Introduction to LEED Green Associate Exam Prep

Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP

President, ArchiteG, Inc (ArchiteG.com)

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Before We Start

1. Why the LEED Green Associate Exam is the most important LEED exam?

2. You have only a limited amount of time to prepare for the exam.

3. You must concentrate your time and effort on the most important content of the LEED Green Associate Exam.

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A. Strategies, Suggestions, and Mnemonics

1. The nature of the LEED exams and exam strategies

2. LEED exam preparation requires short-term memory

3. LEED exam preparation strategies and scheduling

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4. Timing of review: the 3016 rule; memorization methods, tips, suggestions, and mnemonics

5. The importance of good and effective study methods

6. The importance of repetition: read a good book at least three times

7. When should you start to do sample questions and mock exams?

8. How much time do you need?

9. The importance of a routine

10. The importance of short, frequent breaks and physical exercise

Mnemonics for memorizing these 10 key points: Nancy Smith Shows Tom Michaels a REd TREe (Note the underlined word in this sentence and the underlined words in the 10 key points above)

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B. Overview

1. What is LEED? What is the difference between LEED, LEEP AP, LEED Green Associate, LEEP AP+ and LEED Fellow?

2. Why did the GBCI create the new three-tier LEED credential system?

3. Do I need to have LEED project experience to take the LEED exams?

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4. How many questions do you need to answer correctly to pass the LEED exams?

5. What are the key areas that USGBC uses to measure the performance of a building’s sustainability?

6. How many LEED exams does USGBC have?

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C. Introduction to theLEED Green Associate

Exam1. What is the scope of the LEED Green Associate Exam?

•Understanding the fundamental credit intents, strategies, requirements, technologies, and submittals for the six major credit categories

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• Process of LEED application and opportunities for synergy

• Site factors of a project

• Management of water

• Project system and related energy impact

• Project materials acquisition, installation and management

• Project team coordination, stakeholder involvement in innovation and regional design

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• Project Surroundings and Public Outreach

2. How many possible points does LEED v3.0 have?

3. How many different levels of building certification does USGBC have?

4. What is the process for LEED certification? What are the basic steps for LEED certification?

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5. What is precertification?

6. What is a CIR?

7. When do you submit a CIR?

8. What are the steps for a CIR?

9. Will a CIR guarantee a credit?

10. What are the tasks handled by GBCI and what are the tasks handled by USGBC?

11. What are MPRs?

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D. LEED Green Associate Exam Technical Review

1. What do green buildings address?

2. Key stake holders and an integrative approach

3. The mission of the USGBC

4. The structure of LEED Rating System

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5. LEED certification tools

6. Specific Technical Information• Sustainable Sites (SS)• Water Efficiency (WE)• Energy and Atmosphere (EA)• Materials and Resources (MR)• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)• Innovation and Design Process (ID)• Regional Priority (RP)

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E. LEED Green Associate Exam Samples Questions

1. With regard to the Optimize Energy Performance credit, which of the following statements is correct?

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a. Compare your building performance to the baseline building performance.

b. Compare baseline building performance to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 (with errata but without addenda).

c. Compare baseline building performance to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.

d. Compare baseline building performance to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2003.

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2. Which of the following factors does not improve human comfort?

a. Air temperature.

b. Ventilation.

c. Radiation exchange.

d. All of the above.

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3. The standard used for Measurement and Verification is:

a. ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 (with errata but without addenda).

b. The Department of Energy Verification Protocol.

c. A signed statement from the designer.

d. International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol.

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For further information, see: