Prepare for your LEED AP exam
Congratulations on taking your first step toward earning your LEED AP with specialty! A LEED credential gives you a competitive edge and shows the market you have the key knowledge, experience and credibility to bring success to LEED projects and sustainability-focused organizations.
Building Design & Construction LEED AP exam
Access the candidate handbook for exam policies and procedures.
Exam References
The key to earning a LEED AP with Specialty credential is a thorough understanding of green building, the LEED Rating System and the ability to facilitate the certification process. The exam is based on the following text specifications and references.
- Specifications for the LEED AP BD+C Exam (located in the candidate handbook)
- BD+C Rating System
- BD+C Reference Guide
- Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
- Guidance on Innovation & Design (ID) Credits
- LEED Online v3: Sample Credit Templates
- Cost of Green Revisited
- Energy Performance of LEED New Construction Buildings: Final Report
Sample Questions
These sample questions were discarded during the exam creation process, and they are provided to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. The ability to answer these questions does not predict or guarantee your ability to successfully answer questions on the actual exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk*.
- A LEED Core and Shell project is salvaging historic interior paneling and doors from the building that previously occupied this site. In addition to Materials and Resources Credit, Materials Reuse, what other Material and Resources Credit is impacted?
A. Building Reuse
B. Recycled Content
C. Rapidly Renewable Materials
D. Construction and Demolition Waste* - A former landfill site is under consideration for a new low-cost housing development. For Sustainable Sites Credit, Brownfield Development, which remediation strategies are appropriate? (Choose three.)
A. Solar detoxification*
B. Cap contaminants in place
C. Treating contaminants on-site*
D. List only the portion within the required radius*
E. Employing “Pump and Treat” method*
Interior Design & Construction LEED AP exam
Access the candidate handbook for exam policies and procedures.
Exam References
The key to earning a LEED AP with Specialty credential is a thorough understanding of green building, the LEED Rating System and the ability to facilitate the certification process. The exam is based on the following text specifications and references.
Sample Questions
These sample questions were discarded during the exam creation process, and they are provided to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. The ability to answer these questions does not predict or guarantee your ability to successfully answer questions on the actual exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk*.
- Which of the following are eligible for on-site renewable energy credit considerations? (Choose two.)
A. Geothermal energy*
B. Architectural features
C. Daylighting strategies
D. Solar thermal systems
E. Passive solar strategies* - Within a tenant space, there is a 200-Sq.-Ft. (18.6-Sq.-M.) private office and a 120-Sq.-Ft. (11.1-Sq.-M.) attached conference room. If 75% of each room has a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment, how much combined area is included in the calculation for Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Daylight and Views - Views for Seated Spaces?
A. 200 sq. ft. (18.6 sq. m.)
B. 240 sq. ft. (22.3 sq. m.)
C. 290 sq. ft. (26.9 sq. m.)*
D. 320 sq. ft. (29.7 sq. m.)
Operations & Maintenance LEED AP exam
Access the candidate handbook for exam policies and procedures.
Exam References
The key to earning a LEED AP with Specialty credential is a thorough understanding of green building, the LEED Rating System and the ability to facilitate the certification process. The exam is based on the following text specifications and references.
- Specifications for the LEED AP O+M Exam (located in the candidate handbook)
- O+M Rating System
- O+M Reference Guide
- Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
- Guidance on Innovation & Design (ID) Credits
- LEED Online v3: Sample Credit Templates
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- Sub-Metering Energy Use in Colleges and Universities: Incentives and Challenges
- ADA Architectural Barriers Act
- Buildings and Plants
- IESNA Technical Memorandum on Light Emitting Diode (LED) Sources and Systems
Sample Questions
These sample questions were discarded during the exam creation process, and they are provided to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. The ability to answer these questions does not predict or guarantee your ability to successfully answer questions on the actual exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk*.
- Which of following activities provide source control during construction? (Choose three.)
A. Install entryway mat
B. Specify low toxicity products*
C. Specify low VOC content finish materials*
D. Restrict use of toxic materials to non-occupied hours
E. Recover, isolate, and ventilate toxic material containers* - Which of the following structural control measures is acceptable to retain sediment after erosion has occurred?
A. Bioswale
B. Earth dike*
C. Rain garden
D. Retention pond
Homes LEED AP exam
Access the candidate handbook for exam policies and procedures.
Exam References
The key to earning a LEED AP with Specialty credential is a thorough understanding of green building, the LEED Rating System and the ability to facilitate the certification process. The exam is based on the following text specifications and references.
- Specifications for the LEED AP Homes Exam (located in the candidate handbook)
- Homes Reference Guide
- LEED for Homes Rating System
- Summary of Changes to LEED for Homes for Mid-Rise Buildings
- LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Rating System: Neighborhood Pattern and Design
- Energy Star Qualified Homes Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
- Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: About Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Sample Questions
These sample questions were discarded during the exam creation process, and they are provided to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. The ability to answer these questions does not predict or guarantee your ability to successfully answer questions on the actual exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk*.
- In order to determine if a site is suitable for a LEED for Homes project, the project team should evaluate the status of endangered species on the site by:
A. Consulting local forestry officials.
B. Searching the NatureServe Website.
C. Reviewing the Endangered Species Act.
D. Checking federal and state endangered species lists.* - Which three approaches should be used to reduce surface water runoff? (Choose three.)
A. Graywater system
B. Permeable surfaces*
C. Permanent erosion controls*
D. Rainwater harvesting system*
E. Roof runoff diverted to storm sewer system
F. High-efficiency landscape water system
Neighborhood Development LEED AP exam
Access the candidate handbook for exam policies and procedures.
Exam References
The key to earning a LEED AP with Specialty credential is a thorough understanding of green building, the LEED Rating System and the ability to facilitate the certification process. The exam is based on the following text specifications and references.
Sample Questions
These sample questions were discarded during the exam creation process, and they are provided to allow you to better familiarize yourself with the format and general content of items on the exam. The ability to answer these questions does not predict or guarantee your ability to successfully answer questions on the actual exam. Correct answers are marked with an asterisk*.
- Which agencies should be consulted to determine if imperiled species exist within the project’s boundaries? (Choose two.)
A. Audubon Society
B. Department of Ecology
C. Natural Heritage Program*
D. State Fish and Wildlife Agency*
E. Environmental Protection Agency - A project team has decided to reduce the development footprint of its design by clustering development, using predominantly multi-story buildings, and providing underground parking facilities in place of surface parking. Bicycle parking and shower facilities will be provided to encourage use of alternative forms of transportation and 10% of total parking spaces will be reserved for carpool parking. Based on this information what credit will the project most likely achieve?
A. Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit, Heat Island Reduction
B. Smart Location and Linkage Credit, Bicycle Network and Storage
C. Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit, Stormwater Management
D. Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit, Reduced Parking Footprint*
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Supplementary study activities
Candidates can supplement their study through the following opportunities:
- Course catalog
- Study guides
- Peer support
- Study group resource
Disclaimer: Use of any study materials does not guarantee a successful outcome of the exam. The knowledge needed to pass the exam should come from a variety of sources.
Practice Exam
Access one practice exam intended for a Green Associate candidate. The practice exam encompasses the topics that will be covered in the actual exam.
Exam Prep Series
Access five timed practice exams designed to reflect the Green Associate exam. Each practice exam provides a score, and relevant topics where the user may need additional reinforcement.
Complete, Self-Paced Course
Access LEED 205: Green Building and LEED, Preparing for the LEED Green Associate Exam for in-depth and engaging lessons. Each lesson features objectives, presentations, audio files, assignments, quizzes and an ebook.
Maximum Exam Prep
Access both the self-paced course LEED 205 and the LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Course.