NCIDQ Exam Prep Course by ASID - Winter 2024
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Connect with exam testing experts and study coaches and join a cohort of study partners to help support you as you prepare to take the NCIDQ Exam.
The ASID program format utilizes a multimodal learning approach to give you the best opportunities for success - a blend of independent work you can do on your own time, live scheduled webinars with focused review on each part of the NCIDQ Exam and test taking strategies, and a support system of study groups, both virtual and in-person. All programming and content will be posted here, the course home page on the ASID Academy, the hub of interior design online learning.
Disclaimer: This course on NCIDQ Exam Preparation is structured to provide guidance and support for those candidates studying for the NCIDQ Exam. ASID does not guarantee that registrants who complete this course will pass the NCIDQ Exam. The exam tests the registrants' competencies in interior design professional standards as structured by the Council on Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). This course is intended to help registrants review the exam content thoroughly, if the registrant actively participates in all formulated learning modules and completes all assigned independent work as outlined in the course.
What You Will Learn
Upon successful completion of this course, registrants will be able to:
- Discuss the processes, structure, and functions of the NCIDQ Exam.
- Identify the content areas of each section of the NCIDQ Exam.
- Discover the resources available as study tools and guides to prepare for the NCIDQ Exam (all sections).
- Differentiate areas of knowledge strengths and weaknesses to emphasize/downplay specific areas of study in preparation for the exam(s).
- Detect the types of question formats used in professional standardized testing environments and navigate them to viable answer(s).
- Create a formidable study plan which maximizes time and effort to help lead to success.
Access Period: Course materials will be available to all registrants until May 1, 2024
Welcome to the NCIDQ Course!
Open to view video. | 5 minutes
Open to view video. | 5 minutes
Please watch this video and download the course syllabus.
Course Syllabus
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
This course syllabus contains all the information you need to successfully complete the course. It contains due dates, detailed outlines, and other information to help you keep track as you work through the content. Important dates for the live webinars, due dates for independent pre-work and post-webinar work are included. Be sure to read it carefully and thoroughly.
ASID Netiquette Guidelines
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
These guidelines are the ground rules for participating in discussion boards and other forms of electronic communication.
Purchase Your Study Materials
Select the "Purchase Materials" button to begin.
Select the "Purchase Materials" button to begin.
This course uses the Ballast book bundle offered by PPI. There are 4 books to this bundle:
NCIDQ Interior Design Reference Manual, Seventh Edition; David Kent Ballast, FAIA
NCIDQ Fundamentals Practice Questions and Mock Exam, Third Edition; David Kent Ballast, FAIA
NCIDQ Professional Practice Questions and Mock Exam, Third Edition; David Kent Ballast, FAIA
NCIDQ Practicum Mock Exam, Third Edition; David Kent Ballast, FAIA
ASID has arranged for you to receive a 20% discount to purchase the Complete Book Bundle offered by PPI. Click on the link provided to get started. From there, select the Bundles button and purchase the Complete Book Bundle. You also receive 20% off any other study products you would like to purchase. Get a set of flash cards or the NCIDQ App - it's a great value!
NCIDQ Exam Content Information
Agree to terms to continue.
Agree to terms to continue.
Remember the purpose of the exam is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through evaluating that certified interior designers are meeting professional qualifications and competencies in these areas. It tests the application of facts as it directly relates to these key areas, not necessarily the way something is done in a specific space or office.
To become familiar with the content areas covered in each section of the NCIDQ Exam (IDFX, IDPX, and PRAC), go to the Handouts tab to review and download each of the Exam Blueprint documents provided. Be sure to review the ones specific to the exam parts you are planning to take.
Have you already applied and scheduled your NCIDQ Exam(s)? Read on for next steps!
Please click Agree to move on to the next section of the course.
Please click Agree to move on to the next section of the course.
Creating a Study Plan
Open to view video. | 20 minutes
Open to view video. | 20 minutes
Please watch the following video containing tips and tools for time management and creating a study plan. For those interested in learning more about better annotation and highlighting tips, go to this link that is mentioned in the video: https://research.ewu.edu/writers_c_read_study_strategies
Creating A Study Plan slides
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Here are the slides from the video as a reference while creating your study plan.
Let's Get to Know Each Other!
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
This course is set up in a cohort format. That means all registrants in this course will progress through the content together as a group. Since you will all interact with each other in the live webinars, study groups, and virtual discussions, let's start off with an easy one by getting some practice in the Discussion Board Forum! Be sure to take a look at our ASID Netiquette Guidelines which cover the rules expected from discussion board participation.
Tips and Strategies for the NCIDQ Exam - Part 1
Open to view video. | 15 minutes
Open to view video. | 15 minutes
The NCIDQ Exam, like many other professions, uses a standardized testing format to test competency for its professionals in the field. The interior design industry is no different. But these kinds of tests are not like your typical exam from your college professor. There are psychometric methods that go into the construct of exam questions for a standardized test. Watch this series of three videos by our own ASID Director of Education, Robin Anderson, as she discusses the "anatomy" of exam questions and how to manage in the testing environment with some confidence.
Learning Activity - Complete after viewing Part 1
Select the "Watch This Video" button to begin. | 2 minutes
Select the "Watch This Video" button to begin. | 2 minutes
What does 1 1/2 to 2 minutes feel like in time and space? Let's find out together! Play this video and look at the timer so you can relate the passage of seconds to how that feels to you.
Tips and Strategies for the NCIDQ Exam - Part 2
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
This part goes over the types of question formats and gives some examples while walking you through the logic of each question.
Tips and Strategies for the NCIDQ Exam - Part 3
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
Open to view video. | 12 minutes
This last part talks about study planning and the days leading up to Exam Day.
IDFX Webinar Recording - 2/12/2024
Select the "View IDFX Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
Select the "View IDFX Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
This is the recording of the first webinar covering the IDFX. The link also allows you to view the questions that were placed in the chat box as well.
The slides for this webinar can be found in the Handouts tab of the course.
IDPX Webinar Recording - 2/26/2024
Select the "View IDPX Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
Select the "View IDPX Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
This is the recording of the second webinar covering the IDPX. The link also allows you to view the questions that were placed in the chat box as well.
The slides for this webinar can be found in the Handouts tab of the course.
PRAC Webinar Recording - 3/11/2024
Select the "View Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
Select the "View Webinar Recording" button to begin. | 90 minutes
This is the recording of the third webinar covering the PRAC. The link also allows you to view the questions and resources that were placed in the chat box as well.
The slides for this webinar can be found in the Handouts tab of the course.
(ALL REGISTRANTS) Post Webinar Independent Work
Upload 3 files to pass.
Upload 3 files to pass.
After attending the webinar(s) associated with the sections you are taking, take time to review your notes and information learned. Read and review in detail the chapters associated with the areas that you were struggling with.
Take the Mock Exam for each section you are taking. Create a “testing environment” at home and eliminate all distractions. Set a timer to give yourself the same amount of time the exam permits per section. Do not take more than one section per sitting.
Eligibility Requirements
Select the "View Eligibility Requirements" button to begin.
Select the "View Eligibility Requirements" button to begin.
Review the specific education and work experience requirements in order to be eligible to sit for the NCIDQ Examination.
Apply For Exams
Select the "Apply" button to begin.
Select the "Apply" button to begin.
IDFX, IDPX, PRAC: Candidates who meet both the EDUCATION and WORK EXPERIENCE requirements at the time of application can apply to all three exams.
IDFX Only: Candidates who meet the EDUCATION requirement or are in the final year of their bachelor’s or master’s interior design degree program, and have not acquired the necessary work experience, may opt to first apply to take the IDFX.
After approval of IDFX ONLY and completion of work experience, submit official transcript(s) and complete work verification to sit for IDPX and PRAC exams.
Schedule Your Exams
Select the "Schedule" button to begin.
Select the "Schedule" button to begin.
The NCIDQ Exam is administered two times a year by Prometric, CIDQ’s test delivery vendor. You can sit for the IDFX, IDPX, and PRAC exams at a Prometric Test Center. The IDFX and IDPX exams can be proctored remotely (i.e. at home).
Spring (April) Exams: January 3 - March 31
Fall (October) Exams: July 1 - September 30
Prometric Center Testing Requirements
Select the "Testing Center Requirements" button to begin.
Select the "Testing Center Requirements" button to begin.
Remote Proctoring - is it right for you?
Select the "Remote Proctoring" button to begin.
Select the "Remote Proctoring" button to begin.
CIDQ now allows the IDFX and IDPX to be taken remotely on your home computer. For some people, this is an ideal option but it is not for everyone. Review the video on how Prometric does remote proctoring for the NCIDQ Exam with their ProProctor tool.