New exam preparation product personalizes learning, improves pass rates and accelerates entry into licensed beauty and wellness careers - a key segment of America’s skilled trades workforce
Cengage Work, the workforce skills business of global edtech company Cengage Group, today announced the launch of CIMA ExamReady™, a new exam preparation product available through Milady, its beauty and wellness education business.
The beauty and wellness sector represents one of America’s largest and fastest-growing skilled trades, yet licensing pass rates across many programs remain persistently low, often hovering around 50%. For students who have already completed their training, the licensure exam is the final and often most difficult barrier to employment. Many candidates struggle because they rely on outdated study materials and static practice tests that don’t reflect state licensing exams or provide personalized guidance.
CIMA ExamReady addresses these challenges by providing a tailored, state-aligned preparation experience built directly on the Candidate Information Bulletins (CIBs) used in National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and PSI exams. The product ensures students practice the exact topics, and weightings, they will encounter on test day, rather than studying all material equally as in traditional chapter-based test prep.
“At Cengage Work, our mission is to close the gap between education and employment - and that means investing in the skilled trades that will matter even more in the age of AI,” said Justin Singh, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cengage Work. “Licensure is the bridge to the workforce, and passing on the first attempt changes the trajectory for students, schools and employers. CIMA ExamReady gives learners the clarity and confidence they need to build meaningful careers in a trades workforce that is only growing in importance.”
Because every state licensure exam is different, CIMA ExamReady offers state-specific materials, ensuring students receive targeted preparation aligned to their jurisdiction’s requirements. The product includes an initial 110-question diagnostic assessment, more than 600 exam-style questions, unlimited quizzes and full-length mock exams. A personalized mastery dashboard shows learners exactly where to focus to strengthen performance and build confidence.
Instructors also gain access to a streamlined analytics dashboard that highlights class-wide learning gaps and individual student needs. This visibility supports targeted remediation while reducing manual grading.
“Passing the state licensing exam is not just an academic milestone; it is the gateway to employment,” said Corina Santoro, General Manager, Milady. “Because students cannot begin working until they earn their license, improving pass rates expands access to the meaningful careers they’ve worked so hard for. CIMA ExamReady helps learners succeed on their first attempt, removing barriers to employment and strengthening the pipeline of future beauty professionals.”
CIMA ExamReady is available for cosmetology, esthetics, barbering and nail technology programs. The product is offered today in 43 states in English, with Spanish language support and additional state coverage launching soon. A limited-time Milady Zero-Risk Student Pass Guarantee is also available. Learn more about CIMA ExamReady here.
About Cengage Work
Cengage Work, the workforce skills business of global edtech company Cengage Group, helps learners gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. Through flexible, affordable online courses and career-focused training programs, Cengage Work supports individuals, institutions and employers in preparing for high-demand fields like allied health, cybersecurity, manufacturing, skilled trades and beauty education. To learn more about Cengage Work, visit cengagework.com.
About Cengage Group
Cengage Group is a global edtech company with over 100 years of experience supporting learners. Our four operating units—Higher Education, School, Work and English Language Learning—serve millions of students from middle school to graduate school and workforce skills training in over 125 countries.
We empower student choice through trusted content, AI-driven insights and scalable digital platforms that connect education to employment, ensuring learners gain career-ready skills and achieve tangible outcomes. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn or X.
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"At Cengage Work, our mission is to close the gap between education and employment - and that means investing in the skilled trades that will matter even more in the age of AI," said Justin Singh, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cengage Work.
Contacts
Emily Featherston, Vice President, Corporate Communications
emily.featherston@cengage.com