BP Coiffure exam-day guide
BP Coiffure · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation letter / convocation email
Print or download the convocation showing your exam date, time, centre address and candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version on your phone is accepted.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document named in your registration (national ID card, passport or residence permit). Check with the provider that your document type is accepted and that it is not expired; an expired document is the most common reason for being turned away.
Professional kit and tools
Bring your own scissors, clippers, razors, combs, brushes, sectioning clips, cape, towels and sanitising products, since models and equipment are usually not supplied. Confirm with the provider the exact list of mandatory tools and whether electrical appliances are tested on site.
Model(s) or client arrangements
Many practical hairdressing assessments require you to bring your own model for each technique. Confirm with the provider the number of models, arrival time for models, age/consent requirements and whether the model must arrive with clean, untreated hair.
Professional uniform and appearance
Wear clean professional clothing, closed-toe shoes and tie long hair back; remove jewellery and keep nails short and clean for hygiene and safety. Confirm with the provider whether a specific uniform, apron or colour is required.
Written technical sheets / step-by-step notes
Bring your own summary of cutting, colouring and styling protocols, timings and product ratios for last-minute revision. Confirm with the provider whether any notes may be taken into the practical room; assume they may not and leave them in your bag unless told otherwise.
Timing plan per technique
Write a minute-by-minute plan for each required technique (preparation, sectioning, application, development time, finishing, clean-down) so you can pace yourself against the allotted time.
Hygiene and safety supplies
Bring disinfectant, gloves, disposable blades, neck strips and a waste bag. Hygiene, workstation cleanliness and safe tool handling are commonly assessed criteria in practical hairdressing exams.
Water, snack and layers
Practical sessions can run several hours. Bring water and a light snack for breaks, plus a spare shirt or apron in case of product spills.
Transport and route plan
Check the journey to the exam centre in advance and aim to arrive well before your convocation time. Confirm with the provider the arrival time, late-arrival policy and whether anyone may accompany you.
Emergency contacts and backup model
Keep a phone number for a backup model in case your scheduled model cancels. Confirm with the provider whether model substitution on the day is permitted.
Payment / fees confirmation
If any exam or model fees remain due, confirm with the provider how and when they must be settled; do not assume payment can be made on the day.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam programme and confirm the required techniques, time allocation and assessment criteria. Rehearse each technique on a practice head or model at least once, timing yourself, and note where you lose minutes.
Check your kit against the provider's tool list: sharpen or replace blades, test clippers and chargers, restock consumables (foils, gloves, colour, developer, sanitiser). Replace anything that could fail mid-assessment.
Confirm your model(s): arrival time, transport, hair condition and any consent or age documentation the provider requires. Line up a backup model.
Do a full timed dry run of the complete practical sequence, including set-up and clean-down, so you know your realistic finish time and where to cut corners safely without losing marks.
Pack your kit bag completely and leave it by the door. Lay out uniform, ID and convocation. Charge all electrical tools overnight.
Review your technical sheets once, focusing on product ratios, development times and safety points; then stop. Avoid learning new techniques the night before. Eat properly and sleep.
Eat a proper meal, arrive with time to spare, and re-check you have ID, convocation and kit. Switch your phone to silent or off before entering the assessment area.
Register with the invigilator, show your ID and convocation, and locate your workstation, water supply and waste disposal. Set up your station and sanitise tools before the start signal.
Follow the briefed order of techniques and watch the clock. Announce or record any deviation only if the instructions allow it; otherwise complete the required technique as specified.
Maintain hygiene and safety throughout: clean tools between clients, keep the floor clear, handle sharp tools carefully, and keep your station tidy. These are usually scored, not just noted.
Finish within the time allowed, clean down your station, dispose of waste correctly and return equipment. Check with the invigilator before leaving that your work has been seen and signed off if a sign-off is required.
Note which techniques felt weak while the memory is fresh, and confirm with the provider the results timeline and appeal procedure.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document named in your registration and present it on request; confirm with the provider which document types are accepted and what happens if ID is missing or expired.
Arrive at the time stated on your convocation. Late-arrival and admission rules are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including the order of techniques, the start and stop signals, and any instruction to stop working immediately when time is called.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the invigilator and your model during the assessment, and keep phones and smart devices silenced and out of the work area unless the provider explicitly permits otherwise.
Work only on your own model and workstation; do not assist or accept assistance from other candidates, and do not observe or copy another candidate's work.
Use the tools, products and hygiene procedures specified in the brief, and follow safe practice with sharp tools, chemicals and electrical equipment; unsafe conduct can be grounds for removal.
Breaks are not automatic during a timed practical; if you need to leave the room, ask the invigilator first. Confirm with the provider how break time is treated and whether it counts against your allotted time.
Scoring is carried out by the examiners against the published criteria; do not ask examiners for marks or feedback on the day. Confirm with the provider the results date, marking scheme and appeal route.