Free NCIDQ IDPX podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Interior Design Professional Exam. Each episode breaks down concepts on CIDQ’s exam blueprint.
The IDPX focuses on construction administration and project management, with an emphasis on health, safety, and welfare.
The exam covers five content areas:
The IDPX is 115 questions over 3 hours. It’s the professional practice exam of the NCIDQ, covering how projects get managed, contracted, and built.
This is the Architect Exam Podcast, but don’t let the name fool you.
The topics covered in these episodes, from contracts and procurement to construction administration and project closeout, apply directly to the NCIDQ IDPX.
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 IDPX tests your knowledge of project management and construction administration for interior design projects. The biggest section is Contracts, Procurement, and Permitting at 28% of the exam. You’ll need to understand fee structures, types of agreements, the bid process, change management, site visits, punch lists, and project closeout procedures.
Yes, there’s significant overlap. The IDPX covers contracts, procurement, construction process, and closeout, which are the same topics tested on the ARE’s PcM, PjM, and CE exams. If you’re pursuing both certifications, studying for one directly helps with the other.
Most candidates find the Contracts, Procurement, and Permitting section the most challenging because it covers the broadest range of content at 28% of the exam. Understanding the different types of agreements, fee structures, the bid process, and the permitting workflow takes focused study time.
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...
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,...
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 liquidated damages is critical for architects, contractors, and ARE candidates preparing for the architect registration examination. This comprehensive guide covers the liquidated damages definition, how a liquidated damages clause works, where they appear in...
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...
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...
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...
The RFI meaning in construction is straightforward: it stands for Request for Information. An RFI in construction is a formal document used during the building process to clarify unclear, missing, or conflicting information in...
The AIA C401 Standard Form of Agreement Between Architect and Consultant establishes clear relationships, communication protocols, and liability protection between architects and their design consultants. This essential AIA contract document protects all parties through...
Understanding architect fees and fee structures is crucial for every architecture professional and ARE candidate. This comprehensive guide breaks down typical architect fees, architectural fees per square foot, hourly rates, and contractor pricing methods...
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...
Construction claims and disputes are inevitable realities that every AEC professional will encounter. This is when there are issues on a project that get escalated to the point where we need third parties to...
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...
Understanding the financial structure of construction projects is essential for architects. Whether you’re managing a client’s budget expectations,, leading your first project, or preparing for the ARE, knowing the difference between hard costs vs soft...
The concept of an Architect’s Standard of care is the cornerstone of architectural practice that defines reasonable professional competence. It protects the architect against unrealistic client expectations, and it serves as the legal basis...
Understanding the different business entity types for architects is about as exciting as watching concrete cure – but it’s absolutely crucial for your architecture career and the ARE exam. Think of this guide as...