Question 1

Which of the following facilitates the recharging of aquifers?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: Pervious paving, also known as permeable paving, allows water to pass through it, facilitating the recharging of aquifers. This type of paving reduces runoff by allowing water to soak into the ground, which can help replenish groundwater supplies and reduce the impact on nearby water bodies. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Question 2

What standard addresses Indoor Environmental Quality?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: ASHRAE 62.1 is the standard for ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality in commercial and institutional buildings. It specifies the minimum ventilation rates and other measures to provide good indoor air quality for occupants. LEED v4

Question 3

Which of the following is a strategy that a design team should consider In order to decrease the Impact of a new construction project?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: Selecting native plants to provide habitat for local fauna is a strategy that a design team should consider in order to decrease the impact of a new construction project. Native plants are plants that have evolved in a specific region and have adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. Native plants can offer many benefits for the environment, such as: Reducing water use and runoff by requiring less irrigation and fertilization Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services by supporting native wildlife and pollinators Improving air quality and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions Increasing soil health and stability by preventing erosion and improving infiltration Creating a sense of place and cultural identity by reflecting the natural heritage of the region The other options are not strategies that would decrease the impact of a new construction project. Maximizing views of the existing wetland may improve occupant satisfaction, but it does not necessarily reduce the environmental footprint of the project. Locating the project in an existing office park with ample parking may reduce land use and transportation impacts, but it may also increase heat island effect and stormwater runoff. Increasing the project’s footprint to maximize roof space for a solar array may increase renewable energy generation, but it may also increase site disturbance, material use, and energy demand. Reference: : Native Plants

Question 4

A project has 16 employees working for four hours per day, 20 employees working six hours per day,
and 10 employees working eight hours per day. What is the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) occupancy of
the project?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: The Full Time Equivalent (FTE) occupancy of a project is a measure of how many people occupy a building or space on a regular basis. The FTE occupancy is calculated by dividing the total number of hours worked by all occupants in a week by the standard weekly hours for one FTE occupant. The standard weekly hours for one FTE occupant is typically 40 hours per week1 . For this project, the FTE occupancy is calculated as follows: 16 employees x 4 hours/day x 5 days/week = 320 hours/week 20 employees x 6 hours/day x 5 days/week = 600 hours/week 10 employees x 8 hours/day x 5 days/week = 400 hours/week Total hours/week = 1320 hours/week FTE occupancy = 1320 hours/week / 40 hours/week = 33 Therefore, the FTE occupancy of the project is 33. Reference: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide

Question 5

In the commercial LEED Rating System, which point range will achieve the Certified level of certification?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points a project earns across several categories of green building performance. The range of points required to achieve the Certified level of certification for the commercial LEED Rating System is 40-49, out of a possible 110 points. The other levels of LEED certification are: Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points)12. Reference: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

Question 6

Which strategy is an example of permanent entryway systems used to reduce dust, dirt and contaminants brought into a facility?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: Placing grilles, grates or mats at all major entrances is an example of permanent entryway systems used to reduce dust, dirt and contaminants brought into a facility. Permanent entryway systems are designed to capture dirt and particulates from people’s shoes and prevent them from entering the indoor environment. This improves the indoor air quality and reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving indoor environmental quality is to “use permanent entryway systems (grilles, grates, mats) to reduce particulate matter being brought into buildings at regular entryways” [1, p. 16]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Indoor Environmental Quality | U.S. Green Building Council]

Question 7

The amount of landfill-destined waste generated during project construction can be reduced by requiring the general contractor to

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: The amount of landfill-destined waste generated during project construction can be reduced by requiring the general contractor to follow requirements for using dimensional construction materials, prefabrication or material efficient framing. These methods reduce the amount of material waste by minimizing cutting, fitting, and trimming on site, and by using standardized or modular components that can be easily reused or recycled. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving materials and resources efficiency is to “reduce construction waste through efficient framing techniques” [1, p. 15]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Reducing Construction Waste | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

Question 8

Which of the following water types is suitable for drinking?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking. Potable water meets or exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) drinking water quality standards and is free of contaminants that are harmful to human health. The other options are not suitable for drinking. Graywater is wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be reused for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing and irrigation. Greenwater is rainwater that is collected and stored for non-potable uses. Stormwater is runoff from precipitation that can carry pollutants and sediments into waterways. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 26; USGBC, [Water Efficiency], page 2.

Question 9

As of 1996, the Montreal Protocol banned the production of what chemical compound known to have ozone-depleting potential?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: As of 1996, the Montreal Protocol banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a chemical compound known to have ozone-depleting potential. CFCs are synthetic substances that were widely used as refrigerants, propellants, solvents, and foam-blowing agents. CFCs have high ozone depletion potential (ODP), which means they can destroy the ozone layer that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol banned the production of CFCs in 1996 for developed countries and in 2010 for developing countries1 .

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding non-potable water is true?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: Stormwater runoff can indeed be treated and used in a facility’s cooling towers. This is an example of using non-potable water (water that is not of drinking quality) for purposes that do not require potable water. Other uses for treated stormwater might include toilet flushing or irrigation. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Question 11

Which of the following strategies encourages a building's users to use alternative transportation?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: One of the goals of the LEED rating system is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by encouraging alternative modes of transportation that are less dependent on fossil fuels. Providing bicycle storage and shower facilities is a strategy that encourages a building’s users to use bicycles as a means of transportation, which can reduce vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption, air pollution, traffic congestion, and parking demand. This strategy can also promote physical activity and health benefits for the users . Reference: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide

Question 12

Which of the following strategies is considered an approach to land management that mimics natural systems and manages rainwater as close to the source as possible?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: Low-Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development that uses various land planning and design practices and technologies to simultaneously conserve and protect natural resource systems and reduce infrastructure costs. LID still allows land to be developed, but in a cost-effective manner that helps mitigate potential environmental impacts. This approach aims to manage rainwater as close to its source as possible, mimicking a site’s pre-development hydrology through the use of numerous site design strategies. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Question 13

Use of which of the following can help reduce the heat gain and peak air temperatures?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: High reflectance roofing materials can help reduce heat gain and peak air temperatures by reflecting more sunlight away from the building, thereby reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the roof. This can lead to lower cooling loads and energy use for air conditioning. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Question 14

Which of the following is a minimum program requirement for LEED@ for New Construction and Major Renovations projects?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: A minimum program requirement for LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations projects is to be a permanent building or space on existing land. This means that the project must be designed and constructed for a fixed location on land that is legally defined and has legal boundaries. The project cannot be a temporary structure, such as a trailer or a tent, or a movable structure, such as a boat or a vehicle. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that this is one of the four minimum program requirements that apply to all LEED rating systems [1, p. 9]. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Minimum Program Requirements | U.S. Green Building Council]

Question 15

Which of the following practices ensures that building systems are designed efficiently, installed appropriately and operate as intended?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: Building commissioning is a quality assurance process that begins during the design phase and continues through construction, occupancy, and operation of the building. It ensures that the building’s systems are designed efficiently, installed correctly, and operate as intended. The commissioning process involves a series of inspections, tests, and adjustments of building systems, followed by a review of the system design and operation with the building’s operations team. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Free USGBC LEED-Green-Associate Actual Exam Questions