Strategies for preparing for LEED AP BD+C Exam

LEED AP BD+C Exam is very hard.  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 portion of 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, OR have forgotten about the information that you read earlier by the time you take the exam, and you end up failing the exam.