FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON TAKING THE LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN) ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL (AP) EXAM
The following is based on feedback from recently accredited professionals and is not from the USGBC.
This document summarizes frequently asked questions about becoming a LEED AP. The information presented is based on interviews with over ten professionals in the building industry who have taken the LEED AP exam. The information provided is intended to be a starting point and is not a complete assessment. Discussions with other professionals are encouraged. The cost of items is based on information provided at the time of this writing (November 2007).
"What should I study for the LEED Accredited Professional exam?" has become one of the most frequently asked questions in the green building industry. The amount of people interested in LEED and green buildings is growing exponentially and many are focusing their attention on becoming a LEED AP -- a professional who is credited to take a building through the process of becoming LEED certified. According to the USGBC, there are currently over 30,000 LEED APs and the number is growing at an average rate of 25 accreditations per day.
Which test should I take?
There are three different exams you can take to become a LEED AP:
- LEED for New Construction, version 2.2
- LEED for Commercial Interiors, version 2.0
- LEED for Existing Buildings, version 2.0
Once you have passed any of the three exams, you can put "LEED AP" after your name and are now officially a LEED Accredited Professional. You are not required to take multiple exams, nor are there any continuing education requirements at this time (This may change in the near future).
Which exam you take depends on who you are and what you do. Generally, interior designers and others involved primarily in tenant fit-ups take the LEED-CI exam. The LEED-EB exam is directed towards building facilities and owners who are involved in building maintenance. Most professionals take the LEED-NC exam. This is the most popular reference system and is used to certify over the majority of all LEED projects.
How hard is the exam?
There is no one answer to this question but the general consensus is that the exam is not easy. Answers varied from, "I thought the exam was pretty hard, the questions are very specific," to "It was less difficult than I anticipated. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it was not as hard as I thought it would be." The exam covers a lot of information and many professionals interviewed commented that the questions are ambiguous and poorly worded.
One recently accredited professional explained, "I was surprised. The exam was more difficult than what I thought an accreditation exam would be like. It was easier than a licensing exam (engineering or architecture), but more challenging than the written exam you take at the DMV, and don't forget you studied for this exam. The questions are written to test you on how well you understand LEED, and not simply on how well you can regurgitate information you memorized."
How much should I study?
More than you think. How much you study will depend on several variables: How much do you know about the conventional building process (are you an architect who has worked on the design and construction of a building project or a real estate agent involved mainly with selling the property)? How much do you use LEED already? How well do you test?
"If you have no experience with LEED, I would recommend reading the Reference Guide cover to cover for base information and then dedicate about a day per credit. If you have some experience with LEED, you probably need to study over a 1-2 month period averaging 1-2 hours per night - about an hour a credit," explained a recently accredited architect. If you have no experience with LEED, you will need to dedicate more time per credit. How much more you study will depend on your own learning style. One architect stated that "a study session with others will help you filter what is important to know. I studied about 4 nights a week for 2½ weeks, approximately 3 hour a night. I'm a slow reader, so that's a factor." Another architect, but one with LEED project experience found that, "I studied about 30-40 hours in total over a one week period." An architect who took the exam recently recommends, "However a person studies for a test, that's how they should approach this one. I hadn't taken an exam since school, so that contributed to how much I studied - I was out of practice."
You might need less time, you might need more time. It depends on how well you can absorb, digest and retain information.
Taking the USGBC LEED Technical Review course provides a basis of knowledge related to LEED but most agree that it is "not an exam preparation course". Everyone interviewed agreed that test-takers must plan on studying on their own in addition to taking a course.
How should I study?
The most important material to study is the LEED Reference Manual. There is a different Reference Manual for each rating system (NC, CI, EB). Study the Reference Manual that correlates to the exam you're preparing to take. A civil engineer new to LEED said, "I read the book, re-read the credits and outlined the credits in writing, took the practice exams, then studied my outlines/notes and the study guide on the USGBC website." Below we have outlined five recommended steps for studying.
1. Read the Reference Manual. Not the free abridged Reference Manual (about 80 pages) that is available on the USGBC website, but the full LEED Reference Guide (over 200 pages) which you must buy (see below for information on purchasing). Read it to understand it, and read it cover to cover.
2. Study each credit. You can do this in study groups or on your own, but you need to dive into the credits and work the calculations. The best way to understand something is to apply it to a project you are working on. How much open space would your current project require? One architect recommended creating your own flash-cards and using them to study. If you are studying with others, you can each take a chapter and present it to the group.
3. Study the process of LEED. Spend at least a few study sessions on the other topics covered by the exam, such as LEED registration, the LEED certification process, and LEED online. For study materials, please visit http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1562. This material is often overlooked and is covered by the exam.
4. Reread the Reference Manual. Finally, read the manual again from cover to cover. You will be surprised how much you pick up the second time around. Try your hand at some of the practice questions available.
5. Take an exam prep course or USGBC Technical Review (This step is not necessary, but may be helpful for those who learn well in classroom settings or with the structure of a course. See below for more information on available courses.)
What should I study?
1. The LEED Reference Guide for New Construction, Existing Buildings, or Commercial Interiors. Study the manual that correlates to the test you plan to take and study it cover to cover. Spend the majority of your study time on this publication.
- To purchase the unabridged LEED Reference Guide from the USGBC, $150 for members, visit http://www.usgbc.org/Store/PublicationsList.aspx?CMSPageID=1518
- To purchase the unabridged LEED Reference Guide from Professional Publications Inc, $190, visit http://ppi2pass.com/ppi/PPIShop_ct_LEED (Other study materials are available through Professional Publications, and a discount may be available if you purchase a few items at a time.)
- For the free abridged version (81 pages) to get you started visit https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1095
2. Certification Process: Many people only focus on the material in the Reference Guide, and end up not studying for a significant portion of the exam. You should have an understanding of the process of LEED certification. For instance, what are the different stages during review? How long are these stages? For more information visit
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1497
3. Project Review Costs: Do you know how often you pay when getting a building certified? What is this cost based on? Visit http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=65&
4. LEED Templates: The best way to begin learning about project and team coordination is to study the LEED templates for credit submittals. These templates are only provided after you have registered a project; however the USGBC provides sample templates to the general public at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1447
5. LEED Online: The coordination and submission of credits goes through the LEED Online website. To access LEED Online you must have a project registered. However, some information on LEED Online is provide at http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1108 as well as http://www.usgbc.org/chapters/cascadia/docs/pdf/LOLOverview.pdf
6. Synergies: When studying the credits, understand the synergies between various credits and approaches as touched upon in the Reference Guide. Many questions don't focus on a single credit, but rather propose a project and ask how different applications within a project could apply to more than one credit.
What should I memorize?
The exam is closed book, and you should have a fair amount of information memorized. The following is a list, although not exhaustive, of items people who have taken the exam recommend memorizing:
1. Prerequisites: Can you name them all? How many in each section?
2. Reference Standards: Many credits cite an established industry standard. Know which reference standard goes with which credit. Some credits will have multiple reference standards depending on which option you pursue - know them all.
3. ASHRAE: The most common reference standards are various publications by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). Know them all - name, number, year and which credit they apply to. For example, ASHRAE 90.1-2004 is the Energy Code that is used as a reference for EAc1, Optimize Energy.
4. Credit Amounts: For some credits you have to achieve a certain percentage - know these. What is the difference between MRc7.1 and MRc7.2? (10% and 20% recycled content requirements).
5. Calculations: Although you might not need to have every equation memorized (some are pretty extensive), you need to know the simpler ones and know ALL the variables - what they mean and how they relate to each other. For example, if you increase the Tvis factor for EQc8, Daylight and Views, how does this affect the credit? Know what the inputs are for the energy model. One developer interviewed was surprised there were calculations and said, "be sure you can perform any simple credit calculations such as water use reduction, number of showers required, number of bike spots required, heat-island effect roof, heat island effect non- roof, number of parking spaces allowed, etc."
6. Options: Some credits have different prescribed compliance paths. Be able to answer a question like, "What is Option 2 is for SSc4.4?"
7. Exemplary Performance: Projects can earn an Innovation in Design (ID) point for certain credits by exceeding the credit target. Memorize what the threshold is to earn an additional ID point for the credit. For example, 40% water use reduction for WEc3 will earn a project an ID point.
Are there any study guides?
Officially, "No".
Unofficially, there have been a few created due to the demand for practice questions. The two main publications are from:
1. USGBC Colorado Chapter, http://www.usgbccolorado.com/resources/leed-studyguide.html
2. Professional Publications Inc*, http://ppi2pass.com/ppi/PPIShop_ct_LEED
* Professional Publications may offer a discount when you purchase the study guides with the Reference Guide.
For free sample questions put forth by the USGBC, download the "detailed exam specifications and sample questions" by visiting, http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1578
What workshops and courses are available?
The USGBC offers several workshops that go over LEED and the specifics of the Rating System in which you are interested. In general people find the full day workshops useful as a starting point for studying but still do additional studying on their own.
Many people ask if it is worth the money to partake in a LEED workshop or online course. It depends. You can pass the exam by studying on your own, but if you can afford the trainings, they can be helpful.
1. "LEED Technical Reviews: Credit Requirements & Process": An all day workshop that is held most frequently as "LEED for New Construction Technical Review". A great resource to become more familiar with the LEED rating system, integrated design and potential strategies, it will help you prepare for the exam but is not intended to be a test review session. These sessions can be helpful in preparing for the exam or project work, but are only part of a study plan. Cost: $345 members, $445 non-members, $150 students. The LEED NC sessions are generally held once every three months. The LEED CI and EB sessions are usually held once or twice a year, based on demand. For upcoming locations and dates visit, http://www.usgbc.org/Workshops/Workshoplist.aspx.
2. "Essentials of LEED Professional Accreditation": An online course to help you study for the exam. People who have taken the course in the past felt the handouts were helpful, but the questions were too simple and did not accurately reflect the style of questions on the LEED AP exam. Cost: $150 members, $200 non-members. For more information visit, http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1449&.
As LEED becomes more popular organizations are providing assistance ranging from trainings to information guides like this one.
1. ARE Forum: Informal discussion platform about the LEED AP exam, http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum12/
2. The Boston Architectural College (The BAC) offers a selection of continuing education courses around LEED and sustainable design. You can view current offerings at: http://www.the-bac.edu/x350.xml
3. The Cascadia USGBC Chapter has compiled a list of useful resources. For more information visit, http://www.cascadiagbc.org/resources/leedap-study-materials.
4. The Green Roundtable and NEXUS Green Building Resource Center also offers resources to those preparing for the LEED AP exam. Free resources include: a monthly drop-in participant led LEED AP study session, a monthly Lunch and LEED introductory session, and a monthly Boston LEED Users Group meeting. For more information on these and other events, click here. More in-depth fee-for-service test preparation sessions may be available upon request.
5. USGBC Forum: informal discussion platform where LEED AP exam appears frequently, http://www.usgbc.org/forum/Thread.aspx?TopicID=93Many people ask if it is worth the money to partake in a LEED workshop or online course. It depends. You can pass the exam by studying on your own, but if you can afford the trainings, they can be helpful.
What are the questions like?
There is no one answer to this question but the general consensus is that the exam is not easy. When asked, Interviewees' answers ranged from "I thought the exam was pretty hard, the questions are very specific," to "It was less difficult than I anticipated. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it was not as hard as I thought it would be." The exam covers a lot of information and many professionals interviewed commented that specific, ambiguous, and poorly worded questions made the exam more difficult than they had anticipated.
The questions are different than your traditional multiple choice questions. The main difference is that you are often asked to choose multiple answers. The following is an example provided by the USGBC:
For a 200-occupant, all-residential condominium, the architect's plan indicates the use of bicycle racks that hold 10 bicycles inside the parking structure. What must the architect do to comply with SS Credit 4.2, Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms? (Choose two).
a. Replace the bicycle racks with bicycle lockers
b. Increase the number of bicycle racks to hold 30 bicycles
c. Provide two shower/changing rooms in the parking structure, one for each gender
d. Confirm that he bicycle storage location is within 200 yards of the building entrance
For more sample questions put forth by the USGBC, download the "detailed exam specifications and sample questions" by visiting, http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1578. By the way, the answer is B and D.
An architect who recently took the exam explained, "The test covered material on general sustainable design knowledge and LEED specifics, but the majority of the exam required you to be able to strategize about project scenarios."
If a question asks you to choose three answers, and there are four that seem correct, rethink the question. The test is not wrong. Chances are one of them is a trick answer. It may be correct for some question about LEED but not this one. You need to understand each LEED credit in detail in order to not be tricked.
There are a total of 80 questions but the exam uses a scaled scoring process. You need a score of 170 out of 200 to pass. Based on a very informal poll, about 1 in 8 people did not pass the exam their first time round.
Some sample questions from The USGBC for the LEED-NC v2.2 can be found at,
https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2159
How much does it cost?
If your organization or your company is a USGBC Member, the exam costs $250. The cost is $350 for nonmembers. At this time, there are no continuing education requirements, so this is a one time fee - if you pass. If you need to, you can retake the exam without a waiting period, but you need to pay every time you take the test. Also, if you don't have the Reference Guide or access to one through your firm, you will need to purchase a copy. For the LEED NC-v2.2 Reference Guide, the cost is $150 for USGBC members and $200 for nonmembers. There is a discount if you purchase the Reference Guide with a full day LEED Technical Review.
How do I take the test?
LOGISTICS: The test is a computer based test that you take at a Prometrics Testing Center. You schedule your own exam. There are no set times the test is offered. For more information on the logistics of taking the exam, download the Candidate Handbook at:
https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2158
To register and schedule an exam, go to: https://www.usgbc.org/myUSGBC/Accreditation/ApplyForExam.aspx?Cat egoryID=1306&CMSPageID=1566
Test taking strategies recommended by recently accredited professionals:
1. Write down everything you have memorized a on the scrap paper you are provided with. One recent test taker says, "I recommend writing down the Reference Standards at a minimum."
2. Tag Questions: The test allows you to tag questions for you to review before time is up. Use this feature to mark questions you are unsure about. As you take the test, you might find information in other questions that will help you determine the answer to the marked question.
3. Take your time: Generally, people find they have enough time to take the exam and go back and review their answers in the two hours given. So don't rush too quickly, and read the questions and answers thoroughly.
In the end, there is no easy answer to what you need to study. Don't stop here. Talk with other people about their experience. Good luck!