7/1/09 Update: The LEED AP exam has significantly changed, and the following sample exam has not been updated to reflect this. Please use the information if it's helpful--but no guarantees of anything. And by the way, if you are looking to learn about the LEED 2009 rating systems, there's no better tool out there than our own LEEDuser.com.4/4/09 Update: For all those who have asked questions about specific questions on this sample exam, I have posted a comment below with comprehensive answers. The exam has also been updated as of today for minor corrections.11/21/08 Update: I've posted a report from Greenbuild on what GBCI has planned for overhauling the LEED AP credit. Get ready to be a "Legacy LEED AP"...
Dear LEED-AP Exam Taker,
The attached document (see the end of the post) is a sample LEED-AP exam, available to members of BuildingGreen.com. You can join for as little as $12.95 for one week, which is all you need to downoad the exam.
I designed it to help me assess my command of the LEED-NC material in preparation for the LEED-AP exam. I wrote many of the questions based on fairly specific tenets of the LEED Reference Guide and associated materials. You'll have to not only understand the general intent and requirements of credits, but you may also have to go back to the material and and dig in deeper to understand the answers. The questions are challenging, so unless you really know the material, you will have to go back to the LEED Reference Guide and other sources to understand the answers.
This approach helped me study and pass the exam, and I think it will help you.
I want to pause here and emphasize that passing the LEED-AP exam, and more importantly, working in green building in general, is about more than memorization. I spent a year and a half immersed in green building – on staff at Environmental Building News and taking sustainable design classes through the Boston Architectural College's online certificate program – before I decided to study intensively and take the exam. Without the broader understanding of green building that I gained in that way, I would have had a much harder time passing the exam. Even if I had passed it, I wouldn't have known what to do with it.
Therefore I'd like to recommend the following resources to you:
Environmental Building News. Since 1992, EBN is the authoritative source on green building news and information, including keeping you up to date on LEED. Subscriptions are well worth the modest price tag.
GreenSpec Directory. Our editors screen out the greenwash, and organize over 2,000 green products by CSI section, and cross-reference them by green attributes (such as recycled content) and by LEED credits. Available in print and online.
BuildingGreen Suite. Our online resources are rolled into a product we call BuildingGreen Suite, which lives on our website, BuildingGreen.com. There are numerous membership options.
Before you download the exam, I leave you with these last notes:
This exam is not designed to simulate the actual LEED-AP exam. I wrote it myself with no firsthand knowledge of the exam. Now having passed the test, I think it's great training material.
I have taken several of the sample exams out there, and I most highly recommend the USGBC Colorado Chapter practice exam. The Colorado exam is particularly helpful because it comes with an entire study guide, and the answers are explained, which is not the case here, although you can refer to many of the comments below for explanations.
I recommend taking at least two sample tests – one fairly early in your process, and one fairly late. The first one helps you orient to the demands of the exam, assess where you're at, and focus on where you need to work. The second one helps give you confidence before the exam, and refine your approach. So while I recommend the Colorado exam, this exam can be a second option.
There is an answer key but not explanations of answers. All questions are drawn from available materials such as the Reference Guide and the USGBC and GBCI websites, so answers can be explained through reference to those materials. If you want to discuss any specific questions or aspects of the exam, however, please do so in the comments section below.
Use of this sample exam, like all material on BuildingGreen.com, is subject to this disclaimer.
You may only obtain this exam from this website: do not share it with others, or accept it from others. Please share the link to this page instead. If there are any revisions or updates, you will be getting the most recent version. When this test becomes outdated at the end of June 2009, we may withdraw it from use pending writing a new exam.
I took three sample tests in the final stages of preparing for the LEED AP test. I took this sample test four days before I was sceduled to take the actual test. I got 35% correct. It really concerned me so I studied the wrong answers and kept going. I was still studying the morning of the actual test. I passed the test. I think the difficult questions on the BuildingGreen.com test helped me see some details that I would have overlooked otherwise.
Hi Tristan - Rebecca found some of the questions I thought were wrong, but also:
Question 20 requires you to choose 4 but the answer key only has 3 answers listed.
Question 22 - 17.5% is the threshold needed to achieve the ID point for renewable energy, so although it's likely that adding the photovoltaics would improve the building's energy performance, #A seems like the more correct answer.
Question 49 - The "Guidelines for CIR Customers" on the USGBC web site states under #d "if the answer isn't found consider contacting LEED customer service to confirm that it warrents a new CIR" - which seems an awful lot like letter C of your question.
Question 66 - 25% recycled content for steel is the default where "no recycled content information is available" - maybe it would be good to clearify in the question that the supplier has no way of documenting that her steel is 80% recycled.
Sorry to be so nit-picky. I really liked a lot of your questions.
Several questions on this practice exam asked about a "credit", yet the answer was a "prerequisite." I kept thinking this was a trick question and should disregard all the answers that said prereq, even if they made sense. Does anyone know if this is a "trick" on the real exam, or if when they ask "credit", they also mean "prerequisite"?
Your question 34 answers are misleading. You ask what calculations are REQUIRED for EA Credit 4. No calculations are required if option 1 is selected "Do not use refrigerants". I'd reword this question for more accuracy referencing Option 2 of this credit, where these calculations ARE required.
Your answers to question 31 are misleading. You list E as one of the correct answers which is "there is a direct path of sidewalks and crosswalks on the street your building is located on, to surrounding developments including the downtown". This isn't necessarily a correct answer unless it is within 1/2 mile of the downtown area and the distance isn't listed in the answer, so how can one assume this is a correct answer? It could be connected and be MILES from the downtown area!
Another question I'd like to challenge in your exam: In your question #19- your answer is B for 30 percent required for passible systems using some mechanical ventilation. This is wrong! The credit guide says that 30% is for mechanical systems (which would make your answer D. for "active systems be correct. It is true I believer for B and D! Please verify and correct your exam!
I'd like to verify another question on your test that I think is inaccurate. You ask in question 10, which credit requires submission of PHOTOS. Your answer is EQ Credit 8.2 for daylight and views. I have reviewed the submission requirements and there is no mention that photos are required. Please confirm or explain why you have this in your test! Or explain where this is indicated, please!
You say that you have corrected your errata on this made up exam, but I have found some more I'd like to verify.
On question #7 you ask what is a REQUIREMENT of SS Credit 8-Light pollution reduction- and list A as on of the correct answers. A is an OPTION not a REQUIREMENT! So I got your answer wrong, but I was right! Please verify and correct your exam.
I am filling out the Accreditation Profile for the LEED AP exam. I am an architect and am not familiar with the LEED process. I have 2 questions:
1. Do I want to take both the LEED for New Construction and Leed for Commercial Interiors tests? I assume so.
2. I am not able to proceed with submitting the Accreditation Profile due to not knowing what to put in the Affiliation and Affiliation's Website URL boxes.
I have until Tuesday, April 7 to complete this submittal.
Stan, you only need to take one exam to become a LEED AP. Different tracks are provided depending on your expertise. I don't know what the affiliation is referring to. I suggest you ask GBCI about this.
I've only started taking the exam and here is what I have found for issues:
Question 6 - The solution says that products certified under Green Label Plus and FloorScore can help a project comply with EQc4.3, Low Emitting Materials. However, This credit is for carpet systems only and FloorScore is a rating system for other floor types. It is also not referenced in the Reference Guide.
Question 13: What is the intent of SS Credit 5.2, Site development and maximize open space. The answer is C)Promote a high ratio of open space to development footprint to promote biodiversity, taken verbatum from the credit. The answer guide says it is A), however, this is actually the intent of SS Credit 5.1
Thanks to everyone who has studied this exam and asked questions. And I especially thank those people who helped out by jumping in and answering questions. Below, in order, are all of the questions that have been posed in comments that hadn't been answered. Please check existing comments before posting a new question. Enjoy, and as always, good luck.
-Tristan Roberts
"Comment on Question 6. I believe there is only one correct choice (not 2). To comply with EQ c4.3 the correct answer is C green label plus."
Thanks to the commenter who answered this already. Read the CIRs as part of your studying! They provide real world examples that are much more interesting than the reference guide!
"On question #7 you ask what is a REQUIREMENT of SS Credit 8-Light pollution reduction- and list A as on of the correct answers. A is an OPTION not a REQUIREMENT!"
The question does not ask "what MUST you do to comply with SSc8?" It asks what are requirements of SSc8? If you read the reference guide for this credit, it is clear that two of the answers are requirements (listed as options in that section of the credit language), and two are not.
"You ask in question 10, which credit requires submission of PHOTOS. Your answer is EQ Credit 8.2 for daylight and views. I have reviewed the submission requirements and there is no mention that photos are required. Please confirm or explain why you have this in your test!"
The answer key says "D) EQ Credit 3.1, Construction IAQ Management Plan," not EQ Credit 8.2.
"Does anyone knows why Quest. 15 does not include B ?"
Answer B is a red herring. Ductwork is part of the mechanical system, and its CSI section is not one of those that qualify for this credit. Check the reference guide for detail on this.
"Can you clarify the answers for question 17. How do I relate the constructed pavilion to SSc 7.2 and SSc5.1? One of the answers is C EQp2."
The removal of the smoking pavilion does not change any calculations for the ETS prereq. It does, however, change the open space on the site, and it also changes the amount of roof area on the site.
"In your question #19- your answer is B for 30 percent required for passible systems using some mechanical ventilation. This is wrong! The credit guide says that 30% is for mechanical systems (which would make your answer D. for "active systems be correct. It is true I believer for B and D! Please verify and correct your exam!"
Please double-check the LEED requirements in the reference guide. Mixed-mode ventilation systems have to have a 30% increase. What's a "passible" system?
"Your answers to question 31 are misleading. You list E as one of the correct answers which is "there is a direct path of sidewalks and crosswalks on the street your building is located on, to surrounding developments including the downtown". This isn't necessarily a correct answer unless it is within 1/2 mile of the downtown area and the distance isn't listed in the answer, so how can one assume this is a correct answer? It could be connected and be MILES from the downtown area!"
Using the process of elimination, it is the only remaining answer that is even possible. This strategy should come in handy on the actual exam.
"Your question 34 answers are misleading. You ask what calculations are REQUIRED for EA Credit 4. No calculations are required if option 1 is selected "Do not use refrigerants". I'd reword this question for more accuracy referencing Option 2 of this credit, where these calculations ARE required."
Good point. Corrected.
"For question 35, I can't find any information on "Section 08 44 00: Wood Doors." Please advise."
This is referring to the LEED compliance for how to specify FSC content on your project. LEED asks you to specify this in every individual specification involving wood, rather than in general requirements.
"I'd like to know the rationale for why B is a correct answer for question 36. I don't find any logical reason for why earning SS2 would necessarily interfere with EQ8 or vice-versa."
Higher density, either from adjacent buildings or from a deeper floorplate for your own building, could easily make it harder to provide all of your spaces with views and daylight. I believe the reference guide even suggests this.
"You have a typo on question 52. answer D "requesting an audit of up the denied credits". What do you mean to say here?sbs"
Thank you. Corrected. The word "up" needed to be removed.
"question: i don't understand Question 56. The answer states that with ID credit 1 and EQ credit 4, low emitting materials, the project can gain enough credits to go from certified to Gold (8 points). How is this possible if there are no exemplary credits allowed for EQ credit 4?"
There are 4 points available in IDc1, and 4 points available in EQc4. That makes 8, enough for Gold.
"56 con't : by the same reasoning, I see D as a correct answer. you start out with 32 points ("one point short of Silver"). Then you get EQ4 and MR1 and you've got 34 (32 + 1 +1 = 34)??"
There are 4 points available within EQc4, and 3 points in MRc1. You would overshoot Silver if you attained all of these.
"question 55: E is a silly choice... yes you need to register your project before LEED would ever even have the chance to deny you credits, but overall this is boognish."
I googled this "boognish." It seems to be a Ween reference, referring to a "Demon God who has shown himself thrice to the prophet brothers Deaner and Gener. Resides somewhere outside the orbital buffer. Tradition has it that this entity holds a sceptor in each hand: that of wealth and that of power." People would probably complain if I put that on the test. I'll just leave it as is -- it's clear enough.
"For question 50, how do I relate LEED Scorecard with assigning project team roles? Do you know where can I find the information in the Reference Guide?"
This is not in the reference guide. This is part of LEED Online and is discussed on the LEED website. This is a good reminder that the LEED AP exam tests you on the whole LEED process, not only the reference guide.
"For question 54, shouldn't the answer be B? For EAc1 option 2, if the building is less than 20,000 square feet, a project can use ASHRAE "Advanced Energy Design Guide.""
This credit has been updated since the 3rd edition of the Reference Guide was written. There is an earlier comment on question 54 above.
"For question 66, how did you come up with 25% as the answer? Shouldn't the answer be E 80%? We count 100% of post-consumer and 50% of pre-consumer."
Another commenter has addressed this. The provider hasn't given you enough documentation to claim 80%, so steel being a special case as discussed in the reference guide, you default to 25%.
"In question #69, how does answer E, daylighting and views, help reduce cooling loads?"
Reduced electric lighting from daylighting, thus reduced heat output of that lighting, reduces cooling loads.
"question 71: There is no Exemplary Performance point possible for MR1, thus B is not a correct answer. D would be the only correct answer."
C and D are given as the correct answers here. I agree that B is not correct.
Question 15 - According to your solution, rigid foam insulation with a corn-derived binder contributes to the rapidly renewable content, while cotton insulated ductwork does not. However, cotton batt insulation was listed in the credit as one of the acceptable materials. The rigid foam insulation (which is terrible for the environment) uses the binder which is a rapidly renewable resourse, however the percentage is so small it will hardly contribute. I would definilty say the cotton batt is a better choice, but according to your answers this is wrong. Any guidance on this?
Question 21 - Data required for compliance with WE Credit 3. Your solutions were C) Lav. flow rates, D) duration of use, and F)male to female ratio. I agree with (c), however, duration of use is not required in any submittal, in fact default values are assumed by EPA 1992, and a default male ratio of 1:1 is always assumed, unless you decide to override it, but this is not required.
It's me again... sorry about all the posts! Just wondering, about FloorScore, the only place I could find it referenced is the new LEED for Retail Manual. I searched through the Erratas, is it in a CIR?
I see where i went wrong with some of this stuff. I'm trying to become familiar with many of the errata for the reference guide (unfortunately i have v2.2 edition one), however, is it necessary to read many of the CIRs to be properly prepared for the exam, or is it good enough just to know this is where you should go if you have a credit you are unsure of before submitting your own CIR
Rebecca, thanks for your careful read of the exam! The answer key was wrong for question 13, so I fixed it, and I reworded question 21 to make it more clear. The other two questions are correct as written but I don't want to give away the logic too quickly. With question 6, on EQc4.3, I'd encourage you to look for more updated information than what's in the Reference Guide. (Remember that much of what is tested is not in the reference guide, but also online, for example.) For question 15 and MRc6, check out the reference guide and which types of materials are included and excluded in determining the total materials cost. Email me if you're still not sure.
Hi Tristan, thank you for the nice sample exam it is very helpful, but i must agree with Debbie about the 49th question regarding the CIR and the question 22. Thank you again.
I'm so glad everyone's banging away at this! You're making the exam better. If only the actual exam had an feedback process like this! I won't use it as a defense of incorrect wording in my practice exam, but my advice would be to not be surprised to see typos and poorly worded questions on the actual exam -- I did and I have heard that from others, too. The best way to deal with this is to simply look for the best possible answer. Also, eliminate obviously incorrect answers to help zero in on the "best" answer, even if you don't like the look of it.
Here are my responses to your questions on the exam:
Question 22 - Please check to see if a credit for exemplary performance is allowed under EA Credit 2. According to the LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide (although I only have the first edition), it isn't. Sound unfair? The good news is that on-site renewables also count toward compliance with EA Credit 1, which is what the question is looking for.
Question 49 - Gotta love USGBC's attempts to be more friendly to customers! Thanks for noting this -- I have changed the question.
Question 66 - I clarified the wording of this question.
You need to answer about 60% of the questions correctly to pass the LEED AP Exam. There are a number of books that you can use to prepare for LEED AP Exam:
1. USGBC Reference Guide. Since you need to pass at least one of the three LEED Exams (LEED-NC, LEED-CI, LEED-EB) to become a LEED AP, you first need to decide which one of the 3 exams you want to take. You need to select the correct version of the Reference Guide for your exam. Most people tend to take LEED-NC exam to become LEED AP.
The USGBC Reference Guide is comprehensive, but it gives too much information. A lot of the calculations in the book are too detailed for the exam.
2. The USGBC workshops and related handouts are concise, but they do not cover extra credits (exemplary performance).
3. LEEDPASS is a good book for LEED AP Exam Preparation. It gives you enough information to pass the exam. It is concise and can save you a lot of time. Some people are turned off by the English grammatical errors. If you are easily bothered by English grammatical errors, this book is not for you. It does have some errors in spelling and grammar, but I can still understand what the author is trying to say.
Some of the answers to sample questions in LEEDPASS are probably wrong. For example, in order to get to the “correct” answer of the book for questions 375 and 399, you need to think “Provide bicycle rack for 5 percent of FTE within 200 yards” can gain 1 point, but the fact is you need to “Provide bicycle rack for 5 percent of FTE within 200 yards AND provide shower and changing facilities for 0.5% of FTE” to get 1 point.
I have done additional research and I have just finished a LEED AP Exam prep book called “LEED AP Exam Guide: Study Materials, Sample Questions, Mock Exam, Building LEED Certification (LEED-NC) and Going Green.” It includes all the advantages of existing LEED books and my own experience and tips as well as the latest LEED AP Exam information. It can be very helpful to you. It is available now as an e-book at: http://outskirtspress.com/examguide
The paperback version should be available at amazon and bn.com as well as other major online stores in several weeks.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated"
Hello all,
I'd liked to offer our LEED Exam Prep Courses as a resource. Our live, in class, instructor-led courses are a great way to get started with LEED and we offer advanced training courses for people who've studied on their own and want to check their readiness for the test. You will learn exactly what you need to know to pass the LEED Exam to become LEED Certified.
Debbie (and anyone else taking this practice test) -- I think it would be most helpful for me and probably others if you gave examples of specific questions that you aren't sure about. A number of questions are designed to test very specific knowledge, and some questions reference changes to LEED that have been made by USGBC decisions, and/or CIRs that can apply to any project.
I visited the site many times to find comments, articles and the mock exam very helpfull to pass the exam. However I want to remind everyone preparing the exam that at least 50% of the answers for the exam are not to be find on the LEED guide but on the administrative process to certified a LEED project.
Plan enough time to search these answers: CIRs, Project Administrator, Application process, Appealing a project, and LEED-Online submittal.
Best luck
Awesome.. I am trying to absorb any information I can to prepare for the Exam. Has anyone heard of Clean Edison?? I actually will also be attending classes this year, a two day intensive course from Cleanedison.com geared towards passing the exam the first time. I think they even provide lunch for all the students. Plus the course also goes beyond the classroom..since they offer online courses also as well as private tutoring, flash cards, practice exams, even access to a job database. I'm looking forward to it.
David, the answer key at the end of the exam is correct. If you've read through the comments you've seen a lot of questions about the accuracy of questions. Whenever warranted, the exam has been updated and the answer key is correct. Some of the questions are designed to trip one up, of course!
The reason it is not any of the MR1 credits is because the square footage for the resultant building is more than 2 times the sqft of the existing building.
responding to Bill's question back in Oct on #66... refer to page 272 of the reference guide, "default recycled content" for steel is 25%. I just read that this AM while studying and wanted to post here for those first blogging this site like me.... although it says the supplier attempt to use 80% that is not documented so I assume it cannot be used..... I have found this exam to be very helpful and as I sit for the exam next week I hope to be able to post later that it helped me PASS!!!
Sam, it looks like GBCI is really struggling with the traffic. But it does appear to be operational. This is the message currently posted:
Due to the unprecedented volume of candidates attempting to register for the LEED AP for New Construction and Commercial Interiors exams, the GBCI website has been experiencing technical difficulties. Due to these difficulties, only exam registration is available on the website at this time. The registration deadline for the current exams has been extended until 11:59 p.m. Pacific, April 1, 2009.
I'd like to know the rationale for why B is a correct answer for question 36. I don't find any logical reason for why earning SS2 would necessarily interfere with EQ8 or vice-versa
question 55: E is a silly choice... yes you need to register your project before LEED would ever even have the chance to deny you credits, but overall this is boognish.
question 71: There is no Exemplary Performance point possible for MR1, thus B is not a correct answer. D would be the only correct answer.
I took and failed the test last week. Got a score of 168. The experience has left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I studied the GBCI Reference Manual in prep for the test and downloaded their sample test.The test was on much more of the process than I expected. If you just study the Reference Manual you will not pass. You have to go into GBCI's web page and learn about the process. The sample test on this web page is much closer to the real test. There were also some very tricky questions. I had one on SSCr4 about providing showers for cyclist. It asked how many shower rooms were required for a building of a certain number of square feet. I did not know the answer to this because as far as I could find, I thought this was dictated by the number of employees!?!?!
56 con't : by the same reasoning, I see D as a correct answer. you start out with 32 points ("one point short of Silver"). Then you get EQ4 and MR1 and you've got 34 (32 + 1 +1 = 34)??
Hi, Jeffrey, i just took this practice "exam" this morning and there is a lot of figuring out to do.
With respect to Question 56: I believe what is being assumed is that you get (all) 4 points in ID cr. 1 AND (all) 4 points in EQ cr. 4 (4.1 through 4.4).
Jeffrey
Quest. 6 ans. E will become clear if you visit http://www.scscertified.com/ecoproducts/indoorairquality/floorscore.html
this site explains that floorscore is related to EQ 4.3, I was also confused & couldn't find it anywhere in the ref. guide & googled it.
Does anyone knows why Quest. 15 does not include B ?
question: i don't understand Question 56. The answer states that with ID credit 1 and EQ credit 4, low emitting materials, the project can gain enough credits to go from certified to Gold (8 points). How is this possible if there are no exemplary credits allowed for EQ credit 4?
Redgy,
Congratulations on passing the exam! I certainly agree that people shouldn't put too much emphasis on this free exam -- the Reference Guide and the actual exam are pretty much all that matters.
That said, the test has been downloaded thousands of times and dozens of people have sent very helpful comments on improving it, which I have gratefully used. I don't think there is any practice exam out there that incorporates this level of feedback.
Yes, it is tough and yes it is even tricky in a few places. My goal was not to write a practice exam that anyone would pass with 100% correct, but to write an exam that would send you back looking for information deep within the recesses of the Reference Guide and other supporting resources.
And yes, providing information on the actual exam is grounds for losing the AP accreditation, but no one has yet accused me of that -- my practice exam is much harder!
To All,
I'm sure Tristan is well-meaning in trying to help everyone pass the LEED test, but please do not put too much trust in this free test. I passed the test on friday with a 188 (this was my second attempt. My first attempt was a 168 score!) The second time around, I really focussed on the reference guide and the material on the USGBC website and LEED online. I got a 57% on Tristan's test (which in my opinion is way harder than the actual test, and may contain some questionable material, at best) but obviously did just fine on the real thing. Tristan should be careful in disseminating LEED test information to the public as this is grounds for loosing your accredidation. Good luck to all. You can do it!
Hi everyone, good luck in this final stretch of the LEED v.2.2 exam!
Regarding EAc2 and question 63, take a closer look at the question and the credit requirements. Is there anything about these renewable sources that would disqualify them from the credit?
On question 78 and SSc6, I agree that the answers were worded ambiguously and I have revised them in the edition of the test now on the site.
I'm studing for the exam at the end of this month, so I'm grateful for any free resources I can find. But I just took your exam and I would swear that some of the answers to questions are wrong. Maybe I'm cross-eyed from too much studing, but I wonder if anyone else out there agrees?
Please check out LEEDAPHELP.com. I sell practice exams to help people with the exam. Testing is also expensive but there are people like myself that have spent over 100 hours to prepare practice questions to geniunely help others study. I can't give them away but I don't charge alot either. For just 20 dollars I sell 240 practice questions, flashcards and more to people prepare so that they shouldn't have to retest once or even three times at 300 dollars a pop. All my information is designed with LEED NC the common type of rating system used. Check out LEEDAPHELP.com do yourself a favor. Thanks for looking and email me with questions
Therefore I'd like to recommend the following resources to you:
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