Studying for the LEED-AP Test

It's finally nice to see someone tackle this subject. I DON'T apply my LEED knowledge to the degree of someone who would be on a LEED Design Team so my day to day familarity is not to the level of "The Back of My Hand" as I represent a product manufacturer effecting a "minute" portion of the total LeED system of classification. I've taken the exam twice with disappointing results simply because I did not take the REQUIRED time to fully MEMORIZE the COMPLETE Reference Package. My advice to fellow manufacturers. If you're thinking of taking the LEED-AP exam, Do you very best to memorize the LEED Reference Package (Manual) in full. My other comment---- Watch for multiple choice answers within multiple choice questions. (Potential of 16 to 20 choices across 4 correct answers within 1 question). NOTE. You could get 3 of the 4 answers correct. If you get the 4th one wrong the other 3 correct choices get thrown out the window if you select an incorrect answer. and you'll get that question totally wrong (even if you got 3/4 of the answer correct). This is where the system seems unfair. However- i fully respect the fact that they have to set the bar fairly high-otherwise- everyone on your block would be aLEED-Accreditted Professional.

My desire to take the LEED AP has increased after learning that it is really harder than most expect. I now expect it to be very difficult and thus perhaps will pass?

Forming a study group in San Francisco if anyone is interested. Sunday evenings from 5-6:30pm at Cafe Abir. Contact me for details.

Julie, thanks for the report, and sorry to hear about your near-miss! That's what I find a bit scary about this test -- for many people, their results don't match how they feel about their expertise. We've all bombed tests we weren't well prepared for, but I"d like to think that if I feel prepared, I'll do well.

Any tips for those taking the test?

Tristan, further to my earlier comments in this discussion- Julie is right on the money on memorizing the technical guide. In particular, I would suggest studying and memorizing the various Acronyms and the associated standard numbers for each referenced authority providing guidance or the benchmarls for measurement or qualification of LEED points AND MOST IMPORTANT - know SPECIFICALLY which LEED credit number and point value that those acronyms/Standards is applicable to -- as an example ANSI/ASTM E779-03---- Its not enough to recognize the correct number and acronym - by rote - you also have to remember that it is THAT standard that is used to prove that air leakage area is less than 1.25 sq. inches per 100 square feet of wall area if excercising Option 3 (reducing air leakage between rooms) in order to MEET the prerequisite for Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control as the primary qualifier for meeting the Indoor Environmental Quality Component of the LEED checklist. THAT is but one example of a HOST of different standards and acronymns that the Guide is proliferated with. The downfall of MOST of us who have failed the exam is that we may have fooled ourselves into thinking we have EACH of those acronymns correctly memorized and associated with the appropriate part of the LEED checklist. The BETTER you can drill yourself with flashcards that can correctly relate these standards to the the correct LEED section and credit number , the higher chance you have of passing. Just remember, the only thing you can walk into the exam with is YOUR BRAIN - no other reference material is allowed so unless you have it ALL in your head - you risk not passing the exam. I only wish THIS forum had existed before I wrote the exam and that someone had shared this data with me.

Yes Mary Lea, I think it would be great for you to share those resources with this list. Thanks and congradulations on your success! Laura

OK - here we go.
Step 1 - Realize that adequate preparation takes time - lots of time if you don't want this process to be painful. I studied for over a year, off and on, but a lot of that time was spent figuring out how to study. If you already have a good, and I mean really good understanding of sustainable design, you can get ready to take the exam in 2 - 3 months.

But let's make the assumption that some of us could benefit from a better awareness of basic green design principles. Fortunately a great course explaining these principles exists, online no less, and even better - it's FREE. But before I give you the link to the course, let me tell you about another free resource that will make this task easier.

If you grew up in America, you didn't study English in order to learn to talk. You just absorbed it bit by bit as you grew from a baby to a toddler to a child. This is a useful tool for anything you need to learn. Hang out and "talk shop" with those who are knowledgeable about green design. And read, read, read. Subscribe to - and here's that word again - FREE magazines that focus on sustaninable design. I'm not talking about reading each one from cover to cover; just skim them, stopping to read those things that catch your eye. Before long more and more information will begin to stick. Sort of like hiking through a cockle burr patch (If you're from the South and like being out in nature, you know what I'm talking about.)

The three best magazines to start with are Environmental Design & Construction, Building Design & Construction, and Eco-Structure. All of these are free and subscription info can be found online. Just Google them.

Now back to the free course. I like this course for several reasons. First, the format follows some of the best principles for learning - such as breaking things into bite size pieces. It also has short videos to accompany the text and open-book quizzes at the end of those bite size pieces. The text is another great FREE resource. (The goal here is to save your money for those resources that are NOT free.) Besides you can get a certificate of completion for each piece and CEU's for the course. What's not to like?

The course is called High Performance School Design. Even though it's geared towards school design, it is applicable to many building types and is a great overview about green design. You can find the course here -
http://www.nyserda.org/hps/default.asp
If you have trouble locating the text, let me know. That should be enough to get you started. Let me know how it goes.

Tad,
You've hit the nail on the head! Great comment. Passing the exam MUST be motivated by reasons other than being able to add those letters at the end of your name.

What good does it do to claim you are accredited and then not be able to deliver a sustainable building because you don't truly understand what you're doing or you make the building more costly than it needs to be because of your lack of understanding? Then those creditials become just another form of greenwashing.

Congratulations on a job well done, with the skill to walk the talk. Congrats too for taking the 2.2 test and not rushing to take the easier 2.1 test and then be unfamiliar with the requirements for producing a 2.2 building.

One thing you did say may be slightly confusing though. In learning the information for the test, you say you avoided tryiing to memorize anything. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't any information you learn and retain, memorized? Could it be you avoided memorizing and putting the information in your short-term memory only to be emptied shortly after the test, but by taking your time studying, you stored the information in your long-term memory? You no doubt remember the majority of what you studied, maybe forgetting some of the details, but you could quickly put your hands on any information you needed if you had too.

Allowing adequate time to prepare is only Step 1. Have any of you looked into the online High Performance School Design course? Is anyone interested in Step 2?

A few words of advice for anyone wanting to become accredited.

1- Have a timeline! Anyone knows how goals can slip unless we have a specific timeline. LEED is not rocket science but it is best to keep an aggressive timeline from the beginning if possible. During the beginning of your studies you are like a sponge and are soaking up a tremendous amount of info, hopefully because you are interested. That is the best time to keep feeding your appetite.

2- Attend a LEED Technical Review workshop. I know they can be very expensive if you don't have a company to pay for one but they are usually very well put together and can condense a tremendous amount of self study. They also provide a great deal of context and should give you a snapshot into the industry demographics which is helpful overall. Prepare yourself for the class by downloading a rating system and familiarizing yourself with the presentations available for download.

3- Schedule a test no later than 2 months after your class. Some testing centers can have up to a month backlog so don't wait. You can schedule the test down to the hour if you like so pick a time that works for you and stick to it. Much of the class is direct testable info so pay close attention and the longer you wait the more you will forget.

4- Read the reference guide. The 2inch thick book is the only way to get to the true testable elements of exam. The exam assumes you have a working knowledge of the point thresholds and instead focuses on the application of the credits. Look but don't memorize the formulas. Formulas and referenced standards are prime test questions! You are not expected to remember the exact formulas or standards but instead need to understand the elements used in the calculations. Ie: Is recycled content calculated by percentage of total project cost or project weight. Many of the formulas and standards repeat themselves so don't get too overwhelmed.

5- Take practice tests. I keep many exam resources including practice tests on my website: http://www.2dinnovations.com/tips.html

6- Think positive! Studies prove that mental visualization of success will manifest itself and you will become accredited. I can't emphasize that enough. For a few minutes every day prior to the test, take a minute and totally relax yourself in quite surroundings. Envision yourself answering questions successfully and calmly until you see the screen showing: Congratulations! You have successfully passed the exam the exam.

Now that you are the latest LEEDap go have a beer for me!

I'm considering going for LEED AP, but am coming from the construction side of the business, NOT the architectural/design side. Will that put me at a significant disadvantage in preparing for the exam? Any thoughts on how to best overcome my lack of true design experience.

Larry

I'm working on an article that compares the LEED AP to the new NAHB and NARI programs for builders. If the LEED AP is so difficult to pass, should builders go for the NAHB or NARI certification instead? Is the residential marketplace sophisticated enough to care about whether a builder has any certification at all? Any and all advice appreciated.

How important is it to have a degree in design or work in construction to take the LEED exam? I have a masters in Geology and have worked in a Civil Engineering firm (Water Resources) for 5 years. I am looking to take the AP exam because I would like to get into more integrated work.

I took LEED NC 2.2 and passed it the First Time. My initial study plan was to memorize all the credits and intent but after taking the practice exams I realized that was just 50% of the effort. So I changed my plan and started focusing on Approach & Implementation portion of Reference Guide and the Free Templates. That improved my performance suddenly. I felt understanding each and every credit definitely helped me in the Test instead of Memorization.

Joe, there is not a simple answer to this question. The following is from the USGBC website:

"Q: How is the LEED Professional Accreditation exam scored?
A: A scaled scoring process is used to score each exam. Scores can range from 125 to 200, but candidates must achieve at least a 170 to pass the exam. Note that the scaled score is neither the number of items correct nor percentage correct. USGBC reports scaled scores so that candidates know that a passing score of 170 is required to pass on each test. In this way, confusion about what is required to become a LEED Accredited Professional is avoided."

Note that USGBC says what a scaled score isn't, but not what it is -- and they think that this avoids confusion?

The way this works, to my knowledge, is that different questions have different values based on difficulty. A difficult question might be worth 2 points, and an easy one is worth 1.5 points. A score of 170 out of 200 is 85%, but it might not translate to getting 85% of the questions correct. This makes it hard to score a practice exam, but I don't think it matters. Unless you are very familiar with LEED, you'll probably do poorly on your first practice (I did). Study more. If you get close to or even surpassing 85% on a practice exam and you're understanding and learning from your incorrect answers, you're in good shape.

Why are you thanking MaryLea all she did was post and ad. Has LEED not taken enough of your money that you want to give it to her org? WTF is going on w/this industry. Ya I just failed the LEED AP by 2 pts and ya I'm a little bitter but come on people can''t you see a total snow job when you see it. Come on people.

I just passed the LEED AP with a score of 183. I think the best way to study is to learn the credit intents and requirements first, and really understand them, and them learn what you need to do to submit them to USGBC for credit and additional credit information. I was fortunate enough to be sent to a LEED Technical Review workshop to review NC 2.2. The workbook for this class was possibly the best source of condensed knowledge next to the reference guide. It made things much more manageable. Lastly, after all the studying, I took about 7 swings at practice tests from Greenexamprep.com. The 4 test this subscription site gives you access to were a bit more tricky that the actual test, and really makes sure you know your stuff. These tests make sure your brain is used to taking tests formulated the way the LEED AP is.

Lastly a good way to test yourself is to sit down with a LEED checklist with all the credit names listed and write out or resite the requirements. If you can do this for 90% of the credits, you're ready to pass. Remember though, its not just about credit intents and requirements. Theres alot to learn. Good Luck-

hey tristan, when you said that you took (and failed) a practice test, how did you know that you had failed? is there a way to predict a ballpark of your scaled score based on the number of questions you got right?

in my case, i just took an 8o-question practice test, missing 26. that means i'm not even close to 85% (ie: 170/200) correct, but i interpreted the method of the scaled scoring differently from you. since the scale goes from 125 to 200, i would expect that one can't get below 125, only build up from there. unless the scaling method is just so complex it's beyond my comprehension, wouldn't that mean that the percentage one needs is 60% or more correct? (ie: [170-125]/[200-125] ... even though this doesn't account for weighting of easy/hard questions) by this calculation, my score, 54/80 or 67.5% would come out to 175 (ie: 0.675 * 75-point range + 125, the lowest possible score).
does the above make sense to anyone?
more to the point, are any of you who have taken the real-life exam able to volunteer your score and number of questions you got right/wrong? i think that could help me determine if my logic is way off base. it's pretty frustrating that even a good practice test doesn't help me assess my level of preparation without a reliable scoring metric.

Hi everyone,

As a person with a B.S. in Environmental Studies (emphasis Building Energy Management & Design) and a M.Arch from the University of Oregon you'd think I'd be pretty well qualified to take and pass the LEED AP exam relatively easily? Nope. I read and studied the Reference Guide for NC and Homes cover to cover, took extensive notes, made informational spreadsheets and studied with a fellow Arch major and still felt completely unprepared. (that may be partially because I was studying in the middle of Terminals) Then I found greenexamprep.com. For $60 there were pre-made flashcards (pretty helpful) and 4 practice tests. I have no doubt that I would not have passed if it wasn't for that website. Best $60 I've ever spent! (shameless plug, but true!!!!)

The USGBC is a company out to turn a profit. LEED reference guides are also very expensive. Now with so many no new versions out it's difficult to keep up. I guarantee that clients will ask for LEED for homes or LEED Core & Shell at one time or another and you'll need to buy a copy. Testing is also expensive but there are people like myself that have spent over 100 hours to prepare practice questions to geniunely help others study. I can't give them away but I don't charge alot either. For just 20 dollars I sell 240 practice questions, flashcards and more to people prepare so that they shouldn't have to retest once or even three times at 300 dollars a pop. All my information is designed with LEED NC the common type of rating system used. Check out LEEDAPHELP.com do yourself a favor.

All these comments are a bit overwhelming. I am very new to this and after MANY hours of reading comments and horrible failure stories I think to myself "do you really think you can pass if all these highly degreed professionals were doubting themselves?" All I can say is a week ago I didnt even know what LEED stood for much less know what I have learned just in a short week from several hours of researching and reading personal expierences from good people like yourself. I have ordered the reference guide and have a sheet of paper with many preparation items and advice I have read. A co-worker and myself are planning on trying to tackle this together, but are almost to the point of having a panic attack! :) I have made a timeline, and have subscribed to the free magazines, and bought flash cards, and printed example exams, etc. Now all I can do is wait for the guide to come in and get to work. Thank you to those who have passed it and are trying to help out the newbies like myself. You could of just as easily went about your merry way. I sincerely appreciate the time you put into helping others and the information you provided. Wish me luck! I need it! :) Shannon

I am researching the LEED-AP in order to have my project managers accredited. In my reading there are 3 Exam Tracks, does this mean that you can test for each individually or the exam is inclusive of all 3 tracks? Thank you

Janise,

The answer to you question is yes, but you still have a very good chance of passing. In fact, many of the people that I know who pass were in the same situation as yours.

The key for you to pass is to get high scores on the LEED credits and other portion of the exam that you do know, and since you have NOT done actual LEED building certification, so there will be some questions that you may have to guess. This is the hard part of the exam, but these questions should be only a small percentage of the test if you prepare well. You should eliminate the obvious wrong answers and then do an educational guess. There is no penalty for guessing. If you have no idea what the correct answer is and cannot eliminate any obvious wrong answer, then do not waste too much time on the question, just pick a guess answer. The key is, you probably should try to use the same guess answer for all the questions that you have no ideas at all, i.e., if you choose "a" as the guess answer, then you should be consistent and use "a" as the guess answer for all the questions that you have no ideas at all. This way, you probably have a better chance to guess more correct answers.

Gang Chen, LEED AP, AIA
Author of
1. LEED AP Exam Guide
http://www.outskirtspress.com/examguide

2. Planting Design Illustrated
http://www.outskirtspress.com/GangChen

The difference in the two disciplines is the NC covers "new construction" or extensive remodel work. LEED CI is for 'Commercial Interiors" does not apply to new construction or simple remodel work. Mainly for Tenant improvements. Go for LEED NC there is more study materials available and the exam for each discipline is almost the same. If you pass the LEED NC exam you will understand all LEED Certification areas. Purcahse the LEED NC reference manual at USGBC.org and read several times cover to cover. Not an easy exam. Make sure you understand the inter-relationships between all of the credits and intents. Know the ASHRAE standards well. You need to know how to calculate Water efficientcy and waste water discharge calculations as well.

USGBC sent out the “LEED 2009 Introduction Memo” on 5/1/08. LEED 2009 will be
available in 2009 and includes the following components:a) LEED 2009 - LEED Rating System updates/ revisions
b) Revision and evolution of the LEED certification process
c) LEED Online v3
LEED 2009 will be part of the continuous evolution of the LEED Building rating system. For LEED 2009, USGBC is trying to synchronize the prerequisites and credits of the different versions of the LEED systems, and to create a predictable LEED development cycle (like the building codes, probably every three years), and a transparent environmental/ human impact credit weighting (redistributing the available points in LEED), regionalization (regional bonus credits).

Currently, a project can earn up to four points for exemplary performance for IDc1, and the LEED Steering Committee voted to have up to three points for exemplary performance in LEED 2009.

Those who know LEED v2.2 will have a great advantage in the transition to LEED 2009. The current LEED v2.2 will be used in the LEED AP Exam and LEED building certification until the release of LEED 2009.

My suggestion for you is to pass LEED v2.2 instead of waiting for LEED 2009, because it is easier, you have better test prep books and you’ll have a better chance of passing it. It should take a total of 40 to 80 hours to prepare for and pass the LEED AP Exam. So, just take the exam and pass it now, and be done with it.

The LEED 2009 will be published in 2009. After that, it’ll take at least several months for Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) to come up with a new set of test questions; and it’ll take at least several more months for publishers and authors to adapt and come up with new versions of test prep books. All these new books will also need to be tested by readers with more time to improve and adapt to the new tests.

If you want to take LEED 2009 exam, “LEED AP Exam Guide” can be helpful to you also. It is the ONLY book contains discussion on LEED 2009. I have highlighted the important information, and shown you what kind of information you need to memorize (See LEED-NC technical notes), and how GBCI may ask the questions (See practice questions and mock exam).


See Appendixes of “LEED AP Exam Guide” for links and more information for LEED 2009.
Copyright 2008 Gang Chen, LEED AP, AIA
Author of
1. LEED AP Exam Guide
http://www.outskirtspress.com/examguide

2. Planting Design Illustrated
http://www.outskirtspress.com/GangChen

Thank you for the great information and advice. This is the direction I was leaning, and your obvious first-hand insight in this matter has given me me the reassurance I was looking for in continuing my studying and taking the exam in December.
Thanks so much!

I am a professional Interior Designer, licensed in TX and Fla. I did successfully pass the LEED exam and am promoting green interior design. I advise all interior designers to go through the process, difficult as it may be. We owe our clients this knowledge even though their projects may not be LEED certified. Learning the LEED credit criteria and applying it to your specifications of finishes and furnishings will better serve our clients and our environment. Knowledge is a hard sell, but I have personally taken a stand to educate and further promote responsible interior design services.

Hiya again! Regard question 59:

None of these answers are very clear; currently all project fees are equal across the board for the most current Rating Systems (with the exception of EB only paying for a construction phase review). Beyond this, certification fees depend on USGBC membership, project size, and Rating System version (example, NCv2.0). This info is on the USGBC website, on the LEED --> Project Certification sections. Either the answers need to be more specific, or clarified as a whole. (I would recommend your option C read 'Project size and LEED Rating System version' and option D should be deleted as earned certification levels have nothing to do with certificaiton fees with the rare exception of Platinum projects)

Again, am I missing something? Thanks

Let me first say that this whole LEED testing/accreditation operation is a money making sham. Passing this test in no way prepares one for performing the tasks of a LEED AP or more importantly how to design with green principles in a creative and comprehensive way that genuinely contributes to the environment and quality of the building. Furthermore, the material covered by the LEED exam and administered by the USGBC should be part of the common baseline for Architecture (my field), not lorded over by some special org like the GBC. It should be incorporated into the ARE. If Architects aren't applying these principles, they aren't doing their job. The USGBC fights hard to maintain monopolistic control of this acceditation (that we all feel we must have now) so they can keep the $300-$400 plus studying materials cash coming in.

What I really wrote in to say: Would everyone who passes this test and especially those who "specialize in sustainable design" (see MaryLea 1/18 posting) stop being so full of yourself. I first consulted this blog (among many others) two days before I took the exam looking for some answers on how it was scored so I could understand my practice exam score. What I found on all sites was a mix of "how hard it is" horror stories and people so full of themselves because they have experience in sustainable design trying to give advice. I work at a large firm (more than 300 people) and of the 20 that sit around me, about 10 have passed this exam. Most of them are clueless when it comes to LEED principles and greater sustainable design issues. For the most part, they didn't go to "good" schools or particularly, ones that focued on sustainable design. They don't use LEED in their work after the test and weren't exposed to green design before they took the test. They took the exam, because if you don't have LEED AP next to your name now in Architecture, you are not as marketable. Plus our firm pays for people to take it, so why not? Thats $3000 for the USGBC, zero demonstratable result for the Architecture profession. Just sickening.

Anyway, I figured, if these guys, who don't seem to know it at all, can pass the exam, so can I. So I registered for the exam 2 months before I took it. I then promptly forgot that I registered for it until the weekend beforehand. I freaked out, went on Saturday and checked out the Reference Guide from the library and started studying on Sunday. I read 200 pages of it Sunday, 100 more Monday after work and the last 100 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I found free flash cards online on the University of Florida's website and did those along with quizzes they have on there as well. I did poorly on the quizzes. On Thursday I took a practice exam that I found for free online. I did better than I did on the quizzes: 54 out 80 correct. Still not good. On Friday, I went over everything I missed on the quizzes and practice exam at least once. I took the test Saturday morning and passed with 181. The fact that I could pass after one week of studying while working a full 50 hour week, only pissed me off more. No wonder everyone and their Mom is a LEED AP and has no idea what they are talking about. I would have been even more mad if I had paid for it instead of my company.

The point is that you can cram and pass this test, but you would be better serving the world and your profession if you actually learned this stuff and just practiced it without taking the test. If do you cram, definitely don't pay for study materials though as they are all free onine somewhere. UFlorida's website is a great place to start.

Hey guys..this was one of the hardest things I have ever done.. but I passed..the first time! LOL

I really recommend cleanedison.com if any one out there is looking for classes. They various locations through out the US BUT also have online courses and a good sample exam on their website. Trust me, I used their one on one tutoring service and I can honestly say that there is no way I would have been able to pass this without them..

Good news for international LEED users like you! According to Beth Holst at GBCI, the LEED 2009 version of the AP exam, to be launched this summer, is going to be more neutral with respect to metrics and other nation-specific issues. It is specifically being written for an international audience.

I just took, and passed, the LEED-NC test. I took a month to prepare; I started by reading the reference guide completely through, and then went back to the beginning to make flash cards for each prereq and point (it's important to make your own, if you're like me, writing the info helps you absorb it.) Then I started taking practice tests - I took one from the USGBC Colorado Chapter that was great - super hard, and had great explanations. After each test, I graded it and re-studied the ones I got wrong - making more flash cards as necessary. I took a total of three practice tests. On the day of the test, I took one last pass through the flash cards, and that was it. I passed with 186.

Just took LEED 2.2 exam...DID NOT PASS, made a 162. Did the University of Florida prep exams, had the 2.2 study guide read through three times, made flash cards and studied at least 1 hour a day for 6 weeks. You have to know the CIR process and you must know the synergies between credits, how one would influence the other. Know plumbing fixture flow rates and affects on credits. But above all it is memorizing and practice exams. I have missed the dealine to register and re-take, so I will have to wait for new version. I think GBCI has a definite money making operation. GOOD LUCK

What exactly is the reference guide mentioned in this blog. Where do I find it? Is there a cost for it?

Renee, the USGBC website currently says, "Due to unexpected website maintenance, we are extending the deadline for registration for the LEED AP NC and CI exams to April 1, 2009 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)." The GBCI website is currently blank.

I just took the AP test and passed with a 177. The exam wasn't as difficult as I expected primarily due to the fact that I recv'd great study advice from others who had taken it. The most important things to do are read the book cover to cover, you don't have to memorize it just know the high points. Take notes as you read through on all the intents, requirements, and referenced standards. Implementation is also an important aspect. But probably the most valuable thing I did was take practice exams. greenexamprep is a great site that offers 5 tests. I took the first one before I read the guide, and then took it again after. Once I was satisfied with my score on each test I would step up to the next one, and saved the final practice exam for the day of the test to revitalize all the information as a "cram" session. This worked for me. Good luck.

I took the test for the first time today and passed with a 184.
If you are still taking the "old" version of the test, buy the sample test at http://www.greenexamprep.com/
It seems a bit more difficult than the exam but if you can learn every answer to every question you will surely pass the LEED AP exam

Best Wishes all

Tristen,
God Bless You! I am one of those peolple that wait until the last minute to study. I started studying Friday 5/22 for am exam on Tuesday 5/26. I studied all Memorial Day weekend. I had taken several sample tests that had been passed around the company, and had passed about 75-80%. I came across your exam Monday night at 9:00 pm and then realized I didn't know LEED at all. After missing 47 out of your 80 questions, I pulled out the USGBC book and corrected and made notes on every question that I missed. I made sure I knew why, and understood every question. I passed at 10:30 Tuesday morning after studying your exam thoroughly. Thanl you for all your help!
I absolutely recommend your practice test to everyone taking the current test.
Thanks again,
Roger

The USGBC is a money-making scheme!
I took the LEED-NC test today and failed with 169 / 170.
I studied the book over the last year (and read it 2x cover-to-cover in the past 2 months). I understand all LEED-NC principles, but feel like I've been duped due to a lot of inconsistencies in the v2.2 reference manual and test material (i.e. 'xierescaping,' as it relates to WE credit 1.2).

Now, I'm looking at paying these con artists another $450 to re-learn v3, and wait to take the test again with it's released later this summer.

Sigrid, most of the practice exam answers are fairly self-explanatory based on a review of the Reference Guide. I found when studying that reviewing all of my mistakes by checking the Reference Guide was one of the most useful study activities. For the trickier questions that tend to trip people up, many of them have been discussed and reviewed here. If you have a question that's not answered, and you've researched in the Reference Guide and other sources, please post a comment about it.

Fro what its worth, I took the prep course about one year ago, then immersed myself into the performance building industry as a strategic endeavour for our company as I am a business developer. I did not look at the manual or guide for the entire time. When June 2009 approached, I enrolled to take the test before the June 30 deadline. The day before the test, I broke out the manual and started to read from cover to cover, starting at 6 AM. I had perused before, but never performed a deep reading. By 11:30 PM, I finished the review, with about 2 hours of breaks and meals. I read for understanding, not memorization, putting each section into the context of how I would serve / benefit my clients. I did try to distinguish between the various acronyms and their meaning and application. Occasionally I would google the acronym and study the various links for greater depth. I did re-read the intent section for each credit, however.

At midnight, the night before the 9 AM test, I took three practice exams from the Green Building Education Services. I found these to mimic the LEED test very closely, even providing a breakdown of strengths and weaknesses just like the exam. The format was nearly identical. And I selected to see wrong answers as they occured with manual references. I re-read each section based on a wrong answer at that point in time to better understand the right answer. I started to see a pattern emerge -- I was not reading the questions carefully enough. They are worded pretty tricky and need to be fully understood before you even look at the response choices. I fell into this trap on several questions, and when I re-read the sections it became clear understanding the question is equally important as the response. Subtle word play can often mis-lead.

The other benefit this $49.95 service was that the practice questions were harder than the actual exam, psychologically comforting after I got into the first 10 questions of the actual test.

By 3:30 AM, I fell over dog-tired, after 22 hours of straight studying, completing 2 1/2 practice tests, and earning a 67-70% correct answers. I took a 2 hour nap, showered to wake myself up. I then completed the third test, feeling a bit more comfortable. But I still had intrepdation as I needed to pass or face starting all over with the new accreditation process beginning in July. I approached this mentally by resigning myself to failing, taking pressure off myself and treating this like an expensive lesson in procrastination.

When I finished the exam with 30 minutes to spare, I reviewed the questions I did not feel comfortable with, as the test exam center has this cool review feature. I re-read each question and my response. By really focusing on what each question meant, I realized two questions were misinterpreted. I changed my responses as the answers were farily evident with the correct interpretation of the question. Then I pressed SUBMIT and waited . . . to take a questionnaire about how easy the exam process was . . . and waited. Congratulations, you scored 171 out of 200. You passed. Needless to say, I wa not only relieved, but estatic. I promptly drove home and went to bed.

I studied for about a month before the test (2-4 hours per week) and took the week off before the test to cram. I then took the test one the last possible day, June 30th and passed with a 180. I wasn't feeling as confident as I would have liked going into the test so was quite relieved.

Out of the nine in my department that took the test over the past year, four, including myself passed it the first time (44% pass rate). One person passed it the second time and another failed it a second time. The four who failed will either try again for LEED 2009 (version 3?) or not bother.

I see that some people mention sections of the test that they did poorly on but actual scores are not listed. This may be helpful to others by suggesting what sections might be harder or easier than others. My scores were 1) Knowledge...68%, 2) Coordinate...89%, 3) Implement...93%, Verify...50%.

It will be interesting to see how the new version evolves and how difficult that exam will be. Good luck to all in the future.