Free Practice Questions for Level 2 Hairdressing

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More International Beauty & Hair

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Exam Review

Key Facts: Level 2 Hairdressing Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

~70%

Typical Theory Pass Mark

City & Guilds / VTCT (provider-dependent)

6002

City & Guilds Hairdressing Number

City & Guilds

20 vol

= 6% Hydrogen Peroxide

Hairdressing colour theory

1-10

ICC Depth Scale (Dark to Light)

International Colour Chart

85-90%

Scalp Hair in Anagen (Growth)

Hair science

The UK Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing is a regulated vocational qualification, awarded by bodies such as City & Guilds (6002) and VTCT, that prepares trainee stylists for salon work. The knowledge component is tested by an externally-set, externally-marked online multiple-choice theory exam, with the number of questions per paper set by the awarding body; practical assessments and an evidence portfolio sit alongside it, and the qualification is graded pass, merit or distinction. Most centres treat around 70% as the theory pass mark. Core content spans health, safety and hygiene; hair and skin science; consultation and contra-indications; shampooing and conditioning; cutting; colouring and lightening; perming and neutralising; styling and dressing long hair; and professional conduct. This free prep includes 100 UK-English practice questions with full explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample Level 2 Hairdressing Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Level 2 Hairdressing exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, who holds the main duty to ensure a safe salon working environment?

A.The local Environmental Health Officer

B.The client

C.The employer

D.The product manufacturer

Explanation: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) places the primary legal duty on the employer to provide a safe working environment, safe equipment and adequate training. Employees also have duties to take reasonable care, but the overarching responsibility sits with the employer.

2What does the abbreviation COSHH stand for in a hairdressing salon?

A.Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

B.Code of Salon Hygiene and Health

C.Cleaning of Surfaces and Hairdressing Hazards

D.Care of Sterilised Hairdressing Hardware

Explanation: COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. In a salon these regulations cover products such as colours, peroxide, perm lotion and cleaning chemicals, requiring risk assessment, correct storage, handling and disposal.

3Which local authority officer is most likely to inspect a salon for hygiene and registration compliance?

A.Health and Safety Executive inspector only

B.Trading Standards officer

C.Environmental Health Officer (EHO)

D.Fire marshal

Explanation: Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) work for the local authority and inspect salons for hygiene, registration of special treatments where required, infection control and general public-health standards. They can issue improvement notices and enforce local by-laws.

4What is the most effective method of preventing cross-infection when using metal cutting tools between clients?

A.Wiping the blades with a dry tissue

B.Rinsing the tools under cold water

C.Sterilising in an autoclave or using a suitable disinfectant

D.Leaving the tools to air dry overnight

Explanation: Metal tools such as scissors and clipper blades should be sanitised and, where appropriate, sterilised, for example in an autoclave (moist heat under pressure) or with a suitable chemical disinfectant such as a barbicide-type solution. This destroys micro-organisms and prevents cross-infection between clients.

5Why should a hairdresser maintain a good standing posture and avoid bending over a client for long periods?

A.To make the salon look more professional to clients

B.Because it is required by the Data Protection Act

C.To reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and back problems

D.To save electricity at the workstation

Explanation: Good posture, balanced weight and an adjustable chair help prevent musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) that are common in hairdressing. This protects the stylist's long-term health and ability to work.

6A small amount of colour is accidentally spilled on the salon floor. What is the correct first action?

A.Leave it and continue with the client

B.Cover it with a towel until the end of the day

C.Place a wet-floor warning sign and clean the spillage promptly

D.Ask the client to step around it

Explanation: Spillages should be dealt with promptly to prevent slips, trips and falls, which are among the most common salon accidents. A warning sign should be displayed and the spillage cleaned using the correct method for the substance, following COSHH guidance.

7Which piece of personal protective equipment protects the stylist's hands when applying colour or bleach?

A.A gown

B.A barrier comb

C.Disposable non-latex gloves

D.Safety goggles only

Explanation: Disposable gloves, ideally non-latex such as nitrile, protect the stylist's skin from contact dermatitis and chemical irritation caused by colour and lightening products. Repeated unprotected exposure is a leading cause of occupational dermatitis in hairdressing.

8What is the main reason for storing hairdressing chemicals such as peroxide away from direct sunlight and heat?

A.To keep the salon tidy

B.Because dark cupboards look more professional

C.To prevent deterioration and reduce the risk of an unstable or hazardous reaction

D.To stop clients seeing the products

Explanation: Hydrogen peroxide and other salon chemicals can deteriorate, lose strength or become unstable if exposed to heat and light. Correct cool, dark storage in line with manufacturer and COSHH guidance maintains product performance and safety.

9Which of the following best describes a hazard in the salon?

A.The likelihood that someone will be harmed

B.A minor accident that has already happened

C.Something with the potential to cause harm

D.A type of insurance cover

Explanation: A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm, such as wet floors, electrical equipment or chemicals. Risk, by contrast, is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause harm and how serious that harm could be.

10Good personal hygiene and fresh breath are important for a hairdresser mainly because they:

A.Are required by COSHH regulations

B.Increase the price that can be charged

C.Help maintain a professional image and client comfort during close personal service

D.Reduce the cost of salon insurance

Explanation: Hairdressing is a close, personal service, so good personal presentation, body hygiene and fresh breath keep the client comfortable and project a professional image, which supports client confidence and repeat business.

About the Level 2 Hairdressing Exam

The UK Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing (such as City & Guilds 6002) is a regulated vocational qualification for trainee stylists. Its underpinning knowledge is assessed by an externally-set, externally-marked online multiple-choice theory exam, alongside practical assessments and a portfolio of evidence.

Exam sponsor: City & Guilds / VTCT (UK regulated awarding bodies). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Externally-set, externally-marked online multiple-choice theory exam plus practical assessments and a portfolio of evidence; graded pass/merit/distinction overall. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.

Time Limit

Externally-set online theory exam (timed; varies by paper)

Passing Score

~70% (theory exam; provider-dependent)

Exam / Certification Fees

Included in course/provider fees (varies)

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.

13%

Health, Safety & Hygiene

HASAWA, COSHH, electrical safety, EHO inspection, sterilisation and infection control, PPE, dermatitis prevention and chemical storage

17%

Anatomy & Physiology of Hair & Skin

Hair structure (cuticle, cortex, medulla, keratin, disulphide bonds), the growth cycle, scalp conditions and disorders, and elasticity, porosity and incompatibility tests

Client Consultation & Contra-indications

Consultation and communication, skin allergy testing, face shape, contra-indications, record keeping and data protection

Shampooing, Conditioning & Treatments

Shampoo surfactants, surface and penetrating conditioners, scalp treatments, water temperature and massage techniques

Cutting Hair

One-length, graduation and layering, club and point cutting, elevation, guidelines, sectioning and tool maintenance

20%

Colouring & Lightening

Colour theory, the ICC, oxidation, hydrogen peroxide volume/percentage strengths, colour products, lightening and corrective toning

Perming & Neutralising

Reducing lotion and disulphide bonds, neutralising, rod selection, test curls and perming contra-indications

Blow-drying, Setting & Styling

Temporary hydrogen bonds, blow-drying for volume, setting lotion, heat protection and finishing products

Plaiting & Putting Hair Up

Three-strand and French plaits, vertical rolls, backcombing and dressing long hair

Products, Tools & Professional Conduct

Tool selection and hygiene, aftercare and retail, the Equality Act, professional conduct, complaint handling and teamwork

Preparing for the Level 2 Hairdressing Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: ~70% (theory exam; provider-dependent)
Assessment: Externally-set, externally-marked online multiple-choice theory exam plus practical assessments and a portfolio of evidence; graded pass/merit/distinction overall. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.
Time limit: Externally-set online theory exam (timed; varies by paper)
Exam / certification fees: Included in course/provider fees (varies) 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

Level 2 Hairdressing: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prioritise Colouring & Lightening (~20%) and Hair & Skin Science (~17%) — together they are the largest share of the theory exam

2Memorise the hydrogen peroxide conversions: 10 vol = 3%, 20 vol = 6%, 30 vol = 9%, 40 vol = 12%, and how strength affects lift

3Know the ICC clearly: depth is the whole number (1 dark to 10 light) and tone is the number after the decimal point (.1 ash, .3 gold, .4 copper)

4Learn which bonds change in each service: hydrogen bonds for blow-drying and setting (temporary) versus disulphide bonds for perming (permanent)

5Be confident on health and safety law (HASAWA, COSHH, EHO, the Electricity at Work Regulations) and on contra-indications and the skin allergy test

6Even with practical and portfolio work alongside, complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before your theory exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Level 2 Hairdressing exam multiple choice?

The knowledge component is assessed by an externally-set, externally-marked online multiple-choice theory exam from City & Guilds (6002) or VTCT. It is taken alongside practical assessments and a portfolio of evidence, and the qualification is graded pass, merit or distinction overall.

What pass mark do I need for the Level 2 Hairdressing theory exam?

The pass mark for the externally-set theory exam is determined by the awarding body and your centre, but most providers treat around 70% as the threshold. Because the qualification is graded pass/merit/distinction, strong theory results also support a higher overall grade.

How many questions are on the Level 2 Hairdressing exam?

The exact number of questions per theory paper is set by City & Guilds/VTCT and is not published as a single fixed figure. This free bank gives you 100 practice questions covering the full Level 2 hairdressing theory content so you can prepare thoroughly.

What topics does the Level 2 Hairdressing exam cover?

It covers health, safety and hygiene; anatomy and physiology of hair and skin; client consultation and contra-indications; shampooing, conditioning and treatments; cutting; colouring and lightening; perming and neutralising; blow-drying, setting and dressing hair; and professional conduct and legislation.

What is the difference between an NVQ Diploma and the theory exam?

The NVQ/Diploma route is competency-based and includes practical observation and a portfolio, while the underpinning knowledge is tested by an externally-set multiple-choice theory exam (such as City & Guilds 6002). Our 100 questions focus on that testable theory knowledge.

Is this free Level 2 Hairdressing practice test useful for VTCT and City & Guilds learners?

Yes. The 100 questions cover the shared Level 2 hairdressing theory content assessed by both City & Guilds and VTCT, using UK English and salon terminology, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus a free AI tutor. All content is free and updated for 2026.

Free Practice Questions for Level 2 Hairdressing

Explore More International Beauty & Hair

Red Seal Hairstylist Interprovincial Exam (332A)

SHB50321 Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing (Australia)

Canadian Esthetician Certificate of Qualification (Provincial)

Canadian Nail Technician Certificate of Qualification (Provincial)

Certificate III in Barbering (Australia)

Certificate III in Beauty Services (Australia)