We asked exam candidates to share their advice on exam preparation and test-day strategies. If you have advice for future candidates, please e-mail us at news@ncidq.org.


As I read the project requirements for the Space Planning exercise, I used a marker to highlight each room and immediately drew either a red or a blue line between the rooms, depending on the types of adjacencies.  This saved time by serving as a crude bubble diagram and was also useful as a reference when verifying adjacencies as I was laying out spaces in the drawing.
--Missy

By understanding the material instead of memorizing the material I was able to see the answer in any situation or at least I was able to eliminate the wrong answers. Working on my own letter of agreement, helped me understand the basic elements of a contract. Writing index cards was also a great way to study, especially for the items like performance test or finish standards.

Going ahead of time to the place where I was taking the exam made me feel more at "home" on the exam day. The bar stools where we were sitting for eight hours, were hard metal with no cushions. So on the day of the test I brought my own cushion. I was the envy of many test takers. Comfortable, warm clothes are a must since the room might be cold.
--Mayda

What really helped me was to practice free-hand drawing typical (detail) sections I've used professionally in the past. I also did a practice dry-run of Section 3 of the exam. This was very beneficial in preparing for what to expect and what I needed to brush up on. I think what helped me during the exam was to remind myself to re-check everything twice – and to occasionally sit back, stretch and close my eyes to refresh and re-focus.
--Katie

Find a small group of people to study with. Talking about what you've read helps you process the information. Study groups are also a good way to help you stay on track with your reading in order to not fall behind the group.
--Amy

My advice to test takers would be to practice! Take the practice exams in setting that simulates the test atmosphere. No interruptions, follow the time limits, have all materials and tools with you, etc.
--Genella

When I took the multiple-choice portions, I made it a point to read each question carefully, circling the key words in the question. Then the first time I read the answers, I marked an X next to the answers that were absolutely not correct. Then I chose the answer. If I had any uncertainty, I circled the number of the question on the exam and came back to it after completing all other questions. Then, when I re-read the question for the second time, I only needed to choose between two (plus or minus) answers. I took my time. I was one of two people left on the second half of testing, first day.
--Rebecca

I didn't do anything out of the ordinary but to start early studying is a real key. I took every evening and read for one hour and took extensive notes that I could refer back to. I also would advise taking the test out of your home town. I found it really helpful to focus without distractions. One thing for every candidate to remember:  the examination is based on what we do everyday, so relax and focus.
--Nancy

My colleague and I would get together for lunch on Tuesdays & Thursdays for the two months before the test and quiz each other on random things that we turned to in our design reference manuals. One Saturday a month we would meet and take a practice exam just as if we were taking the exam then. That helped us gauge the time limits. After time was up, we would grade each other's plans and note which items we forgot to include, which codes we had eliminated, which rooms were too small, etc.
--Megan

Read everything three times – both during the exam and when studying for the exam. The first thing I did to prepare for the exam was to order all of NCIDQ’s preparation materials. I took all the practice tests first, without reading any of the material. I calculated my score without reading any of the explanations. This showed me where my strengths and weaknesses were and I studied accordingly. Another tip I used was to stop studying two days before the exam to relax and trust that I had done my best to prepare.
--Bonnie

I found the most helpful thing I did in preparation for the NCIDQ Exam was practicing with the sample practicum exam from NCIDQ. After that, I focused mostly on the areas that I wasn't as strong in. Over a three-month period I studied a good hour almost every night, so I went in to the exam feeling prepared. This was enough for me, but I have been in the profession for 15 years. There were of course a few surprises, but my tip would be when you encounter items that you are unfamiliar with, take a deep breath and think practically. A good knowledge of the building code is essential. Don't worry about your drawings looking spectacular, worry about them meeting all the spatial and code requirements. I found the time just flew by, especially in Section 3. The biggest error that I felt I made was working out my solution too long on trace paper before I transferred it to the vellum. I had to work like crazy at the end which was a bit stressful, but thankfully the adrenaline kicked in.
--Kari

In order to maintain focus, I had to block out ALL distractions. I ended up having to find a place where I was alone with no distractions, and it wasn't the library. I used one of the spare bedrooms in my Mom's house, where everyone else was at the other end.

As for the practicum, remember that function is more important than form. The test is designed to see whether you can design a space people can safely use. If you meet the requirements in a logical manner, you will be fine. If you try to design something aesthetically pleasing, there is good chance that you will run out of time.
--Tom

Lock yourself away and read all suggested texts for the exam. I literally planned no social outings for at least two months in order to prepare. I used flash cards and studied during my commute. In the morning part of the practicum I thought I would never finish, but I fought the idea of giving up and just plowed on until the proctor told me to put my pen down. I also worked up to last moment in the afternoon. There is no short cut for taking the time to study.
--Elizabeth

I wrote a lot of note cards for words or subjects that were hard for me to remember. Writing the definitions with the words/phrases helped me to recall terms faster. I practiced taking the drawing portion (Section 3) of the test with background noise. I wanted to get my head into drafting with stuff going on around me. I knew that, when taking a test, you hear everything that is going around you from people coughing to the clicking of calculators. I recommend using earplugs to help with noise if you are easily distracted.
--Alyssa

There were a number of things I did to prepare for the exams. First and foremost I made sure I started early enough to be able to strategize study techniques, as well as to learn what worked and what would not work for me. I needed to constantly remind myself that this test is “a demonstration of basic competency” in the field of interior design.
Strategies that worked for me: Started months before the exam date. Limited study time to 1-1½  hours a day. Exercised regularly. Ate a well-balanced diet. Maintained a regular sleep schedule. Took a weekend study session to assist me in preparing for the practicum portion of the exam.
--Maria


If at all possible, try to take the test in your home town. If you take the test out of town, do not stay with friends or family. Stay in a hotel by yourself, as family and entertaining will only add to the stress level already associated with taking the test. Do not leave your car lights on the night before, thereby killing your battery and forcing you to take a cab across town at the last minute to your test site. Stay at the closest possible hotel to the test site no matter how expensive. If you are already broke from paying for the test and can't afford the expensive hotel right next door to the test site, drive the route to the test site to see how long it takes to get there prior to the day of the test.
--Monika

In preparing for the multiple-choice sections (Sections 1 and 2), my process was a little labor intensive but worked. I read the material through a first time just underlining things I thought were important. I read it through a second time to pull out the main points or paraphrase the important stuff in a notebook by chapter. The last time through the material I made myself a set of flash cards that has everything on it. I would read those on the bus, in the car, at lunch – any time I could.

For the design practicum (Section 3), I reminded myself to prioritize the things that were being asked for in the requirements and to check exiting, plumbing and all of the program requirements twice! I also told myself to work very quickly at the start to get a schematic plan that worked. Remember – the solution does not have to be a stellar one – just a practical solution that meets the requirements and demonstrates your competence! Double check as you go!!

Earplugs are an essential thing to have with you. Some people have very distracting working styles and having earplugs really helped to keep me focused. Practice all of your pre-exams (PDPs) using freehand. This is the fastest way to complete a solution and you need all of the time available.
--Barbara