USGBC LEED AP BD+C Practice Exams
Last updated on Oct 22,2026- Exam Code: LEED AP BD+C
- Exam Name: LEED AP Building Design + Construction
- Certification Provider: USGBC
- Latest update: Oct 22,2026
Question #51
Which of the following strategies is allowed under Energy Atmosphere Credit, Renewable Energy Production, and will help a project achieve Energy Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance?
- A . Install an on-site photovoltaic array
- B . Purchase Green-e certified carbon offsets
- C . Purchase Green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
- D . Install a ground-source heat pump
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
Install an on-site photovoltaic array
Installing an on-site photovoltaic array is a direct method to produce renewable energy on the project site, which can be used to achieve points under the Energy Atmosphere Credit for Renewable Energy Production. Additionally, it contributes to optimizing energy performance by generating clean electricity on-site and reducing the need for energy from non-renewable sources.
Reference: As per the LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) V4 resources, the installation of on-site renewable energy systems like photovoltaic arrays is encouraged to reduce environmental impacts and improve a building’s energy performance. This aligns with the goals of both the Renewable Energy Production and Optimize Energy Performance credits under the LEED rating system. For more detailed information, you can refer to the web-based reference guide in the credit library at USGBC’s official website.
A
Explanation:
Install an on-site photovoltaic array
Installing an on-site photovoltaic array is a direct method to produce renewable energy on the project site, which can be used to achieve points under the Energy Atmosphere Credit for Renewable Energy Production. Additionally, it contributes to optimizing energy performance by generating clean electricity on-site and reducing the need for energy from non-renewable sources.
Reference: As per the LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) V4 resources, the installation of on-site renewable energy systems like photovoltaic arrays is encouraged to reduce environmental impacts and improve a building’s energy performance. This aligns with the goals of both the Renewable Energy Production and Optimize Energy Performance credits under the LEED rating system. For more detailed information, you can refer to the web-based reference guide in the credit library at USGBC’s official website.
Question #52
The Sustainable Sites Credit, Heat Island Reduction takes into account both new and three-year aged Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) values for roofing material because
- A . SRI generally increases with age
- B . SRI generally decreases with age
- C . SRI generally remains the same with age
- D . SRI generally does not impact the Heat Island Effect
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
. SRI generally decreases with age
The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a measure of the ability of a surface to reflect solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is calculated using the values of solar reflectance and thermal emittance of the surface. The higher the SRI, the lower the heat island effect. However, SRI generally decreases with age due to factors such as weathering, dirt accumulation, and biological growth.
Therefore, the Sustainable Sites Credit, Heat Island Reduction takes into account both new and three-year aged SRI values for roofing material to ensure that the material maintains a high level of reflectance over time.
Reference: SpecTopics: Heat Island Reduction Credit and LEED V4/V4.1 – Carlisle SynTec1
Solar Reflectance Index Measurements – Surface Optics Corp.2
B
Explanation:
. SRI generally decreases with age
The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a measure of the ability of a surface to reflect solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is calculated using the values of solar reflectance and thermal emittance of the surface. The higher the SRI, the lower the heat island effect. However, SRI generally decreases with age due to factors such as weathering, dirt accumulation, and biological growth.
Therefore, the Sustainable Sites Credit, Heat Island Reduction takes into account both new and three-year aged SRI values for roofing material to ensure that the material maintains a high level of reflectance over time.
Reference: SpecTopics: Heat Island Reduction Credit and LEED V4/V4.1 – Carlisle SynTec1
Solar Reflectance Index Measurements – Surface Optics Corp.2
Question #53
When should a preliminary water budget analysis be conducted?
- A . At the time the plumbing contractor is selected
- B . Before completion of schematic design
- C . At the time the design development is completed
- D . After completion of schematic design
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
A preliminary water budget analysis should be conducted before the completion of schematic design (B). Early analysis allows the design team to understand and integrate efficient water management practices into the building’s layout and system design. Conducting this analysis at an early stage helps inform sustainable water use strategies and enables more effective decision-making on fixtures, water conservation technologies, and landscape design. This proactive approach aligns with LEED’s emphasis on resource conservation in design.
B
Explanation:
A preliminary water budget analysis should be conducted before the completion of schematic design (B). Early analysis allows the design team to understand and integrate efficient water management practices into the building’s layout and system design. Conducting this analysis at an early stage helps inform sustainable water use strategies and enables more effective decision-making on fixtures, water conservation technologies, and landscape design. This proactive approach aligns with LEED’s emphasis on resource conservation in design.
Question #54
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization is based on market
- A . reliability
- B . durability
- C . transparency
- D . consumption
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization is based on market transparency, which means providing information about the environmental and social impacts of the products and materials used in the building. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "the intent of this credit category is to encourage the use of products and materials for which life-cycle information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts"1. By disclosing the information about the product ingredients, environmental product declarations, sourcing of raw materials, and material ingredients optimization, the project team can make informed decisions and support the development of a more sustainable market.
Reference: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations, page 5462 LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials, page 5502
LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit:
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients, page 5542
C
Explanation:
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization is based on market transparency, which means providing information about the environmental and social impacts of the products and materials used in the building. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "the intent of this credit category is to encourage the use of products and materials for which life-cycle information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts"1. By disclosing the information about the product ingredients, environmental product declarations, sourcing of raw materials, and material ingredients optimization, the project team can make informed decisions and support the development of a more sustainable market.
Reference: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations, page 5462 LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials, page 5502
LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Credit:
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients, page 5542
Question #55
An urban office building project is installing a cooling tower. To save on potable water, the project would like to use a nonpotable water source to provide 20% of the cooling tower makeup water to achieve the maximum number of points under Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use.
Which nonpotable water source would be the most appropriate for use?
- A . Municipally supplied tap water
- B . Ground surface stormwater runoff
- C . Rainwater collected from the building roof
- D . Graywater from the building’s hand-washing sinks
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
Rainwater collected from the building roof would be the most appropriate nonpotable water source for use in a cooling tower. This is because rainwater is generally cleaner than other nonpotable sources and does not require extensive treatment before use. Additionally, using rainwater can help to reduce stormwater runoff, providing an additional environmental benefit.
Reference: LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) V4 resources 1
C
Explanation:
Rainwater collected from the building roof would be the most appropriate nonpotable water source for use in a cooling tower. This is because rainwater is generally cleaner than other nonpotable sources and does not require extensive treatment before use. Additionally, using rainwater can help to reduce stormwater runoff, providing an additional environmental benefit.
Reference: LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) V4 resources 1
Question #56
Which of the following items must have safe collection, storage, and disposal for Materials and Resources Prerequisite, Storage and Collection of Recyclables?
- A . Food waste
- B . Medical waste
- C . Electronic waste
- D . Landscape waste
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
This option requires the project to provide safe collection, storage, and disposal for electronic waste, such as computers, monitors, printers, and batteries, because it contains hazardous materials that can harm human health and the environment if not handled properly1. Electronic waste can be recycled or reused by certified e-waste recyclers or manufacturers2.
Reference: = [LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide], Recycled content.
C
Explanation:
This option requires the project to provide safe collection, storage, and disposal for electronic waste, such as computers, monitors, printers, and batteries, because it contains hazardous materials that can harm human health and the environment if not handled properly1. Electronic waste can be recycled or reused by certified e-waste recyclers or manufacturers2.
Reference: = [LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide], Recycled content.
Question #57
The maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use can be obtained by
- A . utilizing a once-through system without recirculation
- B . limiting cooling tower make-up to 50% of a potable source
- C . conducting a one-time potable water analysis to determine acceptable non-potable sources
- D . achieving a minimum of 10 cooling tower cycles by increasing the level of make-up water treatment
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
Achieving a minimum of 10 cooling tower cycles by increasing the level of make-up water treatment is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use. This credit aims to conserve water used for cooling tower equipment by encouraging the use of non-potable water sources and increasing the cycles of concentration1. The cycles of concentration are the ratio of the concentration of dissolved solids in the blowdown water to the concentration of dissolved solids in the make-up water2. Increasing the cycles of concentration reduces the amount of make-up water and blowdown water, and thus saves water and energy2. The credit has two options: Option 1. Non-potable Water Source (1 point) and Option 2. Cooling Tower Water Use (2 points). Option 1 requires using at least 50% non-potable water for cooling tower make-up water1. Option 2 requires achieving a minimum number of cooling tower cycles based on the quality of the make-up water, as specified in Table 1 of the credit requirements1. The maximum number of cycles is 10, which can be achieved by increasing the level of make-up water treatment to meet the criteria for conductivity, silica, and alkalinity1. Therefore, Option 2 is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for this credit.
Reference: Credit: Cooling tower water use | U.S. Green Building Council Cooling Tower Evaporation Credits | WaterSignal
D
Explanation:
Achieving a minimum of 10 cooling tower cycles by increasing the level of make-up water treatment is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use. This credit aims to conserve water used for cooling tower equipment by encouraging the use of non-potable water sources and increasing the cycles of concentration1. The cycles of concentration are the ratio of the concentration of dissolved solids in the blowdown water to the concentration of dissolved solids in the make-up water2. Increasing the cycles of concentration reduces the amount of make-up water and blowdown water, and thus saves water and energy2. The credit has two options: Option 1. Non-potable Water Source (1 point) and Option 2. Cooling Tower Water Use (2 points). Option 1 requires using at least 50% non-potable water for cooling tower make-up water1. Option 2 requires achieving a minimum number of cooling tower cycles based on the quality of the make-up water, as specified in Table 1 of the credit requirements1. The maximum number of cycles is 10, which can be achieved by increasing the level of make-up water treatment to meet the criteria for conductivity, silica, and alkalinity1. Therefore, Option 2 is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for this credit.
Reference: Credit: Cooling tower water use | U.S. Green Building Council Cooling Tower Evaporation Credits | WaterSignal
Question #58
When the LEED AP is applying the Integrative Process to a Building Design and Construction project, which of the following information is required to be present in the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)?
- A . All applicable codes and standards
- B . Interior finishes related to the project
- C . All project team members and applicable roles
- D . Energy efficiency goals and training requirements
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
Energy efficiency goals and training requirements are required to be present in the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) when applying the Integrative Process to a Building Design and Construction project. According to the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, the OPR is a document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project 1.
The OPR must include, among other things, the following information related to energy efficiency 1:
The owner’s energy performance goals and expectations
The owner’s requirements for energy metering and monitoring
The owner’s requirements for energy modeling and analysis
The owner’s requirements for commissioning and verification
The owner’s requirements for training and documentation
The other options are not required to be present in the OPR, as they are either related to other aspects of the project, such as codes and standards, interior finishes, or project team members, or they are not relevant to the Integrative Process, which focuses on early analysis of energy, water, and site systems 2.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process Category, IPc Integrative Process, page 632.
D
Explanation:
Energy efficiency goals and training requirements are required to be present in the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) when applying the Integrative Process to a Building Design and Construction project. According to the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, the OPR is a document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project 1.
The OPR must include, among other things, the following information related to energy efficiency 1:
The owner’s energy performance goals and expectations
The owner’s requirements for energy metering and monitoring
The owner’s requirements for energy modeling and analysis
The owner’s requirements for commissioning and verification
The owner’s requirements for training and documentation
The other options are not required to be present in the OPR, as they are either related to other aspects of the project, such as codes and standards, interior finishes, or project team members, or they are not relevant to the Integrative Process, which focuses on early analysis of energy, water, and site systems 2.
Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process Category, IPc Integrative Process, page 632.
Question #59
Based on the results of a six-hour waste stream study, the project team for a retail project plans to
provide dedicated areas for four easily recyclable waste streams: cardboard, plastic, metal and paper.
The project is open to the public 10 hours a day, six days a week.
Which of the following actions should be the project team’s top priority in order to demonstrate the minimum requirements to achieve Materials and Resources Prerequisite, Storage and Collection of Recyclables?
- A . Take appropriate measures for the safe collection, storage and disposal of batteries
- B . Make a waste stream projection for the entire year based on the six hours of the waste stream study
- C . Make a waste stream projection for the entire week, based on the six hours of the waste stream study
- D . Extend the waste stream study to cover a representative time period of a minimum of 24 hours to identify the top five recyclable waste streams
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the project team must conduct a waste stream audit to identify the top five recyclable waste streams generated by the building and its occupants. The audit must cover a representative time period of a minimum of 24 hours, and must account for variations in the type and quantity of waste generated by different building uses and operations. The project team must then provide dedicated areas for the collection and storage of these materials for recycling. The project team must also provide dedicated areas for the collection and storage of batteries, mercury-containing lamps, and electronic waste, or demonstrate that a local program is in place to properly dispose of these materials.
Reference: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Prerequisite:
Storage and Collection of Recyclables, page 5441
LEED v4 Credit Tutorials: Materials & Resources (BD+C/ID+C), Prerequisite: Storage and Collection of Recyclables2
D
Explanation:
According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the project team must conduct a waste stream audit to identify the top five recyclable waste streams generated by the building and its occupants. The audit must cover a representative time period of a minimum of 24 hours, and must account for variations in the type and quantity of waste generated by different building uses and operations. The project team must then provide dedicated areas for the collection and storage of these materials for recycling. The project team must also provide dedicated areas for the collection and storage of batteries, mercury-containing lamps, and electronic waste, or demonstrate that a local program is in place to properly dispose of these materials.
Reference: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Materials and Resources Prerequisite:
Storage and Collection of Recyclables, page 5441
LEED v4 Credit Tutorials: Materials & Resources (BD+C/ID+C), Prerequisite: Storage and Collection of Recyclables2
Question #60
A project team is using the whole building simulation model to quantify the percentage of energy savings for the project.
Which of the following should remain the same for both the baseline building and the proposed building?
- A . Building operating schedule and occupancy hours
- B . Building operating schedule and total window area
- C . Building envelope construction and occupancy hours
- D . Total window area and building envelope construction
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
This option requires the project team to use the same building operating schedule and occupancy hours for both the baseline building and the proposed building in the whole building simulation model1. This option ensures that the energy savings are calculated based on the same level of building activity and occupancy, which are major factors that affect the energy performance of a building2.
Reference: = LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, [Whole Building Energy Simulation – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics].
A
Explanation:
This option requires the project team to use the same building operating schedule and occupancy hours for both the baseline building and the proposed building in the whole building simulation model1. This option ensures that the energy savings are calculated based on the same level of building activity and occupancy, which are major factors that affect the energy performance of a building2.
Reference: = LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, [Whole Building Energy Simulation – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics].