan

California’s cosmetology written exam has 110 questions and allows 120 minutes. Texas’s cosmetology written exam also has 110 questions, with 130 minutes total.

Use the plan below for your state’s cosmetology written exam. Start with its largest topics, then work toward smaller topics. Use the final week to review missed answers and prepare for test day.

Week one: Start with the largest topic

California cosmetology gives safety and infection control 30% of its outline, or 30 items. Texas cosmetology assigns hair and scalp care 40%, or 40 items.

For California, begin with safety and infection control questions. Explain why your chosen answer fits, then check the explanation. Revisit terms you confuse before trying fresh questions.

For Texas, separate hair and scalp care into manageable service topics. Practice haircutting, hairstyling, haircoloring, and chemical texture questions in separate groups. Then mix those groups together.

End the week with a timed practice test using your state’s timing. Review wrong answers and answers you guessed correctly. Choose the weakest topic for your next review session.

Week two: Build the next major topics

California cosmetology assigns consultation and hair, skin, and nail analysis 19%, or 19 items. Chemical texture services receive 12%, or 12 items.

Texas cosmetology gives infection control 28%, or 28 items. Licensing and regulation account for 20%, or 20 items.

For California, practice analysis questions before moving into chemical texture services. For Texas, practice infection control and Texas licensing questions. Say unfamiliar trade terms aloud and explain their meaning in plain words.

Finish with a timed practice test that mixes current and earlier topics. Read the full question and every answer choice. Afterward, explain what made each missed answer incorrect.

Week three: Cover the remaining topics

California cosmetology assigns haircoloring 10%, or 10 items.

For California, begin with haircoloring, then practice the remaining service topics. Include hair removal, nail care, skin care, eyelash and eyebrow services, haircutting, and hairstyling. Keep earlier weak topics in the mix.

Texas cosmetology assigns skin care 6%, or 6 items. Nail care also receives 6%, or 6 items.

For Texas, practice skin care and nail care, then revisit hair questions. End the week with a timed practice test across your state’s topics. Check whether missed answers came from unclear terms or rushed reading.

Week four: Review and prepare for test day

Return to missed questions without looking at their answers. Explain your choice aloud, then check it. Give extra attention to weak areas within the heavily weighted topics.

Complete your final timed practice test before test day. Review its explanations instead of rushing into unfamiliar material. Practice reading words such as not and except carefully.

Check your candidate bulletin for identification, arrival instructions, and permitted items. Set out the listed items and confirm your route. Keep your test-day checklist separate from practical exam supplies.

Written-exam preparation guidance recommends sleep before the test and discourages last-minute cramming.

Common questions

Which topics should I study first for my state's cosmetology exam?

California cosmetology gives safety and infection control 30% of its outline, or 30 items. Texas cosmetology assigns hair and scalp care 40%, or 40 items.

How should I review questions I got wrong?

Return to missed questions without looking at their answers. Explain your choice aloud, then check it. Give extra attention to weak areas within the heavily weighted topics.

Should I cram the night before my cosmetology exam?

Written-exam preparation guidance recommends sleep before the test and discourages last-minute cramming.