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A Typical LEED Exam Question: A Closer Look

Now don’t get scared – I’m about to go into much detail about one sample exam question. I am doing this so you will understand what the test may ask of you and how they may (try to) “trick” you. This post may seem long, but it should be beneficial to read all the way through. Here is one kind of typical question you’ll find on the LEED AP, New Construction version 2.2 Exam:

The design team of a 28,000 sq. ft. public school hope to achieve SS Credit 6.2, Stormwater Design: Quality Control, in the LEED-NC Rating System. Incorporating which of the following green building elements into the design would aid the team in achieving this credit? (Choose three)

A. constructed wetland

B. solar hot water system

C. vegetated roof

D. infiltration basin

E. high-albedo concrete

The answer is A, C, and D.

If you didn’t know the answers, that’s ok. If you did, that’s great – but keep on reading. There are a few things to realize about the LEED AP test questions before you sit down at your computer on exam day.

  1. This is a typical kind of question where it may tell you the category name, credit number and credit name (yes, they usually give you all of that info – in the questions and in answer choices), and your goal is to determine what green building elements fit into that credit based on the information provided. Other types will be the opposite – they will instead tell you the green building elements that will be incorporated into the design and you must select the appropiate credit(s) based on the information given. Percentages, requirements, prerequisites, submittal phases, codes and standards, the people responsible, and the occasional definition – they are all fair game on this test, but most questions regarding all of those things usually follow this methodology.
  2. Read the questions carefully. Let me repeat – read the questions c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y, and let me stress the “fully” part.
    • A few things while looking at this particular question:
      1. At first glance, you’ll see the “28,000 sq. ft.”. A lot of credits deal with the area of a building or site, and you should know those square footages in those credits. However, after studying you would know that credit SS 6.2, Stormwater Design – Quality Control does not involve any building or area calculations, so don’t let these numbers mess with your mind.
      2. Next, we’ll look at the credit sited, again, SS 6.2, Stormwater Design – Quality Control. Back to the “read carefully part”, don’t get this confused with another credit, i.e. SS 6.1, Stormwater Design – Quantity Control. As you can see, they look pretty similar on paper, so make sure you’re reading (and remembering) the right one.
      3. Also, be careful because sometimes you’ll see a “NOT” in the question, i.e. Which of the following is not required to satisfy the credit blah blah blah. This will dramatically change what you’re looking for in your answers, so again, read carefully.
      4. Immediately, I’d do a “braindump” (either in my head or on the scratch paper provided to you at the testing facility) of everything I remembered relating to this credit:
        • treat 90% of storm water runoff
        • remove 80% of Total Suspended Solids
        • use Best Management Plan (BMP) to treat stormwater:
          • wetlands, vegetated filters, open channels, vegetated roofs, bioswales, grid pavers
        • design phase submittal
      5. Ok, now that we’ve done that, we can start answering the question.
        • A. constructed wetlands and C. vegetated roofs are obvious answers here based on what we’ve learned and memorized
        • We’re done, right? WRONG! See the “Choose three” part? We need 3 answers here, but only have two so far. A lot of questions will ask for more than 1 or 2 answers. Some may even ask for as many as 5. Luckily, on exam day after answering the last question, the computer will notify you if you haven’t answered the required number of answers for any particular question and you’ll be able to go back later. You also have the option of “marking” questions so you can go back to them later as well.
      6. So we still need one more answer. A lot of times, you’ll definitely get 2 of the 3 required answers right away, and with one more to answer, the left over answers aren’t as clear cut and can cause us problems from time to time. If this happens, I like to play the “elimination game”.
        • B. solar hot water system: this is something that doesn’t sound like it belongs with stormwater design or quality control of runoff. It sounds more suited for something relating to the energy systems. X it out for this one.
        • D. infiltration basin: this could work. It wasn’t exactly in my “braindump”, but I did think of vegetated filters, and I know filters have to do with the quality control of some sort of water runoff (or lint in my dryer). Its proably this one, but there may be a better answer.
        • E. high-albedo concrete: luckily I know the definition of this is as a light colored and high solar reflectant concrete which has nothing to do with stormwater design or quality control. So this definitely cannot be the answer.
          • In case you didn’t know the definition of a high-albedo concrete, you can just use your common word association / SAT tricks to determine what this may be. For example, the word albedo reminds me of albino, which means something that white or lacks color. A white concrete. That makes sense, especially if I didn’t want to have hot concrete, for example. So now you know this isn’t the correct answer.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes on with these questions, but I hope I’ve broken it down for you enough so that you can have an idea of what may be asked of you and how to answer these types of questions if you haven’t seen them before. Again – don’t be frightened. As you study, you’ll learn the material much faster and be able to answer the questions without even going into this much depth.

Good luck, and Cheers!

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42 Comments On This Post

  1. Wow, an incredibly in-depth look into a sample question. This will definitely help everyone who is taking the test in a few weeks.

    Reply
  2. This is a helpful close look into exam question.
    Thanks

    Reply
  3. You have done such a great job of organizing the exam prep information for the LEED study info. to show the path for success. The question that I have to ask is completely selfish, for future if/when I pass this exam…
    Would it be possible to look beyond the exam and begin a new section on best practices for LEED AP’s for documenting projects, handling the submissions, etc?

    Reply
  4. You have done an excellent job of compiling this wealth of information.
    I am planning to take my LEED AP in the first week of May, could you post some more sample questions? or sample test would really be great!!
    Thanks a lot in advance.

    Reply
  5. I wanted to say Great Job with the website. Your work will help alot of future LEED AP get on the right track to passing their exam.

    Reply
  6. I have been visiting your website almost everyday. It is a very good source for exam study.
    Could you please answer this question for me?
    Thanks.

    A green-built fire station is being constructed out of a 1920s-era police station. The new building reuses 98% of the exterior structure of the old building and 40% of interior elements. It also intends to collect, store, and recycle glass, plastics, and metals. In addition, all wood purchased for the project will be FSC-certified, and the project team has made a large-scale effort to incorporate non-structural interior elements of the project, such as doors, that were unfit for use under the same circumstances, into decorative aspects such as trim. For which LEED points would the project be eligible? (Choose 1.)
    a. MRc1.1, MRc3, MRc7
    b. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc3, MRc7
    c. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc1.3, MRc3, MRc7
    d. MRc1.3, MRc3, MRc7
    e. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc7
    f. The project is not eligible for LEED certification

    Reply
  7. Hi Shanu,

    The answer, I presume, is f. The project is not eligible for LEED certification.

    The reason is because in order to be eligible for a LEED project, a project must meet all of the prerequisites. In this case, it does not meet all of the prerequisites (it’s a really picky question, in my own opinion) because it only recycles Glass, Plastics, and Metals, and is missing the required Cardboards and Papers as per Materials and Resources prerequisite 1. I hope this helps. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  9. bravo pat – f is the right answer .

    Reply
  10. I would have picked C. It seems that the question is only asking for which points would be eligible, nothing pertaining to actual LEED certification. How would you know to deduce this based on the question asking for points, not certification?

    Reply
  11. Margie,

    I too would have picked C if the question did not give answer f. as an option. To me, and I think I’ve said this before, this question is kind of mean to ask because you can look at it the way you did and easily deduce that it’s asking for what POINTS would be awarded, and not certification. In cases like this, you kind of have to find the BEST answer, and answer f supercedes all other answers based on the fact that it is there. To me this is a “trick question” and really it’s hard to figure out things like this sometimes, especially when one is under pressure. Very good assessment though, margie.

    Reply
  12. I passed the test today, yea!!!

    Reply
  13. It was nice to get connected with all of you thru this site, thanks to all, especially to Pat! I passed it on Saturday! Took Friday off, I am so relieved..

    Reply
  14. On your sample question above, if I had answered two out of three correct (A, C, E, for example), do I get partial credit for the question? Or do I have to get all three choices correct to get any credit?

    Your help would be appreciated.

    Reply
  15. Hi Roy,

    It is my understanding that you do receive partial credit for questions like this. No one really knows for sure the exact method of how the test calculates your score, but everyone I’ve spoken with does believe there is partial credit involved. There also may be different “values” or worth to the different answers that you select.

    Good question =) Best of luck to you.

    Reply
  16. Hi Guys,
    I have a doubt in the question shanu posted- if we did not have f as an option i think b would be the answer and not c( like margie posted) as it mentions reusing the interior materials for some other purpose so having said that we cannot consider achieving MRc1.3.Please correct me if i am wrong…
    Thanks a lot Pat:)for this wonderful study site.

    Reply
  17. Hi Pat,

    I am just getting started. On the exam do they list credits as shown in this example question (MRc3) or do they give the credit name (MRc3 – Resource Reuse)? I’m just trying to figure out how much I have to memorize….

    Thanks,
    Sue

    Reply
  18. Hi Sue,

    All of the questions, when they reference a credit or prerequisite will tell you the credit category abbreviation (SS, WE, etc.) , number and specific title, i.e. SSc1-Site Selection. Thankfully!

    Hehe, good luck!

    Reply
  19. The project in the post’s original question wouldn’t be eligible for LEED-NC anymore, right, because since April 2007 it would have to use LEED for Schools (if it’s a K-12 school)?

    And that sample question in the comments? OUCH. I’m taking the test tomorrow and hopefully won’t fall into the trap like I did on that one!

    Reply
  20. In regards to the following question…

    What factors in determining a project’s cost for LEED certification? (choose two)

    a. USGBC membership, project size, and project type(office, gov’t, etc.)
    b.LEED rating system (NC, EB, etc), and project type
    c.Project type and LEED rating system
    d.USGBC membership and certification level being sought
    e.Certification level earned

    I think the answer to this is c and d, but the answer key provided with the test claims c and e. I seems obvious that members receive lower registration rates and certification fees, but the test maker leaves it out of the answer. I realize the fact that “project level being sought” makes d incorrect, but my question is, does the exam typically pair a correct answer with an almost correct answer to trip you up?

    Great site, Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Sorry I typed that incorrectly,

    answer c shouild read – project SIZE and rating system.

    Reply
  22. Great post on the anatomy of a LEED Exam question! Thanks, pat.

    For the question that Otis posted I think that you have to consider (e) in the context of LEED Platinum, where the cost of certification is refunded. So this is definitely an earned certification that impacts the cost for LEED.

    Reply
  23. I am scared to death. I am only a supplier to the industry. My area of interest is Materials and Resources, but I need to understand everything else to write the LEED exam.
    Anyone have an idea how I can get my head around all this? I feel totally out of my depths.

    Reply
  24. Hi Joanne,

    I know how you feel. I’m in the architecture industry and felt the same way…

    But don’t be scared. You have to believe you can do this. I’ve received emails from people who aren’t in the industry at all – a fashion designer and a stay at home mom, both who passed the exam themselves.

    You are free to access any of the information on intheleed.com to help you, or i recommend at least checking out the possibility of getting a hold of “The LEED AP Walkthrough” which takes you through the exam from the beginning.

    You can read more info about my study guide here:

    http://www.intheleed.com/leed-ap-walkthrough

    Thanks and good luck! You can do it! You just gotta focus and allocate your time =)

    Reply
  25. Thanks for the support Pat. I checked out the walkthrough on youtube. Quick question? I’m in Canada. Is your book Canada friendly, or US friendly?

    Reply
  26. Anytime, Joanne,

    The Walkthrough is made for the US version, but actually quite a few people, who have used this website, did indeed pass the Canadian LEED exam. Although not everything was the same, they tell me it’s fairly similar and only a little more work has to be done to update the parts that are a little different between the US and Canadian versions.

    Hope this helps! Maybe you can checkout the information on the website first to see how much it lines up, then go for the book if you are still interested, up to you! I’d be more than happy to answer any more questions for you as they come up. Good luck!

    Reply
  27. I’m preparing for the LEED – EB exam on 12/19/08. Most of the study questions I’ve seen pertain to NC. Is there a significant difference in questions on these 2 exams? If so, can you please recommend a resource that focuses on sample questions from the EB exam? Thanks very much.

    Reply
  28. Dear Pat,

    I’m in architectural field, (almost there by one last exam short) I took the LEED back in 2003 after two weeks of study before they change to the new version and missed 3 points.

    Since the LEED is going to change again, therefore, I want to take it or at least register before march 2009. I’m so clueless what going on on the test date and whether or not the exam have to take before March ’09.

    Could you give some suggestion about these change please.

    Thanks

    Reply
  29. Hi Pat,
    I am appearing for LEED NC 2.2 tomorrow. Didn’t practised a lot on questions but i think my basics are intact. I just practised with the Arizona LEED sample exam and has a much better quality of question, except that there are a few questions based on LEED NC 2.1, but then it can be figured out.
    Wish me Good Luck.

    Thanks
    Abani

    Reply
  30. Hey Pat,
    I passed….got 172 🙂

    Reply
  31. Could you please help me to ansewer this question:
    “What products would qualify to achieve MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials?
    (A) Salvaged pine flooring reclaimed from a neighboring building
    (B) Linoleum flooring that contains VOCs
    (C) Concrete foundation that contains fly ash
    (D) Sheetrock made from recycled sheetrock
    (E) Builtin
    desks made of steel, plastic, and wheatboard
    (F) Strawboard cabinetry made with ureaformaldehyde
    resins”
    Many thanks, Wahid

    Reply
  32. sorry…, the above post you have to choose THREE.

    Reply
  33. My guess is b, e & f. I don’t like the way the answers are worded.. even you achieve MRc6 you will be conflicting EQc4…

    Reply
  34. I failed my exam and can i write the test in new version.i am not involved in any leed projects till now.

    Reply
  35. i would like to know abt leed 3

    Reply
  36. Doi need to remember the websites or the print media & resources too??

    Reply
  37. The only rapidly renewable materials there are linoleum and straw. Fly ask is NOT a rapidly renewable material. Many natural materials release VOCs. Urea formaldehyde is avoidable though.

    I’d pick

    (B) Linoleum flooring that contains VOCs

    Reply
  38. Hi William-

    Although I don’t want to dis this webpage, I do want to make sure you’re getting your answers. There seem to be more people “hanging out” in the ARE forum tonight, so maybe try posting your questions there too (cover all bases! 🙂

    Reply
  39. We’re all here!

    The procrastinators!

    Reply
  40. […] Green academy – Visit other areas of the site for more information on other […]

    Reply
  41. Hi Pat,
    Am an Architect fron India, doing my masters in Advanced construction management. Am preparing for LEED new construction exam n planning to appear in January. Started going through LEED book, Ashrey and Ecbc… Will that suffice?? And can you mail me some sample papers??

    Reply

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Pat, Thanks for your website! it helped a great deal and i just wanted you to know that. Passed the test and got a 189!

-Mari

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