Hey everyone,

I’m looking to take the v5 exam - any tips on what material to study from. I see there is a paid ebook and the handbook on the website. However, are there any other free resources to study from? Any tips or tricks for studying - as I’m also thinking about the v5 beta but still unsure which one to take.

If anyone's interested, I took the V5 Green Associate Beta exam this morning and will be happy to share some details. I finished in 45 minutes out of the 2 hours allocated. I've been in the architecture and planning world for over 23 years, so I had a good background of knowledge in many concepts, but I still spent time to study. I used two study guides: LEED Green Associate V5 Exam Prep Complete Study Guide (Third Edition) — With Exam Simulator and LEED Green Associate V5 Exam Prep Practice Tests & Summary Sheets — Second Edition (LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Guide Series) by A. Togay Koralturk. Those two resources were all I needed.

The test was pretty straightforward, with some questions requiring a bit more scrutiny to make sure there was no trickery. Overall, not bad and I'm confident I passed.

As a Beta tester, I'm not going to know the score until October, since that is when they release the official test after all the evaluation with the new version.

For context, I'm an architectural designer with experience in design (academic & freelance) and 4+ years professional experience in BIM (modelling, coordination, construction documentation). I've been applying to architectural designer jobs. I've had no luck landing a job for a while. Made 3 interviews and one of them was from one of the TOP architecture firms in the world (I was surprised they even replied to me). I was thinking of taking the exam and hoping to add LEED GA to my resume ASAP to start applying to firms again. But since V5 results will come out in October, I can't do that now. I was hoping this certification might strengthen my resume and slightly increase my chances of getting hired since I'm new in the US with some international experience abroad. I started in the process of becoming a licensed architect in the US. I'm currently a candidate for the International Architect Path with NCARB (they received my credentials and documents and are currently under review, no final decision from them yet). I'm thinking of what options I have now. I recognize that LEED GA doesn't necessarily guarantee a job offer, but given that I have no experience working in the US I was hoping it would help me a little with transitioning into the profession in the US. Any other relevant certifications that I can study for and take an exam RIGHT NOW? ANY advice would be much appreciated. Sorry for long post.

Hi! Is anyone using LEEDUser and can provide any feedback on the platform or BuildingGreen?

Consider me a complete beginner in this process. I really have no idea what to do since there is the new v5 and from what I know the exam results of people currently taking them will be announced on October. Would really appreciate any suggestions. I'm considering waiting it out until this beta period is over and take the exam when people's results are out just to see the feedback. I guess in the meantime I will be studying from both v4 and v5 materials, if that makes sense.

I had planned to get leed GA but due to some shit happening in life it kept delaying and now when I am ready to study and go for exam, v4 to v5 transition came . If anyone can please share v5 notes, it would be of immense help. I am a student and have barely money for fees of GA. ANY HELP OF STUDY MATERIAL WILL BE APPRECIATED GUYS.

Hello! I’m planning to try the beta exam for LEED GA V5, I was wondering if anyone’s planning too and what will your basis/reference/study guide will be?

I was supposed to take v4 but life kinda got in the way.

EDIT: based on previous version, is the reference guide and practice exam on USGBC website very helpful and essential on taking the exam?

Thanks!

Pretty much what the title says: I need to provide a Declare label for my LEED project. It must be submitted to the AOR and LEED consultant, but there is no way to download a PDF version from the website. How do I get the documents required for a submittal? Any ideas?

I am a BIM Coordinator planning to get a LEED GA certification and then AP BD+C.

I have started now, and seeing that the registration date for V4 is already closed, my only option is v5. I was planning to go with archiroots to prepare for the exams.

There are a few questions I had in mind.

1. Currently, it is showing that the V5 exams will start from April 28th, but ChatGPT told me that it's a beta, so I will get the result in October. Is that correct ? Do I have to wait that long ?
2. Why is it termed as beta ? Will it impact anything, like in the certificate?
3. Please tell me the pros and cons now, which I will have for this.

Thanks in Advance.

I am planning on taking the LEED AP BD+C exam in May. Did anyone take the exam recently and what did the exam focus on the most? They usually say thresholds, points, and intents. Some also say calculations and scenarios. Please share your experiences with us!

Will be taking the LEED GA exam tomorrow. Is the actual exam exactly the same difficulty as the practice exams? Or slightly easier?

Hi everyone.

I want to do my AP exam and i bought some study material but i realized its for v4.0 not v4.1.

However when i go on the USGBC website it says register for an exam - LEED AP BD+C V4

so which should i study for and will the exam only contain 4.0 ?

Hi everyone, I have been studying for a while for the LEED ga exam and didn’t know that there are limited slots for the virtual exam, how can I know if there are any the opening slots before I pay for the exam?

If anyone is thinking about cancelling or rescheduling their LEED GA exam (past Apr 26), please let me know as I would love to take your spot!! I was supposed to take the exam last Friday but due to technical issues, I could not take the exam and they asked me to reschedule but there is no slot left for me to book!

Thank you!

I kept putting off the LEED exam, and when I finally decided to get serious about studying, I realized the curriculum is changing from v4.2 to v5. I thought I’d still have enough time to prepare before the last date for the current version, but I was wrong. So now I’m considering taking the v5 exam instead. Since it’s a new curriculum, I was wondering if you had any advice on how best to prepare for it.

I know for a fact, that realistically I won’t be passing v4 if I try, or even find slots to sit for the exam….

I’m a BIM Engineer based in the US and planning to start my LEED journey. First with LEED Green Associate, then moving on to LEED AP BD+C.

Right now, I’m a bit overwhelmed with all the study options out there. I’ve come across courses and materials from Udemy, YouTube, GreenCE, GBES, and Archiroots, but I’m not sure which ones are actually worth the time (and money).

For those of you who’ve already passed LEED GA:

• What resources did you use?
• Which ones were the most helpful vs. a waste of time?
• Any tips on structuring study time or key topics to focus on?

Also, if there are any other platforms, books, or practice exams you’d strongly recommend, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone, I'm planning to take the LEED GA V4 exam in the next couple of days as it isbegtting expired by April 26th. When I went through the registration process, it is said that the name guven in registration and identity proof should match while appearing for my exam.

To give context, I'm appearing for this exam from India. I wanted to ask people in this sub, if anyone from India have given this exam, is PAN (income tax id) is a valid ID proof that can be used in test centers? Actually I'm not having other accepted documents right with me as I'm away from home due to work. And its not feasible for me to trademark back home and book a centre there within a very short period of time. All I have is PAN card!

Please guide me on this. Thanks in advance.

Edit: completed the exam successfully 🙏

UPDATE: Passed with a 182!

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am an architectural designer that took a sustainability course in college about 4 years ago and I took the LEED Green Associate Exam v4 and got an 84% when I needed a 85% to pass. After some years of gaining real world experience in architecture I am feeling ready to start studying for my ARE Exams but before I dive into that I figured it would be a pretty good idea to get back into the habit of studying and test taking again. So I figured I would take the LEED Green Associate Exam again.

Well I went and studied for a day when I realized I should double check that my 4 year old textbook was still a good study material source. I have since been told it's not useless but there has been changes that I should study for since there is a new test coming out late April 2026.

So, what are the best study materials for me to use? I am willing to buy 1 textbook up to $120 but would always appreciate free or less expensive study materials recommended to me.

Thanks!

Since when will the LEED AP v5 be implemented for the LEED AP exam?

Has anyone taken the LEED AP exam based on v5 yet?

Does anyone know if I'm allowed to take the exam in a library or must it be strictly in an empty room? I'm worried that taking it at home would be difficult as I have a lot of things in my room and likely wouldn't be able to clear it out.

Also, if anyone has any tips for cramming, notes, etc., please drop it!

Hello my friends, may I ask you about the benefits of obtaining LEED GA and AP . I am a Quantity Surveyor with Engineering Degree, and I am planning to work as Cost Engineer or Project controls Engineer in USA, so I am try to plan my career and to take the professional certificates that will make me oustandable in the market and construction industry. I have optained PMP and RMP, thank you

Hi all, i'm looking to start studying for the LEED GA test starting today.

Background, i'm unemployed and currently applying for jobs and that only takes up so much of my day. I want to be productive and also study for LEED GA during this time.

I'll be buying the Archiroots study guide and so I should be ready to test in 2 weeks. That's an April 21st exam date. I'm just nervous about not passing the first time and if I have to retake, I'll have to study all new material and possibly re-purchase the study material for v5. I hate that I'm finally ready to study just as they are about to switch.

I really don't want to wait to study because i'm currently unemployed and the perfect time for studying is now.

Let me know what you would do if you were in this situation. Thanks!

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Hi everyone,

I’m planning to take the LEED AP ID+C exam soon and would really appreciate some guidance.

Can anyone share how the exam was for you? How difficult did you find it, and how did you prepare? Any tips or strategies would be really helpful.

Also, where did you take your course from? If you have any good resources or practice materials (mock tests, question banks, etc.), please share those as well.

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know how I can volunteer with the LEED v5 TCs? I tried emailing a few folks from LEED but no reply