Comments on: Should I take the LEED Green Associate exam, or a LEED AP specialty exam?

By: jonathan

jonathan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:03:28 +0000

hello. i am jonathan from the philippines and a college instructor for 9 years although i am a licensed mechanical engineer in our country. although i don’t have any experience yet in construction, hvac design and the like, will it be advantageous for me to study and take the LEED GA exam? i am gearing towards being a LEED consultant. what are your thoughts about this? thanks.

By: Selva

Selva — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:45:30 +0000

Hi,
I am an architecture student in final year. Is it possible for a student to appear for LEED GA as I will be graduating in July 2012 so that I will get the certificate by the time I graduate?.. If so what should I do as I have not involved in any of the LEED projects and How do I attend courses as requierd because I am in India..
Please provide me the neccessary details.. Thanks

By: Selva Prakash M

Selva Prakash M — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:43:48 +0000

Hi PAT,
I am an architecture student in final year. Is it possible for a student to appear for LEED GA as I will be graduating in July 2012 so that I will get the certificate by the time I graduate?.. If so what should I do as I have not involved in any of the LEED projects and How do I attend courses as requierd because I am in India..
Please provide me the neccessary details.. Thanks

By: Karan

Karan — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:21:56 +0000

Hi,

I am planning to prepare for LEED AP exam. can you please advise, from where i can get the study material & any special preparation is required?

By: whateva

whateva — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:49:10 +0000

USGBC, GBCI and all the other affiliated organizations use LEED as their profit/money making business tool. Look how they make the process of LEED accreditation ever so complicated and expensive. I have to pay money to attend class only to become eligible to take the exams? That’s completely overrated! They just like to suck people’s money!

By: Ashok

Ashok — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:52:00 +0000

Hi Amal,
What is the educaitional requirement to appear LEED GA exams.

By: Ashok

Ashok — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:49:49 +0000

Hello PAT,

What is the educational qualificaitions to appear LEED GA & LEED AP exams. Can you provide the list of courses which is applicable in India.

By: Amal

Amal — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:46:38 +0000

Hello PAT,
I am currently LEED GA, gave my exam a year back. I am preparing for LEED AP now. I refered through the candidate handbook. They mention that the LEED AP exam comprises of 2 parts and total of 4 hrs and 20 mins. But since I am already LEED GA, do I need to go through the 2 part exam or will I be giving just the 2 hr exam for LEED AP BD+C. Awaitign your reply. Please help!!

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:02:07 +0000

Hi Pat, I am a Mechanical Engineer here in the Philippines, currently a LEED Green Associate, and planning to take the AP exam. I have almost 9 years experience in Facilities Management (8 years in Building O&M, and currently 1 year in Construction Management) May I ask, what specialty exam do you think has the greatest benefit for me in my present and future career – BD+C or O+M?

By: Nam

Nam — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:58:11 +0000

I plan to be leed ap. To be leed Ga is mandatory step to be leed AP? If it’s not necessary, I wanna to take leed ap directly.

If leed GA is necessary step to be leed AP, Do I need to register both GA and AP letter of attestation from USGBC?
I don’t understand why these exams are devided.

By: Nina

Nina — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:32:03 +0000

As far as I understand the GA exam is the first part (2 hours) of the AP exam. In that case do I need to buy the GA exam walkthrough or does the AP study guide include all GA required material?

By: VINEET KAPOOR

VINEET KAPOOR — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:14:00 +0000

I would like to apply for LEED GA and LEED AP Exam. I m associated with any such project in past. Am I eligible for that or not. Pls advise. Regards
Vineet

By: Elena

Elena — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:26:46 +0000

I plan on taking the LEED AP specialty exam. I was told that it is a 4 hour exam; 2 hours GA and 2 hours AP. Is it smart to take both tests at the same time? What are the suggested study guides or methods I should use?

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:48:10 +0000

I ultimately plan to become a LEED AP, but I’m considering taking first the GA, and later the specialty test to become AP. Based on a couple comments here, it led me to believe that breaking it out like this would cost the exact same as if I took everything at once, but upon reviewing the USGBC website further I don’t think that’s the case. The GA exam has a $50 application fee and the AP exam has a $100 application fee. So, my interpretation is that you’d have to spend an extra $50 (the application fee for the GA) if you wanted to break it out into 2 exams.

I would not be surprised if USGBC’s website was a little misleading (confusion is what led me here) – does anyone have any experience with this?

By: Rajendrasinh

Rajendrasinh — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:11:47 +0000

I am qualified Architect. I have never worked or involved with Green Architecture building. Can I directly appear for LEED AP exam? Is it mandatory to clear Green Asso. exam first & then only I can appear for Leed AP?

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:35:56 +0000

Brian, sounds like a great plan! Good luck studying for the BD+C exam!

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:01:40 +0000

I took the Green Associate test stand alone for the same reasons. It does not have any additional expense, allows you to focus on (2) 2 hour tests, and allows you to concentrate on your specialty exam with general knowledge under your belt.

I am studying for BD&C now and it is much more intensive.

Good Luck!

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:25:09 +0000

Hi Abhi,

They have a free handbook that you can download here: http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=97

However, that is all they provide, and you’ll definitely need to get some study material in order to have the knowledge to pass the exam. The USGBC & GBCI offer some great material, and you can always use the resources here on GreenExamAcademy as well. Thanks, and best of luck to you!

By: Abhi

Abhi — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:46:48 +0000

Hi Pat, I am planning to appear for the GA exam. Do they provide some preparatory material when you qualify for the exam or does one have to buy it? How does that work?
Txs,
:ab

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:14:26 +0000

Hey David,

Employers don’t actively search for Green Associated, but if they have two identical candidates, and one has a GA credential and one doesn’t, then definitely they’ll go for the one with the GA.

Also, it is the stepping stone to the LEED AP credential, and having that on your resume will definitely show any employer that you’re staying updated with the industry (because the exam is still fairly new).

I definitely think it’s worth something, because a lot of employers know LEED is the in thing, and that it takes some work to pass the exam.

Just my 2 cents. Hope that helps!

By: davidhenry

davidhenry — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:11:40 +0000

Hi Pat, what does the Green Associate Credential really do for one’s career? I do not see any jobs or ads for Green Associates? Is it really worth anything as a “Stand Alone’ designation.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:36:18 +0000

I believe the link below contains some information about courses that are held by the GBCI and or qualify.

http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=200

By: sushma

sushma — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:32:44 +0000

Hi
What type of educational courses we can take from GBCI.org to ful fill the eligibility requirement? Can you provide me some link for this?

Thank you

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:07:41 +0000

Hi Leilani,

Yes, you can do that. I’m sure a lot of people who do not yet qualify for the Specialty exams will do just that. Good luck!

By: Leilani Barkan

Leilani Barkan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:34:13 +0000

Hi!
I am currently a LEED AP and I am going to coach others in taking the new version. I have been searching to find the answer to this question; can you take the Green Associate test first and then at a later date take the specialized test? Thank you, Lani

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:58:50 +0000

Hi Madhavi, I completely understand. The Green Associate Exam Walkthrough is definitely printable. Thanks!

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:58:05 +0000

Hi Addled – in terms of fees, I believe it all works out to be the same in the end. I’ll confirm that in a little bit for you. Headache wise, it actually might be advantageous to take the GA exam first and focus on that material, then sue your knowledge from that to make it easier to learn the BD+C stuff later on. Just my opinion though – anyone else have any thoughts about this?

Another thing to consider, is that you’ll be sitting for a 4 hour exam (two 2 hour exams) if you were to take both at the same time – which can be a headache for a lot of people too. It depends on the person I guess.

Hope this helps!

By: Madhavi

Madhavi — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:53:58 +0000

I am planning to buy the LEED Green Associate Exam walkthrough for V3. My question is; Though it is not ‘GREEN’ idea, I like to read hardcopy. Would I be able to print the walkthrough once I buy it?

By: Addled

Addled — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:29:42 +0000

I have some time on my hands (recently laid off), and am anxious to get started and get LEED qualifications on my resume. Since BD+C doesn’t go live until 15 September, I wonder if it is worth the hassle to take the Green Associate Exam now, and take the BD+C portion later… in terms of fees and/or potential headaches. I’d appreciate any insight. Your site has been extremely helpful – thanks!