IDFX Fundamentals
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IDIX Implementation
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IDPX Professional
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Exam Logistics
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Quick Facts
- Exam
- IDFX + IDIX + IDPX
- Owner
- CIDQ
- Sections
- 3 (IDFX, IDIX, IDPX)
- Total Items
- 360 (315 scored)
- Total Time
- 10 hrs (3+4+3)
- Pass Score
- 500 scaled (200-800)
- Item Types
- MC, drag-place, fill-blank, hot spot
- Provider
- Prometric (center or remote)
Programming Diagram Progression
Matrix to bubble to stacking to block
Adjacency matrix: proximity gridBubble diagram: graphic versionStacking diagram: floor allocationBlock diagram: massing level
Universal Design vs Code Minimum
Universal Design
- Usable by widest range
- Best-practice goal
- Can exceed code
Code Compliance
- Enforceable legal minimum
- Specific measured conditions
- Must be met
Aspirational vs mandatory floor
On-Screen Code Lookup Picker
- Need egress or occupancy rule→IBC 2021(Ch 10 means of egress)
- Need fixture count ratio→IPC 2021(Table 403.1, split by sex)
- Need one- or two-family rule→IRC 2021(Residential-specific code)
- Need clearance or reach range→ICC A117.1 (2017)(Accessibility standard)
- Need HVAC/electrical scope only→ASHRAE, NEC, NFPA(Conceptual, not on-screen)
- Searching is slow→Browse by chapter/section(Faster than keyword search)
Existing Conditions
- Site Analysis
- Location, zoning, orientation14%
- Occupant Load
- Code-based headcount, not client count
- Change of Use
- Triggers permit and CO review
- Hazardous Materials
- Flagged before design starts
- Environmental Impacts
- Seismic, air quality, weather, sound
Pre-Design
- Evidence-Based Design
- Research-backed, not opinion15%
- Universal Design
- Widest-range use; can exceed code
- Market Sectors
- Workplace, hospitality, healthcare, retail
- Wayfinding
- Full navigation system, not just signage
- Benchmarking
- Compare against precedent projects
Programming
- Adjacency Matrix
- Grid of required proximities16%
- Bubble Diagram
- Graphic version of adjacency matrix
- Stacking Diagram
- Floor-by-floor function allocation
- Net Assignable vs Gross
- Usable area vs usable plus circulation
- Programmed Occupancy Load
- Drives exits and egress width
Space Planning
- Primary Circulation
- Main path; usually the egress route19%
- Secondary Circulation
- Branches off primary into rooms
- Reflected Ceiling Plan
- Ceiling mirrored onto floor view
- Structural Grid
- Fixed column and bay constraint
FF&E and Finishes
- FF&E Lead Time
- Order-to-delivery; can govern schedule16%
- Hue, Value, Chroma
- Color, lightness, intensity
- Material Sustainability
- Separate issue from indoor air quality
- Millwork vs FF&E
- Scope boundary call on a project
Schematics
- Design Concept Statement
- Qualitative intent, not the program20%
- Program Document vs Concept
- Quantitative record vs qualitative intent
- Visualization Tools
- Software, renderings, physical mockups
- Wayfinding Strategy
- Part of the refine-intent task
Heaviest Domains Per Section
CDs 32%, Permitting 28%, Schematics 20%
IDIX Construction Docs: 32%IDPX Contracts/Permitting: 28%IDFX Schematics: 20%
IDIX vs Old PRAC
PRAC (pre-2026)
- Hand-drafted practicum
- Case studies
- Half-day format
IDIX (2026+)
- Computer-based items
- No case studies
- 130 Q / 4 hrs
Design dev now, not drafting
Design-Phase Study Order
- Want design-phase study order→IDFX(Programming to schematic design)
- After IDFX content mastered→IDIX(Design dev + CDs)
- After IDIX content mastered→IDPX(CA + project mgmt)
- Exam scheduling only→Any order allowed(CIDQ sets no sequence)
- Early-career, no experience→Start IDFX(Matches ID coursework)
- Experienced, all reqs met→Route 1, any order(Apply once)
Codes and Life Safety
- Exit Access Travel Distance
- Varies by occupancy and sprinklers16%
- Plumbing Fixture Count
- Split load by sex; round up
- Fire Barrier
- Rated wall assembly; IBC 707
- Smoke Barrier
- Smoke membrane; IBC 709
- Smoke Partition
- Unrated smoke wall; IBC 710
Fire Wall Rating Ladder
Fire barrier rated; smoke barrier rated; partition unrated
Fire barrier: IBC 707Smoke barrier: IBC 709Smoke partition: IBC 710, unrated
Fire Barrier vs Smoke Barrier
Fire Barrier (IBC 707)
- Rated wall assembly
- Stops fire spread
- Rating set by use
Smoke Barrier (IBC 709)
- Continuous membrane
- Stops smoke movement
- Usually 1-hr rated too
Unrated version is a smoke partition
Integration and FF&E
- Plenum
- Air-distribution cavity; limits combustibles19%
- Low-Voltage vs Line-Voltage
- Data and security vs general power
- Vertical Transportation
- Elevators fixed early in layout
- Furniture Clearances
- Must not block egress routes
Open Spec vs Closed Spec
Open Spec
- Substitutions allowed
- Or-equal language
- Performance criteria option
Closed Spec
- Only named product allowed
- No substitutions allowed
- Manufacturer-specific requirement
Allows alternates vs locks product
Construction Documents
- Demolition Plan
- Separate sheet; remove vs retain32%
- Partition Type
- Assembly and fire rating per wall
- Keynotes vs General Notes
- Numbered refs vs sheet-wide notes
- Finish Transition Detail
- Where two floor materials meet
- Critical Elevations
- Feature wall, wet wall, glazing
Drawing Coordination
- Hierarchy of Information
- Resolves conflicts, not the designer alone18%
- Specialty Consultants
- Architect, civil, electrical, lighting, mechanical, plumbing
- Power, Data, Comm Plan
- Designer locates; engineer sets circuits
- Signage Coordination
- Code-required signage design task
Specs and Schedules
- CSI MasterFormat
- Division 09 finishes, 12 furnishings15%
- Open vs Closed Spec
- Substitutions allowed vs named-only
- Basis of Design
- Reference product plus or-equal language
- Schedule Types
- Door, finish, hardware, equipment
Completion Milestones in Order
Substantial, punch list, final completion, payment
Substantial: usable, minor items leftPunch list: deficiencies to fixFinal completion: all obligations doneFinal payment: released after final
Change Order vs CCD
Change Order
- Owner+CA+contractor agree first
- Sets price and time
- Then work proceeds
CCD
- Owner+architect order first
- Work starts before price set
- Formalized later as change order
Agree-first vs proceed-first
Feasibility Studies
- Feasibility Study
- Tests viability before design spend17%
- Due Diligence
- Verify actual as-built conditions
- Stakeholder Mapping
- Every interested party, not just client
- Manage Project Team
- Roles: owner, CM, code official
Substantial vs Final Completion
Substantial Completion
- Space usable now
- Minor items still open
- Starts warranty/occupancy clock
Final Completion
- All obligations done
- Punch list cleared
- Triggers final payment
Usable now vs fully closed out
Scheduling and Budgeting
- Critical Path Method
- Longest chain of dependent tasks17%
- Contingency vs Allowance
- Unknown reserve vs unselected item budget
- Value Engineering
- Cut cost, keep required performance
- Manage Project Schedule
- Approvals, lead times, phasing
RFP vs RFQ
RFP
- Solicits approach + price
- For a defined project
- Scope already known
RFQ
- Solicits firm qualifications
- Builds a shortlist
- Used before fees discussed
Price ask vs credentials ask
Contracts and Permitting
- Design-Bid-Build vs Design-Build
- Separate contracts vs single contract28%
- RFP vs RFQ
- Proposal and price vs qualifications only
- Bid Alternates
- Optional priced scope items
- Permit vs Sign-Off
- Code review vs owner approval
Construction Process
- Shop Drawing vs Submittal
- Fabricator detail vs broader review set21%
- Change Order vs CCD
- Agreed change vs ordered-before-agreed
- CFA vs Strike-Off
- Dye-lot sample vs pattern sample
- Facilitate Construction
- RFIs, submittals, mockups, prototypes
Site Observation Closeout
- Substantial vs Final Completion
- Usable now vs fully done17%
- Punch List
- Remaining deficiencies before final pay
- Post-Occupancy Evaluation
- After-move-in performance review
- Field Reports
- Site-visit record of quality and safety
Design-Phase Order
IDFX then IDIX then IDPX
IDFX: front-end designIDIX: middle, construction docsIDPX: back-end, CA + PM
Route 1 vs Route 2
Route 1
- All 3 sections at once
- Needs edu + experience done
- 10 admin window (~5 yrs)
Route 2
- IDFX first, then IDIX/IDPX
- Students/new grads can start
- 4 admin window for IDFX
Already qualified vs still qualifying
Eligibility Route Picker
- Meet both education + experience→Route 1(All 3 sections together)
- Final-year student, no experience yet→Route 2 Part 1(IDFX only)
- Route 2 experience now complete→Route 2 Part 2(IDIX + IDPX)
- No qualifying ID degree→ARP(8,800 hrs + dossier)
- Degree outside US/Canada→WES or ECE eval(Course-by-course)
- Passed section, application lapses→Reapply + retake all(Scores void)
Fees
- Route 1 Application
- $235 non-refundable
- IDFX Exam Fee
- $305
- IDIX Exam Fee
- $470
- IDPX Exam Fee
- $365
- Annual Renewal
- $85 per year
Four Item Types
MC, drag-place, fill-blank, hot spot
Multiple choice: most itemsDrag-and-place: plans/schedulesFill-in-blank: numeric/text keyHot spot: click the point
Codes On Screen
- IBC 2021
- Searchable; building code
- IRC 2021
- Searchable; residential code
- IPC 2021
- Searchable; plumbing code
- ICC A117.1 (2017)
- Searchable; accessibility standard
- ASHRAE, ASTM, BIFMA, OSHA, UL
- Know scope; not on-screen
Common Traps
PRAC vs IDIX
PRAC: hand-drafted, case studies ≠ IDIX: computer-based, no case studies
Occupant Load vs Headcount
Occupant load is code math ≠ Headcount is the client's number
Contingency vs Allowance
Contingency: unknown-cost reserve ≠ Allowance: budget for unselected item
Change Order vs CCD
Change order: all three sign first ≠ CCD: work starts before price set
Shop Drawing vs Submittal
Shop drawing: fabricator's build detail ≠ Submittal: broader review category
CFA vs Strike-Off
CFA: confirms color/dye-lot match ≠ Strike-off: confirms pattern accuracy
Fire Barrier vs Smoke Partition
Fire barrier: rated, stops fire ≠ Smoke partition: unrated smoke wall
Last Minute
- 1.360 items total; 315 scored
- 2.IDFX: 115 Q, 3 hrs
- 3.IDIX: 130 Q, 4 hrs
- 4.IDPX: 115 Q, 3 hrs
- 5.Pass score = 500 (200-800 scale)
- 6.4 item types on every section
- 7.Types: MC, drag-place, fill-blank, hotspot
- 8.IDIX replaced PRAC in 2026
- 9.No case studies on IDIX
- 10.No ethics/business-structure domain in 2026
- 11.On-screen: IBC, IRC, IPC, A117.1
- 12.IDFX $305; IDIX $470; IDPX $365
- 13.Renewal = $85/year after passing
- 14.Angoff method sets passing score
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