photo credit: Ilya Eric Lee
I have to be honest – it’s been a little weird the last few days since passing my exam. I feel like that I should be studying for something these days, but I can’t help but smile when I realize that all of my hard work has finally paid off. It’s also such a good feeling to hear that others have also have benefited from this blog since it’s creation. In fact, greenexamacademy.com today just surpassed 30,000 pageviews since it’s launch just over 30 days ago! You guys are incredible – and I thank you.
To celebrate the success of the blog and my recent passing of the LEED AP Exam, I have decided to give away a couple of my study materials! I know it’s no ipod or anything like that, but I just wanted to give back something to my readers to show my appreciation. Plus anything I can do to promote studying for the LEED AP Exam. The giveaway is very simple:
- What will I be giving away? One copy each of LEEDPASS and the notorious Colorado Chapter Study Guide (Jan. 2007 edition). Those are for the new future LEED APs. I know a lot of you have been readers since this blog has started, and some have already passed their AP tests (congrats!) so you don’t really have a need for any study materials – so I’m also throwing in a $25.oo Best Buy Gift Card, just for kicks. There will 3 winners total.
- How do you sign up? All you have to do is leave a comment below that includes one (1) helpful tip for passing the LEED AP Exam. It can be something like “make sure you don’t forget to bring your ID to the testing facility” or “the exemplary performance threshold for MR 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials, is 5%” or “when you blank out during the test, take a minute and just breath.” You can copy it from straight from the blog if you’d like and I won’t penalize you if it’s a repeat of someone else’s comment. You can be creative, but be helpful too!
- Are there any rules? Besides leaving a tip, there is only one entry per valid email address. You can leave more than 1 comment, but you will only be counted for the drawing once.
- How is the winner selected? I will randomly select 3 winners from the list of (valid) comments I receive. One will receive LEEDPASS, another the Colorado Chapter Study Guide and the last one the gift card. The winners will be selected and announced just after midnight on March 13th, 2008 (read below for new update!). The contest is one week long.
- That’s it!
- My LEED AP Exam Post-Test Evaluation & Brain Dump
- LEED AP EXAM Blank Study Guide (Recommended) – updated 2/22/08
- Semi-Blank LEED AP Exam Study Guide – updated 3/01/08
- The LEED Project Registration, CIR and Appeal Process – Lightning Round
- Yet Another Helpful LEED AP Chart – Know Your Roles (Decision Makers)
- 5 Days Left Until LEED AP Exam – Plan of Attack
- LEED AP Exemplary Performance / ID Credit Breakdown
- It’s Good to Know LEED AP Synergies
- Understanding ID & Exemplary Performance Credits in LEED
- LEED Reference Standards Guide Chart: Cover your ASHRAE!
- Energy, Environmental, Health, and Economic Issues – The LEED Facts
- Don’t Get Phased: Know your LEED AP Submittal Phase
- A Typical LEED Exam Question: A Closer Look
- How and When to take the LEEP AP Exam
- Common Acronyms and Abbreviations for LEED
- WIMSEE is Your Friend
Feel free to forward the information about this giveaway to anyone you think may be interested in someday becoming a LEED AP. You can use the share this tab below. Thanks again!Cheers all!
OLD UPDATE: The kind folks at greenexamprep.com noticed I was doing a free giveaway for anyone interested in LEED and offered to throw in a fourth prize: The greenexamprep NC 2.2 Platinum Pack that includes their Exam Simulator with 320 Practice Test questions and 326 Flash Cards. A $64.95 value, for FREE! A 4th random winner will be selected for this prize which ends on midnight March 13th, 2008! (read below for new update!) All winners will be announced the following day. Leave a LEED AP tip to qualify, that’s it!
NEW UPDATE: Wow, this giveaway is generating a lot of interest! So much in fact that Professional Publications, Inc. has also kindly donated 3 new prizes for the giveaway! Here is what was added today from them (3/13/03):
- LEED NC Sample Exam, Second Edition
- LEED NC Practice Problems
- LEED CI Sample Exam
This is a HUGE donation from Professional Publications, Inc. Each item is worth $64.95! These are professional LEED publications – so you know they are good legitimate LEED study material. Check out what PPI is all about here. I’ve personally used their LEED NC sample exam and it’s awesome for anyone wanting to get familiar with LEED material – especially if you are just starting out. I highly recommend them to anyone!
So thats a total of 7 items to giveaway. Since I added new stuff today, I’m going to extend the contest throughout the weekend. The contest will end at 6:00pm, Sunday March 16th. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter! Again – to participate, leave a comment with a helpful tip – if you haven’t done so already on this post. If you are taking the CI Sample Exam, please mention that in your comment. One copy of the PPI LEED CI Sample Exam will only be given to one of those who specify CI in their comments. Thanks everyone, and good luck studying!
77 Comments On This Post
I have been reading your blog for about 1 week now, and have decided I need to read/study/memorize more before sitting for the exam. I have felt really encouraged by reading the entries for study methods and brain dump ideas, so thank you so much for starting this blog for all of us. The charts in the ftp server have been really useful for me to visualize all of the credit areas.
Best regards,
Harriet
Pat,
Congratulations on passing the exam!
I just started studying for the exam and my tip is to join a study group. There are some credit intents that I get easily but others….well let’s just say it helps to have someone else to discuss the concepts with.
Thanks for posting all the info. I’m sure it will help.
Rick
I have printed out the blank chart that you posted and I fill it in every day as a way to remind myself of the credits and requirements.
Here’s my tip:
Be sure to google directions to your testing facility so you don’t get lost on the way!
Take online courses at usgbc.org and form study groups with your friends.
my tip: remember that registration and building certification are NOT the same thing, and that the certification fee relies in part on the building size (sq ft).
I’ve been studying for the past two weeks and your website has helped me tremendously. My tip which has helped me is to find people that have the same interest in passing the LEED exam. I have a group of people at my firm and we get together once a week. Each person is incharge in teaching about 3-6 credits. After each session, we then go over pre exam questions. Good Luck to everyone and thanks so much!
Esther
My tip:
Don’t think too much! Just register for the test and give yourself no more than 6 weeks so YOU KNOW you have $400 at stake and push yourself to study within the time being! It helps me pass all my ARE and it will do for LEED as well.
I am a LEED AP thanks to all your Tips.
Great job on passing the exam, Pat! this website is wonderful, and will help me to (hopefully!) pass my own LEED exam in about a week and a half.
I have two tips (for exemplary performance??) : the first is to look through EVERYTHING on this website, as well as on the USGBC and GBCI websites – it’s all fair game.
and my second tip (that I hear has shown up on multiple people’s exams) :
people are accredited, buildings are certified. never vice versa!
Thanks for the tips…
My tip: For non-architects like myself (structural engineer), find an architect friend to talk to to answer questions that we inherently do not know…..
2nd tip: Go to all the study sessions and amass as much literature as possible….
Pat,
Excellent website!!
Writing from memory helps to remember stuff learnt for a longer duration of time.
Congratulations!
I’ve actually have a new job where I’m doing LEED consulting and am just now attempting to take the exam.
My tip is that when you need an extra credit or two out in the real world, you can always get some fairly painless innovation credits by adding an educational element and adopting a green cleaning system. Good luck all!
Pat,
I passed my exam this morning! Your blog has been very helpful to me- it help present a lot of the material in small, manageable ways, so that it wasn’t so overwhelming. Your blank sudy charts were really helpful too-Filling them out by memory and then adding more each time along with information that I missed was a way that I kept on increasing my knowledge. I don’t need to be included in the giveaway- but I just wanted you to know that your hard work is helpful. And congratulations on your pass as well!
Thanks for making this wonderful website. I will be taking the exam in 5 weeks. Hopefully I’ll pass with flying colours. My tip is getting the Colorado Study guide, it’s actually pretty good. Also get the free Dr. Harvey Bryan’s mock exam that’s circling around. I’m writing the Canada NC1.0(US NC 2.1) so the original mock exam is good.
Thank you for your great website! I am taking LEED AP in May – so I am planning on having a good use of your site preparing for the exam. I appreciate any good advice – every bit of information helps.
Because I have no experience with LEED test, I can not give any advice yet, but I had lunch with a friend of mine who passed LEED NC in January, and she said: “Just do it. Study, do not delay and do it”. So my plan is to register for May, and that will make it a hard deadline that I will not be able to postpone.
Looking forward to being a regular visitor on your website. Thanks again.
Congratulations!
Thanks for this wonderful resource for people who want to become LEED AP. I am really motivated to resume serious preparations again for the exam and I think that your site will be indispansable. I will also like to participate in the giveaway stuff.
Thanks a lot.
Here is my tip:
Knowing Synergies at the tips of the fingers is not only a must for the exams but also for successful practice as a Lead Ap.
WOW! This site is great. thanks for all the information and hard work that went into it!
I left a post in SSc2. Is it necessary to post my tip here?
Hey Adam,
Not necessary, since you’ve referenced it here. Thanks!
I started a LEED study group at work which got people motivated to go for the test. Plus just simply memorizing the credits is a huge plus right there.
My tip: work your way through the letter templates, as several questions hinge directly on how the certification process documentation forms are filled out. Download them below, and be sure to put in some dummy numbers to see how the calculations are performed in the templates.
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1447
congrats pat,
my tip: Read the Errata sheets, it clarifies some of the discrepancies on the reference guide.
Remember for SS Credit 2, the site must have been previously developed.
Tip: Projects that are awarded LEED platimun certification will receive a rebate for all certification fees. The rebate applies to projects that certify using LEED for new construction, Existing blgds, Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell or future versions of LEED. Registration fees, appeal review fees, and any additional fees required to expedite LEED certification will not be refunded.
Here’s the site where you can download Dr. Harvey Bryan’s mock exam that I mentioned earlier.
http://www.leededucation.com/index_files/mockexams.htm
Congratulation to those who have passed!
My tip –
Find a study buddy. Having someone to share the torment and joy with makes all the difference.
Remember: WEc1 (1st finger) – outside building, WEc2 (2nd finger) – Toilets & Urinals, WEc3 (3rd finger)- Toilets, Urinals, bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, & showers. That’s all these credits apply to! Memorize it, and write it down right away when you get in to the exam.
Also memorize the ASHRAE standards on your fingers and which credits they go with, then write this down right away when yo uget in to the exam, too.
I just began studying this week…but i’ve been prepping for the test at work…ie: I was putting together a spec book for a small project on a t&m contract, so I took the opportunity to update our sealant section to only include products with a VOc below the levels specified…
Anybody in Brooklyn want to study?
Congratulations!! I’m really motivated to study now!! Great job on your website. The best thing to do is to have a study routine and if you can’t study one day, try to just make a little bit of time to refresh your mind on the credits and their intention.
Alright! Surely the best way to learn this is to put it into practice on some projects first… then you’re sort of forced to learn it and you’re being productive! A double winner.
Cheers
My tip is to record your study notes onto a CD. I find when driving to and from work I listen to my “notes cd” and I utilize that drive time everyday and this seems to be helping me remember things.
Tip:
When infront of the computer do the following:
take a few deep breaths, clear your mind, and kick-butt.
I recommend making your own flash cards of all of the standards (like ASHRAE 55, 7CFR, etc.). I also made flashcards of the percentages involved for each credit, identifying how many points are achieved for achieving X percentage for X credit.
I also took the Colorado Chapter practice exam and several practice exams on leedtestprep.com. I consistently scored pretty poorly on these practice exams (around 65-70%), but ended up with about an 82% on the real test – so don’t be discouraged by poor practice exam results!
I passed recently with a 184!
Thanks for this great resource, Pat!
My tip to other visual learners is to create PowerPoints to help illustrate each point. I search Google to find relevant pictures and find creative ways to get the important numbers and standards displayed on my slides. It’s time-consuming, but fun, and you have a great resource to share with others once you’re done!
~Brittany
If you’re writing the CaGBC LEED AP exam (Canada) don’t forget that there are differences with the USGBC version. So be careful when you get study guides and material from the web!
I will be writing the Canadian version of the LEED exam at the end of the month – despite the few subtle differences, your resources are a great help!
My tip: study the basics before going through the intricacies.. My strategy so far has been to study the handbook, understand that, and then move on to the meaty reference manual. I find it helped me to memorize the credits, intents, and other required info (being an engineer, I am used to figuring out how things work, not memorize..)
Good luck to all writing the exam!
Congrats!
My tip for studying: Use as many senses as possible. First, Visual-read and write what you want to memorize then secondly, use Auditory by repeating the information out loud.
My tip: visit http://www.intheleed.com of course! it offers so many pointers and ideas on preparing for the LEED exam and basically what to expect. I’m studying now for LEED and one of the CSI certification exams…it’s a lot on my plate, including work on top of it all. Wish me luck!
Remember that innovation credits for exemplary performance typically either one iteration higher (e.g. 20%, 30% for Water Use Reduction, 40% for exemplary performance) or double the credit performance.
EQc8 – daylight and views
EQc8.1 – daylight for 75% of spaces
EQc8.2 – views for 90% spaces
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.
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!
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!!!
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!
I made a spreadsheet of all the credits that have a chance to gain an ID point. I look at this frequently.
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.
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!
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).
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/
Remember the thresholds for all of the ID credits and the exemplary performance stuff.
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!
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?
Don’t rush. You have 2 hours. Don’t rush.
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!
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
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.
My Tip:
When in doubt – C
It worked for the PE!
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?
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.
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!
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.
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!
study reference manual page by page
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.
Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before your testing time.
Make sure that you start study early in the game.
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.
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!
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
12.5% reneable energy obtains 3 points in EAC2.
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!!!
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,…
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.
Oops, typo! SMACNA – sorry about that