100+ Free CDACC Hairdressing Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CDACC Hairdressing Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

CBET

Curriculum Framework

TVET CDACC Kenya

Competent

Passing Grade Target

CDACC Assessment Rules

8 Units

Core Content Modules

CDACC Hairdressing OS

2 hours

Theory Exam Time

Assessment Guidelines

Ksh 10k

Max Assessment Fee

TVET Institution Schedules

The TVET CDACC Hairdressing Competency Assessment is Kenya's national competency-based certification for professional hairstylists. Administered by TVET CDACC, the evaluation includes both a theory examination and a detailed practical assessment. Candidates are graded as Competent or Not Yet Competent. Core syllabus units include OSH standards, hair science, shampooing/treatment, cutting, styling/braiding, chemical relaxing/perming, coloring, and business ethics. This practice bank offers 100 high-quality questions with detailed explanations.

Sample CDACC Hairdressing Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CDACC Hairdressing exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of Kenya, which of the following is the primary duty of a salon owner?

A.Providing free hair styling products to all clients

B.Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for employees and clients

C.Setting standard salon service prices for the local area

D.Paying for the commuting expenses of salon staff

Explanation: Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of Kenya, the primary responsibility of a salon owner is to ensure that the working environment is safe, clean, and free from health hazards. This includes providing appropriate safety equipment, training, and maintaining clean facilities to protect both workers and customers.

2Which of the following is the most effective method for sterilizing metal hair cutting shears in a salon?

A.Wiping them down with a damp cotton cloth

B.Soaking them in clean lukewarm water for five minutes

C.Using a steam autoclave or dry heat sterilizer

D.Spraying them with a light cosmetic perfume spray

Explanation: Metal hair cutting shears should be sterilized using a steam autoclave or a dry heat sterilizer to kill all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores. Wiping or soaking in plain water does not sterilize the instruments and can lead to rusting or cross-infection between clients.

3What is the standard personal protective equipment (PPE) that a stylist must wear when applying a chemical hair relaxer?

A.Dust mask and safety goggles only

B.Protective gloves, chemical-resistant apron, and closed-toe shoes

C.Heavy leather welding gloves and ear defenders

D.A stylish fabric cap and thin open-toe sandals

Explanation: When working with strong chemical relaxers, a stylist must wear protective gloves, a chemical-resistant apron, and closed-toe shoes to guard against chemical burns, spills, and accidental contact with the skin. Relaxers contain high pH chemicals (like sodium hydroxide) that can damage skin rapidly.

4If a chemical hair relaxer accidentally splashes into a client's eyes, what is the immediate first-aid action the stylist should take?

A.Apply a gentle oily eye cream and close the eyes tightly

B.Flush the eyes thoroughly with clean, cool water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention

C.Wait for 30 minutes to see if the irritation goes away naturally

D.Wipe the eye gently with a dry paper towel to absorb the chemical

Explanation: The correct first-aid protocol for chemical contact in the eye is to immediately flush the affected eye with clean, cool water for a minimum of 15 minutes to dilute and remove the alkaline chemical. Medical assistance should then be sought immediately to ensure no permanent corneal damage occurs.

5Under Kenyan OSH guidelines, how should a first aid kit in a registered hair salon be managed and maintained?

A.Locked in the owner's private office with the key kept off-site

B.Kept fully stocked, easily accessible, and managed by a trained first aider

C.Placed in the client waiting area for children to play with

D.Stocked only with cosmetic samples and expired prescription medications

Explanation: Kenyan Occupational Safety and Health standards dictate that first aid kits must be kept fully stocked with approved items, positioned in an easily accessible location, and managed by a designated staff member trained in basic first aid. This ensures rapid and effective response to workplace injuries.

6According to sanitation standards, how are plastic styling combs and brushes classified under the Spaulding classification system?

A.Critical items requiring autoclave sterilization

B.Semicritical items requiring high-level chemical disinfection

C.Non-critical items requiring intermediate to low-level disinfection

D.Disposable items that must be thrown away after a single use

Explanation: Combs and brushes are classified as non-critical items because they only come into contact with intact skin. They do not penetrate tissue or touch mucous membranes. Therefore, cleaning followed by intermediate to low-level disinfection (using hospital-grade disinfectants like quats) is sufficient.

7What is the correct procedure for storing flammable pressurized aerosol cans (such as hairsprays) in a professional salon environment?

A.Storing them on a window sill in direct hot sunlight to display the brands

B.Keeping them in a cool, dry cabinet away from direct heat and electrical outlets

C.Placing them next to the styling station's curling iron heaters for easy access

D.Stacking them inside the staff kitchen area near the microwave stove

Explanation: Aerosol cans are pressurized and contain flammable propellants. They must be stored in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight, open flames, hot appliances, and electrical outlets to prevent overheating, which can cause the containers to rupture or explode.

8To prevent musculoskeletal disorders, which ergonomic practice should a hair stylist implement while cutting a client's hair?

A.Bending forward at the waist with locked knees to reach the bottom hair sections

B.Adjusting the client's hydraulic chair height to keep elbows at a 90-degree angle and wrists straight

C.Holding the shears with a tight, tense grip while raising shoulders towards the ears

D.Standing on one foot for balance while stretching across the client's lap

Explanation: To maintain proper ergonomics and prevent strain, the stylist should adjust the client's hydraulic chair height so that the hair section being cut is at a comfortable working level. This allows the stylist's elbows to remain relaxed at roughly a 90-degree angle with wrists straight, reducing shoulder and back strain.

9If a stylist accidentally cuts their own finger with shears during a service, what sequence of actions must they follow?

A.Continue the haircut quickly to avoid disrupting the client, then apply a band-aid later

B.Stop the service, wash the wound with soap and water, apply antiseptic, cover with a bandage, and wear protective gloves

C.Lick the cut to sanitize it and wrap it in dry hair clippings to stop the bleeding

D.Ask the client to blow on the wound and spray it with hairspray to seal it

Explanation: Bloodborne pathogen protocols require the stylist to immediately stop the service if an injury occurs. The wound must be washed, disinfected with antiseptic, covered with a sterile bandage, and the stylist must wear protective gloves before resuming work to prevent cross-contamination.

10What is the active chemical agent found in most professional salon liquid disinfectants used for soaking combs and shears?

A.Concentrated sulfuric acid

B.Quaternary ammonium compounds

C.Liquid paraffin oil

D.Potassium chloride solution

Explanation: Quaternary ammonium compounds (commonly known as quats) are hospital-grade disinfectants widely used in salons. They are highly effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi when used according to the manufacturer's dilution and immersion instructions.

About the CDACC Hairdressing Exam

The Kenya TVET CDACC Hairdressing Competency Assessment is a national certification based on Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) standards. It evaluates candidates on occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines, hair science, shampooing and styling, hair cutting and barbering, chemical reformation (relaxing and perming), coloring, plaiting/hair additions, and professional salon management.

Assessment

Competency-based assessment consisting of an online/written theory examination and a hands-on practical demonstration evaluated by certified assessors.

Time Limit

2 hours for theory exam

Passing Score

Competent (requires demonstrating 100% of critical performance criteria in theory and practicals)

Exam Fee

Ksh 5,000–10,000 total assessment cost (TVET CDACC (Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council, Kenya))

CDACC Hairdressing Exam Content Outline

12%

Occupational Safety, Health & Sanitation

Kenya OSH regulations, personal hygiene, salon sanitization, waste disposal, and safety hazard identification.

14%

Hair and Scalp Science

Anatomy of the hair and scalp, hair growth cycle, hair analysis (elasticity, porosity), and scalp conditions or disorders.

10%

Shampooing, Conditioning & Treatments

Shampoo surfactants, pH scale, conditioning treatments, scalp massage, and water temperature/quality.

15%

Hair Cutting and Barbering

Cutting techniques (one-length, graduation, layers), barbering, beard/mustache grooming, tool safety and maintenance.

13%

Hair Styling and Setting

Blow-drying, roller setting, thermal styling, braiding techniques, dreadlocks, and hair additions (wigs, weaves).

12%

Chemical Reformation

Hair relaxing chemistry (sodium hydroxide vs. thioglycolate), perming process, neutralization, and bond restructuring.

14%

Hair Coloring and Lightening

Color theory, International Color Chart (ICC), oxidation, hydrogen peroxide volumes, bleaching, and corrective toning.

10%

Salon Management and Ethics

Client consultation, communication, record keeping, professional ethics, and entrepreneurship operations.

How to Pass the CDACC Hairdressing Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Competent (requires demonstrating 100% of critical performance criteria in theory and practicals)
Assessment: Competency-based assessment consisting of an online/written theory examination and a hands-on practical demonstration evaluated by certified assessors.
Time limit: 2 hours for theory exam
Exam fee: Ksh 5,000–10,000 total assessment cost

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CDACC Hairdressing Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on OSH regulations and salon safety - minor safety infractions can lead to an automatic 'Not Yet Competent' grade in practicals.

2Understand the difference between sodium hydroxide (lye) and ammonium thioglycolate relaxers, including their pH and active bond-breaking mechanisms.

3Memorize the International Color Chart (ICC) depth levels (1-10) and standard tone codes (e.g., .1 for ash, .3 for gold) to answer coloring theory questions.

4Be prepared to identify common scalp conditions (e.g., tinea capitis, pediculosis capitis) and know which ones are contraindications that prevent styling.

5Learn the anatomy of the hair shaft (cuticle, cortex, medulla) and what occurs at the molecular level when chemical bonds are broken and reformed.

6Practice your timing for client consultations and understand the legal importance of maintain accurate salon treatment records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TVET CDACC Hairdressing certification?

It is a national vocational qualification in Kenya developed under the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework. Certified by TVET CDACC, it validates that a candidate possesses the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required by the cosmetology industry.

How is the CDACC Hairdressing exam structured?

The assessment is double-pronged. It includes a theory examination (typically multiple-choice and short-answer questions) to test underpinning knowledge, followed by a structured practical demonstration where candidates perform hairdressing services under the observation of external assessors.

What is the passing score for the CDACC Hairdressing assessment?

CDACC exams do not use percentage grades (like A, B, or C). Candidates are assessed as either 'Competent' (satisfying all performance criteria and critical safety standards) or 'Not Yet Competent' (requiring a reassessment in specific units).

What are the core topics covered in the assessment?

The assessment covers 8 core modules: Salon OSH; Hair and Scalp Anatomy; Shampooing and conditioning; Cutting and barbering; Blow-drying and African braiding; Chemical reformation (relaxers/perms); Hair coloring (ICC scales); and Salon operations and management.

How much does it cost to sit for the CDACC Hairdressing exam?

The total assessment fee is usually between Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 10,000, depending on the number of competency units being assessed. Core units typically cost between Ksh 1,000 and Ksh 3,000 each. Registration and center charges vary by TVET college.

Are there prerequisites for registering for the assessment?

Yes, candidates must be enrolled in a registered TVET institution offering the CDACC hairdressing curriculum and have completed the required training hours and coursework assessments prior to registering for the national external assessment.