NCIDQ Study Guides
Pass with confidence.
Taking all three exams? You go, hustler!
This bundle includes all of the our cheat sheets (for a discounted rate!), including a 12-week study schedule that guides you through the textbook readings, links to additional study resources, and references our free video content library. I also threw in some test-taking strategies to ace test day.
This supplemental study guide has been updated to be 100% aligned to the new 2026 NCIDQ exam blueprints, so you can be confident that every piece of information is essential.
IDFX Topics Included:
✔️ Site Analysis ✔️ Existing Building Conditions ✔️ Code Analysis ✔️ Elements and Principles of Design
✔️ Design Psychology + Theory ✔️Accessibility + Universal Design ✔️ Programming ✔️Calculating Occupant Load
✔️ The Adjacency Matrix ✔️Net vs Gross SF ✔️ Space Planning ✔️ Drawing Types ✔️ Material Specification
✔️ Furniture Types + Construction ✔️ Sustainable Design Strategies
IDIX Topics Included:
✔️ Building + Fire Codes ✔️ The Egress System ✔️ Calculating Required Number of Exits
✔️ Building System Integration ✔️ The Reflect Ceiling Plan ✔️ Lighting Schedules
✔️ Placing Plumbing Fixtures ✔️ Placing Sprinklers ✔️ Placing Receptacles ✔️ Lighting Basics ✔️ ADA Clearances
✔️ ADA Restroom Floor Plan ✔️ ADA Restroom Elevation ✔️ Vertical Transportation ✔️ Partition Section Details
✔️ Millwork Section Detail ✔️ Specification Types
IDPX Topics Included:
✔️ Stakeholder Roles + Responsibilities ✔️ Project Feasibility ✔️ Project Delivery Methods ✔️ Project Budgets
✔️ Project Scheduling ✔️ Elements of a Contract ✔️ Contracts ✔️ Permitting ✔️ Procurement ✔️ Project Approval
✔️ Construction Administration ✔️ Site Visits ✔️ Change Management ✔️ Project Closeout ✔️ Post-Occupancy
Preparing for the NCIDQ exam can feel overwhelming, daunting, and expensive. We’re here to change that. These blueprint-aligned, supplemental study guides provide a step-by-step study schedule, test-taking strategies, and present critical exam topics in an easy-to-learn way.
The Complete Cheat Sheet Bundle (All 3 Exams)
Taking all three exams? You go, hustler!
This bundle includes all of the our cheat sheets (for a discounted rate!), including a 12-week study schedule that guides you through the textbook readings, links to additional study resources, and references our free video content library. I also threw in some test-taking strategies to ace test day.
This supplemental study guide has been updated to be 100% aligned to the new 2026 NCIDQ exam blueprints, so you can be confident that every piece of information is essential
Topics include:
✔️ Building System Integration
✔️ Building + Fire Codes
✔️ Elements of a Contract
✔️ Code Analysis
✔️Accessibility + Universal Design
and many, many more…
For designers only taking the IDFX exam.
These cheat sheets outline the critical topics you need to know in a clear and simple format, specifically targeting frequently-tested topics. 100% aligned with the new 2026 NCIDQ Exam Blueprint.
Includes 15 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
This supplemental study guide coordinates with the Interior Design Reference Manual, Seventh Edition, by David Kent Ballast, so purchasing this textbook is recommended.
Topics Included:
✔️ Site Analysis ✔️ Existing Building Conditions ✔️ Code Analysis ✔️ Elements and Principles of Design
✔️ Design Psychology + Theory ✔️Accessibility + Universal Design ✔️ Programming ✔️Calculating Occupant Load
✔️ The Adjacency Matrix ✔️Net vs Gross SF ✔️ Space Planning ✔️ Drawing Types ✔️ Material Specification
✔️ Furniture Types + Construction ✔️ Sustainable Design Strategies
IDFX Cheat Sheets
For designers only taking the IDFX exam.
Includes 15 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
Topics include:
✔️ Accessibility + Universal Design
✔️ Elements and Principles of Design
✔️ Code Analysis
✔️ Sustainable Design Strategies
and more…
For designers only taking the IDIX exam.
These cheat sheets outline the critical topics you need to know in a clear and simple format, specifically targeting frequently-tested topics. 100% aligned with the new 2026 NCIDQ Exam Blueprint.
Includes 22 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
This supplemental study guide coordinates with the Interior Design Reference Manual, Seventh Edition, by David Kent Ballast, so purchasing this textbook is recommended.
Topics Included:
✔️ Building + Fire Codes ✔️ The Egress System ✔️ Calculating Required Number of Exits
✔️ Building System Integration ✔️ The Reflect Ceiling Plan ✔️ Lighting Schedules
✔️ Placing Plumbing Fixtures ✔️ Placing Sprinklers ✔️ Placing Receptacles ✔️ Lighting Basics ✔️ ADA Clearances
✔️ ADA Restroom Floor Plan ✔️ ADA Restroom Elevation ✔️ Vertical Transportation ✔️ Partition Section Details
✔️ Millwork Section Detail ✔️ Specification Types
IDIX Cheat Sheets
For designers only taking the IDIX exam.
Includes 22 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
Topics include:
✔️ The Egress System
✔️ Building + Fire Codes
✔️ ADA Clearances
✔️ Partition Section Details
and more…
For designers only taking the IDPX exam.
These cheat sheets outline the critical topics you need to know in a clear and simple format, specifically targeting frequently-tested topics. 100% aligned with the new 2026 NCIDQ Exam Blueprint.
Includes 15 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
This supplemental study guide coordinates with the Interior Design Reference Manual, Seventh Edition, by David Kent Ballast, so purchasing this textbook is recommended.
Topics Included:
✔️ Stakeholder Roles + Responsibilities ✔️ Project Feasibility ✔️ Project Delivery Methods ✔️ Project Budgets
✔️ Project Scheduling ✔️ Elements of a Contract ✔️ Contracts ✔️ Permitting ✔️ Procurement ✔️ Project Approval
✔️ Construction Administration ✔️ Site Visits ✔️ Change Management ✔️ Project Closeout ✔️ Post-Occupancy
IDPX Cheat Sheets
For designers only taking the IDPX exam.
Includes 15 blueprint-aligned PDFs and a 6-week study schedule.
Topics include:
✔️ Elements of a Contract
✔️ Permitting
✔️ Construction Administration
✔️ Stakeholder Roles + Responsibilities
and more…
Kelsey Omeis, NCIDQ
Meet your guide:
I took the NCIDQ exam back in 2020, while working as a junior designer for one of New York City’s largest architectural firms. Like so many others, I found myself frustrated with the process; struggling to sit for hours at a time reading a dense, 800+ page textbook, being confused by what I should and shouldn’t study, and barely understanding the information.
So I scoured the internet for study resources that were better suited for a visual learner, like me, and put things into simple terms. To my surprise, there was nothing like this anywhere.
So I decided to create those resources myself.
I know what it feels like to not know where to start, to feel confused and overwhelmed, and to not be able to afford to spend thousands of dollars on study materials. Now, I’ve made it my mission to create both free and affordable content for all designers.
Testimonials
