CLARB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CLARB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary purpose of construction management in landscape architecture? → To oversee project completion within budget and schedule
2. Which soil horizon is commonly referred to as 'topsoil' and contains the highest concentration of organic matter? → A horizon
3. What is the primary purpose of specifying a soil amendment such as compost at a rate of 3 inches tilled to 12 inches depth in a planting bed? → To improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient content for plant establishment
4. Which of the following is a common cause for a contractor's bid to be deemed non-responsive and rejected during a formal bidding process? → The bid form was submitted after the specified deadline.
5. On a CLARB planting plan, what does the abbreviation 'B&B' typically indicate about a plant specimen? → Balled and burlapped — the root ball is wrapped in burlap for transplanting
6. A planting plan calls for 'native species only.' Which of the following best describes a native plant in the US context? → A species that occurred naturally in a region prior to European colonization
7. What is the primary purpose of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map in landscape architectural practice? → To determine which plants will survive winter temperatures in a given region
8. Which of the following is a key component of a program development document? → Project goals and client requirements
9. Which soil amendment is most effective at improving drainage in heavy clay soils for landscape planting? → Coarse sand or perlite in large quantities
10. What minimum clear trunk height is typically specified for street trees to provide clearance for pedestrians? → 8 feet minimum clearance over pedestrian paths
11. The angle of repose is a critical soil engineering property that most directly influences which landscape design consideration? → Slope stability and cut/fill grading design
12. Which pH range is considered slightly acidic and generally optimal for most landscape plants? → 5.5–6.5
13. Which green infrastructure practice filters stormwater through engineered soil and plants while also allowing infiltration into the ground? → Bioretention cell (rain garden)
14. Which LEED credit category most directly rewards landscape architects for reducing potable water use in irrigation? → Water Efficiency — Outdoor Water Use Reduction
15. Which plant characteristic is most important when designing for year-round interest in a temperate US climate? → Four-season ornamental qualities including bloom, foliage, fruit, and winter structure
16. A landscape architect discovers a site underlain by deep organic soils (peat and muck). What is the primary construction concern? → Long-term differential settlement and low bearing capacity
17. In ecological restoration practice, what does the term 'reference ecosystem' mean? → A relatively undisturbed natural plant community used as a model for restoration goals
18. Which of the following is the correct botanical name format for a cultivar? → Quercus rubra 'Heritage'
19. Which publicly available resource provides detailed soil survey data, including soil limitations and suitability ratings, for landscape site analysis? → USDA Web Soil Survey (WSS)
20. What is cation exchange capacity (CEC) in soils, and why is it important in landscape design? → The soil's ability to hold and exchange positively charged nutrient ions
21. What is the primary goal of program development in landscape architecture? → To identify project objectives and site requirements
22. In xeriscape design, which of the seven principles most directly reduces supplemental irrigation needs after plant establishment? → Appropriate plant selection — choosing drought-tolerant and climate-adapted species
23. When grading a site to direct surface water away from a building foundation, what is the generally accepted minimum slope? → 2% (1/4 inch per foot)
24. What does soil bearing capacity describe in the context of landscape construction? → The maximum load per unit area soil can support without failure or excessive settlement
25. Which phenomenon occurs when soil consolidates vertically under the weight of overlying fill or structures over time? → Settlement/consolidation
26. A planting specification requires 'containerized stock' rather than B&B. What is a primary advantage of container-grown plants? → The intact root system reduces transplant shock and extends the planting season
27. What is typically the first step in program development? → Conducting a site analysis
28. Which of the following BEST describes the primary purpose of the written specifications in a set of construction documents? → To establish the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship.
29. What is the primary purpose of conducting a soil percolation test on a landscape site? → Measuring the rate at which soil absorbs water for drainage or infiltration system design
30. Which stormwater management approach is considered a green infrastructure strategy? → Installing a bioretention cell to capture and filter runoff on-site