Dear Tristan,
I did the LEED Green Associate exam right before the change of version. I have only used one book to study (Gang Chen).
I am now ready to study for the LEED AP BD+C exam but there are so many study materials that I am thinking of directly buying the LEED reference guide. However, I don't have any LEED project experience. Even though experience is not required anymore, should I enroll into an online experience program?
If you can help or if someone else who did the BD+C exam can give me an advice with the preparation for the exam it would be very appreciated.
Thank you!
Filipe Boni
2030STUDIOJuly 23, 2014 - 9:15 pm
Hello Marie,
I just passed on the LEED v4 AP BD+C exam on 21th July. I highly recommend the Reference Guide and the quiz from GBES so you can keep track on your evolution and have confidence on when to mark the exam. I`m from Brazil so for me is not so natural to learn tons of information in english, but in 2 months I could prepare myself well. I had previous experiences on some LEED credits but I don`t think is mandatory in order to make a good test. Thank you!
PAWAN DAHIWAL
10 thumbs up
November 5, 2014 - 2:40 am
Hi Filipe,
Congratulation for passing the exam. It would be grateful if you share your experience about the exam, specifically, how they test LEED project experience within the exam.
Thanks
Jeffrey Ornstein
Associate Project Manager for Architecture, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, CDTNew York City Housing Authority
December 13, 2014 - 2:56 pm
Hi Pawan,
I just passed the BD+C exam this week. Basically, you need to know 1. The LEED certification process; and, 2. memorization of the details of the rating system. There were also a lot of questions on Healthcare projects, which I was not expecting. A few on schools. I don't have LEED project experience, and I did not buy any study material. If you can familiarize yourself well with the LEED process and prerequisite/credit details, you should pass. Perhaps you already did by now!
PAWAN DAHIWAL
10 thumbs up
December 18, 2014 - 2:29 am
Thanks and congratulation Jeffrey...
I am planning to give exam in upcoming month. I have just one small question, Is studying from reference guide is enough to get well prepared for the exam ?
Jeffrey Ornstein
Associate Project Manager for Architecture, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, CDTNew York City Housing Authority
December 20, 2014 - 1:43 am
Pawan,
I would say that the reference guide is the ultimate studying tool. However, there is lots of information in it that is not going to be on the test.
My studying strategy would be to download the BD+C rating systems pdf on USGBC's website. Read it over and over until you absorb and understand much of it. After that, go back to the reference guide and review the calculations for the credits that have them.
After that, study the LEED process and how a project gets certified.
And after that, review the glossary. Get familiar with some of the more unusual terms. There is also a separate glossary that can be downloaded.
I passed without even having the reference guide.
In less than two weeks, I'm taking the ID+C exam. I'm using the same studying strategy. However, there seems to be much less study material available for ID+C than BD+C.
Remember to study the Healthcare and Schools variations. Do not skip it.
Good luck!