February's record-breaking snow totals in the DC area didn't stop the 11 Certificate holders from across North America who gathered at NCIDQ Headquarters to participate in the Examination Cut Score Task Force. This study is a scientific analysis required any time a major change to the multiple-choice sections takes place in order to establish the level of ability equal to "minimum competence in interior design."

"The 2008 practice analysis identified modifications that needed to be made to the NCIDQ Examination," explains Andrew Stafford, NCIDQ Examinations Manager. "As a result, we needed to set a new cut score that is the threshold for determining a passing point for the examination. NCIDQ doesn't arbitrarily pick a passing point. Practicing professionals identified the tasks that need to be tested on the exam, so we rely on practicing professionals to determine the point at which someone should be minimally competent to perform those tasks."

NCIDQ invited a random selection of active Certificate holders to apply to participate in the two-day meeting. "Participants on the Cut Score Task Force represented a wide range of experience and design specialties in order to achieve a diversity of perspectives," says Stafford. "This ensures an additional level of reliability in scoring as well as fairness to the exam candidates."

Participants (pictured right) took both multiple-choice examinations to assess what the examination requires of candidates. Following that, our testing partner, ACT, Inc., led the group through challenging discussions on each of the 250 exam questions. The group had to decide how critical the knowledge in each question was for entry-level practitioners and what percentage of them would answer it correctly.

Terricinia St. Clair, a Certificate holder from Virginia, explained, "We were challenged to look at the NCIDQ Exam through the eyes of someone with only two years of professional experience, yet at the same time, ensure that same person knows enough to be trusted with the health, safety and welfare of the public. I was surprised by the different ways the panel would interpret a question and its complexity. The diversity of the group allowed each of us to see things from a different perspective."

"The whole process was such an eye-opener," said Martin Kluck, a Certificate holder from Nebraska. "It's important that NCIDQ tests candidates on the way things should be done because, as we came to realize as a group, years in practice trying to make a profit and maintain a good relationship with owners and contractors often require compromise and default to the lesser evil. There is plenty of time for an interior designer to gain this experience as his or her career progresses. The NCIDQ Examination should not try to deal with all of the gray areas of practice; it must reflect a clear, concise portrayal of what is right and just. I hope the Council continues to maintain these high standards."

NCIDQ is grateful for the assistance of Brittany Allen, Rita Amonett, Erika Liao Coeck, Renee Cruse, Martin Kluck, Christy Lederer, Jeanine Luther, Shelby Mamizuka, Susan Mortenson, Terricinia St. Clair and Merle Sykora. Thank you for service to NCIDQ and to the profession.