7/1/09 Update: The LEED AP exam has significantly changed, and the following information has not been updated to reflect this. And by the way, if you are looking to learn about the LEED 2009 rating systems, there's no better tool out there than our own LEEDuser.com.
The LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) exam consists of 80 questions, and is scored on a scale of 125 to 200, with a score of 170 being good enough to pass. I thought that writing for Environmental Building News and earning a master's certificate in sustainable design online through the Boston Architectural College, I was in good shape for taking the LEED-AP test and joining the ranks, so I scheduled my accreditation exam for later this winter.
I remember the drill from taking the SATs in high school -- practicing actual questions is the best way to study. So I started looking for sample tests and other test prep junk, which led me to the popular ARE Forum, where I got my first reality check.
Here's what some people said about the test:
"I took the LEED NC 2.2 test on Friday and scored a 168 out of 170. I plan on taking it again this week. Kills me as I was so close. The test was pretty fair but hard. There about 5 questions that I believe were unfair." -ReddFL"The report said I failed bad in the credit intent and understanding which confuses me as I know the requirements like the back of my hand....well for most of them." -Hobstar"I just got back from failing the exam... 163. I'll be retesting next Thursday. The proctor told me that if I had gotten one more question right, I probably would have passed. IF. I now despise that word... IF. " - it aint ez bein greenI'd heard that the test had gotten harder since the early days, but comments like these really underlined that. So I've dug in, taken (and failed) a practice test, and made up flashcards to learn just what are SMACNA, IPMVP, BMP, and good ol' EPA, and in what credits they are relevant (the University of Florida also has free online flashcards).
One way of looking at LEED is as a standardized test for buildings, an approach that has pluses (it's democratic and transparent, or at least tries to be) and minuses (it encourages building by checklist, much like American schools "teach for the test"). The LEED-AP exam, then, is a standardized test to qualify to proctor a standardized test.
That about sums up how much it has to do with actually building a green building. In the plus column, now I've finally learned what is SCAQMD. (I had been picturing a bureaucracy of squid doctors, when in fact it's the South Coast Air Quality Management District, it regulates stationary sources of air pollution in Orange County, CA, and its standards are referenced in EQ Credits 4.1 and 4.2, Low-Emitting Materials).
What are your LEED-AP exam experiences? For those who have earned them, how do you feel about having those letters after your name?
I feel really good about earning my LEED AP Credential. I've gotten a nice promotion and gained more respect in my office because of it. Like yourself, who created that practice exam to help you and others (It's great, btw. I wish it was around before I passed my test on March 2nd), I started a blog to help myself study too, which turns out to be a great resource for others as well. I would be honored if you could take a look at it and offer your comments and recommendations/criticisms on it. I'm always looking for ways to improve the blog and help others pass the exam. I'd also love to trade links with you too if you see it proper. My name links to the website. Thanks in advance!
Karen - You test each track individually. But only need to take one to be accredited. All three versions of the exam result in the same certification. There is no need to take all three and the track you choose will not be inclusive of all three.
Question to all:
I am an interior designer working for an architectural firm that does not utilize LEED. I have never taken a project through the LEED certification process does this put me at a disadvantage when preparing for the exam?
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.
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.
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.
At the end of your practice exam, which I purchased for $12.95 (1 week peek into site), it states For discussion of the questions, see: http://www.buildinggreen.com/live/index.cfm/2007/12/30/Studying-for-the-.... The discussion does not directly discuss each question - is this correct -- no explaination of the answers? Thank you in advance for your reply.
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.
I misunderstood your question, Sigrid. The URL given in the practice exam is not correct (I am fixing it now). Go here, instead, to see an open forum on the exam questions:
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!!!!)
I agree with MaryLea about taking your time to absorb all the exciting information about green buildings and LEED designs. I passed the LEED v2.2 after 6 months of studying. I took my time and read the reference manual slowly and made sure I understood what i was reading. I avoided trying to memorize anything because to me LEED was more than just being able to use it on a business card. I work for an engineering firm that allows me opportunity to work on unique design projects that are poised for LEED certifications. THe challenge of being part of this new transformation is what drives me to actually learn the LEED rating system.
THank you MaryLea for the indepth write up. I will pass on the link to NYSERDA to my fellow colleagues who you studying for the exam.
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.
It's not important at all. It just might make the test a little more difficult, but we need more people from more disciplines to become LEED APs. Try to get a good basic foundation in green design first, though. Take a look at the online High Performance School course I referenced in an earlier comment.
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.
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 don't think you're missing anything and I'm planning to edit the questions you refer to in the practice exam. Keep in mind, though, the LEED AP exam requires you to pick the best answers, even if they are not perfect -- even if they have misspelled words. Keeping that in mind is worth two or three correct answers on the actual exam, at least.
I have now taken the test a total of 3 times. I purchased the reference guide and studied it cover to cover. I created flash cards of the credits and intents and went over and over them prior to taking the test. My first attempt I scored a 165. My second attempt was interupted by a fire alarm malfunction at the testing center but I was able to complete the exam. However, the GBCI allowed me to retake the exam free of charge. My second try was 168 (even with the fire alarm interuption) I created flash cards to assist me in my study process. I beleive this really helped me commit the information to my long term memory. I studied for another two weeks following my second attempt and really thought I knew the material like the back of my hand. I was extremely disappointed to come away with another 165. I really beleive now that the format of the exam throws me a real curve ball and I have now swung and missed 3 times. After reading much of this BLOG I am going to check out those free publications and check into some of those LEED examination prep seminars or boot camps. Any recommendations on which one to sign up for would be appreciated?
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
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.
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)
Hi BuildingGreen/Tristan-
Thanks for the great website and LEED AP exam resource! I have a question about the sample exam question number 7 from SSc8: your answer says the requirements include options A and C, but I see in my NCv2.2 3rd edition reference guide page 103 that A is an option of the first requirement for interior lighting. Therefore, option A would not be a requirement because a project could slect the first option (light not exiting windows), thus making the requirement for lighting controls obsolete. Is there something I'm not seeing?
Hi Mary Lea
I too am looking for something that would prepare me the best possible way. I do agree that it is an expensive exam and I wouldlike to only take it once. Please share your resources.
Thanks
Andrew
Question to all,
My question is similar to what was posted on 8/20/08 by Janise.
I am an architect (in between jobs) who worked for a firm that did not utilized LEED and have not taken a project through the LEED certification process. Am interested in becoming LEED AP. Need some clarifications. Based on the above , will I be eligible to take both Tier I and Tier II exams under LEED 2009?
by the way, Amanda, at the end of the actual exam, you do not get to know how many questions you got right or wrong. You only get your scaled score and your performance in individual test areas.
I just passed the LEED Exam. Here is the key to passing. STUDY.
If you want to pass do not go out and blow your hard earned money on all of the junk online. You must memorize the entire intent, requirement, and submittal process in the reference guide - your best source. Also know the LEED process.
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!
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
I am an Interior Designer currently studying for the LEED CI Exam. I've had the exam guide for awhile, but have only really started studying in the last month or so. I feel I could be ready to take the test in late December if I work really hard. Does anyone have any insight on the pros/cons of waiting/not waiting to take the LEED 2009 exam after the test is revised? Will the material I'm studying now be valid on the new test? I've heard the new test will be even more challenging and I'm not fond of the idea of starting over with all new (and expensive) study materials and additional information to learn, plus the additional time waiting for the new test materials to be ready. I don't have a LEED 2009 project on the horizon. Is it worth cramming to get it under my belt?
I did LEED-NC exam in October 2008 in Dubai and failed with 165 point. I didn't comprehend the meaning of LEED-NC. I will go for it again February 24 in Dubai again.
But I am not an American, I am Dutch and brought up with the Metric system and used that for 38 years. The (old) imperial system is very hard to comprehend and USA is the only country in the world still using it.
So memorizing is about all you can do.
ASHRAE, ANSI, etc. are totally new for me and the approach of those guidelines is totally different from our mandatory legislation.
I found, that several questions had discutable answers, also in the preparation exams. But you are not allowed to discuss or disclose them on pain of being ousted from any further exam.
I checked the USGBC website and found that only few foreigners are LEED-AP. They probably have the same problems as I do.
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.
I just finished the exam and scored 167. How ironic it is that most unsuccessful attempts have been within 4 points of the 170 minimum passing score. The exam was difficult, but the results really contradicted my perceived knowledge. The Score report indicated that my weakest area was Implementation.
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
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.
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.
Tristan,
Whatever you do, memorize the Reference Guide from cover to cover. There were approximately 10 questions discussed in the guide that were not covered in the standard itself.
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.
I'm with Prometheus up there. I heard the exam was getting harder starting March 31, 2009, so I decided on a whim to pass it before then (I have never submitted a building for LEED accreditation, nor do I have any special knowledge of sustainable design). I signed up for an exam last thursday (exactly six days ago), put off studying until three days ago, and read the reference manual in two nights. Then last night and this morning I took some practice tests (two) and went in this afternoon and passed the test, to my own amusement. Silly test.
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
Tristan,
Having a thorough understanding of green design is but the first of several steps to mastering the LEED exam. I have an Architecture degree specializing in Sustainable Design, but after visiting the forums and reading many heartbreaking tales of those who only came close to passing, I too was apprehensive about being able to pass the test the first time I took it. I didn't want to pay to take the test multiple times - it's not cheap, so I divised a plan to put me in the best possible position to pass the test the first and hopefully only time I took it.
Was I successful?
Absolutely! I scored 190 out of 200 passing with flying colors that first attempt.
I think anyone could do the same with hard work, sufficient time, and an effective game plan.
Knowing how to learn is just as important as knowing what to learn.
I'm trying to figure out how can I best help others prepare for the exam. My first effort will be to lead an ongoing class at the A/E firm where I work for those who want to prepare for the exam. I've thought of blogging about what we cover each week if I can find the time. While not as effective as actually being in the class, it might be sufficient for a self-starter.
But for those just starting this journey, I recommend focusing on the first step of becoming very familiar with basic principles of sustainable design and there are some very good online resources for that. If anyone is interested, I will be glad to share where to start.
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.
Larry, you'll be fine as long as you have a general understanding of all facets of construction much like a general contractor would. An architect has an advantage over other design professionals because they function like a jack of all trades. They have to know something about everything in order to design a structure that can actually be built. A general contractor has much of the same knowledge. LEED is not so much concerned with aesthetics and the psychological aspects of space which are two other areas of an architect's expertise.
Go for it. We need more people from the construction side to become LEED accredited.
The more people on the team that have their accreditation the more sucessful the project will be.
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.
Sorry this has been so long in coming. That said let's talk about Step 2
Well, first let me say I agree with 2D about having a timeline. Having a goal or target date for taking the test is a vital motivational tool. As a wise man once said -
Aim at nothing and you'll hit it everytime.
Divide the time between your start date and your test date into 8 periods. Allow one period for learning about the different LEED rating systems and when to use each one, for becoming familiar with the test format, for looking over the LEED accreditation handbook, and for gaining an overall familiarity with the rating system you are being tested on (for simplicity's sake we'll use LEED-NC 2.2 as our default from here on out). Also allow time in this period to gather your resources for studying. We'll cover those later.
That familiarity includes the 4 different levels of certification and how many points are required for each level. Know the 6 categories and the difference between prerequisites and credits.
How do you know if you are familiar enough with the material?
Can you easily say it in backwards order? For example, Innovation in Design, Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials & Resources, Energy & Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, and Sustainable Sites are the 6 categories in reverse order. Can you say these quickly in either order? If so, you know it pretty well.
The next 6 periods should be dedicated to learning the details of each of the 6 categories (because the Innovation in Design category is fairly short, during this period also become familiar with project registration, online credit templates, credit interpretation rulings, and the certification process) and the last period to taking practice tests & discovering and correcting your weaknesses.
If you allow one week for each period of time, it would take you 2 months to prepare. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but there was no way I could learn and absorb all that I needed to know about Sustainable Sites (or any of the other categories for that matter) in one week while working full time. It would have taken my every waking moment outside of work and I wanted the process to be enjoyable, so I probably allowed each period to be about 2 weeks long. Besides learning more slowly allows things to enter long term memory rather than taking up temporary residence in short term memory.
Keep breaking down each period of time and each category into smaller and smaller segments until you know what you need to learn each day. You know - the eating-the-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time method.
I know this is not what I intended to talk about today, but this is just as important and 2D's comment got me thinking about these things. So what about Step 2?
Step 2 -
Discover and focus on your learning style, but reinforce your study with all the learning styles.
Do you learn best by reading something or seeing pictures, or do you prefer to have someone explain what you need to know? Perhaps you would rather take a hands on approach while someone walks you through the steps. The first learner would be a visual learner, the second - an auditory, and the third would be a kinesthetic learner.
How do these three styles affect your approach to learning the material to pass the LEED exam? Well, I'm out of time for now. Let me know if these chats are of help to you and I'll answer that question later.
I just took the LEED NC exam and failed w/ 166 pts. I listened to other's advise about taking the practice exams, memorizing the book, etc. but this was little help to me. I read the book cover to cover and took practice test after practice test and still failed the exam.There were maybe 2 questions similar to the practice tests and I got at least 3 questions that had info I never read in the book (I went back to double check after the test). So I feel a bit duped but I know I have to study that much harder next time, whenever v 2009 test will be ready (which by that time I may have forgotten all that I memorized)...
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
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.
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!
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