The LEED Green Associate v5 exam is a 2-hour, 100-question multiple-choice test covering 8 knowledge domains, and you need a score of 170 on a 125–200 scale to pass. GreenCE’s Free LEED Exam Prep course walks through these same 8 domains module by module, so you study exactly what the exam measures.
Exam format at a glance
| Item | Detail |
| Questions | 100 multiple-choice, one correct answer each |
| Scored questions | 85 |
| Unscored questions | 15, randomly mixed in and not identified |
| Time | 2 hours (plan 2 hours 20 minutes total with check-in) |
| Scoring scale | 125–200 |
| Passing score | 170 |
| Delivery | Prometric test center or online remote proctoring |
You can skip questions, flag them for review, and change answers before you submit. There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
Questions by knowledge domain
| Knowledge domain | Scored questions | Key topics |
| LEED Process | 15 | USGBC and GBCI roles, rating system structure, certification process, third-party verification |
| Energy and Atmosphere | 15 | Energy efficiency, passive design, renewable energy, refrigerant management, decarbonization |
| Materials and Resources | 11 | Life cycle assessment, embodied carbon, sustainable purchasing, material reuse, waste management |
| Indoor Environmental Quality | 11 | Indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, biophilic and inclusive design |
| Water Efficiency | 10 | Outdoor and indoor water use, efficient fixtures, graywater reuse, performance monitoring |
| Location and Transportation | 9 | Site selection, transportation demand management, alternative transportation, compact development |
| Sustainable Sites | 8 | Site assessment, habitat conservation, heat island reduction, rainwater management |
| Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments | 6 | Early assessments, systems thinking, life cycle cost analysis, project team roles |
LEED Process and Energy and Atmosphere together make up 30 of the 85 scored questions, so they deserve the most study time.
The three types of questions
The exam tests three cognitive levels:
- Recall: remembering facts from the exam references, such as the point range for LEED Gold (60–79).
- Application: solving a new scenario with familiar LEED principles.
- Analysis: breaking a problem into parts and weighing how they relate, such as balancing embodied and operational carbon.
Official exam references
USGBC built the v5 exam from four references, and GreenCE’s course is designed as a companion to them:
- LEED Core Concepts Guide, 5th Edition
- Foundations of LEED (2023)
- Guide to LEED Certification: Commercial
- LEED Rating System Selection Guidance
USGBC also recommends downloading the free LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook before you register.
FAQ
How many questions do I need to get right? LEED reports a scaled score, not a raw percentage. You need at least 170 out of 200.
Are there math or calculation questions? The exam focuses on concepts, terms, and processes. Only digital notepads and calculators are allowed during online exams.
Where can I practice these questions? GreenCE’s free course includes 3 full-length practice exams with 300+ questions written to match the real exam’s format and difficulty.
Sources
- GreenCE: Free LEED v5 Exam Prep course page
- GreenCE, Free LEED Exam Prep Study Guide (LEED v5 Green Associate)