NCIDQ IDIX study guide
NCIDQ IDIX · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NCIDQ Interior Design Experience Exam (IDEX) is the experience-based component of the NCIDQ Certification pathway, intended for interior designers who already hold the education requirement and are accumulating or completing the supervised work experience needed for certification. Where the other NCIDQ exams test knowledge, IDEX is built around professional judgment: it presents realistic project scenarios and asks you to make and defend decisions the way you would in practice. The NCIDQ IDIX study guide has 7 sections and about 2,077 words.
01Programming and Pre-Design
This domain tests programming and pre-design: how you convert a client interview into a verified, quantified program before space planning. Expect questions on data gathering, existing-conditions surveys, area measurement, adjacency matrices, budget and schedule constraints, and code research.
296 words, about 1 min02Space Planning and Adjacencies
This domain tests space planning and adjacencies: how program requirements become zones, blocks, circulation, and furniture layouts that satisfy function, code, and accessibility. Questions often ask for the best adjacency, minimum clearance, or most efficient planning module.
312 words, about 2 min03Building Systems, Codes, and Life Safety
This domain tests building systems, codes, and life safety: structural and MEP coordination, occupancy classification, occupant load, egress capacity, fire-resistance, and accessibility. The exam expects you to apply code logic, not memorize every local amendment.
336 words, about 2 min04Interior Construction, Materials, and Specifications
This domain tests interior construction, materials, and specifications: how partitions, ceilings, floors, doors, hardware, and finishes are selected, detailed, and specified. Expect questions on fire ratings, acoustic assemblies, substrate and finish compatibility, and specification format.
306 words, about 2 min05Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E)
This domain tests furniture, fixtures, and equipment: selection, ergonomics, space requirements, procurement, budgets, lead times, and installation. Questions often combine a client's operational need with a realistic budget or delivery constraint.
257 words, about 1 min06Lighting, Acoustics, and Environmental Quality
This domain tests lighting, acoustics, and environmental quality: quantitative lighting calculations, lamp and control selection, acoustic metrics, and indoor air quality. Expect straightforward calculations plus judgment about comfort and code compliance.
283 words, about 1 min07Project and Contract Administration
This domain tests project and contract administration: how the interior designer's services are contracted, documented, and delivered through construction. Expect questions on delivery methods, RFIs, submittals, change orders, schedules, budgets, and closeout.
287 words, about 1 min