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Key Facts: CAP Coiffure Exam

10/20

Overall weighted average required across all examination units

France Compétences (RNCP39266)

0 €

Official registration fee on the national Cyclades portal

Ministère de l'Éducation nationale

Niveau 3

National qualification level under the French framework and EQF Level 3

France Compétences (RNCP39266)

12 weeks

Mandatory workplace training (PFMP) in hair salons

Arrêté du 5 juin 2019, article 4

Coeff 17

Total coefficient of the vocational domain (EP1 coef 14 including PSE + EP2 coef 3)

Annexe II b – Règlement d'examen, CAP Métiers de la coiffure

The CAP Métiers de la coiffure (RNCP39266) is France's foundational state vocational qualification for hairdressers. Awarded by the Ministry of National Education, it is evaluated through two vocational units — EP1 Techniques de coiffure (coefficient 14 including 1 for PSE, 6 h 45) and EP2 Relation clientèle et participation à l'activité de l'entreprise (coefficient 3, oral) — and is awarded on an overall average of at least 10/20 across all units. Public candidate registration on Cyclades is free. This OpenExamPrep bank supplies 100 English-language practice questions covering cutting and shaping geometry, colour chemistry, hair biology, salon hygiene and cosmetic safety rules.

Sample CAP Coiffure Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CAP Coiffure exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In classic cutting geometry, what structural result is produced when hair is held at a 0-degree elevation angle relative to the natural fall (coupe pleine masse)?

A.A solid, blunt weight line with maximum density at the perimeter and zero graduation.

B.A uniform interior layer with identical strand lengths across the entire parietal ridge.

C.An inverted graduated silhouette that expands outward around the occipital bone.

D.A highly textured, feather-light interior with heavily tapered ends.

Explanation: Holding hair at a 0-degree elevation angle keeps all strands falling directly into their natural gravity drop, establishing a solid horizontal or curved boundary known as a blunt cut (coupe pleine masse or coupe droite). Because no elevation is applied during the cut, all hair lengths terminate on the perimeter line, creating maximum weight and density. This geometry forms the foundation for classic bobs and blunt square perimeter outlines.

2When performing a classic graduated haircut (coupe dégradée courte ou mi-longue), what effect does elevating hair sections to 45 degrees produce?

A.It eliminates all internal weight to create a completely flat, weightless shape.

B.It stacks hair ends progressively to build weight and beveling in the lower silhouette.

C.It leaves the crown layers significantly shorter than the interior apex layers.

D.It maintains a rigid zero-degree perimeter line without any surface stepping.

Explanation: An elevation angle of 45 degrees creates graduation (dégradé avec accumulation de masse), which stacks shorter exterior lengths beneath progressively longer interior lengths. This angle concentrates density and creates a soft, beveled transition that emphasizes fullness around the nape and occipital zone. It is the core technique used to construct classic graduated bobs and structured masculine tapers.

3Which cutting geometry technique is characterized by projecting hair at 90 degrees perpendicular to the curve of the skull at all points (coupe uniforme)?

A.Maintaining maximum length at the hairline while thinning the apex.

B.Producing a shape where all hair strands have equal length over the head contour.

C.Building an expanding triangular mass focused entirely on the nape.

D.Creating a steep progressive increase in length from the crown to the base of the neck.

Explanation: A uniform layer cut (coupe uniforme) projects every sub-section at a 90-degree angle perpendicular to the curvature of the head. Following this radial projection with a mobile traveling guide results in an identical strand length across the parietal, crown, occipital, and temporal regions. The finished perimeter follows the natural contours of the skull without weight accumulation.

4In progressive layering (dégradé progressif or 180-degree elevation), what happens to the length distribution from the interior crown to the exterior perimeter?

A.Interior layers remain the shortest while perimeter hair retains maximum length.

B.Interior layers are left longest while perimeter hair is cut extremely close to the scalp.

C.All strands from the forehead to the nape terminate at an identical geometric coordinate.

D.Lengths remain perfectly uniform across the parietal ridge and temporal bones.

Explanation: Progressive layering, often achieved by elevating hair vertically to 180 degrees or over-directing upward to a horizontal guide at the apex, creates shorter layers at the top and crown while preserving length and lightness at the perimeter. This distribution distributes movement and texture through the interior without sacrificing overall hair length. It is widely used in long layered styles to release heaviness and enhance volume.

5What is the primary difference between a stationary design guide (repère fixe) and a traveling mobile guide (repère mobile) during haircutting?

A.A stationary guide moves with each new parting, whereas a traveling guide remains anchored at the crown.

B.A stationary guide maintains consistent finger tension, whereas a mobile guide requires no tension.

C.A stationary guide remains in one position while subsequent sections are combed to it, creating length expansion; a mobile guide moves with each new parting, maintaining uniform lengths.

D.A stationary guide is used exclusively for clipper work, whereas a mobile guide is used exclusively with texturizing shears.

Explanation: A stationary guide (repère fixe) remains at a single reference point, and all subsequent hair sections are over-directed to that position, resulting in progressive lengthening away from the guide. In contrast, a mobile guide (repère mobile) incorporates a portion of the previously cut section into the next section as cutting advances across the head, maintaining a consistent length relationship. Understanding this distinction is essential for controlling silhouette shape and balance.

6How do diagonal anterior (diagonal forward) partings influence the visual direction and weight flow of a haircut compared to diagonal posterior partings?

A.Diagonal anterior partings direct weight and visual lines forward toward the face.

B.Diagonal anterior partings force hair to flip backward toward the occiput.

C.Diagonal anterior partings eliminate all graduation and create a vertical flat plane.

D.Diagonal anterior partings can only be used on dry hair with electric clippers.

Explanation: Diagonal anterior (forward) partings angle downward toward the face, guiding lengths and weight forward to frame the facial contours. Conversely, diagonal posterior (backward) partings angle downward toward the nape, sweeping weight away from the face and directing movement toward the back. Selecting the correct parting trajectory dictates the orientation of graduation lines in precision bobs and layered designs.

7What distinguishes sculpting shears (ciseaux sculpteurs) from double-notched thinning shears (ciseaux effileurs) in French hairdressing terminology?

A.Sculpting shears have one notched serrated blade and one straight blade, whereas double thinning shears have notches on both opposing blades.

B.Sculpting shears have two straight blades, whereas thinning shears have two curved razor edges.

C.Sculpting shears remove 100% of the section hair, whereas thinning shears remove zero hair.

D.Sculpting shears are operated with electric motors, whereas thinning shears are strictly manual.

Explanation: In professional French cosmetology, ciseaux sculpteurs possess one notched, toothed blade and one straight ground blade, removing approximately 30% to 50% of the hair per stroke. Ciseaux effileurs (or ciseaux cranteurs bilatéraux) feature teeth on both blades, cutting a lower percentage of hair (around 10% to 20%) for delicate thinning without harsh blunt demarcation. Using the correct texturizing tool prevents unintended bulk removal and hollow patches.

8When performing point cutting (piquetage en bout de mèche) to soften blunt edges, what is the safest and most effective angle for inserting the shear tips relative to the hair strand?

A.90 degrees perpendicular across the strand directly against the fingers.

B.Slightly off-parallel (15 to 30 degrees) pointing toward the hair ends.

C.Flat against the scalp pointing downward toward the hair follicle.

D.180 degrees pointing backward toward the hairdresser's own palm.

Explanation: Point cutting (piquetage) softens a blunt baseline by inserting the tips of the shears at a slight angle (around 15 to 30 degrees) relative to the direction of hair growth. This removes irregular small notches along the perimeter without altering the overall baseline length, creating a soft, diffused edge. Cutting at steep perpendicular angles across the fingers risks cutting the stylist and creating chunky, irregular gaps.

9Why must hair always be thoroughly damp or wet when cutting with a straight razor or feather razor (rasoir effileur / shavette)?

A.Dry razor cutting frays the cuticle scales, causes painful pulling, and generates split ends.

B.Water acts as a chemical catalyst that permanently curls the cut ends.

C.Razors cannot cut dry keratin because dry hair has a hardness equal to diamond.

D.Wet hair allows the razor blade to stay cold enough to prevent combustion.

Explanation: Hair must remain thoroughly lubricated with water or cutting lotion when using a razor because dry cutting causes the sharp edge to snag and tear the cuticle layers. Tearing the cuticle leads to microscopic fraying, noticeable frizz, premature split ends (trichoptilose), and discomfort for the client. Water swells the hair fiber slightly and softens the keratin structure, allowing the blade to glide smoothly and produce clean, tapered ends.

10What technical effect is achieved by over-directing (surdirection) hair sections toward the back of the head while cutting the side perimeters?

A.Hair becomes progressively shorter toward the front hairline.

B.Length is preserved and increases progressively toward the front, creating an elongated line.

C.All hair on the temporal bones is reduced to zero millimeters.

D.The crown is thinned out completely while the side lengths remain unchanged.

Explanation: Over-direction involves combing and pulling hair away from its natural falling position toward an opposite guide. Directing side sections toward the back of the head forces front strands to travel a longer distance before reaching the cutting line, resulting in increased length toward the front. This is the classic method used to create an A-line bob or forward-sweeping graduated silhouette (carré plongeant).

About the CAP Coiffure Exam

The CAP Métiers de la coiffure (RNCP39266, governed by the Arrêté du 5 juin 2019) is the essential French national qualification for working as a qualified hairdresser in France. Awarded by the French Ministry of National Education and organised through the regional académies via the Cyclades portal, the diploma certifies competence in hair and scalp diagnosis, shampooing and hair care, women's and men's cutting, oxidation colouring and colour effects, temporary and durable shaping, hygiene, and client relations. The official assessment is conducted in French through practical workshop trials, a written paper on the associated knowledge and an oral client role-play — there is no official multiple-choice paper. OpenExamPrep offers a 100-item English-language MCQ study adaptation of this curriculum for international students and bilingual apprentices; it is a study aid, not an official translation or a simulation of the examination's format.

Exam sponsor: Ministère de l'Éducation nationale et de la Jeunesse (administered locally by Académies). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Vocational domain under the Arrêté du 5 juin 2019 (RNCP39266) comprises EP1 Techniques de coiffure (UP1, coefficient 14 including 1 for PSE, 6 h 45 including 1 h of PSE) in three parts — Part 1 men's cut and styling (1 h, 50 points), Part 2 women's cut, colour and form, split into 2A oxidation colour, shampoo and perm (2 h, 70 points) and 2B cut, temporary shaping and styling (1 h 15, 80 points), and Part 3 a written paper mobilising the associated knowledge of pôle 1 (1 h 30, 60 points) — and EP2 Relation clientèle et participation à l'activité de l'entreprise (UP2, coefficient 3, oral, 20 minutes maximum) in two parts, a selling/advice role-play (10 minutes, 45 points) and an oral questioning on the associated knowledge of pôle 2 (10 minutes, 15 points). General education units EG1 Français/Histoire-Géo/EMC (coef 3, 2 h 15), EG2 Maths-Physique-chimie (coef 2, 2 h), EG3 EPS (coef 1) and EG4 Langues vivantes (coef 1, oral 20 min) apply to non-exempt candidates; Arts appliqués et cultures artistiques is an optional unit (coef 1) where only points above 10 count.

Time Limit

About 7 hours of vocational assessment (EP1 6 h 45 including PSE + EP2 20 minutes oral) plus general-education papers

Passing Score

Overall weighted average of at least 10/20 across all examination units, with compensation between units; a unit marked 10/20 or above is separately certified as a validated bloc de compétences

Exam / Certification Fees

Free (0 € examination fee for national Cyclades public candidate registrations)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25 of 100 questions

Cutting, Temporary Shaping & Styling

Scissor, thinning-shear and razor handling; elevation angles, blunt and graduated lines, texturizing and cross-checking; men's clipper work; mise en plis, brushing, thermal styling and styling-product choice

25 of 100 questions

Hair Coloring, Lightening & Texture Modification

Fundamental color wheel, warm and cool undertones, oxidation tinting, decolorization levels, permanent waving chemical stages, and hair relaxing/smoothing

20 of 100 questions

Hair Biology, Scalp Trichology & Cosmetic Chemistry

Anatomy of hair follicle, keratin polypeptide chains, disulfide and hydrogen bonds, hair growth phases, common scalp disorders, surfactants, and cosmetic pH

15 of 100 questions

Client Consultation, Salon Hygiene & Ergonomics

Greeting protocols, morphological diagnosis, 48-hour allergy patch testing, disinfectant active ingredients, sterilization methods, and musculoskeletal prevention

15 of 100 questions

Salon Operations, Product Regulations & Safety

Appointment scheduling software, inventory rotation, service price displays, EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, chemical risk pictograms, and salon safety

Preparing for the CAP Coiffure Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Overall weighted average of at least 10/20 across all examination units, with compensation between units; a unit marked 10/20 or above is separately certified as a validated bloc de compétences
Assessment: Vocational domain under the Arrêté du 5 juin 2019 (RNCP39266) comprises EP1 Techniques de coiffure (UP1, coefficient 14 including 1 for PSE, 6 h 45 including 1 h of PSE) in three parts — Part 1 men's cut and styling (1 h, 50 points), Part 2 women's cut, colour and form, split into 2A oxidation colour, shampoo and perm (2 h, 70 points) and 2B cut, temporary shaping and styling (1 h 15, 80 points), and Part 3 a written paper mobilising the associated knowledge of pôle 1 (1 h 30, 60 points) — and EP2 Relation clientèle et participation à l'activité de l'entreprise (UP2, coefficient 3, oral, 20 minutes maximum) in two parts, a selling/advice role-play (10 minutes, 45 points) and an oral questioning on the associated knowledge of pôle 2 (10 minutes, 15 points). General education units EG1 Français/Histoire-Géo/EMC (coef 3, 2 h 15), EG2 Maths-Physique-chimie (coef 2, 2 h), EG3 EPS (coef 1) and EG4 Langues vivantes (coef 1, oral 20 min) apply to non-exempt candidates; Arts appliqués et cultures artistiques is an optional unit (coef 1) where only points above 10 count.
Time limit: About 7 hours of vocational assessment (EP1 6 h 45 including PSE + EP2 20 minutes oral) plus general-education papers
Exam / certification fees: Free (0 € examination fee for national Cyclades public candidate registrations) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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CAP Coiffure: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master colorimetry calculations: understand the interaction of natural hair base levels (1 to 10), underlying warm pigments, and target neutralizing reflections.

2Review the chemistry of chemical texture services: contrast the alkaline reduction of disulfide bonds (ammonium thioglycolate) with hydrogen peroxide oxidation during perming.

3Memorize the anatomy of the hair shaft: cuticle scales, cortical keratin microfibrils, and central medulla, including the role of cysteine and sulfur cross-links.

4Practice allergy alert test (AAT / touche d'essai) timing and safety protocols according to European cosmetic standards and product manufacturer guidelines.

5Familiarize yourself with French salon sanitation rules: distinguish between sanitization, disinfection (bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal), and physical sterilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAP Métiers de la coiffure?

The CAP Métiers de la coiffure is the national French vocational certificate (Niveau 3 / EQF Level 3) issued by the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale. It is the mandatory qualification required to work legally as a qualified hairdresser or barber in salons in France.

Does the CAP Métiers de la coiffure cover barbering, beard trimming and shaving?

No. The référentiel of the CAP Métiers de la coiffure (Arrêté du 5 juin 2019, RNCP39266) covers diagnosis, shampooing and hair care, cutting for women and men, colour and colour effects, and temporary and durable shaping. Beard work and the entretien du système pilo-facial are not part of it: they belong to the BP Coiffure option B 'Coupe homme et entretien du système pilo-facial' and to the BTM Coiffeur option 'coupe masculine et barbe/moustache'. In EP1 Part 1 the candidate performs a short men's cut and styling, and clippers are not even permitted in that part.

How is the CAP Métiers de la coiffure examination structured and evaluated?

Two vocational units: EP1 Techniques de coiffure (coefficient 14 including 1 for PSE, 6 h 45 including 1 h of PSE — men's cut, women's cut/colour/form, and a written paper on the associated knowledge) and EP2 Relation clientèle et participation à l'activité de l'entreprise (coefficient 3, oral, 20 minutes maximum). General units EG1 to EG4 apply unless the candidate is exempt. The diploma is awarded on an overall average of at least 10/20 across all units, with compensation between them; there is no separate minimum for the vocational domain.

What is the examination registration fee for the CAP in France?

Registering for national secondary vocational examinations via the national Cyclades portal (candidat.examens-concours.gouv.fr) is free of charge (0 €) for all candidates, whether in formal training or as independent candidates (candidats libres).

Can I open and operate my own hair salon with only a CAP Coiffure?

In France, under the Law of 23 May 1946 (Loi n° 46-1173), managing a hairdressing salon or operating as an independent salon business owner typically requires the senior Brevet Professionnel (BP Coiffure, Level 4) or Brevet de Maîtrise (BM Coiffeur, Level 5). A CAP holder can work as an employee, or operate a salon if employed alongside a BP holder, or operate a mobile men's haircutting activity under specific artisan conditions.