Comments on: LEED AP Celebration Giveaway!

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:43:20 +0000

Oops, typo! SMACNA – sorry about that

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:41:02 +0000

Hi, just passed the NC 1.0 exam in Canada. The main surprise was they specified just about every credit number and title in each question. They are looking for a good understanding of the process rather than a memory of the credit numbers. I would suggest reading the reference guide twice if you have the time. Know your ASHRAE, SMACMA, SCAQMD standards etc. This knowledge is expected. Best of luck to everyone.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:58:45 +0000

Well I passed by one point on my second try, and did even more poorly in “Implementing LEED Process” than the 1st time. Luckily my other division scores improved to take me over the bar.
I thank the stars for finding this site and all its helpful tips.
I used the “braindump” method sugested here, after spending 10-15 minutes reviewing before signing in, and immediately “dumped” all I could recall on the given worksheets. Know the ASHRAE standards and quickly what each pertains to….Both exams had a question about “amount of required fresh air infiltration prior to occupancy”,…Know of the CIR process and credit appeals,..know that Fees based on SQUARE FOOTAGE”,…study the sample credit templates on the USGBC site, as they contain all the needed credit criteria,…

By: riddhi

riddhi — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:30:38 +0000

For all visual ppl like me the best approach i find-
1)read the material like a novel first-step by step,
2)make color charts with points(visual charts),
3)follow pat’s site and any mock exam questions.
4)relearn then to memorize
the brain picks up if a giffy..
Wish me luck!!!

By: Mohammad Najafi

Mohammad Najafi — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:50:55 +0000

12.5% reneable energy obtains 3 points in EAC2.

By: SEan

SEan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:47:57 +0000

I read somewhere that a score of 170 equates to answering 60% of the questions correct. Can anyone substiatet this or let me know how many questions do (on average ) need to be correct out of the 80.

Signed
mortified

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:34:52 +0000

Hey Bradley,

It sounds like those classes were pretty awesome. If you want, can you mention who administered them so others may have a chance to enjoy those same courses?

About the Colorado Chapter Study Guide and Practice Exam, i believe they have questions that are much like the real exam – a little more difficult and of the same language as the exam questions, which is always nice. Also, the answer key has some nice explanations about correct answers as well.

The rest of the guide is just well-written and well-organized and has some valuable information on it too. The general word of mouth is, it’s a great guide.

Glad to see you too are passionate about LEED. Best of luck to you on your exam and feel free to ask as many questions here as you’d like.

Cheers!

By: bradley

bradley — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:28:46 +0000

Just started studying for NC. Took 8 hour NC course in Gainesville, FL at UF by some outstanding LEED APs. Have all the material and registered for study group and online practice exams.

My question is…why is the Colorado chapter and exam mentioned consistently. What do they offer that others aren’t? Seems like a holy grail of LEED reference….besides this kick *ss site you have here!!! I’m enjoying the passion from everyone, its really cool to have a bond with someone you don’t even know.

By: Yvonne Ing

Yvonne Ing — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:02:03 +0000

Make sure that you start study early in the game.

By: phil

phil — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:35:53 +0000

Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before your testing time.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:30:14 +0000

I’m an industrial engineer and I also passed today! My suggestions: Memorize all the standards in the reference guide (know the difference, for example, between ATSM E1903-97 and ATSM E 1980) and visualize a building scenario for each and every credit so you truly understand reqirements, stategies, synergies, and dysergies, between the credits.

By: vg

vg — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:11:35 +0000

study reference manual page by page

By: Blair

Blair — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:46:28 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Rather than post a “TIP” i thought I would post a question. (My tip would be to ask lots of questions because often this leeds to robust dialogue with others where you learn a lot.)

I have a few questions I just encountered regarding editions and errata.

1. What edition is the exam based on?

2. Does the Errata on the USGBC site reflect all of the changes that have been made to the subsequent editions?

For example – I noticed there is an error in MR credit 6 which requires 2.5% rapidle renable materials. However, the example they give under Approach & Implementation shows 5% as the requirement. ($225,000 is 5% of 4.5 million – pg 278) this error is not addressed in the Errata – is it possible this mistake has not been caught yet?

Also, the EP for this credit lists 10% as the requirement. Someone mentioned in a forum that the requirement for this credit is only 5% for EP. (Hence the Doubling of the Requiremnt per ID) However, I do not see this reflected in the Errata on USGBC.

3. Is it acceptable for me to study from the 1st edition? I’d hope that the past month of studying has not been based on the incorrect matieral!

4. One additional question regarding EPs. It is unclear to me when/why the Ref Manual addresses EP and when it is addressed via an ID credit. For example, EAc6-Green Power is addressed in my manual as 35% for 2 year contract. Under EP it states – there is none for this credit. However, I’ve seen on this forum & practice questions that 70% for 2 years or 35% for 4 years is acceptable. If this is the case – is this simply an ID credit which has been approved for other projects so it is anticipated due to “Doubling” or is this actually listed in the newer version of the manual?

I’m really confused and would greatly appreicate anyones input before I take my exam.

Thanks so much!

By: SIG

SIG — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:29:21 +0000

TIP:

Study and when you feel ready, take the Colorado study guide’s sample exam untimed. Look up each answer as you go along (after attempting it of course) and then carefully research both the correct answers as well as the wrong answers. Read enough to KNOW the facts that the question is trying to test. Not just the facts pertaining to the right answers, but also the facts that the question is trying to mislead you with.

After you do this, you will know a lot more. At this point attempt the USGBC sample questions. Research them the same way.

Lastly sit down for the LEED Sample exam for an actual timed test. Take it like a real test and try to take 1 min. per question.

When you’re done, score it, and then research each question & answer.

Viola – you’ll be ready to take the real thing.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:37:46 +0000

To All:

Great Tips everybody! I hope people will come here to read those helpful hints by each and every one of you. Thanks again!

To Dan:

I chose LEED NC for a few reasons:
1) I knew it had the most study material and most others were studying for that same exam, so I thought I could form a study group easier if i wanted to. Needless to say, I didn’t form any study groups, but I did start this website!
2) I knew I wanted to take LEED NC because that is what my career entails, new construction. If I was doing more tenant improvements or homes, i’d pick LEED CI or LEED HOMES, respectively.

I believe all are of the same difficulty. But I cannot say since I’ve only taken the LEED NC exam. My advice is that if you are doing mostly Existing Buildings, then LEED EB woul dbe the way to go. Luckily tracks other than NC are becoming more popular and more study guides and practice exams are coming out. Hope this helps!

To Lorainne:

Congratulations on passing. I know the feeling of seeing that “pass” on the screen, its such a relief!! Thats a great tip about the practice exams: one should always look up the reasons why they got questions wrong, its the best way to learn from your mistakes and remember why answers are correct. Best of luck to you and again, congrats!

By: lorraine tunis doo

lorraine tunis doo — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:35:41 +0000

i passed my leed exam on april 19th, and cried when the screen popped up and said “pass” – i am not an architect, builder, landscape designer, energy modeler, contractor… i am a public health advocate and health policy advisor for the federal government. but i wanted to learn and take the test… I studied for several months, read the reference guide and made many charts myself (and used your site as well). One of the most useful things you can do is to do sample tests – and don’t be afraid to look up the answers you don’t know or that you get wrong. that’s a type of studying too, and you sure won’t forget what you got wrong! You must also KNOW the intent and requirements for each section because the ability to integrate between credits is critical… for example, any change you make to the ventilation system could impact energy savings…. and finally, DO review on-line leed and all of the guidance on certification CIRs, appeals etc… quite an experience! good luck.

By: DAN

DAN — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:27:37 +0000

How did you choose which of the exam tracks to get the LEED AP cert & why? Most of my interest is the NC track, but most of my real world application would be in EB. Is one eaiser than the other? Anyone taken both? Any advice?

By: MICHAEL DEVUONO

MICHAEL DEVUONO — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:44:36 +0000

My Tip:

When in doubt – C

It worked for the PE!

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:31:48 +0000

My tip: when reading the reference guide, note carefully everything within the shaded boxes at the beginning of the credit. Intent, referenced standards, submittals, etc. Almost everything you need for most questions is in there.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:47:57 +0000

My tip:
Easy way to remember Credit SS6.1

Option 1
for imperviousness < or = 50%
post-development 50%
25% less volume of stormwater runoff

Jacob

By: razkal

razkal — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:14:49 +0000

Your gut instinct is usually the best approach to answering multiple choice, You can always go back and second guess yourself. I’m taking the LEED CI exam in a couple of weeks and any help I can find is fantastic!

By: Lupe

Lupe — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:09:34 +0000

Don’t rush. You have 2 hours. Don’t rush.

By: Horace Batiste

Horace Batiste — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:33:15 +0000

THe best thing to do to is to take a test taking class. It is a system to taking a computerized test. One question? Where can I take the exam overseas?

By: CalPolyPro

CalPolyPro — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:49:08 +0000

Hi! Thanks for the awesome website! If you get stuck on something during the exam, don’t worry about it until the end. You can mark the questions for later!

By: eLEEDest

eLEEDest — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:46:55 +0000

Remember the thresholds for all of the ID credits and the exemplary performance stuff.

By: JeepMaster

JeepMaster — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:48:14 +0000

For you LEED Canada NC 1.0 exam takers, go to areforum.org ftp site and download the practice exam written in EXCEL. Do the test and see how you score. Here’s the link http://www.areforum.org/guest/LEED/

By: John

John — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:30:54 +0000

I’m looking forward to getting my accreditation; thanks for the great website.

My tip: Have a plan for studying. Read “Getting Things Done” by David Allen for great advice on becoming more productive and tackling large projects (such as becoming LEED accredited).

By: Hugo Lafrance

Hugo Lafrance — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:02:45 +0000

My recommendation is to know the differences between similar things…

(if it’s green-e, green seal, green label, know the differences)

(if it’s ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 55, know the differences)

(if it’s multiple points within one credit, know the differences)

(if it’s included in a calculation or if it’s excluded in a calculation, know the differences)

(if it’s building reuse, material reuse, recycled content, know the differences)

The whole exam they try to trick you to make it hard to rule things out, so you have to know the differences!

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:12:31 +0000

Tip:

Live green as you learn green. Be involved and get passionate about the intent of LEED and its impacts and benefits. The material will then become second nature. Learn by doing.

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:02:15 +0000

I made a spreadsheet of all the credits that have a chance to gain an ID point. I look at this frequently.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:21:49 +0000

I took the exam this morning and passed with a 186! Thank you very much for this website. It was the one of the best things I found to help me study. I am a chemical engineer and have never had any experience on a LEED project. The best study material I found was the tests from greenexamprep.com. I found that working through the problems really helped me learn the material much more than just memorization. Like I said, I’m an engineer, a very numbers and calculations kind of person. This was the best practice. Thanks again to Pat for making this website. It helped a lot. Good Luck to everyone!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:49:25 +0000

I’m studying for the exam and have found the easiest way to learn is making your own flash cards. Yeah you could buy them and save some time, but making your own helps you have more of an understanding of the content. Oh and read Pat’s blog it’s great!!!

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:23:49 +0000

To all: Some great tips here! I extended the contest to end on Sunday, March 16th at 6:00pm PST. There has been a few new items added to the list! Your chances of winning have grown a little bit more =) Good luck to all.

To Richard (one above this comment): Thank you so much for your kind words. That is what this is really all about for me, the movement toward sustainability and getting people excited and ready for it.

Cheers!

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:48:23 +0000

I have already passed the LEED AP exam, I have been a follower of this great site, and I gotta say I have never seen any one individual care so much. Thanks for helping the movement towards sustainability.

and my tip of the day would be to make sure you try as many practice questions as possible. Obviously knowing the Study Guide is key, but getting familiar with the exam content and types of questions, in my opinion is more important. Good luck.

By: sbarch

sbarch — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:02:41 +0000

EQc8 – daylight and views
EQc8.1 – daylight for 75% of spaces
EQc8.2 – views for 90% spaces