PPI Interior Design Reference Manual, 6th Edition (Paperback) – A Complete NCDIQ Reference Manual

Needs to be updated to the new Fall 2017 version of the PRAC exam, but otherwise very very helpful! I used solely this textbook, studied about 30 min-1 hour per weekday, usually more on the weekends, for 3 months and passed all three exams (Fall 2017) on my first attempt. I think I ended up reading through the book about 3 times through the course of studying. The book has the material broken down by what will be on each exam so I first read through the book completely and then focused on what I needed to study for each exam. I spaced my exams out 1 week in between each so I had time to study for each exam separately. There are a lot of books and study materials for the exams that are really expensive, on top of how expensive the actual exams are. I opted to use just this book and was nervous that it wouldn't be enough... but it turned out it was! I read some other reviews of this book stating that the material gets repeated in different chapters. I noticed that slightly, but it seemed to be in different context and I think it's helpful for studying to have the same things explained in different ways.

If you want to pass the NCIDQ and not spend a bunch of money on QPractice, this is a MUST. You can do it!! Passed all parts on the first try because of this textbook. Yes it’s dry…but if you hold yourself accountable to reading this fully, you will pass!

Well, now that I have found out that I have PASSED the IDFX and IDPX I thought I'd write the review on this book. I thought it was great, perfect for the test. I read it cover to cover and took notes to go back and review/ study before the test. Some of the questions on the tests seemed to come right from the book, which is exactly what I'd hoped. I rented this book instead of buying it.. which I am very glad I did. While it is all good knowledge.. it is what it says it is... a study guide for the test.. so I don't really feel the need to keep it as a reference book to use at work. There are a lot of things they cover in this book that I would have never thought to study for and don't use in my job like determining the rentable area of a building and other topics... so I definitely recommend!

I’m currently studying for the NCIDQ, and I’m using this as my main study tool. With help from colleagues who have taken the test, they’ve all said this is the #1 guide to buy :)

It is really a good, in depth information maual with good examples but no color palettes and I thought that was odd, afterall it is for design. Also there's a new edition out a week after I bought this one so I may not be getting all the updated information. Get the new edition.

liked the book, super informative

Here is a reference from another review that covers this book also:I did end up buying the reference manual and the flashcards. I would definitely buy the reference manual again, but not sure the flashcards are necessary. If you study well this way, it is an ok format to drill info in, however most of them are not simple one-answer questions. The answers are lists of several points that you may understand, but will never memorize & be able to rattle off. So essentially, you just read them as a condensed (and selective) version of the book. It can be a good companion if you have lots of extra money to spend on this already incredibly expensive test.Also, I just took both multiple choice tests yesterday (IDPX & IDFX) and the amount of info I did NOT need to know what astounding. There were only a very small percentage of questions that actually referenced facts or written procedures. Most of them were crazy scenarios that you just have to use your judgment to know the "best" or "most-correct" answer. Very frustrating!! A few of the straight information questions were not anywhere in the Ballast study material. But as you know, the tests change every season and you will never know which few facts they will ask you - so you had better be familiar with all of them. Every question counts since their grading process is so crazy.To expand on this book specifically:even though it is quite expensive, it is a good thing to get since it pretty much condenses all of the information you need to know in one place. I did end up reviewing a separate code book, color theory book, ADA regulations & drafting/construction books, BUT the info in this reference manual is probably good enough to get a good handle on all of the areas you will need to know for the test. It is really good on the "theory & design concept" sections and also the Contract Administration, Bidding & Management sections. There are very specific AIA & ASID regulations/guides/sequences to follow that are not always common to everyday practice, so this book did a good job of driving a lot of the important information in. The rest of the chapters have good informational overall review on the detailed stuff (lighting, acoustics, codes, drafting, etc.) however I did find a few discrepancies and saw where they neglected to cover some more detailed scenarios that would have been too difficult to skim. Overall, I think it is enough info to pass the test (if all you needed was to know info - unfortunately its so much more than that!)The organization in the front is great. It separates the information you need to know by each section and each test and it gives you the weighted percentages that pertain to each test section. That can help you prioritize facts and study time. I did find that the organization of the Project and Business Management stuff was a little confusing at first. It is not chronological, but after you read it through a couple times and make your own notes, it makes sense.

No issues except for the fact that this needs to come in a large print it is so hard on the eyes . The font is just ridiculously small. Other than that no complaints.