Strategies for preparing for LEED AP BD+C Exam

[aa_gangchen]

I have prepared the following for readers of my books, and I think it may help you:

Strategies for preparing for LEED AP BD+C Exam

There are several strategies for preparing for LEED AP BD+C Exam:

1. Bare bone strategy:
This strategy is bold, risky, but effective, low cost, and takes the least amount of time. You can spend about two weeks to prepare and pass the exam:

a. Download and read the latest candidate handbook for LEED AP BD+C Exam
b. Study the FREE PDF files listed at the end of the latest candidate handbook for LEED AP BD+C Exam (About 20% to 30% of the test content will come from these materials).
c. Study my books, “LEED BD&C Exam Guide” and “LEED BD&C Mock Exam” (Covers the fundamental and most important information of the remaining 70% to 80% of test content will come from these materials).
d. Do NOT buy or read the USGBC reference guide AT ALL

Pros:
a. Save time and money and still have a good chance of passing. In fact, a number of my readers did pass the exam using this approach.
b. You can prepare and pass the exam in about two weeks.

Cons:
a. Your score may not be as high as you want since you COMPLETELY skip the USGBC reference guide (probably range from 170 to 180).
b. You may feel nervous during the real exam. You may swear that you fail in the exam, and end up passing. You may have no clue why you pass but I know why you pass the exam though: my books cover the fundamental and most important information of the exam and set up a solid foundation for your LEED knowledge.

2. Middle of the road strategy:
This strategy is exactly the same as bare bone strategy, except that you do the following extra things:

a. Buy or read portion of the USGBC reference guide to supplement my two books:
Only refer to or read the USGBC reference guide for items you have questions, or for detailed information not covered by my books such as the Sections on Implementation and Calculations. I skip these two sections in my book, “LEED BD&C Exam Guide” because it takes too much time for you to read the information, and I think you should be able to handle most of the tasks covered in these two sections if you MASTER the other sections.
b. Do a few extra sets of mock exams.

Pros:
a. Save time and money and still have an excellent chance of passing. In fact, many readers did pass the exam using this approach.
b. You can prepare and pass the exam in about two to four weeks.

Cons:
a. Your score may not be as high as you want (probably range from 170 to 185).
b. You may still feel nervous during the real exam.

3. Comprehensive strategy:
This strategy is exactly the same as bare bone strategy, except that you do the following extra things:

a. Buy or read the USGBC reference guide from cover to cover several times.
b. Write your own notes or create your own spread sheets based on the USGBC reference guide.
c. Do every set of mock exams that you can find.

Pros:
a. You have an excellent chance of passing if you can REALLY read the reference guide. In fact, several readers did pass the exam using this approach.

Cons:
a. Your score may be either very high or very low (probably either range from 180 to 200, OR fail).
b. You need to spend two months or more to prepare and pass the exam.
c. You drag the exam prep process too long, and become tired of reading the USGBC reference guide, OR you can NOT find enough time to read the reference guide, and you end up failing the exam.

[yoyo2010]

Thanks a lot~

[sv7215]

Gary,
I really appreciate how you summarized a simple and easy to understand strategy to take the LEED AP BD+C Exam. However, I am taking the LEED GA Exam and was wondering if you have a similar strategy for this exam as well.
Thanks !

[SCS007]

A lot of this also depends on your study habits and ability to retain information. I took a month each in studying for the GA, BD+C, and O+M exams. True, by the 4th week, I was sick of studying and wanted to get it over with. However, definitely needed the 3 weeks prior to develop a thorough understanding of the study material. I didn't want to just pass the exam, I wanted to understand the intent of each credit.

Disagree with the strategies of not buying the Reference Guide. Sure, it is expensive. But what are you ultimately planning on doing with your credential? If you are going to be a LEED AP on a project, I don't see how you can avoid not having the Reference Guide to refer to in developing the evidence for passing each LEED credit. However, if you are passing the exams just to add a credential to your title, maybe you don't need the Reference Guide. During my studies, and ever since passing the exams, probably not a work day goes by that I don't look up something in the Reference Guide. It is always within arm's reach on my desk.

[aa_gangchen]

Gary,
I really appreciate how you summarized a simple and easy to understand strategy to take the LEED AP BD+C Exam. However, I am taking the LEED GA Exam and was wondering if you have a similar strategy for this exam as well.
Thanks !

Yes, we do. See below:

FREE slides on LEED GA Exam Prep

We are pleased to offer some FREE slides on LEED GA Exam Prep, and LEED AP BD+C Exam Prep at our site.

See link below:
http://greenexameducation.com/

Click on “FREE Downloads & Forum” on the top menu for FREE Slide downloads.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

[aa_gangchen]

A lot of this also depends on your study habits and ability to retain information. I took a month each in studying for the GA, BD+C, and O+M exams. True, by the 4th week, I was sick of studying and wanted to get it over with. However, definitely needed the 3 weeks prior to develop a thorough understanding of the study material. I didn't want to just pass the exam, I wanted to understand the intent of each credit.

Disagree with the strategies of not buying the Reference Guide. Sure, it is expensive. But what are you ultimately planning on doing with your credential? If you are going to be a LEED AP on a project, I don't see how you can avoid not having the Reference Guide to refer to in developing the evidence for passing each LEED credit. However, if you are passing the exams just to add a credential to your title, maybe you don't need the Reference Guide. During my studies, and ever since passing the exams, probably not a work day goes by that I don't look up something in the Reference Guide. It is always within arm's reach on my desk.

If you have the money, definitely buy the reference guide. However, not buying the reference guide and share an office copy is another valuable option.

Many of my readers told me that they use my “LEED Green Associate Exam Guide” or “LEED BD&C Exam Guide” long after the exam to look up credit or prerequisite information since they are summarized per the USGBC standard in my books, and just use the reference guide in their office to look up some very specific information when they are actually work on a specific credit on a LEED project.

To me, the reference guide is like the building codes. You can always share an office copy since they are so expensive and update every 3 years.

When I was working for others in architectural firms, I bought the building codes once myself, and then it was outdated in 3 years and I depend on the office copy of the building codes ever since.

Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

[shand]

Shouldn't this be in the marketplace forum?