AP Practice Test Questions

Question 1

A new office project is conducting an air quality test to demonstrate compliance with IEQ Credit 3.2 Construction IAQ
Management Plan, Before Occupancy. The 65,000 square foot project runs under one ventilation system. All finishes are
complete and have been installed, except for the movable furniture which is to be installed within the next 2 days. All of the
following statements are true in regards to the project team’s approach to meeting this credit EXCEPT: (Choose 1)

A. The air testing must be performed after the furniture is installed
B. 3 sample locations are required for the project
C. Air samples must be collected within the breathing zone of 3 and 6 feet
D. Measurements must be taken during normal occupied hours

Answer 1

A. The air testing must be performed after the furniture is installed

Question 2

What is the overall % recycled content a project must earn in order to achieve an ID credit for exemplary performance under
MR Credit 4 Recycled Content?

A. 25%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 95%

Answer 2

A. 25%

Question 3

A team plans to integrate SS Credit 10 Joint use of Facilities on a school project. Which of the following would be
acceptable LEED strategies in achieving this credit?

A. Shared use (w/general public) of an auditorium, classroom, and parking facility
B. A contract with community for a commercial office and health clinic dedicated-use spaces in the building
C. Pedestrian access and approved student use of privately owned swimming pool and playing field
D. All of the above

Answer 3

D. All of the above

Question 4

In order to comply with SS Credit 1 Site Selection, which of the following site locations would be most appropriate to build a
new multi-family development?

A. Undeveloped land with elevation equal to the 100 year flood plain
B. Developed land that is within 45 feet from stream
C. Developed site that is 110 feet from wetland
D. Undeveloped land with a plant identified under the threatened species list
E. Developed land that includes some areas of prime farmland

Answer 4

C. Developed site that is 110 feet from wetland

Question 5

A small office building has a total cost of $400,000. The project is registered under the LEED for NC rating system. What is the minimum amount of materials that must be salvaged, refurbished, or reused to qualify for 2 points under Materials and Resources credit, Material Reuse?

A. $12,000
B. $15,000
C. $18,000
D. $25,000
E. $40,000

Answer 5

C. $18,000

Material cost=45% of total construction cost
NC and Schools - 5%=1 pt., 10%=2 pts. (15%=Exemplary)
CS - 5% = 1 pt. (10%=Exemplary)

Question 6

What percentage of a building’s total energy needs to be produced on site to earn three points for Energy and Atmosphere credit, On-Site Renewable Energy for a LEED NC project?

A. 2.5%
B. 5%
C. 7.5%
D. 10%
E. 12.5%

Answer 6

B. 5%

NC and schools - 1%=1 pt., 3%=2 pts., 5%=3 pts., 7%=4 pts., 9%=5 pts., 11%=6 pts., 13%=7 pts. (15%=Exemplary)
CS - 1% = 4 pts. (5%=Exemplary)

Question 7

When calculating the Landscape Coefficient, what variable accounts for the number of plants and the total leaf area of a landscape?

A. Species factor
B. Density factor
C. Microclimate factor
D. Spacing factor

Answer 7

B. Density factor

Landscape Coefficient (KL)=Species Factor (Ks) x Density Factor (Kd) x Microclimate Factor (Kmc)

Question 8

Installing metering equipment to measure energy use is done as part of which credit?

A. Optimize Energy Performance
B. On-Site Renewable Energy
C. Enhanced Commissioning
D. Measurement and Verification
E. Green Power

Answer 8

D. Measurement and Verification

Question 9

Which of the following activities MUST the CxA perform to comply with Energy and Atmosphere credit, Enhanced Commissioning? (Choose 3)

A. Conduct one commissioning design review of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), Basis of Design (BOD), and design documents prior to mid-construction documents
B. Review contractor submittals applicable to systems being commissioned
C. Develop a systems manual
D. Verify that the requirements for training operating personnel and building occupants are completed
E. Review building operation within 10 months after substantial completion with O&M staff and occupants
F. Be present at all inspections by the local jurisdiction

Answer 9

A. Conduct one commissioning design review …
B. Review contractor submittals applicable to systems being commissioned
E. Review building operation within 10 months after substantial completion

Any other team member can do C. or D.

Question 10

Which of the following would be included in the submittal documents for IEQ credit, Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control? (Choose 3)

A. Confirmation of MERV 8 or better HVAC filters
B. Confirmation of MERV 13 or better HVAC filters
C. Confirmation of entryway systems
D. Confirmation that no smoking is allowed in the building
E. Copy of the mechanical equipment product data
F. A building maintenance plan

Answer 10

B. MERV 13 or better
C. Confirm of entryway systems
F. A building maintenance plan

Question 11

How much does a project’s landscape irrigation need to be reduced, from a calculated mid-summer baseline case, in order to ear 2 points for the WE credit, Water Efficient Landscaping under LEED C&S?

A. 20%
B. 40%
C. 50%
D. 100% or no landscaping irrigation

Answer 11

C. 50%

Reduce by 100% to get 4 points

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT considered a composite wood or agrifiber product? (Choose 2)

A. Plywood
B. Strawboard
C. Framing lumber
D. Plastic laminate
E. Particleboard
F. Medium Density Fiberboard

Answer 12

C. Framing lumber
D. Particleboard

Door cores are also considered, while any materials considered fit-out, furniture, and equipment are not included.

Question 13

Which of the following are required of wood products to qualify for Materials and Resources credit, Certified Wood?

A. CBECS certified
B. Must be recycled material
C. Must be classified as a renewable resource by the USDA
D. Must be harvested within 500 miles of the project
E. Must be permanently installed in the project
F. FSC certified

Answer 13

E. FSC certified

Question 14

Which of the following estimates the true cost of a product, including original cost plus the cost of maintenance over the product’s lifetime?

A. Life-cost study
B. Total product cost analysis
C. Real cost study
D. Lifecycle cost analysis

Answer 14

D. Lifecycle cost analysis

Question 15

Which of the following materials would be included in calculations for IEQ credit, Low-Emitting Materials: Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products? (Choose 3)

A. Particleboard shelving in a storage room
B. Solid oak flooring
C. MDF wall base
D. Interior door cores
E. Plywood used on an exterior sign

Answer 15

A. Particleboard
C. MDF wall base
D. Interior door cores

Question 16

A new factory will have 150 FTEs and 100 part-time employees (4 hours/day). To qualify for SS credit, Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms, the design team must plan on a minimum of ___ bike rack spaces and ___ shower and changing facilities in the building.

A. 30, 0 
B. 30, 3
C. 5, 2
D. 10, 0
E. 10, 1
F. 10, 2

Answer 16

E. 10, 1

5% bike racks, .5% showers

Question 17

A school has 350 students and 30 FTE staff members. For LEED calculations, how many water closet and urinal uses would be assumed for this school.

A. 750 water closet uses and 190 urinal uses
B. 190 water closet uses and 190 urinal uses
C. 570 water closet uses and 380 urinal uses
D. 760 water closet uses and 380 urinal uses
E. 380 water closet uses and 190 urinal uses

Answer 17

D. 760 water closet uses and 380 urinal uses

Assume 190 male, 190 female. Female - 190 x 3 water closet uses/day=570. Male - 190 x 1 water closet use/day=190 + 2 urinal uses/day=380

Question 18

Which option would NOT be a good strategy to earn a point for SS credit, Stormwater Design: Quality Control?

A. Specifying a vegetated roof
B. Installing pervious paving
C. Implementing a stormwater recovery system to flush toilets
D. Providing waterless urinals

Answer 18

D. Providing waterless urinals

Question 19

A LEED for Schools project has been calculated to have an annual energy cost of $200,000. As part of the mechanical design, a ground-source heat pump will produce $20,000 worth of this energy. How many LEED points would this project be eligible for under EA credit, On-Site Renewable Energy?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 5
E. 7

Answer 19

A .0

Geo-exchange systems (ground-source heat pumps), passive solar and daylighting are not eligible for EA credit, On-Site Renwable Energy.

Question 20

For the purposes of calculating recycled content, what assumptions can be made about the recycled content of steel, if no other information is available?

A. Steel requires a certificate stating it's recycled content
B. 20% pre-consumer content
C. 25% pre-consumer content
D. 20% post-consumer content
E. 25% post-consumer content

Answer 20

E. 25% post-consumer content

Question 21

An early design of a building includes a fire suppression system containing Halon. Which of the following prerequisites/credits would this building not be eligible for?

A. Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems
B. Fundamental Refrigerant Management
C. Enhanced Commissioning
D. Enhanced Refrigerant Management
E. Green Power

Answer 21

D. Enhanced Refrigerant Management

Question 22

Using the CBECS database, a project team has estimated a new office building to consume 8.5 kWh/sf/year of electricity. The building area is 330,200 sqft. The local price of electricity is $0.07/kWh. How much electricity must be purchased in order to qualify for EA credit, Green Power?

A. 982,345 kWh
B. 1,964,690 kWh
C. 2,806,700 kWh
D. 3,929,380 kWh

Answer 22

B. 1,964,690 kWh

Total annual energy consumed - 330,200 x 8.5=2,806,700
2,80,700 x .35 x 2=1,964,690

Question 23

Which of the following would satisfy the requirements of EA credit, Green Power?

A. 1-yr contract to provided 50% of electricity from renewable sources
B. 5-yr contract to provide 25% of electricity from renewable sources
C. 2-yr contract to provide 35% of electricity from renewable sources
D. 10-yr contract to provide 30% of electricity from renewable sources

Answer 23

C. 2-yr contract to provide 35% of electricity from renewable sources

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT true about light shelf design?

A. Can be integrated with the roof overhang
B. Increases daylighting
C. Can be used as a display shelf
D. Size of the lightshelf can depend on building latitude

Answer 24

C. Can be used as a display shelf

Question 25

As it relates to the Construction Activity Pollution Prevention credit, the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must conform to the _____ OR local erosion and sedimentation control standards, whichever is more stringent.

A. IPMVP
B. 2003 EPA Construction General Permit
C. EPA Act of 1992
D. CBECS
E. 2004 EPA Sediment Control Standard

Answer 25

B. 2003 EPA Construction General Permit

Question 26

Which of the following scenarios would NOT qualify a LEED Core and Shell project for SS credit, Alternative Transportation - Public Transportation?

A. A project located within 1/2 mile walking distance of an existing commuter rail
B. A project located within 1/2 mile walking distance of a planned and funded subway station
C. A project located within 1/4 mile from 3 bus stops of a public bus line usable by the building occupants]
D. A project located within 1/4 mile from 1 public bus line stop and 1 campus bus line stop, both usable by the building occupants

Answer 26

C. A project located within 1/4 mile from 3 bus stops of a public bus line usable by the building occupants

To satisfy this credit, a project needs to be located within 1/4 mile of TWO bus stops. The stops need to be SEPARATE bus lines. Public or campus/private bus lines are acceptable.

Question 27

A new school is planning to install a geothermal electric system. This system will produce 15,000 kWh of electricity per month. A whole new building simulation has determined the buildings annual energy cost to be $310,000. The local cost for electricity is $0.07/kWh. How many points will this project be eligible for under EA credit, On-Site Renewable Energy?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 5
F. 7

Answer 27

C. 2

Produces 15,000 kWh/month x 12 months/year = 180,000 kWh/year x $0.07/kWh = $12,600/year. This is the value of energy produced by the system.

$12,600/$310,000 = .04 or 4% of the total building energy cost is produced by the geothermal electric system = 2 points for this credit

Question 28

Which of the following materials may NOT contribute to MR credit, Construction Waste Management calculations? (Choose 2)

A. Land clearing debris
B. Scrap wood
C. Asbestos floor tiles
D. Concrete
E. Product packaging

Answer 28

A. Land clearing debris
C. Asbestos floor tiles

Evacuated soil, land-clearing debris and hazardous materials, such as asbestos, should be excluded from construction waste management calculations.

Question 29

A project team would like to include a building’s ceiling tiles in calculations for the Regional Materials credit. They were manufactured 100 miles from the project site. 50% of the material was harvested locally, but the other 50% was harvested overseas. Can it contribute to the credit?

A. No, because not all materials were harvested within 500 miles
B. No, because the ceiling tiles contain materials from overseas
C. Yes, 100% of the material (by weight) can contribute
D. Yes, 50% of the material (by weight) can contribute

Answer 29

D. Yes, 50% of the material (by weight) can contribute.

Only the portions of a product or material extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured locally can contribute

Question 30

Which can be included in calculations for MR credit, Materials Reuse? (Choose 2)

A. Reused electrical wiring
B. Existing elevator cabs
C. Wood flooring that will be reused as a countertop
D. HVAC duct
E. Furniture
F. Copper plumbing pipe

Answer 30

C. Wood flooring that will be reused as a countertop
E. Furniture

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and specialty items such as elevators shall not be included in calculations for this credit.

Question 31

Which of the following are requirements for exterior lighting to comply with SS credit, Light Pollution Reduction? (Choose 2)

A. All non-emergency lighting shall be automatically controlled to turn off during non-business hours
B. Do not exceed the lighting power densities as defined in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 for the classified zone
C. Meet exterior lighting control requirements from ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007
D. Only light areas as required for safety and comfort
E. Building facades shall be illuminated to the maximum allowable by ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004

Answer 31

B. Do not exceed the lighting power densities…

C. Meet exterior lighting control requirements…

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to comply with the vehicle sharing (Option 4) compliance path for SS credit, Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting and Fuel Efficient Vehicles?

A. A vehicle sharing contract demonstrating an agreement of at least 2 years must be provided
B. A narrative explaining the vehicle sharing program and its administration must be provided
C. One low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided per 3% of FTE, min one vehicle
D. One alternative-fuel refueling station per low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided at the nearest available parking area

Answer 32

D. One alternative-fuel refueilng station per low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided at the nearest available parking area

All others are requirements. The other requirement is that low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle parking must be located in the nearest available spaces in the nearest available parking area.

Question 33

Carpet pads are required to meet what standard to achieve Option 1 of IEQ credit, Low-Emitting Materials: Carpet Systems?

A. Green e
B. Green Score
C. Green Label
D. Green Seal GS-11
E. SMACNA
F. Green Seal GS-03

Answer 33

C. Green Label

Question 34

A new warehouse project did not undergo a whole building energy simulation to to $ reasons. The project team is attempting to comply with the prescriptive measures of the ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide. The warehouse must be smaller thatn _____ to be eligible for EA credit, Optimize Energy Performance?

A. 10,000 sq.ft.
B. 20,000 sq. ft.
C. 50,000 sq. ft.
D. 100,000 sq. ft.
E. The project would not be eligible for this credit

Answer 34

C. 50,000 sq.ft.

Question 35

A building has been determined to consume 658,235 kWh/year of electricity. The cost of electricity in the area is $0.06/kWh. What is the minimum amount of electricity that must be purchased from a renewable source in order to qualify for EA credit, Green Power?

A. 230,382 kWh
B. 329,118 kWh
C. 460, 765 kWh
D. 658,235 kWh

Answer 35

C. 460,765 kWh

658,235 kWh/year x 0.35 x 2 years - 460, 765 kWh

Question 36

To earn a point for SS credit, Site Development: Maximize Open Space, a project site must exceed the local zoning’s open space requirement by what percent?

A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%
E. 25%

Answer 36

E. 25%

Question 37

Which of the following scenarios would NOT satisfy the requirements of SS credit, Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles?

A. An owner of a new car dealership provides qualifying fuel-efficient cars and preferred parking to 3 of his 100 employees
B. A new office complex owner offers 20$ parking rate discounts to all applicable fuel-efficient vehicle parking
C. A new shopping center that provides alternative-fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total site vehicle parking
D. A new medical facility that provides preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of the total site vehicle parking

Answer 37

D. A new medical facility that provides preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of the total site vehicle parking

Would need to provide for 5%.

Question 38

Which of the following are options to comply with the Light Pollution Reduction credit as it relates to interior lighting? (Choose 2)

A. Reduce input power to interior lights (visible from the exterior by 50% between 11pm and 5am
B. Comply with the designated light zone defined in IESNA RP-33
C. Reduce input power to interior lights (visible from the exterior) by 50% between 11pm and 6am
D. Shield non-emergency luminaries between 11pm and 5pm
E. Set all interior lights on a timer to turn off at midnight

Answer 38

A. Reduce input power to interior lights (visible from the exterior) by 50% between 11pm and 5am
B. Shield non-emergency luminaries between 11pm and 5am

Question 39

You are a member of a design team working on a new office building. You learn that the building owner wants to install alternative-fuel refueling stations in the parking lot. What LEED credit could this help achieve?

A. Development Density & Community Connectivity
B. Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation access
C. Alternative Transportation: Parking Capacity
D. Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles
E. No LEED credits

Answer 39

D. Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Question 40

Which of the following are NOT included in calculations for MR credit, Building Reuse: Maintain Existing Walls, Floors & Roof? (Choose 2)

A. Structural floor
B. Roof decking
C. Concrete assemblies
D. Window assemblies
E. Roof shingles

Answer 40

D. Window assemblies
E. Roof shingles

Roof shingles would be considered “non-structural roofing material” and would not be included.

Question 41

What is the min % of occupied area that must have a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment to satisfy the requirements of IEQ credit, Daylight and Views?

A. 50%
B. 75%
C. 90%
D. 95%
E. 100%

Answer 41

C. 90%

Question 42

Which of the following can affect calculations for Water Efficient landscaping? (Choose 4)

A. Plant species factor
B. Irrigation efficiency
C. BMP management
D. Use of captured rainwater
E. Use of recycled wastewater
F. the FTE of the building

Answer 42

A. Plant species factor
B. Irrigation efficiency
C. BMP managemnt
D. Use of captured rainwater
E. Use of recycled wastewater
F. the FTE of the building

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for achieving IEQ credit, Daylight & Views?

A. Interior glazing
B. Lower partition heights
C. Decrease the amount of vision glazing
D. Interior shading devices
E. Automatic photocell-based controls

Answer 43

C. Decrease the amount of vision glazing

Question 44

Which of the following scenarios would NOT directly contribute to a project earning the Innovative Wastewater Technologies credit?

A. In a value engineering exercise, an architect reduces the # of plumbing fixtures in a building
B. An owner suggests using captured rainwater to flush the toilets in the east wing of a building
C. Composting toilets are specified due to a popular market trend
D. After a life-cycle analysis, a developer decides to eliminate landscaping irrigation by treating wastewater onsite and recycling to it irrigate the landscaping

Answer 44

A. In a value engineering exercise, an architect reduces the # of plumbing fixtures in a building

Simply reducing the number of fixtures does not directly affect the reduction of wasterwater generation and potable water demand as it relates to this credit

Question 45

In mechanically ventilated buildings, providing regularly occupied areas of the building with air filtration media, prior to occupancy, that provides a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV of 13 or better, is a requirement of which of the following LEED credits?

A. Measurement & Verification
B. Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
C. Construction IAQ Management Plan: During Construction
D. Construction IAQ Management Plan: Before Occupancy
E. Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control

Answer 45

E. Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control

Question 46

What is the min % of occupied spaces that must meet min daylighting requirements to be eligible for a point under IEQ credit, Daylight and Views?

A. 75%
B. 90%
C. 95%
D. 100%

Answer 46

A. 75%

Question 47

A new factory is found to have a total materials cost of $1,000,000. Which of the following scenarios would qualify for one point under MR credit, Recycled Content?

A. $50,000 post-consumer recycled material and $50,000 pre-consumer
B. $100,000 post-consumer recycled material and $0 pre-consumer
C. $0 post-consumer recycled material and $100,000 pre-consumer
D. $90,000 post-consumer recycled material and $20,000 pre-consumer
E. $20,000 post-consumer recycled material and $90,000 pre-consumer

Answer 47

B. $100,000 post-consumer recycled material and 0% pre-consumer
D. $90,000 post-consumer recycled material and $20,000 pre-consumer

Post-consumer material + (1/2) pre-consumer must be at least 10% of the total materials cost to earn 1 point for this credit.

Question 48

What information is NOT needed to perform a lamp lumen calculation?

A. Quality of luminaries
B. Total fixture lumens
C. Lumens transmitted above 90%
D. Site area

Answer 48

D. Site area

Question 49

A whole building energy simulation has determined that a new Core and Shell project has a baseline annual energy usage of $800,000. The baseline electricity usage is 7,000,000 kWh. The cost of electricity in the area is $0.07/kWh. If the project has qualified for 18 points under Energy and Atmosphere credit, Optimize Energy Performance, what can be assumed?

A. The design case energy usage is $464,000
B. The design case energy usage is $432,000
C. The design case energy usage is $496,000
D. The design case electricity usage is $284,400
E. The design case electricity usage is 4,060,000 kWh

Answer 49

A. The design case energy usage is $464,000

A new CS project must reduce energy usage by 42% to be eligible for 18 points. The info about the electricity usage and cost is irrelevant to this question. To calculate a 42% reduction, multiply the baseline energy usage by (1-0.42) or 0.58.
$800,000 x 0.58 = $464,000

Question 50

While performing a building flush-out for IEQ credit, Construction IAQ Management Plan-Before Occupancy, and internal temp. of at least ___ degrees F and relative humidity no higher than ___% must be maintained.

A. 50, 50
B. 50, 60
C. 60, 50
D. 60, 50
E. 60, 70

Answer 50

D. 60, 60

Question 51

Which of the following are NOT subject to the requirements of EA credit, Enhanced Refrigerant Management? (Choose 3)

A. Mechanical system chillers
B. Small HVAC units
C. Standard refrigerators
D. Small water coolers
E. Walk-in freezers

Answer 51

B. Small HVAC units
C. Standard refrigerators
D. Small water coolers

Question 52

What is the min % of wood materials that must qualify as certified wood to be eligible for a point under Materials and Resources credit, Certified Wood?

A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 90%
E. 95%

Answer 52

B. 50%