Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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10 | 2014 NAILS CAREER HANDBOOK ILLUSTRATION BY YUIKO SUGINO California usually leads the pack in terms of state board regulations. Whether you're in California or not, you might consider checking out www. californiastateboard.com for information on exam prep tutoring. Take out your old tests from class, see where you made errors, and review these sections. Stay positive. You have done the work, you've studied hard, and you've earned the right to take the state board. Tell yourself that you won't fail. A positive outlook will keep your head clear. To answer a multiple-choice question, frst cover the choices, next read the question and determine your answer, then uncover the choices and search for your answer. Check and recheck your kit and materials against your state regulations, and bring duplicates of items in case of a mishap. Pay attention to details — if a question requires you to list steps, make sure you list them all. If you are using a live model, make sure her nails and skin are healthy. Ofer to drive your model to and from the testing site to ensure her participation. Visit www.nailsmag.com/bloglist/student to read about other new grads' state board exam experiences. Bring a photo ID and a social security card to the test. (Bring another government-issued ID if you don't have a social security card.) This is frst and foremost a test for consumer safety. Sanitize every step of the way. It is the number-one thing proctors are looking for. 16 Make sure your transcripts have been sent from the schools. Make sure any necessary paperwork is flled out prior to the test. Leave plenty of time before the test begins to park, use the restroom, and walk to the testing room. Bring money for a parking meter. Consider visiting the testing site a few days before so you know exactly where it is. Run through practice boards a few times. If your school ofers mock exams, pay attention and ask questions. Wear comfortable, professional clothing, remembering your clean lab jacket if required. Make sure your hair is pulled back and away from your face and that you don't wear any dangling jewelry. Put all the vocab words and subjects you have problems with on fashcards. Run through them regularly until you've mastered them. Remember, studying for the test begins on the frst day of class. Decide to learn the material, not simply know it well enough to pass the test. Don't delay in taking your exams. Take them as soon as possible after completing your coursework when everything is still fresh in your mind. The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) provides tests to more than 30 states. Go to www.nictesting.org to see if your state is one of them. If it is, click on www.nictesting.org/testingprogram.php to see sample questions and a link to paid practice exams, which will give you an idea of what types of questions will be asked. Find the Candidate Information Bulletins (CIB) on the NIC website to learn how test questions are weighted. Download and print the practical CIB for nail techs and study it. Check out Milady.com (click on the Product Catalog tab and then Online Licensing Preparation) to fnd resources for study guides. Many state tests use these as the references for test questions. Review chapters and notes on sanitation and safety. Also review your state board's regulations. You've graduated from nail school! But before you can start working in a salon you have to pass your state board exam. Here are 21 tips to prepare you for the big day.