Nail Exam vs Nail Tech Prep
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Nail Exam
Prepare for nail technician exams with this study app. It offers offline access to question banks for US and VI exams, including general, Texas, and Washington specific content. Practice with scored quizzes and review missed questions.
- Offline exam preparation
- US and VI study modes
- Multiple exam banks
- Fast search functionality
- Quiz mode with scoring
- Retry missed questions
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Nail Exam is a lightweight study app for nail exam preparation. It bundles question banks directly on your device so you can review and practice anytime without creating an account. The app includes: - US and VI study modes - General, Texas, and Washington exam banks - Fast search across questions and answers - Answer display controls for study review - Quiz mode with scored practice sessions - Retry flow for missed quiz questions - Offline use with no account required Whether you want to review question sets casually or run a focused practice session, Nail Exam keeps the experience simple, fast, and easy to read on both iPhone and iPad.
Nail Tech Prep
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NAIL TECH PREP: PASS YOUR STATE BOARD WRITTEN EXAM FIRST TRY The nail technician state board written exam has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 50 percent. Candidates who fail most often struggle with the chemistry behind nail enhancements, infection control procedures, and identifying nail disorders. This app is built around all three. NAIL SHAPE GUIDE Square: straight free edge at 90 degrees. Squoval: square with slightly rounded corners, most universally flattering. Round: follows the natural curve of the fingertip. Oval: elongated round with tapered sides. Almond: tapered to a narrow rounded point. Coffin or ballerina: long tapered sides with flat squared tip. Stiletto: tapered to a sharp point. Lipstick or slant: filed diagonally for an angular look. Mountain peak: V-shaped center dip. Flare or duck: widens at the tip. For each shape: filing direction (always one direction only, never sawing), best nail length, best hand and finger types, and common mistakes that cause breakage. OVERLAY COMPARISON CHART Acrylic: monomer and polymer powder, strongest system, acetone removal. Gel: UV or LED cure, more flexible, soaks off. Dip powder: activator and colored powder, no UV lamp, soaks off. Gel polish: thin soak-off coating, 2 to 3 week wear. Nail wraps (silk or fiberglass): weakest system, used for repairs. Builder gel (BIAB): thick self-leveling UV or LED gel, strengthens natural nail. For each system: chemistry, curing method, wear time, removal method, lifting causes, and contraindications. SANITATION CHECKLIST Non-porous metal implements: clean, then submerge in EPA-registered disinfectant for 10 minutes minimum. Porous implements (foam files, buffers, wooden sticks): single-use only, discard after each client. Electric file bits: same as metal implements. Foot spas: drain, clean, and disinfect after every client, flush lines at end of each day. When to refuse service: open wounds, fungal infection (onychomycosis), bacterial infection (paronychia, greenies), warts, inflamed tissue. 1,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS INFECTION CONTROL AND SANITATION (30%): Disinfection levels, quaternary ammonium compounds and contact time, single-use vs multi-use implements, foot spa disinfection, nail disorder contraindications and when to refuse service. NAIL SCIENCES AND DISORDERS (25%): Nail anatomy (plate, bed, matrix, lunula, cuticle, hyponychium, eponychium), growth rate, nail disorders (onychomycosis, paronychia, pseudomonas greenie, onycholysis, beau's lines, leukonychia, pterygium), conditions requiring physician referral. MANICURE AND PEDICURE PROCEDURES (20%): Correct service order, cuticle care, massage movements, paraffin application, callus removal limitations. NAIL ENHANCEMENTS (15%): Acrylic chemistry (exothermic reaction, bead consistency, application zones), gel curing requirements, dip activator chemistry, removal procedures, lifting causes, fill and rebalance technique. STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS (10%): Licensing hours and renewal, scope of practice, salon requirements, client record-keeping, health inspection standards. Every question includes a detailed explanation. FREE: 5 questions per day, 5 nail shapes, disinfection reference card. No account required. MONTHLY ($9.99/month): All 1,000+ questions, all 10 nail shapes, full Overlay Comparison Chart, complete Sanitation Checklist, reference library, exam simulator, 3-day free trial. ANNUAL ($24.99/year): Everything in Monthly. Save over 55 percent. Best value. LIFETIME ($49.99): One payment. Permanent access. PASS PROMISE: Complete all questions with 80% or higher average, hold active subscription for 3 months, still do not pass. We extend your access by 4 months at no charge. voltexam.com/pass-promise Not affiliated with any state cosmetology board, NIC, or PSI Services. Privacy Policy: https://www.voltexam.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.voltexam.com/terms
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Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nail Exam at none against Nail Tech Prep's 3. Nail Exam also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Nail Tech Prep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Nail Exam asks for nothing beyond the download.
Nail Exam ships an update weekly, Nail Tech Prep every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Nail Exam | Nail Tech Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Khoi Hoang | Deeun Inc. |
In-app purchases
Nail Exam
No in-app purchases
Nail Tech Prep
- Monthly Access3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Annual Access$24.991 Year
- Nail Tech - Lifetime Pro$49.99
Questions
Is Nail Exam free?
Is Nail Tech Prep free?
Do Nail Exam or Nail Tech Prep have ads?
Which is updated more often, Nail Exam or Nail Tech Prep?
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