US Green Building Council LEED-AP-BD+C Exam Practice Test Instant Access

Question 1

To achieve the Sustainable Sites Credit, Light Pollution Reduction, Option 1. BUG Rating Method, projects must demonstrate:

AAll luminaires have full cutoff fixtures

BAll luminaires are mounted at least three mounting heights from the lighting boundary

CAll luminaires have a minimum color temperature of 3500 K

DAll luminaires meet acceptable fixture ratings for the project's Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) lighting zone

Answer : D

Detailed

Under the BUG Rating Method, all luminaires must meet acceptable fixture ratings (Backlight, Uplight, and Glare ratings) for the project's Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) lighting zone. This ensures compliance with LEED's Light Pollution Reduction credit by limiting light trespass, reducing glare, and preserving night sky quality.

Question 2

While working on a 12,000 ft (1,114.8 m) medical building, a LEED AP asks the flooring manufacturer to submit the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the flooring specified. The manufacturer doesn't have an EPD for their products, but all products meet ISO 14040/44 for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). They ask if it would be acceptable to send the ISO 14040/44 LCA information in lieu of an EPD. How do you respond?

AContact another manufacturer that has a comparable product with an EPD

BExclude the flooring from the LEED credit as non-compliant

CRequest recycled content information, as the ISO 14040/44 LCA is not sufficient for compliance

DUse the ISO 14040/44 LCA information just like an EPD to complete the documentation for the LEED credit

Answer : A

Detailed

ISO 14040/44 LCA information is not a substitute for an EPD in LEED documentation. To meet the requirements of the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credit, an EPD must comply with specific LEED-recognized standards. If the manufacturer cannot provide an EPD, the project team should consider sourcing a comparable product from another manufacturer that has an EPD to maintain compliance.

Question 3

Which of the following acoustical units are used in Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Acoustic Performance to measure reverberation time?

AT60

BSTC

CHz

DdBA

Answer : A

Detailed

T60 is the unit used to measure reverberation time, which is the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 decibels in a space. This metric is critical for achieving the Acoustic Performance credit under LEED, as it ensures that spaces are designed to provide optimal acoustic environments that enhance occupant comfort and productivity.

Question 4

The Exemplary Performance threshold for Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management requires:

AUtilizing a rain garden to manage the 98th percentile rainfall event

BManaging 100% of rainfall that falls within the project boundary

CAchievement of both Option 1. Percentile of Rainfall Events and Option 2. Natural Land Cover Conditions

DUtilizing a combination of both structural and non-structural measures to manage the 98th percentile rainfall event

Answer : C

Detailed

Exemplary Performance for Rainwater Management requires achieving both Option 1 (Percentile of Rainfall Events) and Option 2 (Natural Land Cover Conditions). This demonstrates a superior level of stormwater management by addressing both the volume and quality of runoff, aligning with LEED's goals of reducing stormwater impacts on surrounding ecosystems and water infrastructure.

Question 5

For a project located on a greenfield site and attempting the Location and Transportation Credit, Sensitive Land Protection, Option 2, what must the development footprint avoid?

ALand that is within 200 ft. (61 m) of a local government wetland demonstration project

BSoils that are to be restored according to the SITES Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009. Credit 7.3

CAreas not able to meet the criteria for Location and Transportation Credit LEED for Neighborhood Development Location

DPrime farmland as defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations or local equivalent outside the US

Answer : D

Detailed

Under Sensitive Land Protection, Option 2, projects on greenfield sites must avoid impacting sensitive land types, including prime farmland as defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations or local equivalents outside the United States. LEED aims to preserve high-value agricultural land and other sensitive areas to minimize environmental disruption and promote sustainable development practices.

Question 6

What information must be provided to demonstrate compliance with the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR)?

APreliminary data collection

BBasis of Design (BOD)

CDesign charrette plan

DRenewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

Answer : B

Detailed

The Basis of Design (BOD) outlines the project design decisions and criteria, linking them to the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR). LEED requires this documentation to demonstrate alignment between the owner's goals and the building design, ensuring that sustainability objectives are met throughout the project lifecycle.

Question 7

What is the reference standard that defines the requirements for LEED energy modeling?

AASHRAE 62.1-2010

BCore Performance Guide

CASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide

DASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G

Answer : D

Detailed

ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G is the reference standard used for energy modeling in LEED projects. It establishes guidelines for baseline building performance and energy simulation comparisons, allowing project teams to demonstrate energy performance improvements relative to code-minimum buildings.

US Green Building Council LEED-AP-BD+C LEED AP Building Design + Construction Exam Practice Test