CIMA 2025 Certification Prep: Syllabus
Coverage, Recommended Books, and
Practice Question Strategy
Question 1: During a consultation, a client informs the stylist of a desire to transition to natural
hairstyling. Select the most appropriate question the stylist should ask to determine a look suited
to the client's desire.
A. How often do you wash your hair?
B. What products do you currently use on your hair?
C. What is your weekly hair care maintenance routine?
D. Have you ever had natural styling before?
Correct Answer: C. What is your weekly hair care maintenance routine?
Rationale: This question directly addresses the client's lifestyle and commitment to hair care,
which is crucial for determining a suitable natural hairstyle that they can maintain.
Question 2: In order to cure gels, a curing lamp must emit _____ light at the proper intensity to
provide sufficient energy.
A. red
B. ultraviolet
C. infrared
D. violet
Correct Answer: D. violet
Rationale: While UV light is commonly used, the specific spectrum within UV that cures gels
effectively is often in the violet range.
,Question 3: Jasmine's manager has pointed out that there might be mold forming in one of the
bathrooms. He has requested that Jasmine mix a solution that will destroy the mold. Which of the
following will be MOST effective in doing so?
A. antiseptic
B. disinfectant
C. fungicidal
D. bactericidal
Correct Answer: C. fungicidal
Rationale: Fungicidal solutions are specifically designed to destroy fungi, which includes mold.
Question 4: The _________ is the non-living colorless tissue attached to the nail plate.
A. eponychium
B. hyponychium
C. nail cuticle
D. perionychium
Correct Answer: C. nail cuticle
Question 5: Each of the following is a use for trimmers EXCEPT _____.
A. outlining beards
B. tapering hairlines from extremely short to long
C. creating clean lines around the ears
D. detailing sideburns
Correct Answer: B. tapering hairlines from extremely short to long
Rationale: Trimmers are generally used for very close cutting and detailing, not for creating a
significant taper from extremely short to long lengths, which would typically require clippers or
shears.
Question 6: How often should clients with normal scalp health have a scalp treatment
performed?
,A. monthly
B. with every season change
C. bi-weekly
D. annually
Correct Answer: B. with every season change
Question 7: What is the name for a board containing fine, upright nails that stylists use to comb
human hair extensions and blend colors and highlights?
A. weft board
B. drawing board
C. hackle
D. blending rack
Correct Answer: C. Hackle
Question 8: As part of their composition, all permanent haircoloring products and lighteners
contain both a developer and _____.
A. an acidic agent
B. an alkalizing agent
C. a conditioning agent
D. a neutralizing agent
Correct Answer: B. an alkalizing agent
Question 9: All of the following contribute to acne development EXCEPT ________.
A. sebum overproduction
B. abnormal shedding of skin cells
C. Propionibacterium acne (P. acnes) on the surface of the skin
D. inflammation
, Correct Answer: C. Propionibacterium acne (P. acnes) on the surface of the skin
Rationale: While P. acnes is involved in acne, it's the overgrowth or proliferation within follicles
that contributes to acne, not just its presence on the surface of the skin.
Question 10: Small wigs used to conceal pattern baldness on the top of the head are called
__________.
A. hairpieces
B. extensions
C. toupees
D. falls
Correct Answer: C. Toupees
Question 11: How are the effleurage and the petrissage techniques for scalp massage different?
A. Effleurage uses circular motions, whereas petrissage uses back-and-forth movements.
B. Effleurage uses light, stroking movements, whereas petrissage uses deep kneading and
squeezing.
C. Effleurage uses movements along the scalp, whereas petrissage uses pushing and kneading of
the scalp.
D. Effleurage is for dry scalp, whereas petrissage is for oily scalp.
Correct Answer: C. Effleurage uses movements along the scalp, whereas petrissage uses pushing
and kneading of the scalp.
Rationale: Effleurage involves gliding or stroking movements, while petrissage involves deeper,
kneading, and lifting motions.
Question 12: What is the purpose of conducting a patch test prior to waxing?
A. To determine hair texture.
B. To check for adverse skin reactions.
C. To assess hair growth direction.
D. To evaluate skin elasticity.
Coverage, Recommended Books, and
Practice Question Strategy
Question 1: During a consultation, a client informs the stylist of a desire to transition to natural
hairstyling. Select the most appropriate question the stylist should ask to determine a look suited
to the client's desire.
A. How often do you wash your hair?
B. What products do you currently use on your hair?
C. What is your weekly hair care maintenance routine?
D. Have you ever had natural styling before?
Correct Answer: C. What is your weekly hair care maintenance routine?
Rationale: This question directly addresses the client's lifestyle and commitment to hair care,
which is crucial for determining a suitable natural hairstyle that they can maintain.
Question 2: In order to cure gels, a curing lamp must emit _____ light at the proper intensity to
provide sufficient energy.
A. red
B. ultraviolet
C. infrared
D. violet
Correct Answer: D. violet
Rationale: While UV light is commonly used, the specific spectrum within UV that cures gels
effectively is often in the violet range.
,Question 3: Jasmine's manager has pointed out that there might be mold forming in one of the
bathrooms. He has requested that Jasmine mix a solution that will destroy the mold. Which of the
following will be MOST effective in doing so?
A. antiseptic
B. disinfectant
C. fungicidal
D. bactericidal
Correct Answer: C. fungicidal
Rationale: Fungicidal solutions are specifically designed to destroy fungi, which includes mold.
Question 4: The _________ is the non-living colorless tissue attached to the nail plate.
A. eponychium
B. hyponychium
C. nail cuticle
D. perionychium
Correct Answer: C. nail cuticle
Question 5: Each of the following is a use for trimmers EXCEPT _____.
A. outlining beards
B. tapering hairlines from extremely short to long
C. creating clean lines around the ears
D. detailing sideburns
Correct Answer: B. tapering hairlines from extremely short to long
Rationale: Trimmers are generally used for very close cutting and detailing, not for creating a
significant taper from extremely short to long lengths, which would typically require clippers or
shears.
Question 6: How often should clients with normal scalp health have a scalp treatment
performed?
,A. monthly
B. with every season change
C. bi-weekly
D. annually
Correct Answer: B. with every season change
Question 7: What is the name for a board containing fine, upright nails that stylists use to comb
human hair extensions and blend colors and highlights?
A. weft board
B. drawing board
C. hackle
D. blending rack
Correct Answer: C. Hackle
Question 8: As part of their composition, all permanent haircoloring products and lighteners
contain both a developer and _____.
A. an acidic agent
B. an alkalizing agent
C. a conditioning agent
D. a neutralizing agent
Correct Answer: B. an alkalizing agent
Question 9: All of the following contribute to acne development EXCEPT ________.
A. sebum overproduction
B. abnormal shedding of skin cells
C. Propionibacterium acne (P. acnes) on the surface of the skin
D. inflammation
, Correct Answer: C. Propionibacterium acne (P. acnes) on the surface of the skin
Rationale: While P. acnes is involved in acne, it's the overgrowth or proliferation within follicles
that contributes to acne, not just its presence on the surface of the skin.
Question 10: Small wigs used to conceal pattern baldness on the top of the head are called
__________.
A. hairpieces
B. extensions
C. toupees
D. falls
Correct Answer: C. Toupees
Question 11: How are the effleurage and the petrissage techniques for scalp massage different?
A. Effleurage uses circular motions, whereas petrissage uses back-and-forth movements.
B. Effleurage uses light, stroking movements, whereas petrissage uses deep kneading and
squeezing.
C. Effleurage uses movements along the scalp, whereas petrissage uses pushing and kneading of
the scalp.
D. Effleurage is for dry scalp, whereas petrissage is for oily scalp.
Correct Answer: C. Effleurage uses movements along the scalp, whereas petrissage uses pushing
and kneading of the scalp.
Rationale: Effleurage involves gliding or stroking movements, while petrissage involves deeper,
kneading, and lifting motions.
Question 12: What is the purpose of conducting a patch test prior to waxing?
A. To determine hair texture.
B. To check for adverse skin reactions.
C. To assess hair growth direction.
D. To evaluate skin elasticity.
