LEED Study

The Best LEED Study Habits

Seriously, I studied, I took the test and I conquered. I think that’s a famous Latin quote, but I can’t promise I got it right. Basically, what I’m saying is I took the test, and did well, so you should be able to use my hints and apply them in real life.

The BEST Study Habits

What How When Where

WHAT to Know to Pass the Test

I studied and did very well on the test. Not perfect, I mean even my crash course instructor had a hard time making a perfect score, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re used to 100% scores.

Here are the items you should know, in order of importance, in a nutshell:

1. Memorize the LEED Scorecard for the version you will be taking. Memorize the acronym (i.e.. EAc1.3 for example and a quick synopsis of the credit, like the title)
2. Memorize maximum and minimum points associated with each credit
3. Memorize percentages associated with each credit
4. Memorize important agencies and codes associated with each credit
5. Memorize the calculations and variables associated with each one
6. Memorize synergies with other credits – the USGBC would like to know that you are going to effectively implement their plan and incorporate their ideas into one cohesive project.
7. Understand what part of the design, pre-con or construction phase each credit would fall under
8. Understand what type of submittal would prove the credit should be achieved

That’s all you have to do. So this section answered the WHAT. Now you need to know HOW. See below.

HOW to pass the LEED v. 3.0 Exam

1. Every day for two weeks, you should regurgitate the LEED Scorecard and as much information you can provide about each credit.
2. Practice writing out the Scorecard and use your quick acronyms to get the information out fast. You will have ten minutes at the beginning of the exam where the computer plays a video showing you how to use a computer to take a test. Keep an eye on it, but I think most of us know how to use a computer. In these ten minutes during the exam, you can write down the scorecard, which will give you more time to complete the test.
3. You should be able to write the scorecard, points possible and a quick blurb to jog your memory for percentages, and the general idea of each credit in less than 10 minutes.
4. If you don’t have the scorecard memorized, don’t take the test. It’s a waste of $200. If the test costs more these days, you really shouldn’t take it without first memorizing your credits.
5. I practiced the scorecard aloud in my car, in the shower, and wrote it down before, during and after work. Students should be able to nail this part, as your brains are still in what I call “learning mode”
6. Review the LEED online. Anything on the website is fair game for the test, but I’d gather it’s no more than 10%. I didn’t look at the website, but I knew my calculations forward and backwards.
7. I took a crash course for WAY too much money. There are enough free sites out there, but I would still recommend finding a cheap problem book to use. Wikiengineer will be coming out with one soon that will blow your mind for a price so low you won’t believe it. But please, believe it, because it’s going to be awesome.

WHEN You Should Take the Test

My best advice is to take PRACTICE tests every night for a week once you have the scorecard memorized (should take two weeks if you’re working the program well enough). You want this stuff fresh. For some reason, the USGBC wants you to memorize things that you will later simply look up on your project.

Remember that math teacher who used to make you complete long division by hand? That’s the USGBC in this case.

WikiEngineer will be coming out with Practice Exams soon. And they will be much cheaper than the Reference Manual. You could probably argue that they will be affordable. So stay tuned!

WHERE and WHEN You Should Schedule Your Exam

There are locations everywhere. I remember when I signed up, this was a tricky process. Follow my rocky directions below; they will be easier than trying to navigate your way through the USGBC. For some reason, I still think that website is so difficult to navigate, which is part of my motivation for trying to provide information here on this site.

Before you can schedule an online exam, you must register with the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) which is separate from the USGBC. In an effort to segment the test from the USGBC, they created all these separate entities, which only creates havoc for the user (you and me).

Anyways, create a free user account with the . They will let you enter your USGBC member or company ID for a discounted exam fee, but you don’t need to be a USGBC member to take the test.

Click on Exam Registration and you wil be redirected to a new page. On this new page, you will be asked to either enter your registration information, or register for free. Easy enough.

Then you’ll be sent to complete your User Profile on the Site User Registration form. This is where you would enter your company’s information for a discount, if eligible.

Once this is established, you will receive an email. Click on the link in the email. You will be redirected to a new page, where you will enter your new GBCI login information. If you don’t create your profile, and don’t receive the email to continue, you cannot register for the exam. This part tripped me up for a few hours, so just suck it up and create the profile.

You will be sent a “Welcome” message with a link to the Accreditation Exams and you should click this link.

Once on the Accreditation Exams page, you should click the Apply for Exam link.

You will be redirected to a new page, where I suggest you select the New Construction Exam, as all other sections are based on this portion of LEED.

You will again be redirected to a new page (see how this is not an easy feat?) with a link to actually SCHEDULE your exam.

The next screen will take you to the list of exams you are registered to take. Click the link for Schedule Exam and get ready to pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate the almost complete registration.

I think from here on out you should be good; choose your country, state and eventual city of preferred location.

Good luck! This isn’t an easy process and it took me three or four times to get it. My main problem was I didn’t set up my profile and wait for the email before I tried to schedule my exam. Apparently you need a profile to schedule an exam. Whatever.

Memorize the Scorecard and you will be 30% there. Add on all the pertinent information and you’ll be 60% there. Then you add construction experience (I had two years when I passed the test) and you’ll be 80% there. The rest is fluff but you’ll get it.

See my breakdown of the credits for more information.