Free NCIDQ IDIX podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Interior Design Implementation Exam. Each episode breaks down CIDQ’s exam objectives so you know exactly what to study.
The IDIX focuses on design development and construction documentation, with an emphasis on health, safety, and welfare. The exam covers five content areas:
The IDIX is 130 questions over 4 hours, making it the longest section of the NCIDQ. It replaced the old PRAC exam starting in 2026 with updated blueprints.
Construction Documents is the biggest section at 32%, so knowing how to develop floor plans, elevations, sections, details, demolition plans, and reflected ceiling plans is critical.
This is the Architect Exam Podcast, but don’t let the name fool you.
The topics covered in these episodes, from construction documents and specifications to codes and consultant coordination, apply directly to the NCIDQ IDIX.
Architects and interior designers share the same foundational knowledge when it comes to health, safety, and welfare.
No need to take notes while you listen. For many episodes, we’ve already made a free two-page set of study notes for you – just go to the episode page and grab them.
The IDIX tests your ability to produce construction documents for interior design projects. The biggest section is Construction Documents at 32%, covering floor plans, elevations, sections, details, demolition plans, and reflected ceiling plans. You also need to understand codes and life safety, FF&E integration with building systems, consultant coordination, and construction specifications.
The IDIX replaced the PRAC starting in 2026 with updated exam blueprints from CIDQ’s latest Practice Analysis. The IDIX focuses specifically on design development and construction documentation phases, with streamlined content that reduces overlap with the IDFX and IDPX. The format uses the same question types as the other two exams.
Many candidates find the IDIX the most challenging because it’s the longest exam (130 questions over 4 hours) and Construction Documents alone accounts for 32% of the score. Strong knowledge of how to read, create, and coordinate construction drawings is essential. Give yourself extra study time for this section.
When you open a set of specifications, you probably flip straight to the division you care about. Concrete? Division 03. Steel? Division 05. Finishes? Division 09. But general requirements, the very first division in...
Plumbing valves are one of those topics that sounds intimidating until someone actually breaks it down. Whether you’re studying for the ARE, preparing for the CDT, or just trying to understand the different types...
Building acoustics is one of those topics that affects every person inside a building, but most architects don’t think about it until something goes wrong. This guide breaks down everything you need to know...
The construction bidding process on public projects follows a strict, regulated path from completed drawings to breaking ground. This guide walks through all eight stages of the construction bid process, covering bid preparation, sealed bidding,...
Understanding the difference between a control joint vs expansion joint is one of those things that trips up almost everyone. This guide breaks down all four joint types, expansion joints, control joints, isolation joints,...
Construction cost estimates are essential tools that help architects provide accurate budget guidance and make smart design decisions throughout every project phase. These estimates evolve from broad conceptual estimates with 25-50% accuracy to precise...
Understanding concrete slab types is one of those topics that shows up constantly on the ARE and trips up a lot of candidates. This guide breaks down six structural systems, from one-way solid slabs...
Fire rated walls are tested and certified wall assemblies specifically designed to resist fire and heat for a certain time period. Built with fire rated drywall like Type X gypsum board, these fire rated wall...
QA vs QC is one of the most commonly confused topics in architecture and construction. Quality assurance (QA) prevents problems before they happen. Quality control (QC) finds and fixes them after the fact. This...
The difference between life and death during a building emergency often comes down to one thing: means of egress. These critical escape pathways aren’t arbitrary rules imposed by building officials; rather, they’re the result...
Understanding “no exceptions taken” and mastering construction submittals is essential for ARE success and professional practice. This comprehensive guide explains the submittal process, types, and review actions that translate design intent into construction reality....
Cast-in-place concrete creates monolithic structural systems by pouring a concrete mix into formwork on-site. This guide covers span limitations, rebar sizing, construction defects like honeycombing, and when to choose concrete over steel or pre-tensioned...
CSI® MasterFormat® is the construction industry’s standardized system for organizing specifications and project information. This comprehensive guide breaks down all 50 CSI MasterFormat divisions, explains the numbering system and three-part specification format, compares MasterFormat...
Join Michael and Emily for a free webinar exploring CSI® certifications. Learn how these credentials fit into your ARE or NCIDQ prep and can boost your architecture career while you’re already doing the work. Whether...
Understanding what is a change order in construction is essential for every architect, contractor, and project manager. Construction change orders are formal contract amendments that require agreement from all three parties, and they always cost...
Understanding foundation types can save your project from budget-busting surprises. This guide breaks down 7 essential foundation systems, explaining when to use each based on soil conditions, building loads, and site constraints, so you can...
Building code history isn’t written by committees in conference rooms. It’s written in tragedy. Every exit sign, sprinkler head, and panic bar you see exists because someone died when those safety features didn’t. Understanding...
Test day anxiety affects even the most prepared ARE candidates, but the right mindset strategies can transform your exam experience. This comprehensive guide reveals proven techniques to manage test day panic, overcome exam anxiety,...
Construction specifications may not be the sexiest part of building projects, but they’re often the difference between project success and expensive disasters. In this article, we’ll expose the dangerous myths about these critical documents that...
ARE exam questions don’t have to be guessing games. Learn proven test taking strategies to read questions strategically, spot key qualifier words, and eliminate wrong answers with confidence. These exam strategies help thousands of...