It's that time of year when everyone is making New Year's Resolutions, and maybe yours is to pass the NCIDQ Exam this year. Well, don't make a resolution.
The truth is New Year's Resolutions don't work.
Research has shown that 88% of the time, people fail to keep their New Year's Resolutions. A quarter — 25% — abandon their resolutions within one week. We all know a friend or family member who has lost weight on a diet, then gains it right back, despite their best intentions.
So if New Year's Resolutions don't work, what does work?
Plan to finally pass the NCIDQ Exam This Year
Anyone can achieve their goals if they follow a plan and don't make some common mistakes. Our goal at Qpractice is to identify the action steps needed to reach your goal of passing the NCIDQ Exam. Then help guide you through that plan while helping you prevent mistakes.
And we like to make it more fun for you while doing it:)
First — you have to write your goals down.
It may seem silly but just do it, somewhere you can see it daily – you'll be 42% more likely to stick to it. Nothing fancy. Sticky notes will do.
Next — your goals must be very specific.
For example, with Qpractice in our Practicum lessons and case studies, we focus on exactly which codes apply and how. On the case study questions, you'll see what percent you got correct by each knowledge area, as well as individual items.
Think of a typical interior design project that you work on. For every item of FF&E, there is a detailed written spec. For every bit of construction, a drawing, a detail, a plan. Without all that, you would not expect it to get done. Do the same with your NCIDQ Exam Prep.
This brings us to the next rule of goal setting –
Have a deadline
Without that sense of urgency to get something done, the exam can tend to sneak up real quick. So we've created the Qpractice Study Schedule to help keep you on track. We've created a plan for you to cover everything if you're taking all exam sections in one season. For example, for IDFX and IDPX, we break down vast amounts of information tested into just a few topics to focus on each week. Put those in your calendar or planner now.
Keep in mind that the dates are suggested times. Everyone's family and work commitments vary. You can download the schedule, import or copy the events in your own calendar, then adjust to suit your work schedule. While the dates for our live office hours won't change, all are recorded so you can watch the replays at any time.
Millionaires (and billionaires, too) don't use to-do lists. Instead, they schedule things — in fact, they probably have an entire team scheduling things for them.
So you, not a millionaire? Me neither (yet:)
But we can both still get the same benefit by putting all of these on our calendar. Just remember, if it's not scheduled, it won't get done.
Make your goals measurable.
Using our new lesson and reading progress trackers will help you see how you're doing and track your improvement.
You'll have quizzes on each knowledge area for all courses as you work through the study plan. Then, you'll see your score with questions, answers, and explanations right afterward. This way, you can measure your comprehension of each content area. This will help you get an idea of how well you know the overall test content. Then, over time, you can measure your improvement.
Have others hold you accountable
Okay, this all sounds well and good so far — but here's something that a lot of people forget:
Focus on what you're doing right
It's human nature to focus on the negative. So instead of changing bad behavior, try to look at what you do differently when you achieve something. What is it about your actions that helped you to succeed? And do more of that.
When you pass your practice quiz or get your time down — We want to hear about it in our study group so we can cheer you on.
Make one change at a time.
Let's say you've discovered that you're able to get more done on days that you get up early in the morning and study first before you go to work. Try setting the alarm just one half-hour early for a week so you can get some reading in while you're having your breakfast. This will help get you in the right frame of mind and keep your goal top of mind.
Make that change into a habit.
Now, see what you can do to associate a trigger with your new “good habit.” Maybe it's a special blend of coffee or breakfast smoothie.
Instead of checking Facebook first thing every day, try checking in with the Qpractice private study group instead to see if you can answer a fellow member's question. Save the web or app icon to your home screen, and put other distractors in a folder out of the way. Set an action trigger to start your habit ASAP, and you'll be on the way.
We look forward to having you join us!
You can pass the NCIDQ Exam.
Join designers like you, and move ahead in your career!
