Exam Results

When will I receive my examination results?

Exam results are issued within 14 weeks of the exam date, although NCIDQ makes every effort to issue results sooner. The mailing date for results letters is posted on the Dates & Deadlines Schedule.

What is the pass rate for each exam section?

Results for the Spring 2009 NCIDQ Examination:

Section I: 73% of candidates passed

Section II: 71% of candidates passed

Section III: 84% of candidates passed

Can I get my multiple-choice section scores early?

No. The 14-week time frame is necessary to scan multiple-choice answer sheets, grade practicum problems and produce and evaluate statistical analyses for all exam sections. All exam results are released at the same time.

What are the most common reasons for failing the examination?

Failure to properly prepare and lack of relevant experience are the most common reasons. Other reasons include failure to follow instructions, failure to correctly analyze the project requirements and/or failure to allocate time properly.

How much time do I have to pass the entire exam?

You must pass all sections within a five-year period. If you do not, NCIDQ will void any scores more than five years old, and you will have to retake those sections and pass all sections within a new five-year period.

Please note: candidates who did not pass both the Section 1 (Principles of Interior Design) and Section II (Construction Documents and Administration) by the end of 2009 must pass each of the new multiple-choice sections (Section 1: Codes, Building Systems, Construction Standards and Contract Administration and Section 2: Design Application, Project Coordination and Professional Practice) in order to receive the NCIDQ Certificate and/or qualify for state licensure or provincial registration.

Can I have my examination returned to me after it is scored?

NCIDQ exam materials are not returned to examination candidates. Reviews of exam materials are not permitted. Exam materials are stored securely for three years and are then destroyed.

Who scores Section III (practicum)?

NCIDQ assembles teams of Active NCIDQ Certificate holders in eleven locations across North America to score the practicum section. These jurors are rigorously trained by NCIDQ when they begin service, and they receive additional training each time they convene for a scoring session. Jurors agree not to participate in exam preparatory activities for at least five years from the date of their last involvement with NCIDQ.

I failed Section III (practicum). Can I request that my practicum exam be rescored?

No. Special reviews and rescoring are not permitted. Error checking and rescoring are built into the standard scoring process for Section III. Your practicum exam is scored by two independent jurors who do not see each other's evaluation of your exam. If the first two jurors are not in sufficient agreement, then your exam is rescored by a third juror to ensure your score is fair and accurate.

Can I see my exam to see what I did wrong?

No. NCIDQ exam materials are not returned to candidates. Section III jurors do not write on exam drawings to indicate errors. They evaluate your exam using standard criteria and mark their responses on scan sheets.

Are there any errors on Section III (practicum) that lead to an "automatic fail" on the section?

No. There is no such thing as "automatic fail" on any section of the NCIDQ exam. Exam jurors are trained to score ALL work that is completed directly on the drawing sheets. There are approximately 65 scoring criteria used to evaluate each exam; no single error can cause overall failure on the section. You can learn more about the scoring criteria in the NCIDQ Exam Study Guide.

Can I appeal my failing score on the exam?

No. Scores may not be appealed once they have been issued to the candidates. Candidates who are concerned that environmental circumstances or testing procedures may have seriously affected their performance must contact NCIDQ in writing by the date given in the Examination Registration Guide for that particular exam administration (usually about ten business days). Those concerns will be investigated by NCIDQ and, if determined to be valid, candidates may be permitted to retake the affected section(s) at no additional cost. Under no circumstances will tests scores be reconsidered once they have been issued.

I heard the exam is changing in 2010, how will that affect my current scores?

See 2010 Multiple-Choice Changes FAQs for more information.