LEEDGREENASSOCIATE35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAM

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2 LEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAMGREENSTEP

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Introduction
GreenStep is committed to empowering members of the building community with the knowledge and skills
necessary to understand and successfully apply the LEED Rating System to their projects. One of the first steps
towardsunderstandinghowtoeffectivelyimplementLEEDistobecomeaLEEDGreenAssociate,demonstratinga
basicunderstandingoftheLEEDRatingSystemandrelatedconcepts.InadditiontoourLEEDspecificeducational
programs,studymaterialandfulllengthpracticeexams,GreenStepoffersthisfreeLEEDGreenAssociateSample
Examtohelpyoupreparetopassthetestwithconfidencethefirsttime.
The following compilation of test questions accurately reflects the types of questions you will encounter on the
LEED Green Associate Exam. To get the most benefit out of this sample exam, we recommend taking it under
examstyleconditions(lessthanoneandahalfminutesperquestion)whilepracticinggoodtesttakingstrategies
such as eliminating incorrect answers and focusing on selecting the best of the remaining answer(s). Although
there is not a defined number of questions you must get right to pass the real exam, you should be able to
correctlyansweratleast90%ofthequestionsinthissampleexaminordertofeelconfidentgoingintothetest.
As with the real exam, there is no partial credit given for questions with multiplechoice format. Once youve
completedallthequestions,sendanemailtoGAanswerkey@greenstepeducation.comtoreceivetheanswerkey.
Inadditiontothisfreesampleexam,GreenStepsindustryleadingLEEDExamTrainingworkshopsandfulllength
LEEDPracticeExamshaveprovenhighlyeffectiveinpreparingpeopletopasstheLEEDexam.Ourcoursesdeliver
the material in a clear and concise format while presenting the types of exam questions that are asked so you
know what and how to study. We also review example scenarios from real world projects to help you better
understandandrememberthematerialwhilegivingyouanopportunitytoputtheconceptstopractice.Seethe
backpageofthisexamforalistofwhatparticipantsaresayingaboutourworkshopsandrelatedstudymaterial.
Withapassrateofover95%,theresultsspeakforthemselves.
To purchase our fulllength LEED Green Associate practice exam or study guide, schedule a LEED Exam Training
workshop or Continuing Education course for your organization, or to inquire about GreenSteps Professional
ProjectExperienceProgram,pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.greenstepeducation.com.

GREENSTEPLEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAM 3

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GreenStepLEEDGreenAssociate35QuestionSampleExam
1. WhichofthefollowingarepossibleconsequencesofloweringtheLightingPowerDensityonaproject?
(Choose2)
a) Reduceheatingloads.
b) Morecontrollabilityoverindoorlighting.
c) Reducecoolingloads.
d) Energysavingsassociatedwithlessenergyrequiredforlighting.

2. Whichrefrigerantisenvironmentallypreferable?
a) CFC.
b) HCFC.
c) HFC.
d) Alloftheabove.

3. WhichofthefollowingfactorsisNOTincludedinthecalculationsforIndoorWaterUseReduction?(Choose
2)
a) Whetherornotlavatorysinkshaveautomaticcontrols.
b) Thetotalnumberofwaterefficientwaterclosetsandurinalsinthebuilding.
c) ThetotalnumberofFullTimeEquivalents.
d) Theflowrateoftheshowerheads.
e) TheAverageGallonsperUse(AGU)ofdishwashers.

4. WhensubmittingDesignphasecredits,whichofthefollowingrepresentpossiblereviewresponsesissuedby
theUSGBC?(Choose2)
a) Accepted.
b) Denied.
c) Anticipated.
d) Notapproved.
e) Earned.
f) Achieved.

5. Whichofthefollowingstandardsrelatesspecificallytocarpets?
a) GreenSealStandard37.
b) SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict,Rule1113.
c) GreenLabelPlusProgram.
d) ASHRAE552004.
e) GreenLabelProgram.

4 LEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAMGREENSTEP

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6. WhichofthefollowingstrategiesmightbeappliedtowardsachievingConstructionWasteManagement?
(Choose2)
a) Usingmaterialswithrecycledcontentsuchthatthesumofpostconsumerrecycledcontentplusonehalf
ofthepreconsumercontentconstitutesatleast10%(basedoncost)ofthetotalvalueofthematerialsin
theproject.
b) Crushingexistingconcretefoundationsonsitetoreuseasbaserock.
c) DonatingexcavatedsoiltoanadjacentHabitatforHumanitybuildingundergoingconstruction.
d) Divertingwoodscrapsfromthelandfillbysellingthemtoanearbyfacilitythatproducesparticleboard.
e) Divertingleadbasedpaintfoundonsitefromthelandfillbytakingittoahazardousmaterialsfacility.

7. Anew6storyapartmentcomplexisbeingconstructedinanurbansetting.Duetobudgetconcerns,the
projectteamhaschosentoreplacebamboocabinetswithcabinetsmadefromparticleboardproducedmainly
fromdiscardedwoodchips.Basedontheinformationabove,whichofthefollowingcreditswouldmostlikely
beaffected(eitherpositivelyornegatively)bythisdecision?(Choose3)
a) CertifiedWood.
b) LowEmittingMaterials,CompositeWoodandAgrifiberProducts.
c) BuildingReuse,Nonstructuralelements.
d) RecycledContent.
e) RapidlyRenewableMaterials.

8. WhichofthefollowingarecoveredunderLowEmittingMaterialswithrespecttoLEED?(Choose3)
a) Clearfinishesoninteriorcabinets.
b) Carpet.
c) Insulation.
d) MediumDensityFiberboardusedoninteriordoors.
e) Roofingadhesive.

9. Whichofthefollowingrepresentsxeriscaping?
a) Plantingtreesthatcanprovidefoodforthebuildingoccupantssuchasappleororangetrees.
b) Anadvanceddripirrigationsystemthatrespondstowaterdemandbysensingsoilmoisturecontent.
c) Alandscapedesignthatdirectstheflowofrainwateronsitetotheareathatrequiresthemostirrigation.
d) Alandscapedesignthatrequireslittleornoirrigationormaintenance.
e) Usingartificialturfinplaceofrealgrass.

10. A5storymultifamilyresidentialbuildingbuiltinthe1950sisundergoingamajorrenovation.Theexistingair
conditioningequipmentcontainsCFCsbasedrefrigerantsthatareknowntobeharmfultotheenvironment.
InordertocomplywithFundamentalRefrigerantManagement,whatisrequiredtimelineforphasingout
CFCsinallairconditioningequipment?
a) CFCsmustbephasedoutnolaterthan10yearsafterprojectcompletion.
b) CFCsmustbephasedoutpriortoprojectcompletion.
c) CFCsmustbephasedoutnolaterthan1yearafterprojectcompletion.
d) CFCsmustbephasedoutbeforeconstructionbreaksground.
e) Noneoftheabove.ThereisnorequiredtimelineforphasingoutCFCsinbuildingsbuiltbefore1973.
GREENSTEPLEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAM 5

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11. Tertiarytreatmentisatermthatreferstowhichofthefollowing?
a) FSCCertifiedWood.
b) WaterEfficientLandscaping.
c) Wastewater.
d) ConstructionIndoorAirQualityManagement.
e) LowEmittingMaterials.

12. Areductioninoverallwaterqualityduetoanincreaseintheconcentrationofchemicalnutrientswouldbean
exampleofwhichofthefollowing?
a) Xeriscaping.
b) Eutrophication.
c) Denitrofication.
d) Osmosis.
e) Hypoalimentation.

13. WhichofthefollowingaccountforthemostenergyusageinbuildingsaccordingtotheUSGBC?(Choose2)
a) Spaceheating.
b) Cooling.
c) Domestichotwater.
d) Lighting.
e) Pluginelectronicssuchascomputers,copiersandfaxmachines.

14. Whichofthefollowingconstitutespreconsumerrecycledcontent?
a) Atilefacilitythatreusesshardsoftilebrokenduringthemanufacturingprocesstomakenewtile.
b) Asteelmanufacturingfacilitythatusesrecycledsteelmelteddownfromoldcars.
c) Asteelmanufacturingfacilitythatrecyclesrebarfromoldconstructionprojectstomakesteelbeams.
d) Acurtainmanufacturerthatpurchasesscraptrimmingsfromacarpetmanufacturingfacility.
e) Alloftheabove.

15. WhichpiecesofinformationarerequiredtocompleteFSCCertifiedWood?(Choose3)
a) Thevolumeofwoodusedontheprojectandtheexactlocationwherethewoodwasharvested.
b) TheappropriateChainofCustody(COC)Certificationnumber.
c) Thenameoftheproductmanufacturer.
d) Thecostofeachwoodproduct.
e) Alistofpaintsand/orcoatingsusedoneachFSCCertifiedproduct.

16. WhichofthefollowingstandardslistedintheLEEDReferenceManualrelatetoLowEmittingMaterials,Paints
&Coatings?(Choose2)
a) GreenSealStandard11.
b) SouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrict(SCAQMD)Rule1113.
c) GreenLabelPlusProgram.
d) GreenSealStandard35.
e) 2003EPAConstructionGeneralPermit.
6 LEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAMGREENSTEP

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17. WhichofthefollowingrefrigerantsgenerallyhasalowerGlobalWarmingPotential?
a) PVCs.
b) HFCs.
c) HCFCs.
d) DDT.

18. Whichofthefollowingwillhelpallowyoutosizesmallercoolingsystems?(Choose3)
a) LargerRValues.
b) LargerUValues.
c) HigherSolarHeatGainCoefficient.
d) LowerLightingPowerDensity.
e) EnergyRecoverSystemsonequipment.

19. WhichofthefollowingdoesNOTconstituteprocessenergyaccordingtotheLEEDReferenceManual?
a) Computers.
b) Miscellaneousofficeequipment.
c) Coolingtowers.
d) Elevators.
e) Kitchenrefrigeration.

20. WhichofthefollowingstatementsisTRUEregardingCreditInterpretationRequests?(Choose2)
a) Theymustbenomorethan400words.
b) Theymayonlyreferenceonecredit.
c) Theymaynotincludeplansordrawings.
d) Theymustbesubmittedbytheprojectowner.
e) Theymustbenomorethan6,000characters.

21. Ingeneral,whatistheadvantageofaccomplishingtheLEEDgoalsettingmeetingearlyonintheproject?
(Choose2)
a) Toevaluatecostsofpursuingvariouscredits&strategies.
b) TobegintestingIndoorAirQuality.
c) Todeterminefeasibilityofdesignstrategiesandassociatedcredits.
d) ToearnanIDCreditforcompletingtheIntegratedDesignProcess.
e) Toreceivediscountedprojectregistrationfees.

22. WhywoulditbeimportanttostartworkingonRecycledContentMaterials,earlyintheprocess?
a) Todetermineifrecycledwoodmaycontainphenolformaldehyde.
b) Toselectmechanicalequipmentwithahighrecycledcontent.
c) TominimizetheOzoneDepletionPotentialofcertainmaterialsthatcontainhighamountofrecycled
content.
d) TosubmitRecycledContentMaterialsduringthedesignphasereview.
e) Tobeabletospecifymaterialswithrecycledcontentduringschematicdesign.
GREENSTEPLEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAM 7

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23. WhichofthefollowingstrategieswouldapplytowardsareductioninpotablewaterusageforWaterEfficient
LandscapingwithrespecttoLEED?(Choose2)
a) Useofmunicipallysupplied,nonpotablewater.
b) Electtobuildtheprojectinalocationthathasasufficientamountofrainfall.
c) Minimizetheamountofoveralllandscapedarea.
d) Selectplantswithlowmicroclimatefactors.
e) Useofarainwatercatchmentsystemtoirrigatelandscaping.

24. WhichsitewouldmostlikelyqualifyforCommunityConnectivity?
a) Aparkinglotlocatedinadenseurbanarea.
b) AsuburbanBrownfieldsitelocatedwithin1/4mileoflightrailpublictransportation.
c) Anemptylotlocatednearseveralonrampstoalargefreewayintersection.
d) A7storyfoodprocessingfacilitythatincludescommercialofficespacelocatednearthecenterofa15
acrefarm.
e) AGreenfieldsitelocatedwithinshortwalkingdistanceofmanycommonamenities.

25. WhatistherelationshipbetweenCreditInterpretationRulingsandInnovationinDesigncredits?
a) AllIDCreditsmustbeestablishedviatheCIRprocess.
b) SomeIDcreditstrategieshavebeenestablishedviatheCIRprocess.
c) AnIDcreditisnotguaranteedunlessithasbeenestablishedviatheCIRprocess.
d) AnyproductbeingappliedtoanIDcredit,mustfirstbesubmittedandapprovedviaaCIR.
e) TheprimarypurposeofCIRsistoestablishacceptablestrategiesforIDcredits.

26. RenewableEnergyCertificatescontributetowhichofthefollowing?
a) Offsetforwaterusage.
b) Reducedenergycostsforthebuilding.
c) Increasedbuildingenergyefficiency.
d) Areductioninoverallglobalemissions.
e) Utilitybasedincentiveprograms.

27. WhichofthefollowingistrueregardingregionalmaterialswithrespecttoLEED?
a) Theymustbemanufacturedlocally.
b) Theymustbetransportedacrossnomorethan1,500miles.
c) TheymustbeFSCCertified.
d) Theymustnothavetraveledviaplaneorboat.
e) Theymustbeassembledonsite.

28. Whichofthefollowingwatersourcesmustbecontainedandtreatedbeforeitmaybeusedtoirrigate
landscaping?(Choose2)
a) Approvedgreywaterfromlavatorysinks&showerswherenontoxicsoapswereused.
b) Blackwaterfromurinals.
c) Rainwatercollectedonsite.
d) Coolingtowerwater.
e) Nonpotablewatersuppliedbyapublicagency.

8 LEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAMGREENSTEP

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29. Whichofthefollowingistrueregardingexemplaryperformancethresholds?
a) Pointsforexemplaryperformancearealwayscountedunderthecategorywherethecreditislisted.
b) AllexemplaryperformancepointsshouldalwaysbecountedundertheInnovationinDesigncategory.
c) AllInnovationinDesignpointsareachievedviaanexemplaryperformance.
d) Theexemplaryperformancethresholdsarealwaysdoublethebaselevelthresholdsforachievingacredit.

30. Whichofthefollowingaretrueregardingcosts?(Choose2)
a) CertificationfeesarewaivedforPlatinumprojects.
b) RecertificationfeesarethesameasinitialcertificationfeesforExistingbuildings.
c) Certificationfeeschangedin2002andagainin2005.
d) Certificationfeesarebasedonprojectlocation.
e) CertificationfeesforaLEEDSilverprojectdifferfromthoseofaLEEDGoldProject.

31. Whichofthefollowingrepresentsanexampleofheatislandeffect?(Choose2)
a) Increasedlocaltemperaturescausedbygreenhouseeffectfromairpollution.
b) Heatradiatedfromanurbanareawithimpervioussurfaces.
c) Incorporatingwaterintobuildingdesigntocoollocaltemperature.
d) Increasedlocaltemperaturesduetohighlyreflectivematerials.
e) Increasedcoolingloadsduringsummermonthsduetodarkcoloredroofsurfaces.

32. WhichwouldmostlikelyhelptheprojectteamearnpointsforGreenPower?
a) Solarpanelsontheroof.
b) Windtowerslocatedintheparkinglot.
c) RenewableEnergyCertificates.
d) Geoexchangesystemslocatedundertheparkinglot.
e) Geothermalsystemslocatedunderthebuilding.

33. Aconcretebuildingiscompletelydeconstructedonsiteandtheconcreteiscrushedandreusedasbaserock
forthenewfoundation.Thisstrategymightapplytowhichcredits?(Choose3)
a) BuildingReuse.
b) RegionalMaterials.
c) ConstructionIAQManagement.
d) ConstructionWasteDiversion.
e) MaterialsReuse.

34. Whichofthefollowingrepresentsabenefitofusinggreywaterforlandscapeirrigation?(Choose2)
a) LesswatersenttotheWastewaterTreatmentFacility.
b) Reducesstormwaterrunoffonsite.
c) Reducessoilerosionfromvegetationareas.
d) Reduceddemandonpotablewaterforirrigation.
e) Reducespotablewaterusedforflushfixtures.

35. Whichreducesoutdoorairpollutionthemost?(Choose2)
a) EliminatingCFCsfromrefrigerants.
b) Incentivizingemployeestocarpoolortakepublictransportation.
c) InstallingCO2sensorsthroughoutprojectspace.
d) Selectingasitewithinwalkingdistanceofamenities.
e) Implementingathermalcomfortsurvey.
GREENSTEPLEEDGA35QUESTIONSAMPLEEXAM 9

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Congratulationsyourefinished!Forinstructionsonobtainingtheanswerkey,seetheIntroduction
sectionatthebeginningofthisexam.OnceyoupasstheLEEDGreenAssociateexam,ifyoure
interestedinmovingontotakeoneoftheLEEDAPwithspecialtyexamsseebelowregardinghowto
gainLEEDprojectexperienceinordertosatisfytheLEEDAPexamapplicationrequirements.

GainLEEDProjectExperiencethroughGreenStepsuniqueprogram
WiththelaunchofLEEDv3in2009,anycandidatewishingtotaketheLEEDAPexammusthaveprevious
experienceonaLEEDRegisteredProjectwithinthepast3years.Thisexperiencemustbedocumentedin
theformofaletterofattestationfromasupervisor,clientorprojectmanagerthatdescribesthe
candidate'sinvolvementintheprojectandverifiesthecandidatesprojectroleonLEEDOnline.
GreenStepsLEEDProjectExperienceProgram,inpartnershipwithGreenBuildings.com,providesLEED
APexamcandidateswithanopportunitytoactivelyworkonaliveLEEDregisteredproject,thus
qualifyingparticipantstotaketheLEEDAPexamwhileprovidinghandsonLEEDprojectexperience.
GreenStepsProfessionalProjectExperienceProgramprovidedgreathandson,realworldexperienceon
anactualLEEDproject.IthelpedmebetterunderstandtheentireLEEDprocessincludingcredit
calculations,LEEDtemplatesandLEEDOnline.Alex,theProjectTeamAdministrator,wasvery
knowledgeableofeverythingLEEDandconveyedtheinformationinanefficientmanner.Hisletterof
attestationprovideduponcompletionoftheprogramwascomprehensiveandeffective.GBCIapproved
myapplicationwithinonedayofsubmittalandIpassedtheLEEDAPexamonmyfirsttryseveralweeks
later.
SterlingSteele

ProgramparticipantsnotonlyqualifytotaketheLEEDAPexam,theygaintherealworldexperience
necessarytoguidefutureprojectsthroughtheLEEDcertificationprocess.Asanaddedbenefit,the
practicalknowledgedevelopedthroughouttheprogramhasproveneffectiveatpreparingcandidatesto
passtheLEEDAPspecialtyexams.

FormoreinformationonGreenStepsLEEDProjectExperienceProgrampleasevisit
www.greenstepeducation.com.