MEP Technical

Academy, Bengaluru

LEED Green Associate

EXAM PREP: Study Guide

USING THE STUDY GUIDE does not guarantee a successful outcome on the examination.
The study guide is provided as-is with no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but
not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness of a particular purpose. Use of the
concepts, examples and information is at the user’s own risk.

The study guide is not associated with nor endorsed by the Green Building Certification Institute or U.S.
Green building Council.

The study guide is intended to help users structure their efforts.

 Table of Contents
Section 1: Overview
A. Exam Preparation Road Map ..................................... 7
B. About the Exam ............................................................. 8
C. Exam Question Information ....................................... 9
D. Exam Day Tips .................................................. 10

Section 2: Introduction to Sustainability ........... 12

Section 3: About LEEDv4 ............................................. 31

Section 4:Credit-by-Credit Review

E. Integrative Process ...................................... 52
F. Location & Transportation .................................. 72
G. Sustainable Sites ....................................................... 89
H. Water Efficiency.................................... 107
I. Energy & Atmosphere .......................................... 120
J. Materials & Resources ............................. 138
K. Environmental Quality .......................................... 162
L. Innovation ............................................. 187
Section5:Glossary ............................................................ 194

Section 6: Sample LEED Scorecard ...................... 208

 LEED
Green Associate
Study Guide
This study guide is ideal for building professionals and students seeking to learn the fundamentals of
sustainability applied to a built environment. Additionally, this guide along with the supplemental resources
will give you the knowledge to take the LEED Green Associate Exam.

It can be used as a resource to help you prepare for the LEED Green Associate Examination.
It summarizes the critical points of green design, construction, and operations.
Section 1: Overview
A. LEED v4 Green Associate Road Map

Your exclusive guide to passing the exam.

Good Luck!
STUDY TIPS

B. About the EXam

Content Areas

LEED Rating System

GBCI EXam Areas of Focus Credit Categories
C. EXam Questions
The Green Associate EXam questions are:

The questions assess your knowledge at three levels:

The eXam questions follow consistent formats:

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Please note:
D. EXam Day Tips
General Strategies

Multiple Choice Strategies

Eliminate unlikely answers first.

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Good Luck on Your Exam!
Section 2: Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY

PROFIT
(FINANCIAL)

THE TRIPLE
BOTTOM
LINE
PLANET
(ENVIRONMENTAL)
PEOPLE
(SOCIAL)
The Impact of Buildings
Q: Why build
green?

Answer
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Economic Benefits of Green Buildings
Traditional Building Process vs.
Integrated Building Process
Introduction to LEED
Appendix A:

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What is Green Building?

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PROFIT
(FINANCIAL)

THE TRIPLE
BOTTOM
LINE
PLANET
(ENVIRONMENTAL)
PEOPLE
(SOCIAL)
The Rise of the Green Building Industry
Green Building and Climate Change
Green Buildings Over Time
Green Building and Location

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Green Building Costs and Savings
Beyond Green
Green Building Expertise
 SECTION 3: LEED V4
About LEED v4

Why a New Rating System?

What has improved in v4?

Exam Eligibility

Registering for the Exam

Taking the Exam
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 Assist others with
Assist in managing
Research and create a sustainability
timeline of LEED
library of sustainable goals
certification
Assist in building materials
managing
documentation Create project
process profiles/case
studies/press
releases
Assist project leader with
Serve as a green
LEED correspondence to all
advocate to
project team members
Stay current on any clients, team
(consultants, contractors,
updates to LEED and members &
owner, etc.) Communicate broad
Navigate LEED green strategies in
and basic green
Online general
building concepts to
team or colleagues

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About the Credential
Buildings become LEED certified
(not people or products)

Individuals become LEED

accredited (not certified)

Firms become U.S. Green

Building Council national
members (not people)
LEED Rating Systems
LEED FOR BUILDING DESIGN +
CONSTRUCTION (BD+C)

LEED BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovations

LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Development

LEED BD+C: Schools

LEED BD+C: Retail

LEED BD+C: Data Centers

LEED BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers

LEED BD+C: Hospitality

LEED BD+C: Healthcare

LEED BD+C: Homes and Multifamily Low-rise

LEED BD+C: Multifamily Midrise

LEED FOR INTERIOR DESIGN +

CONSTRUCTION (ID+C)

LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors

LEED ID+C: Retail

LEED ID+C: Hospitality

LEED FOR BUILDING OPERATIONS +

MAINTENANCE (O+M)

LEED O+M: Existing Buildings

LEED O+M: Retail

LEED O+M: SCHOOLS

LEED O+M: Hospitality

LEED O+M: Data Centers

LEED O+M: Warehouses & Distribution Centers

LEED for Neighborhood Development

(ND)

LEED ND: Plan

LEED ND: Built Project

LEED CERTIFICATION
Steps to Certification

Registration

Application
Preliminary review
Preliminary review response
Final review
Accept or appeal
Appeal review
Certification or denial
MULTI-BUILDING PROJECTS

MINIMUM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

(MPR’s)
Site Boundaries

INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY (IPD)

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Players Involved:
project owner

architect

Engineers

commissioning authority
general contractor

Facilities staff

Building users
LEED Reference Guide

LEED ONLINE
CREDIT INTERPRETATION REQUESTS
(CIRs )

LEED Project Administrator

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LEED Credit Categories

 o Location & Transportation (LT)

o Sustainable Sites (SS)

o Water Efficiency (WE)

o Energy and Atmosphere (EA)

o Materials and Resources (MR)

o Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

o Innovation in Design (IN)

o Regional Priority (RP)

PREREQUISITES & CREDITS

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Section Quiz
ANSWERS
 Section 4:
Credit by Credit Review

Credit 1: Integrative Process

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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TO DEVELOP THE:

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Integrative Process Quiz

Answers

Appendix B:
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Integrative Process
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Establishing an Iterative
Process
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Implementation
SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THESE ESSENTIALS:
Start early
Find the right team and process
Understand the systems across space and time
Develop clear and measurable goals
Follow an iterative process to ensure achievement of goals
Commit to continuous improvement
 Location and
Transportation (LT)
16 Possible Points

SMART GROWTH

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Credit 1: LEED for Neighborhood

Development Location
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Certification Points BD+C Points BD+C Points BD+C Points BD+C

Level Core & Shell Schools Healthcare
Certified 8 8 8 5
Silver 10 12 10 6
Gold 12 16 12 7
Platinum 16 20 15 9
Credit 2: Sensitive Land Protection
INTENT

REQUIREMENT

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Credit 3: High Priority Site

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 4: Surrounding Density &
Diverse Uses

INTENT

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REQUIREMENTS
Residential Non- Number of
(DU/acre) Residential Pts for LEED
7 0.5 2
12 0.8 3

List of Services/Uses: o
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Credit 5: Access to Quality Transit

INTENT
REQUIREMENTS

Weekday Weekend Points BD&C Points BD&C

Trips Trips (Except Core and shell) (Core and shell)

72 40 1 1
144 108 3 3
360 216 5 6

Weekday Weekend Points

Trips Trips (all projects)

24 6 1
40 8 2
60 12 3

Credit 6: Bicycle Facilities

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Credit 7: Reduced Parking Footprint

INTENT
REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 8: Green Vehicles
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Location & Transportation Quiz
Answers

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Appendix C:

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 Sustainable Sites (SS)
10 Possible Points

SS Prerequisite 1: Construction
Activity Pollution Prevention
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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STRATEGIES
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SS Prerequisite 2: Environmental Site
Assessment
*SCHOOLS&HEALTHCAREPROJECTSONLY*

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

SS Credit 1: Site Assessment

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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SS Credit 2: Site Development –

Protect or Restore Habitat
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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IMPLEMENTATION
SS Credit 3: Open Space
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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SS Credit 4: Rainwater Management
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SS Credit 5: Heat Island Reduction

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Area of Area of High Area of Points

Nonroof Reflectance Vegetated BD&C (Core
Measures Roof Roof and shell) TotalSite Total
PavingArea Roof
0.5 0.75 0.75 1 Area
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SS Credit 6: Light Pollution Reduction

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Sustainable Sites Quiz
Answers

Appendix D:
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 Water Efficiency (WE)
11 Possible Points

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Occupants

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Prerequisite 1: Outdoor Water Use
Reduction
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite 2: Indoor Water Use
Reduction
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
APPLIANCE REQUIREMENT

Residential/Commercial clothes washer ENERGY STAR/CEE Tier 3A

Residential Dishwasher ENERGY STAR

Prerinse spray valves Greater than or equal to 1.3 gpm (4.9 lpm)

Ice machine ENERGY STAR

Prerequisite 3: Building-Level Water

Metering
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Credit 1: Outdoor Water Use

Reduction
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
STRATEGIES
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TERMS TO KNOW
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KL = Ks x KD x KMC
Credit 2: Indoor Water Use Reduction
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

% Reduction Points

25 1
30 2
35 3
40 4
45 5
50 6

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Credit 3: Cooling Tower Water Use
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Credit 4: Water Metering
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Water Efficiency Quiz
ANSWERS

Appendix E:
Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
33 Possible Points
 Energy and HVAC Standards

DEFINITIONS

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Prerequisite 1: Fundamental
Commissioning & Verification
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy

Performance
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite 3: Building-Level Energy
Metering
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisite 4: Fundamental
Refrigerant Management
INTENT
REQUIREMENTS

Credit 1: Enhanced Commissioning

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 2: Optimize Energy Performance

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Credit 3: Advanced Energy Metering
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 4: Demand Response

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Credit 5: Renewable Energy Production

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Credit 6: Enhanced Refrigerant
Management
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 100

Credit 7: Green Power & Carbon Offsets

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Energy & Atmosphere Quiz
ANSWERS

Appendix F:
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STRATEGIES FOR INCORPORATING ONGOING PERFORMANCE
MEASUREMENT INTO A PROJECT:
ADHERE TO THE OWNER'S PROJECT REQUIREMENTS. Prepare detailed
owner's project requirements at the beginning of the design process and
conduct commissioning throughout the life-cycle of the project to ensure that
the building functions as designed.
PROVIDE STAFF TRAINING. Knowledge and training empower facilities managers
to maintain and improve the performance of buildings.
CONDUCT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. Develop a robust preventive maintenance
program to keep the building in optimal condition.
CREATE INCENTIVES FOR OCCUPANTS AND TENANTS. Involve building
occupants in energy efficiency strategies. Promote the use of energy-efficient
computers and equipment. bill tenants from submeter readings to encourage energy
conservation. educate occupants about shutting down computers and turning out
lights before they leave. and give them regular feedback on energy performance.
 Materials & Resources
(MR)
13 Possible Points

LOW EMITTING MATERIALS STANDARDS

Prerequisite 1: Storage and Collection
of Recyclables
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Prerequisite 2: Construction &

Demolition Waste Management
Planning
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 1: Building Life Cycle Impact

Reduction
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Credit 2: Building Product Disclosure &
Optimization – Environmental Product
Declarations

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 3: Building Product Disclosure &
Optimization – Sourcing of Raw
Materials
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 4: Building Product Disclosure &
Optimization – Material Ingredients
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 5: Construction & Demolition
Waste Management
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Materials & Resources Quiz
ANSWERS

Appendix G:
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Indoor Environmental
Quality (EQ)16 Possible Points
STANDARDS

Prerequisite 1: Minimum Indoor Air

Quality Performance
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Prerequisite 2: Environmental Tobacco

Smoke Control (ETS)
INTENT
REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 1: Environmental Indoor Air
Quality Strategies
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Option
1

Option
2
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Option 2
Credit 2: Low Emitting Interiors
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Category Threshold Emissions & Content

Requirements
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Credit 3: Construction Indoor Air
Quality Management Plan
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

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Credit 4: Indoor Air Quality Assessment

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Credit 5: Thermal Comfort
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Credit 6: Interior Lighting

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
Credit 7: Daylight
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Credit 8: Quality Views

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
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Credit 9: Acoustic Performance

INTENT
REQUIREMENTS
Indoor Environmental Quality Quiz
ANSWERS

Appendix H:
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Innovation (IN)
6 Possible Points
Credit 1: Innovation
INTENT

REQUIREMENTS

Credit 2: LEED Accredited Professional

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
REGIONAL PRIORITY (RP) 4 Possible
Points
RP Credit 1: Regional Priority

INTENT

REQUIREMENTS
 TOTAL AVAILABLE POINTS = 110

SMART LOCATION & LINKAGE (SLL)

* FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ONLY. You don’t need to know
details of this for the exam, just be aware of it.

NEIGHBORHOOD PATTERN & DESIGN (NPD)

* FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ONLY. You don’t need to know
details of this for the exam, just be aware of it.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & BUILDINGS (GIB)
* FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ONLY. You don’t need to know
details of this for the exam, just be aware of it.
Innovative Design Quiz
ANSWERS

Appendix I:
GLOSSARY
SCORECARD Example