I took (and passed) the LEED2.0 test earlier this summer. I thought a lot of the questions were awkwardly worded, repetitive, and a few were even off topic. I've heard that the pass rate for the LEED2.0 test is too high, so they are making the questions more difficult. I think it switches over to 2.1 in september.

Despite any shortcomings of the test, I still am a strong supporter of what the USGBC is doing. And I hope that more and more buildings will be built with sustainablility in mind.

pennejb,
since it is fresh in your head, you might look at the past thread LEED exam and just comment on if any of these suggestions listed here that worked for you....

Any pointers on the types of questions asked? The Study Guide put out by the USGBC seems to be next to worthless, IMHO (but then I haven't taken the test yet).

...I mean, should I be memorizing the various formulas used to determine credit, or not?

This is very timely, i write test tomorrow at 11:00am Studdied a fair bit, i haven't bothered to memorize the calculation stuff mostly the general ideas etc. I also found the sample awkward with wording that made it some what tricky.

Any simple pointers for my study session this evening??

Calculations themselves were not on the exam but rererences to the variables are, so be somewhat familar with them. Be very familar with the referenced standards in each credit as well as publications. Obviously the intent and requirements for each credit are on the exam as well as a few design strategies. Study referenced publications (print media) for some of the larger credits. The toughest section of the exam for me wass the Green Building Design and Construction Industry Knowledge, I am fresh out of school and have limited experience in the field. The easier section of the exam was the Rating System Knowlege and Green Design Strategies. Be familar with how a project is registered, submitted, and certified by the USGBC. Several questions pertaining to the preresiquites are also on the exam. Skip the study guide and focus on the reference manual.

good luck whistler! let us know how you did.

sorry never got back...I passed 81. I certainly feel I went in having under studied. Too much trivial info I found and the way it is written was some what awkward. Happy to pass. Only studied the reference guide, but if I had time I would have gone and reviewed the referenced web sites ( general interest and knowledge). It is a tough test and would recommend you really get some other sample questions to review. The sample test has 16 questions of which you can guarantee that 6-8 of them will be on the test so its kind of a freebie.

Hey, nice tip on the sample test -- I'd figured it was entirely useless!

I want the world to know that as of today I am an accredited Leed professional. To those who are considering joining the exclusive club, I suggest you study the reference guide exclusively. Don't bother taking a course.

I am taking it on Saturday. To those that have passed, what would you recommend reviewing in this short time period? I plan on finishing the reference guide, but what else might help?

I just took the exam last Saturday, and I'd recommend reviewing the Ratings Guide just prior to taking the exam. I went through it a few hours before my test, and for me it was helpful to review all of the intents, submittal reqs, and reference standards just before the test. Also, for some reason I didn't do very well on the 3rd part "LEED Resources and Processes". I'd really recommend going through the LEED website and review the certification process too. I must say, I thought some of the questions in that category came out of nowhere. I thought for sure I'd score better in that area, but I didn't really. Just some thoughts.

I have to take the dreaded test in 2 weeks. Arggh, lots of boring reading ahead for me. Thankfully, there is nothing good on TV nowdays.

I was reading on Areforums and one of the guys gave a good tip regarding notes. The testing center is supposed to give you paper and something to write with. At the start of the test, write down all of the code references, credits and what section they came from. Think of it as your own crib sheet. So when you take the test you have at least something to refer to and you won't be sweating bullets too.

Yes I did that. I got the blank sheet and wrote down all the ashrae ref numbers and gold seal / gold label / southcoast air references and stuff. guaranteed to have some stuff on that. know the certification process inside out and the heat island credits. The mechanical stuff I found hard to understand just like the ARE exams, I found it the most foreign to my general skill and experience.

woohoo!
I just passed my exam. I wrote down all the credits etc. but did not refer to them during the exam. I was stuck on the questions that required experience...

Out of curiosity, what are the "required experience" questions like?

I AM A LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL, AND YOU WILL RECOGNIZE MAY AUTHORITAY!!!!!!!!!

So, I just finished passing the exam this morning. I was sure I would fail it after all the warnings about it being a super hard test. I maybe studied 15 hours total. I read the reference guide, looked over the website, and wrote down everything right before the test.

I was in and out of there in half an hour (my coffee didnt even get cold in the locker). I found most of the questions answered themselves by how they were written. I highly recommend taking it before real test writers get a hold of it. You are certainly better off if you've had exposure to sustainable design at your firm or at school. I did refer to what I had written down at the beginning of the test, but it mostly just organized it in my mind. Anyways, I got an 83. After taking the ARE, this was pretty easy.

I recognize your authoritay!

...any tips? I take the test on Monday...

Like I said, I was sure I would fail it. All I did was read through the reference guide, click around on the website, and read through the checklist the morning of the exam. The questions dont really delve into the hard stuff like they could have.
The first section is mostly concerned with building industry knowledge. I have just completed the ARE, so that was pretty easy, although it was the section I did the worst on.
Then the next section was on general rating system questions. One of the questions actually answered about three other questions in that section. There were questions like "what does ASHRAE 55 relate to?" Very basic. Just study the pre-req's, the credits, and what reference standard goes with what credit.
LEED Resources and Processes just asked questions on how to register your projects, etc. A lot of it is from the introduction to the reference guide. Also, if you took a training seminar, its covered in that. Know that process and all the administrative stuff.
The last section would give you a green design strategy and you had to match it with its credit. Some of them were a little tricky, but if you read the reference guide, you'll do fine.

I hope this helps. Although maybe I did better because I was scared of it. Who knows. Good luck!

I agree with kn825. Reading through the reference guide will get you at least the passing 75 points you need. I did very bad in the first section but almost nailed thet following three sections. 16-20 hours of reading will do it... at least for me

I read the ref.guide and took notes as i read - helps me remember what i'm reading. The material is a little dry and it's easy to have your mind drift.

There are also some sample questions that you can download from the usgbc website. I thought the questions were awkwardly worded and a little confusing. But that's pretty much how all of the questions on the exam are.

I would also say, don't overthink the questions or you'll probably be able to justify 2 or 3 of the mult choice answers.

what's the point in being LEED accredited? is it just to make yourself look good? do you guys actually believe we recycle? most of the companies that claim to recycle is bogus. it's all face talk.

this idea of being green is just a fad.

It's not just about recycling. It is about reducing the negative impact of architecture on the environment. It also about having well lit offices with good air.

The enthusiasm about making everything green may be somewhat faddish, I think some of the principals of green design are here to stay.

And yes, it does make you more marketable.

What is the "LEED Welcome Packet"?
Please don't point to the site. I could not find it there :(

I'm 22, will be going back to grad school in a year, any reason for me to cram for and take this test before the switchover? I've heard you can just read the manual for a week and be ready if you are good at retaining what you read. But I wouldnt put my registration to use at all for a while I suppose. Or should I just wait till done with grad school?

i'm in a similar situation as pvb. i've decided to wait until the next version to take the test. what's the point of cramming for the next week when i'll need to familiarize myself with the updated requirements anyway? im just wondering whether I should take it before I apply to grad schools in January, or after I graduate. While it is just a test, I think it shows a desire to expand my knowledge of not only sustainability, but also our profession. But would an Admissions office put any weight into it? Would they interpret it the same way?

I'm going to learn about sustainability and try to implement it wherever I can, but will taking the test now be worth the 350 dollars it will cost me? Any thoughts?

The only reason I am taking it right now is because I heard that the next version will be more difficult. It will be written by professional test writers.

the changes between this version and the next version are very minor. They deal primarily with the documentation requirements. The basic checklist is the same. There will be a big change when 3.0 gets rolled out, but that's probably a few years away. I would say take it now. It'll be easier, and you'll have it ready when you get out of school.

kn825
Your name sounds familiar.