Maine Barber Practice Exam 2025 - Free Barber Practice Questions and Study Guide

The style that is closely trimmed on the sides and back while leaving the top longer is indeed the undercut. This hairstyle features a distinct contrast between the very short or shaved sides and the longer hair on top, allowing for a variety of styling options for the longer hair. The undercut allows for versatility, as the longer top can be styled in numerous ways, such as slicked back, textured, or even curled, depending on the desired look.

In contrast, other styles differ significantly in structure and appearance. A buzz cut involves clipping the hair uniformly short all over the head, lacking any longer portions on the top. A pompadour typically incorporates shorter sides as well but primarily combines that with a highly styled and voluminous top, rather than just leaving the top longer without specific styling. A fade refers to a gradual shortening of hair from the top down to the sides, where the hair length decreases progressively, rather than maintaining a clear length difference between the sides and top.

Overall, the defining feature of the undercut is its stark separation between the short sides and the longer hair on top, which aligns perfectly with the characteristics described in the question.