View Cart

The Four Categories of LEED and What the Heck They Mean

By special request, I have decided to tackle the four topics of LEED for your better understanding. Yay! I’ve been searching for new topics to write on, and this seems to be one that many people will hopefully benefit from.Ok, so – the questions on the LEED NC v2.2 exam are broken down into four sections. They are the following:

  • Knowledge of LEED Credit Intents and Requirements
  • Coordinate Project and Team
  • Implement LEED Process
  • Verify, Participate in, and Perform Technical Analyses Required for LEED

Each question on the exam is going to be from one of these four sections. You will not know (and you shouldn’t worry about) which questions on the exam fall under what category while you are taking the test. At the end of your exam, however, the testing program will tell you your percentage of correct answers in each category.Generally speaking, if you average about 65-70% within each category, you will pass. There may be some type of minimum percentage that you must get for each category, or else you automatically fail (i.e. at least 50% in each), but really there is no way to prove this – and you should be striving for 100% anyways, so let’s not worry about that either.

If you are taking any of the practice exams out there that happen to break down the questions into these separate categories, or if you have taken the LEED exam and have failed (keep trying, you’ll pass!), please take note of which section(s) you need work on. That way, you can spend the most time re-studying those sections of the test and hopefully improve. For your information, you will not get any of the exact questions on your retake, but some may be very similar.From there, you can use the following information about each particular section to help you study and focus on the categories that you need help in:

Knowledge of LEED-NC Credit Intents and Requirements

Summary:This is the basic “you better have your credits memorized” section.

What to Study:

Sample Questions:

  1. Which three of the following might contribute to WE Credit 1, Water Efficient Landscaping?
  2. SS Prerequisite 1, Construction Activity Pollution Prevention, requires addressing which four of the following concerns?
  3. Which two of the following are requirements for MR Prerequisite 1, Storage & Collection of Recyclables?

Coordinate Project and Team

Summary:This section deals with the coordination between all trades, especially with any opportunities for integrated and/or credit synergies. For some reason, questions dealing mainly with codes and standards apply here too – probably because the LEED AP is the point of contact regarding each of these standards that all trades must meet in order to fulfill the credit/prerequisite’s requirements.

What to Study:

  • Know who is involved with each credit. Study this handy-dandy chart credit decision makers.
  • Know each of the codes and standards used. Again, use the blank or semi-blank study guide to help you memorize them. Be especially careful with the differences between each of the ASHRAE Standards.
  • Understand the different opportunities for LEED Credit Synergies. Be especially concerned about vegetated roofs. They (almost) always appear on the test.

Sample Questions:

  1. Which one of the following best describes the LEED Credit parameter(s) to which ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004 applies?
  2. Which two of the following design-team members are most likely to play a significant tole in achieving EQ Credit 3.1, Construction IAQ Management Plan?
  3. Which of the following team members best represents all of those that might offer meaningful input to an owner’s interest in a vegetated roof system?

Implement LEED Process

Summary:This section is mostly all about how to manage a project from it’s initial registration with the USGBC, through the CIR and documentation process, and all the way to the appeal process.

What to study:

  • Read and re-read everything I wrote in the LEED Project Registration, CIR and Appeal Process post. I heard that it’s pretty spot on.
  • Get your hands on some letter templates. If you know anyone who is currently undergoing a LEED project, ask them how letter templates work. If not, you can visit this website from the Green Building Certification Institute.
  • Find out, if you can, anything about the project administrator’s duties. I still have yet to find any good information about this, so if you do come across something useful, PLEASE let us all know!

Sample Questions:

  1. An application for LEED Certification must contain two of the following:
  2. What are two responsibilities of the contractor that support LEED documentation?
  3. Credit Interpretation Rulings provide which two of the following?

Verify, Participate in, and Perform Technical Analyses Required for LEED Credits

Summary:This section is tricky. The USGBC lists the “content areas” of this section to be:

  • Verify compliance of technical work products created by other team members.
  • Participate in and guide the development of technical analyses with design professionals.
  • Perform technical analyses to verify compliance with LEED-NC requirements.

Generally, I’ve noticed that this seems to be the section that most people perform the worst in. I think this section is really a combination of all of the other sections with a primary focus on those credits and situations where there is verification and calculations involved. The questions can get pretty nit-picky, and for some, you’ll only know the answers based on your construction and building experience, your knowledge from taking so many practice exams, and/or luck. That being said, a lot of the questions come from information that you should already know: the credit intents and calculations! It’s just worded a little differently, so you may have to think about the questions a little harder.

What to Study:

  • Again, memorize each of the credits and prerequisites. Feel free to use the credit summaries on the table of contents, along with the blank or semi-blank study guide to make sure you’ve got it down.
  • Know which credits have calculations and make sure you know how to perform them. (Credits dealing with FTE or number of plumbing fixtures especially!)
  • Practice tests and more practice tests!

Sample Questions:

  1. The design team has elected to pursue strategies addressing 50% of the hardscape surfaces on the site to meet the requirement of SS Credit 7.1, Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof. Which three of the following should the LEED AP verify?
  2. Which of the following best represents an appropiate level of overall illumination on an office work surface, including daylighting, ambient artificial lighting, and task lighting?
  3. In an office building, the design includes a rainwater harvesting system that collects 20,000 gallons of water each year. This water is used for flushing toilets. Which of the following information is needed to calculate the reduction in potable water demand for building sewage conveyance for achieving WE Credit 2, Wastewater Technologies?

If some of these questions scare you, don’t worry. Just stick with your gameplan, and follow the tactics that are described above. Don’t get yourself down if you have failed once before. Agression or doubt can get in the way of all the hard work you’ve put into this. Get familiar with the types of questions you need help on, study, and you’ll do great. I hope this breakdown has helped even just one of you.Best of luck!

Click here for the best Study Guides & Practice Exams

48 Comments On This Post

  1. hey pat!

    thanks for all your help and effort! the breakdown is great! ill keep you posted on my progress!!
    -kurt

    Reply
  2. Thanks for the great work – helpful stuff.

    Reply
  3. Great topic!
    I took the exam last week and failed with a score of 161 – ugh! (that’s 4 more wrong answers than you’re allowed!)
    I had taken a few of the practice exams that give you this scoring breakdown and knew where my weaknesses were, however, when I failed the real exam my weaknesses were in categories that I had done well in on the practice exam – so the moral of the story is “study well, and often!” – oh, and get a good night’s sleep before you take the exam – I’m sure it would have helped!
    Thanks Pat!

    Reply
  4. Hi Marilyn,
    I am appearing on 20th… any advice? I am still confused about the scoring. DO you know if I get 80% in my practice test how much it is between 125- 200?
    Thanks.

    Reply
  5. Hi Pat!
    I am in the middle of studying and have a quick question for you.
    On EA credit 4 enhanced refriderant management: on option2 how well do you have to understand and memorize this crazy formula??
    Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Thanks for the great site.

    I’ve been studying for my test (June 23rd) for about 3 months.
    I’m wondering what peoples experiences are on the greenexamprep.com site. I took three of the exams (20x) started with scores around 55%-65%. I studied over and over, got my scores up in the 95%+ range. Then I took test D. I got 66%. So I have no idea if I’m ready. I have another week to study. I’m taking a few days off from work to get in the right mindset. Cheers!

    Reply
  7. Hey All, thanks for the wonderful comments.

    To Shanu: If you average about an 80%, you’ll probably receive a score around 185-ish. Again, the real formula for the score is unknown, and some questions may be weighted more than others, which makes it even more confusing!

    To Melissa: Regarding Credit EA4 – Enhanced Refrigerant Management – you really don’t have to know anything about the formula there. Just know it’s there and memorize what’s explained in the summaries. The only real calculations that will require some math are ones dealing with FTE and Water Plumbing Fixtures.

    Good luck everyone!

    Reply
  8. Hey Pat..

    great job !!
    Here’s something I found on LEED Online.
    It helps identify the role of an administrator and the certification process once the project is registered.
    http://www.usgbc.org/chapters/cascadia/docs/pdf/LOLOverview.pdf

    Reply
  9. Submittal process.

    Anyone know of a resource (beside checking individual credits) on drawings? Like what credits/prereqs’ require them.

    Thanks
    Phil

    Reply
  10. This is awesome! Thanks Pat.

    Reply
  11. I scored 57% In the last section. It was my weakest area.

    Nevertheless I passed!

    Thanks Pat!

    Reply
  12. Pat,
    Just wanted to thank you for this great website. I took the exam yesterday and passed!!! I will continue to pass on your website to all of my friends who are interested in LEED.

    EMS

    Reply
  13. Hi Pat,
    I would like to start studying for Leed AP but am overwhelmed with the amount o information and what to study first. Any help would be appreciated.
    Sara
    Congrats to EMS for passing the exam

    Reply
  14. Binu, that sildeshow was really helpful, thank you! I’m sure there are more than a few of us who haven’t been able to access that part of LEED Online yet (since we haven’t worked on a project, yet).
    And thanks, Pat, for this website! I’ve already taken the LEED NC test once but failed with a 165 because I studied only the information in the Reference Guide. I feel much more confident now, mostly due to finding this well-rounded site!
    And just to inform you on your site’s fame- the information texting service called ChaCha recommended this site when I searched for a free LEED study site.

    Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Thanks Pat!
    Just one more thing: Are all of those categories/information/data… available in LEED New Construction v2.2 Reference Guide Third Edition, or I‘ll have to look for some other studding material?

    Reply
  16. I failed the exam yesterday with a 169 (ouch!), and I definitely found the Technical Analysis section the hardest part of the exam.

    Reply
  17. Hey Pat,
    I’ve been studying for a month and a half now- test coming up September 4th. I’m using the greenexamprep.com practice tests. I’m doing decently on sections 1-3 (75-85% in each) but 50-60% on section 4, which I know is generally hard for everyone. Any suggestions on how to bring up the section 4 score? I will continue to study hard, but it seems that this score in section 4 isn’t increasing like the others with more studying.

    Reply
  18. Hey Pat,

    I took the test on Tuesday and Made 169.I was sick.I was making 100% on the practice exams.
    But the last section i did the worst in.
    I am not really sure on what to study now.
    It seems the test has questions that i have never seen.I guess i will study all the calculations this time to see if that helps.

    Reply
  19. Randy: What was the general theme of the questions that you had never seen? Were they asking about really specific stuff or…

    169 somehow is more frustrating than getting a bit lower but at least you know you’re very close.

    Reply
  20. Pat,

    I was very confident after scoring 100% on all 4 pratice exams but when you take the actual exam they bring up questions that i have no clue.I scored good on all except the last section.I am at the point that i dont know what to study.Maybe you just have to be lucky and pick the correct answers.I will give it another try. Wish me luck!

    Reply
  21. Not sure where to post this question:

    Pat (or anyone else on the blog),
    Has anyone a good definition of when (what qualifies under) LEED NC applies? In other words is there a Square Footage threshold for Major Renovations or extent of HVAC included in the renovation?

    All I have found is the following text from the LEED NC v2.2 Reference Guide:

    “as a general rule of thumb, a major renovation involves elements of major HVAC renovation, significant envelope modifications and major interior rehabilitation.”

    A few colleagues here at work mentioned that they’ve seen a more specific definition but are unable to point where they’ve seen it.

    Help anyone?

    Thanks,
    Fernando

    Reply
  22. @ Fernando,

    I found this from a study guide that may be of some help to you:

    “LEED for New Construction applies to commercial buildings such as offices, retail stores, institutional facilities (such as libraries, schools and churches), hotels, and residential buildings with four or more habitable stories. LEED-NC also may be used for major renovations to existing buildings that are beyond the scope of the LEED for Existing Building Rating System, which focuses more on operations and maintenance.”

    I know it’s still not the clear cut answer you were looking for, but it’s really not explained that well to begin with. I hope this helps!

    Good luck!

    Reply
  23. This isn’t particularly related to this topic, but…

    I’ve been studying hard all day. Your site is great, but I REALLY, REALLY wish the text was not all in gray. I feel like I’m going blind.

    Reply
  24. I am taking the test one more time. I score 100’s on all the practice exams but got 169 on the test.That was a let down.Not sure what i need to study to pass the test?

    Reply
  25. I took the exam and fail 3 days ago but now I can see what I have to study more
    Thank you so much

    Reply
  26. Are there any CIR’s included in the registration fee? I thought I read somewhere that you get 1 CIR free per registration.

    Reply
  27. Sunny,

    A while ago, project teams were given 2 free CIRs with their registration fee. Now, you must pay $220 for each – no free ones.

    You can read more about this on this post here:

    http://www.intheleed.com/leed-project-registration-cir-appeal/

    Good luck!

    Reply
  28. I cant fiquire out what it takes to bring up my percentage in the las catagory?

    Reply
  29. does anyone have any suggestions on where it is possible to obtain more practice exams? i have one from colorado study guide and 4 from on line service i purchased. are there any other ones (besides the real ones at $300-400/ea)that could be used for practice?
    Thanks.

    Reply
  30. Hi i have to give the LEED-NC exam and i had a querry on recycled materials as follows:
    ‘ 2000 pounds of cement had 100 pounds of flyash in it.. what is the % of recycled material that will contribute towards MR Cedit: Recycled COntent?
    -5%
    -10%
    -20%
    -30%
    ????

    Reply
  31. I passed my LEED Canada exam recently with over 190/200. Thanks for all your tips and advice. Great website!

    Reply
  32. Great explanation Pat.Your site is very helpful now that I am approaching my exam..kudos to you.

    Reply
  33. Jenni – congrats!
    I’m going to be taking the Canada exam too, so this site really helped you? Do you know, is it very different from what you would study for the US?
    Did you use the LEED AP Walkthrough?
    Thanks

    Reply
  34. Hello Pat,

    What a great forum, I have looked over everyones comments and found inspiration. I am still upset after failing TWICE!

    160 and 164, I was absolutely devastated! I had taken out a loan for the test and am literally in the dog house as money is so very tight.

    I thought I knew the reference manual inside out and yet the questions managed to get me stressed.

    Perhaps I over read the question and second guessed myself too much. Ater failing the first time I lost confidence in my critical thinking.

    I have done numerous self-tests from Greenexamprep.com and used their flash-cards
    and still no luck. How many hours of study does this require? I have spent easily 100+ hours
    and did a online tutorial with a company Teknion.

    I am deperate to pass this and would welcome any thoughts you may have. I am doing LEED CI and am in Vancouver Canada, do you know of any differences in the US vs Canadian versions?

    Greenexamprep.com I think is US only, my boss says he will fire me if I don’t pass this ( what a jerk!) This only fuels my fire to pass and get a decent job elsewhere.

    Thanks for letting me spill it all out.

    Respectfully,

    Darren.

    Reply
  35. Hi i have to give the LEED-NC exam and i had a querry on recycled materials as follows:
    ‘ 2000 pounds of cement had 100 pounds of flyash in it.. what is the % of recycled material that will contribute towards MR Cedit: Recycled COntent?
    -5%
    -10%
    -20%
    -30%
    ????

    mY ANSWER WOULD BE 2.5% THOUGH I DO NOT SEE IT FEATURING IN THE OPTION.(sorry for the caps)
    flyash being preconsumer, we would calculate only 50% of it – which it 2,5%

    Anyone?? Comments? corrections?

    Reply
    • You can calculate recycled content in concrete two ways. 1) By mass only using the [(0.5 *pre-consumer content) + post-consumer content]; and, 2) by the SCM Calculation which is the total of all SCM replacement materials for portland cement materials. In either case, fly ash is a pre-consumer material. It is also known as an Supplementary Cementitious Material, SCM. The SCM calculation would be [0.5*[fly ash mass/(fly ash mass + portland cement mass)] You don’t have enough info for the mass calculation (the question does not tell you the mass of aggregate, water, etc.) and only have enough information for the SCM calculation which gives an answer of 2.5%. They most likely forgot to multiply the 5% answer by 0.5.

      Reply
  36. I agree with you Arpita it should be 2.5%.

    Reply
  37. well i took the exam on monday and failed with a 166. I purchased the “Passtheleed” study material and ONLY studied what was in the book. I had no clue there would sections about implementing the leed process and project corrdinating. I will be re-regestering tomorrow , however i’m wondering if i need to get the complete referance guide, or if i can find info about the sections i did poorly on over the internet. If any of you have any info, please help. After reading the posts, it seems like im not the only one who made this mistake.

    Reply
  38. Pat,
    Great job on organizing all the important study materials on LEED. I can’t thank you enough. Found the info. on this section a few days before re-taking my exam & review the items I am weak in.
    2nd exam score 170
    1st exam score: 168

    My weakest scores on both tests were Coordinate Project Team, which I suspect I didn’t fully understand the synergies between all different credits.
    The 1st exam on this section score was 44%
    The 2nd exam on this section score was 50%

    During the exam, I thought I did much better than my 1st exam. But I was really surprised how close my passing score is. I believe that I must have read the question not carefully on my first exam & reading too much into it on my 2nd exam.

    Reply
  39. Hi Pat

    I just started studying for LEED Canada. Thanks for creating an informative website and assisting everyone. I intend to try your test once I am ready.

    Regards
    Vall

    Reply
  40. I am taking LEED exam next month and have been following this website and I must compliment on the amazing content!! I particularly love the concise tables for memorizing WIMSEE etc. I am stumped by this one question I found on the internet — PLEASE HELP!!

    “A value engineering exercise has proposed that exterior horizontal louvers above
    south-facing windows will be deleted from the project. The change requires that various
    project team members review strategies and reconfirm calculations for several credits.Which three credits would be affected by this decision? (Choose three.)

    A. EA Credit 6, Green Power
    B. SS Credit 7.1, Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof
    C. EA Credit 1, Optimize Energy Performance
    D. EQ Credit 1, Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
    E. EQ Credit 8.1, Daylight and Views: Daylight 75% of Spaces

    I selected BCE. (I thought removing the louvers will affect some shading and hence B)But the answer says ACE. How will Green Power be affected?

    Reply
  41. Green Power is given by a percentage of the total energy use. Removing the louvers on the south facing windows, will change the building energy use and thus a change the green power requirement.

    Reply
  42. Whoa dude! What a great website. Extremely helpful with exam questions. Especially appreciate heads up on ASHRAE Standards (http://www.ASHRAE Standards.com was not helpful!). Best of luck as you develop this website and advance your career. Cheers.

    Reply
  43. Hello,

    I am currently preparing to write the LEED exam in Canada. How would this information apply to me?

    Appreciate guidance.

    Thanks kindly,
    Cheryl

    Reply
  44. Hello,
    I would like to know if these study guides will help with the Canadian 1.0 New Construction exam.
    I appreciate any guidance you can give me on this.

    Thank you kindly,
    Cheryl

    Reply
  45. I wrote the exam yesterday and I failed with an 81% and you need 85% to pass. There was over 40 people in the testing place and no one passed. ??? I feel that this is a bit of a money grabber don’t you think?? There were guestions in the exama that made no sense and I didn’t even reconize anything about the questions and the multiple choice answers didn’t even make sense or give any clues to the question. I feel that there is something very questionable about the exam rating and the questions that are asked. I have spoken to several people that wrote the exam – failed the first time and passed the second and they remember that there were no trick questions like the others on the second exam. I think it is a money grabber – don’t you????

    Reply
    • Hi Dee,

      Thanks for your comment. Many people, I’m sure, would agree with you, however the exam is not meant to be easy, and many people have passed so I don’t think it’s a “money grabber”, like you mentioned. The USGBC does it’s best to make the exam as fair as possible between everyone taking the exam, which is the reason for their complicated grading system. I’m sorry you’ve had a bad experience with the exam so far. It is indeed a frustrating process. Best of luck to you in the future.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Please refrain from posting any exam questions that are from the actual LEED exam or other sample exams. This jeopardizes the existence of the open comment format. Such comments will be deleted. Thank you for your understanding.

(required)
(requred)

Study Guides

My recommendations for the most helpful study guides and audio books that you can find for every LEED rating system.
Click for more info....

Study Guides

Practice Exams

There are tons of practice exams available to help you study for your LEED exam. Here are the BEST practice exams you can find that I’ve personally used and recommend to anyone.
Click for more info....

Practice Exams

Continuing Education (CE) Units

This 30 hour package includes everything you need to meet the GBCI Credential Maintenance requirements for LEED APs with Specialty.

Continuing Education (CE) Units

Classes

Find out where LEED exam prep classes are being held in your local area. Training courses will help you get through the exam process quickly and easily.
Click for more info....

Classes

About Me

About Me

Hi! My name is Pat and I’m the guy behind GreenExamAcademy.com. I graduated with a B.A. in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley, and was working in an Architecture firm for the last few years in Southern California...

MORE »

Thanks again for the great site, Pat! I passed the exam today with a 197. Your web site was a great resource.

-Chris

Read more Testimonials »