Comparison

The Cutting System vs Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Cutting System

This educational tool uses 3D technology and expert demonstrations to teach foundational haircutting techniques for stylists and barbers. It includes detailed diagrams, instructional videos, and a digital workbook to enhance the learning experience.

Highlights
  • 3D cutting diagrams
  • HD instructional videos
  • Digital workbook
  • Headsheet diagram creation
  • English and Spanish subtitles
Features
Read full description

Paul Mitchell® and Paul Mitchell Schools present THE CUTTING SYSTEM, a revolutionary learning tool that combines 3D technology and legendary Paul Mitchell artistry ideal for new and seasoned stylists and barbers alike. Filmed in HD from a hairdresser’s perspective, features nine foundation haircutting exercises that demonstrate proper sectioning, elevation, over-direction, finger and cutting angles as well as men’s haircutting using scissor-over- comb and clipper-over- comb techniques.   Each exercise includes cutting-edge 3D diagrams to enhance the learning experience. By mastering the nine foundation haircuts, you can create any other combination cut as demonstrated by Scott Cole, Takashi Kitamura and DJ Muldoon.  Features Include: - Complete instructional activities and take notes directly in the digital The Cutting workbook which is available in English or Spanish. - Watch all videos from The Cutting System on your iPad. - All videos available with English and Spanish subtitles. - Create and share Headsheet Diagrams. This App is for Paul Mitchell The School students and licensed professionals.  Get your email and password from your Paul Mitchell School today.

About

Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide

Prepare for your barber licensing exam with a comprehensive study system. It uses cognitive science techniques like spaced repetition and confidence calibration to help you master the material and know when you're truly ready to pass.

Highlights
  • Confidence calibration system
  • Spaced repetition learning
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • 2,800+ practice questions
  • 7 distinct study modes
  • Exam Ready Certificate
  • Offline study capability
Features
Read full description

63% of students fail the NIC barber exam on their first attempt. Most rely on passive studying and walk in underprepared. GlowStudy is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), PSI, or any government agency or state licensing board. For official exam information, visit https://nictesting.org/ GlowStudy is not another quiz bank. It is a complete NIC barber exam preparation system built on cognitive science -- confidence calibration, spaced repetition, stress inoculation, and progressive difficulty that adapts as you learn. Know exactly when you are ready for your state board exam. PASS GUARANTEE ON EVERY PRO PLAN Earn your Exam Ready Certificate, take your NIC exam within 14 days, and if you do not pass, we refund your plan payment. Full details in our Terms of Use. HOW IT WORKS GlowStudy measures what you actually know -- not just what you can guess. Our confidence calibration system tracks four dimensions of mastery: what you know and know well, what you know but doubt, what you get wrong but thought you knew, and what you are still learning. This precision targeting means you study what matters most. Progressive difficulty takes you through four practice test levels -- Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced, and NIC Simulation -- so you build real competence before facing state board exam pressure. 2,800+ QUESTIONS ALIGNED TO THE NIC BARBER EXAM - 1,600+ multiple-choice practice questions across 17 categories - 1,200 rapid-fire true/false recall questions - 4 NIC exam domains: Hair Care Services (40%), Scientific Concepts (35%), Facial Hair and Skin Care (15%), Implements and Equipment (10%) - All content aligned to the NIC Barber Styling Theory exam blueprint 7 STUDY MODES - Daily Glow -- 50 timed questions to build your daily streak and target weak areas - Practice Quiz -- customizable quizzes by domain or category - NIC Practice Tests -- 110 questions, 90-120 minutes, 4 progressive levels - Smart Review -- spaced repetition targeting your weakest areas - Rapid Fire -- speed-based true/false recall training with instant feedback - Flashcards -- swipe-based review for every category - Review Mistakes -- revisit and master every question you missed EXAM READY CERTIFICATE Earn your certificate by meeting all 11 readiness criteria -- including domain mastery, safety accuracy, study consistency, and passing the Level 4 practice test. This is not a participation trophy. It means you are genuinely ready for the NIC barber exam. STUDY ANYWHERE - 100% offline capable after first load - No account required -- all progress stored on your device - No ads, no distractions - Dark mode for late-night study sessions FREE TO START Begin with 50 free practice questions, Review Mistakes, 25 sample Flashcards, and 25 Rapid Fire questions -- completely free. The full Study Guides section is free too. Upgrade to Pro to unlock all study modes and the full question bank. PRO PLANS - Weekly: $6.99/week - Monthly: $12.99/month - Lifetime: $49.99 one-time (best value, pay once, does not auto-renew) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://meridianlabs.us/terms Privacy Policy: https://meridianlabs.us/privacy

Screenshots

The Cutting System4 screens
Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide at 5.0 against The Cutting System's 4.4. Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 4 months). The Cutting System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (7 vs 2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. The Cutting System asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Cutting System ships an update every 4 months, Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
The Cutting System versus Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Cutting SystemBarber Exam Prep & Study Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.0 GB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRobinsageAnthony Perry

Customer experience

The Cutting System

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

The Cutting System

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide

Subscriptions3
  • GlowStudy Pro — Weekly$6.997 Days
  • GlowStudy Pro — Monthly$12.991 Month
  • GlowStudy Pro — Annual$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is The Cutting System free?
The Cutting System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide free?
Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Cutting System or Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide?
Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide is rated higher. The Cutting System averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do The Cutting System or Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide have ads?
Neither The Cutting System nor Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Cutting System or Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide?
The Cutting System ships an update every 4 months, and Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide every 8 days. Most recently, The Cutting System was updated on October 23, 2026 and Barber Exam Prep & Study Guide on October 24, 2026.

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