NCIDQ Exam Resource Center

Investing in your interior design career by taking the NCIDQ exam is a big decision.  Here is information you need to know to get started down the path to being a certified interior design professional.

What is the NCIDQ exam?

• IDFX exam
• IDPX exam
• PRAC 2.0

What are the current NCIDQ pass rates?

Next Steps

More Information on the NCIDQ Exam

Are you ready to take the PRAC 2.0 section of the NCIDQ exam?  To help you prepare, here is some important information about the format and question types of the PRAC 2.0 exam.  

Q. WHAT FORMAT IS PRAC 2.0?

Q. HOW IS NCIDQ PRAC 2.0 ORGANIZED?

• Large-scale commercial
• Small-scale commercial
• Residential

Q. WHAT TYPES OF QUESTIONS ARE ON NCIDQ PRAC 2.0?

• Select one correct answer from four given options
• If you are unsure of what the correct answer is you should make an educated assumption. You will not be penalized for a wrong answer

• Select all the correct choices from the list by clicking on each one
• All of the correct answers (and only all of the correct answers) must be selected; there is no partial credit
• If you change your mind, click on a choice to de-select it

• Click on a single target, or hot spot icon, to place on the base image in the correct location or general area
• If you change your mind, click again on your choice to unselect, or click on the new preferred answer

• These questions may ask you to sort, rank, place, or label items. Confirm whether all items need to be chosen or moved, then be sure to sort, rank, place, or label each one
• After you have decided the proper sorting, ranking, placing, or labeling, click and drag an object to the target spot
• If you change your answer, you can move an object to a different open spot in the target area, or you can move it back to the starting area

• Read the answer specification carefully; it should state the number of decimal places for your numeric answer
• Compute your answer, then round if needed to the required number of decimal places (0-4, round down; 5-9, round up)
• Do not enter the units for your answer
• Do not spell out a number, like “four”
• If you change your mind, blank out the entire field before you enter another answer

Making the decision to become a certified interior design professional by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is a big step. Learn about the first section of the NCIDQ, the IDFX (Interior Design Fundamentals) exam.

IDFX Exam Format and Length

IDFX Exam Test Taking Tips

• Aim to finish each question in no more than 1 minute 15 seconds. This will leave a reserve of about 20 minutes to guess unanswered questions at the end of the exam session.
• Eliminate obviously incorrect options before you attempt to guess, because the chances of guessing correctly are better between two choices than among four.
• Look for an exception to a rule or a special circumstance that makes the obvious, easy response incorrect. Although there may be a few easy and obvious questions, it’s more likely that a simple question has a level of complexity that is not immediately obvious.
• Take note of absolute words such as “always,” “never,” or “completely.” These words usually indicate some minor exception that can turn what reads like a true statement into a false statement, or vice versa.
• Watch for words like “seldom,” “usually,” “best,” or “most reasonable.” These words often indicate judgment will be involved in answering the question, so look for two or more options that may be similar.
• If a question appears to be fundamentally flawed, make the best choice possible under the circumstances. Flawed questions do not appear often on the exam, but when they do, they are usually discovered by the council in the grading process. These questions will not negatively impact your score.

IDFX Exam Content Areas

• Research methods (interviewing, surveying, case studies, benchmarking/precedent)
• Analysis tools (e.g., spreadsheets, site photographs, matrices, bubble diagrams)
• Project context (e.g., space use, culture, client preference)
• Site context (e.g., location, views, solar orientation)
• Existing conditions
• Sustainable attributes (e.g., indoor air quality, energy conservation, renewable resources)

• Influences (environmental, social, psychological, cultural, aesthetic, global)
• Human factors (e.g., ergonomics, anthropometrics, proxemics)
• Sensory considerations (e.g., acoustics, lighting, visual stimuli, color theory, scent, tactile)
• Universal Design
• Special population considerations (e.g., Aging in Place, pediatric, special needs)

• Building construction types (e.g., wood, steel, concrete)
• Building components (e.g., doors, windows, studs)
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• Lighting systems (e.g., zoning, sensors, daylighting)
• Plumbing systems
• Structural systems
• Fire protection systems
• Low voltage systems (e.g., data and communication, security, A/V)
• Acoustical systems

• Life safety (e.g., flammability, toxicity, slip resistance)
• Textiles
• Acoustics
• Wall treatments
• Floor coverings
• Ceiling treatments
• Window treatments
• Lighting (e.g., flight sources, fixtures, calculations, distribution color rendering)
• Furniture and equipment (e.g., types, uses, space needs)

• Demolition plan
• Floor plan (e.g., partitions, construction, dimensions, enlarged)
• Reflected ceiling plan
• Lighting plan
• Power and communication plan
• Furniture plan
• Finish plan
• Elevations, sections, and details (e.g., partition types, millwork)
• Schedules
• Specifications (e.g., prescriptive, performance, and proprietary)

• Measuring conventions (e.g., scale, unit of measure, dimensioning)
• Construction drawing standards (e.g., line weights, hatching, symbols)

• Functional parti diagrams
• Models (e.g., physical, virtual)
• Rendering (e.g., 2-D, perspective)
• Material and finish presentations (e.g., boards, binders, digital)
• Bubble diagrams
• Adjacency matrices
• Charts (e.g., flow chart, Gantt chart)
• Stacking/zoning diagrams
• Block plans/square footage allocations
• Floor plans
• Mock-ups and prototypes

Taking the NCIDQ exam is a big investment in your career.  Follow these tips to learn more about the NCIDQ exam subject matter, study schedules, and how to seek out additional study materials.

Familiarize Yourself with the NCIDQ Subject Matter

Commit to an NCIDQ Study Schedule

Seek Out Additional NCIDQ Review Materials

Rest Before Exam Day

Bring Everything You Need on Exam Day

• exam confirmation letter
• a current (unexpired) government-issued ID with your signature and photograph on it
• a second piece of identification with your name and signature on it

Making the decision to become a certified interior design professional by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification(NCIDQ) is a big step.  Learn about the second section of the NCIDQ, the IDPX (Interior Design Professional) exam.

IDPX Exam Format and Length

IDPX Exam Test-Taking Tips

• Try to complete each question in no more than 1 minute 15 seconds to leave a reserve of about 20 minutes to guess at unanswered questions at the end of the exam session.
• Eliminate any obviously incorrect options before attempting to guess. The chances are better between two choices than among four.
• Look for an exception to a rule or a special circumstance that makes the obvious, easy response incorrect. Although there may be a few easy and obvious questions, it’s more likely that a simple question has a level of complexity that is not immediately obvious.
• Take note of absolute words such as “always,” “never,” or “completely.” These words often indicate some minor exception that can turn what reads like a true statement into a false statement, or vice versa.
• Watch for words like “seldom,” “usually,” “best,” or “most reasonable.” These words generally indicate that some judgment will be involved in answering the question, so look for two or more options that may be very similar.
• If a question appears to be fundamentally flawed, make the best choice possible under the circumstances. Flawed questions do not appear often on the exam, but when they do, they are usually discovered by the council in the grading process. These questions will not negatively impact your score.

IDPX Content Areas

• Critical path (e.g., design milestones, sequencing)
• Project team dynamics
• Project budgeting/tracking during design phases
• Architects
• Engineers (e.g., electrical, structural, mechanical, civil)
• Specialty consultants (e.g., landscape, lighting A/V, acoustical, food service, graphics/ signage)
• Contractors/construction managers

• Universal/accessible design
• Life safety (e.g., egress, fire separation)
• Zoning and building use
• Environmental regulations (e.g., indoor air quality, energy conservation, renewable resources, water conservation)
• Square footage standards (e.g., code, BOMA, lease)

• Building construction types (e.g., wood, steel, concrete)
• Building components (e.g., doors, windows, wall assemblies)
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• Lighting systems (e.g., zoning, sensors, daylighting)
• Plumbing systems
• Structural systems
• Fire protection systems
• Low voltage systems (e.g., data and communication, security, A/V)
• Acoustical systems
• Sequencing of work (e.g., plumbing before drywall)
• Permit requirements

• Cost estimating
• Product components (e.g., types, assembly, methods)
• Material detail drawings (e.g., custom products)
• Lead time (e.g., manufacturing time, delivery)
• Installation
• Life safety (e.g., flammability, toxicity, slip resistance)
• Technical specifications
• Maintenance documents (e.g., warranties, manuals)
• Existing FF&E inventory documentation
• Procurement procedures (e.g., purchase orders, prepayment requirements)

• Cover sheet (e.g., General Conditions and Notes, drawing index)
• Code required plans (e.g., egress, accessibility, specialty codes)
• Elevations, sections and details (e.g., partition types, millwork)
• Consultant drawings (e.g., MEP, structural, security, specialty consultants)
• Specification types (e.g., prescriptive, performance, and proprietary)
• Specification formats (e.g., divisions)

• Project management (e.g., schedule, budget, quality control)
• Forms (e.g., transmittals, change orders, bid/tender, addenda, bulletin, purchase orders)
• Punch list/deficiency lists
• Site visits and field reports
• Project meetings/meeting management/meeting protocol and minutes
• Shop drawings and submittals
• Construction mock-ups
• Value engineering
• Project accounting (e.g., payment schedules, invoices)
• Contractor pay applications
• Project close-out
• Post-occupancy evaluation

• Scope of practice
• Proposals (e.g., time and fee estimation, RFP process, project scope)
• Budgeting principles and practices (project specific)
• Contracts
• Phases of a project
• Business licenses (e.g., sales and use tax, resale certificates)
• Accounting principles (office/business)
• Legal considerations (e.g., liabilities and forms of business)
• Insurance
• Professional licensure, certification, registration
• Economic factors

Q: Do you offer internships? If so, how many?

Q: What specific qualities and experience do you look for in an intern candidate?

Q: Do you recommend students take the NCIDQ Exam?

Q: What advice would you give recent graduates about to enter the interior design workforce?

Q: What is a common mistake recent graduates make while applying to your business?

Q: What do you find recent graduates are most surprised by when they enter the workforce?

Q: What do you think will be the major changes in the interior field in the next five years?

Q: How would you suggest recent graduates interested in interior design maximize their time with their mentors?

Q: What do you know now about studying for the exam that you wish you had known when you initially began studying?

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your studying experience and how did you work to overcome it?

Q: Do you have any tips for optimizing one’s study environment?

Q: Do you have any advice for how to schedule taking the exam divisions?

Q: What advice would you give to an examinee who feels overwhelmed by the studying/testing process?

Q: Was there any content on the exam that surprised you?

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the exam?

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?