The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) grading system is the most frequently utilized green building rating system in the world. LEED is a global standard for planning and building energy-efficient and sustainable structures. LEED Green Associate certificate is obtained by passing the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) 100-question LEED Green Associate exam.
The LEED Green Associate test has no prerequisites or eligibility restrictions. Freshers and students can also apply for LEED GA. However, it is suggested that you gain knowledge about LEED and green building ideas through education, volunteering, or job experience.
“How hard is the LEED exam?” many people question. That is, after all, a subjective question. Those who lack LEED experience may struggle to pass the LEED exam. LEED v4 is vastly different from previous versions of the rating system. It can be difficult to know what to study for the LEED Green Associate exam, as there is a lot of material available, ranging from highly technical to quite broad.
Challenges in LEED GA Exam
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has set a passing score for the LEED exam of 170 out of 200. The duration of the exam is 2 hours with 100 multiple choice questions. Out of these, there are 15 unscored questions that USGBC evaluates for experimental purposes, but the candidate does not know which questions are scored & which ones are unscored. Also, there are more than 1000 questions in the collections from which your 100-question exam is set and no two exams will have similar questions in the same manner.
The LEED GA exam may be more challenging if you lack LEED experience or are new to the construction industry. You must have a good balance of the below three things, which will ease the process to pass the exam in one go.
- LEED Subject matter expertise
- Time Management skills
- Exam-giving Strategy
The best candidates are able to balance all three equally. Therefore, it’s crucial that you work on developing that skill set if you are aware that you lack proficiency in one of those areas.
How to be Successful:
When it comes to learning, there are now free resources and guides available online. However, when you shake hands with domain specialists, you gain the opportunity to learn and build new skills. A trainer will always help you stay focused and work on your weak areas and hence a trainer is a crucial aspect of any education.
Quadra Plus’s LEED GA Certification training course will prepare you to pass the 100-question professional exam with a specially designed training program, which will help you develop the necessary skill set. We also offer best practices for managing your time and addressing the test questions & our industry expert trainers will assist you in focusing your studies and mastering the topic.
Another way is to read study materials such as reference guides and test questions to yourself and out loud. Take practice LEED examinations to hone your exam skills. There are several hundred free questions available online.
Tips for a LEED GA Study:
- Make sure to understand the fundamentals of green building principles and LEED credit categories. It’s essential to be familiar with specific standards, entities, and measures.
- In the LEED GA exam, most of the questions require applied and critical thinking. Hence it is crucial to have a conceptual understanding of topics rather than simply memorizing them.
- To help you remember key LEED information, use flash cards.
- You should be well-versed in the four ASHRAE standards that are applied in LEED-certified buildings: ASHRAE 90.1 – Energy, ASHRAE 55 – Thermal Comfort, ASHRAE 52.2 – Air Filters, ASHRAE 62.1 – Ventilation
- Make a summary for each prerequisite and credit (name, intent, prerequisites, and standards)
- Take practice exams to avoid surprises on exam day. These practice exams will be turned to be an essential study element, as you would know the lacking areas.
LEED Green Associate: Certification & Its Benefits
LEED GA Certification covers green building principles and practices in both commercial and residential settings, which will benefit professionals working on LEED projects such as architects, engineers, product manufacturers, consultants, and non-technical and student aspirants interested in sustainability in the built environment.
As a LEED GA, you will possess the skills & knowledge for the design and construction of LEED-certified buildings and also help in driving green building practices acceptance.
There are numerous benefits to obtaining a LEED Green Associate (LEED GA), and this certification is a great investment in your career development as it can improve your job prospects and open new doors in the green building industry.
Many organizations look for personnel who have shown a commitment to sustainability and are familiar with the LEED grading system. With this certification, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainable design and construction practices while also increasing your industry marketability.
LEED GA Certification is recognized globally & as a certified candidate you become a part of a global network of professionals committed to creating a more sustainable future.
Green jobs are in demand globally & passing a LEED exam distinguishes you from the crowd by validating your field expertise.
