Free Practice Questions for LCA Hair and Beauty
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Key Facts: LCA Hair and Beauty Exam
4 modules
Hair and Beauty has four modules: Salon and Customer Care, Haircare, Beautycare and Bodycare
NCCA LCA Hair and Beauty module descriptor (curriculumonline.ie)
All 4 required
All four modules must be completed for the specialism
NCCA LCA Hair and Beauty module descriptor
12 credits
Vocational specialism final examination contributes 12 credits
LCA Programme Statement (curriculumonline.ie)
40% + 60%
Typical final exam split: practical performance about 40% and written examination about 60%
SEC/LCA vocational specialism assessment arrangements (common published weighting for Hair and Beauty)
Foundation first
Salon and Customer Care is the recommended foundation module for Haircare, Beautycare and Bodycare
NCCA LCA Hair and Beauty module descriptor
200 credits
Maximum LCA credits overall; Pass 120–139, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200
LCA Programme Statement / Citizens Information
Basic level
Module skill level is basic/introductory, not apprenticeship salon junior standard
NCCA LCA Hair and Beauty module descriptor (Haircare purpose statement)
Common level
Hair and Beauty final examinations are at common level (no Higher/Ordinary split)
SEC LCA examination practice / Programme Statement
LCA Hair and Beauty is a four-module vocational specialism covering salon and customer care, haircare, beautycare and bodycare. Official final assessment is practical plus written (12 credits) at common level, with Key Assignments for module credits. This bank provides free original concept MCQs for revision.
Sample LCA Hair and Beauty Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LCA Hair and Beauty exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1How many modules must be completed in the LCA Hair and Beauty vocational specialism?
2Which module is recommended as a foundation for Haircare, Beautycare and Bodycare?
3What are the four official LCA Hair and Beauty modules?
4How many final-examination credits does an LCA vocational specialism such as Hair and Beauty typically contribute?
5At what level is the LCA Hair and Beauty final examination assessed?
6What is a main purpose of LCA Hair and Beauty according to the NCCA rationale?
7Which Unit in Salon and Customer Care focuses on greeting clients, answering queries and dealing with complaints?
8What is one duty of a salon receptionist under Module 1 Reception Skills?
9Why is hygiene important in a hair or beauty salon?
10What should staff do if there is a fire emergency in a salon?
About the LCA Hair and Beauty Exam
Leaving Certificate Applied Hair and Beauty is a vocational specialism in Ireland’s two-year LCA programme. The NCCA module descriptor introduces knowledge and practical skills in haircare, beautycare, bodycare, customer care and salon care as preparation for employment, further training or improved personal presentation. Students complete four modules: Salon and Customer Care (foundation for safety, hygiene, reception and professionalism); Haircare (basic shampooing, conditioning, blow-drying and styling awareness); Beautycare (skin, hands, feet, make-up and products); and Bodycare (hygiene, nutrition, well-being, sun care and lifestyle). Assessment by the State Examinations Commission awards credits for Key Assignments and a final examination combining practical performance and written components (12 final credits for the specialism). LCA itself is awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction based on total credits out of 200. This practice bank offers original multiple-choice concept questions on module knowledge and safe practice — it does not replace hands-on Key Assignments or reproduce SEC examination materials.
Exam sponsor: State Examinations Commission (SEC), Ireland. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Four modules (all required): Module 1 Salon and Customer Care (foundation — professional roles, reception, communication, health and hygiene, safety, salon design); Module 2 Haircare (hair analysis, shampooing and conditioning, blow-drying, styles and fashions, special occasions, specialist treatments awareness); Module 3 Beautycare (skin care, hand care, foot and leg care, make-up, beauty products, beauty treatments); Module 4 Bodycare (personal hygiene, nutrition, health and well-being, care of the body, sun care, leisure exercise and rest). Assessment: Key Assignments and attendance for module credits; Final examination (12 credits) commonly Practical performance test (40%) and Written examination (60%) at common level by the SEC. Descriptor skill level is basic/introductory, not apprenticeship standard.
Time Limit
Practical performance tests and written final examinations are scheduled by the SEC in Year 2 (typically practical performance week in May and written papers in June per published timetables — confirm current year). Key Assignments are completed during each module session over two years.
Passing Score
LCA award bands use total credits: Pass 120–139, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200 (maximum 200). Hair and Beauty contributes module/Key Assignment credits plus 12 final-exam credits for the specialism. No single specialism pass mark alone certifies the LCA.
Exam / Certification Fees
Covered under the school-based Leaving Certificate examination fee arrangements set annually by the SEC (2026 school-based entry €116; medical card exemptions apply). No separate published per-specialism LCA Hair and Beauty fee for school candidates.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
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.
Salon and Customer Care
Practice covers hairdresser and beautician roles, training routes, reception duties, appointments, telephone technique, payments, client records, verbal and non-verbal communication, complaints, confidentiality, hygiene, first aid, standing posture, client preparation, hazards, hazardous substances, fire and emergency procedures and salon design.
Haircare
Practice covers hair structure and scalp types, factors affecting hair, shampoo and conditioner choice, client preparation, blow-dry equipment and products, consultation, face shapes and style selection, fashion trends, special-occasion dressing aids, and awareness of perming and colouring services.
Beautycare
Practice covers skin structure and types, allergy/patch testing, cleansing and facial sequence, manicure and nail care, foot hygiene and pumice use, make-up choice and removal, product labels, homemade versus commercial products, face masks, nail art and professional salon treatments.
Bodycare
Practice covers personal hygiene routines, nutrition and food pyramid ideas, stress and well-being, body moisturising and safe hair removal, sun protection factor (SPF), fake tan and sunbed safety, posture, exercise benefits and sleep hygiene.
Assessment structure
Practice covers the four-module sequence, foundation role of Salon and Customer Care, Key Assignments, 12 final credits, practical and written weightings, common level and how the specialism fits the 200-credit LCA award.
Preparing for the LCA Hair and Beauty Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: LCA award bands use total credits: Pass 120–139, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200 (maximum 200). Hair and Beauty contributes module/Key Assignment credits plus 12 final-exam credits for the specialism. No single specialism pass mark alone certifies the LCA.
- Assessment: Four modules (all required): Module 1 Salon and Customer Care (foundation — professional roles, reception, communication, health and hygiene, safety, salon design); Module 2 Haircare (hair analysis, shampooing and conditioning, blow-drying, styles and fashions, special occasions, specialist treatments awareness); Module 3 Beautycare (skin care, hand care, foot and leg care, make-up, beauty products, beauty treatments); Module 4 Bodycare (personal hygiene, nutrition, health and well-being, care of the body, sun care, leisure exercise and rest). Assessment: Key Assignments and attendance for module credits; Final examination (12 credits) commonly Practical performance test (40%) and Written examination (60%) at common level by the SEC. Descriptor skill level is basic/introductory, not apprenticeship standard.
- Time limit: Practical performance tests and written final examinations are scheduled by the SEC in Year 2 (typically practical performance week in May and written papers in June per published timetables — confirm current year). Key Assignments are completed during each module session over two years.
- Exam / certification fees: Covered under the school-based Leaving Certificate examination fee arrangements set annually by the SEC (2026 school-based entry €116; medical card exemptions apply). No separate published per-specialism LCA Hair and Beauty fee for school candidates. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
LCA Hair and Beauty: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How is LCA Hair and Beauty assessed?
Students complete Key Assignments and attendance requirements for four modules (module credits on the one-credit-per-module model used for final-examination courses). The vocational specialism final examination is worth 12 credits and typically combines a practical performance test (about 40%) with a written examination (about 60%) at common level, assessed by the SEC.
What are the four modules?
Module 1 Salon and Customer Care; Module 2 Haircare; Module 3 Beautycare; Module 4 Bodycare. All four modules must be completed. Salon and Customer Care is recommended as a foundation first or integrated with the others.
Is this the same as a professional hairdressing or beauty qualification?
No. The NCCA descriptor states that the skill level is basic and should not be confused with that required of an apprentice or junior working in a hairdressing salon. It is an introduction within the LCA programme.
How many final-examination credits does Hair and Beauty carry?
Each vocational specialism final examination contributes 12 credits within the LCA Programme Statement. Module completion on final-examination courses is credited at one credit per module (four modules).
What topics are in Salon and Customer Care?
The hair and beauty professional, reception skills, communication, health and hygiene, safety, and salon design — covering hygiene routines, first aid, hazards, fire procedures, client greeting, appointments and payments.
How does LCA overall grading work?
Students accumulate up to 200 credits from modules, seven Student Tasks and final examinations. Pass is 120–139 credits, Merit 140–169, Distinction 170–200. Below 120 credits may lead to a Record of Experience rather than the full award.
Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept questions. You still need to complete authentic Key Assignments, practise practical skills safely and use official SEC past papers where available for the practical and written examinations.