Step 1- Understand what is on the exam

The USGBC website lists the following as references from which exam material is developed:
• U.S. Green Building Council. Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide. 3rd Edition. U.S. Green Building Council, 2011.
• U.S. Green Building Council. Introductory and Overview Sections. LEED Building Design + Construction Reference Guide. v4 Edition. U.S. Green Building Council, 2013. *Note that the introductory and overview sections are available to download separately from purchasing the full reference guide.
• U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4 Impact Category and Point Allocation Process Overview. U.S. Green Building Council, 2013.
• U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4 User Guide. U.S. Green Building Council, 2013. Web.
• U.S. Green Building Council. Guide to LEED Certification: Commercial. U.S. Green Building Council, 2014. Web.
• “LEED Certification Fees.” U.S. Green Building Council, 2014. Web.
• “Rating System Selection Guidance.” U.S. Green Building Council, 2014. Web.

The only reference that isn’t free is the “Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide”. We recommend purchasing the pdf version of this guide so that terms can be quickly searched. Download the other references and quickly read through them at this time.



Step 2- Download the free GreenLearner LEED GA Pocket Study Guide

Read through the study guide. Become familiar with the terms and the very basic definitions listed. This study guide only lists essential information associated with each standard and term listed. If there is a term you don’t understand on the study guide, research it further in one of the references listed above.



Step 3- Take tests repeatedly until you pass with a 90% or higher

It is ok to “cheat” on the first two exams…this is how you learn. Look up answers in one of the references or on the LEED GA Pocket Study Guide.

On the third and fourth exam, try to answer questions without looking up answers. It is still ok to look up information after you answer a question, but try to answer each question on your own.

Starting with the fifth exam, take the tests like it is the real exam. At this point you will be familiar with the material. Take as many exams as necessary until you score 90% on three consecutive exams. That’s it! You are now ready to sit for your exam.