LEED Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. During the LEED integrative process for a new school project, the team is performing a preliminary energy analysis. What is the main purpose of this analysis? → To inform the building's orientation, massing, and envelope design to reduce HVAC loads.
2. How many credits are needed for a LEED Silver Rating? → 33-38
3. Which SMACNA publication does LEED reference for Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plans during the construction phase? → SMACNA IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, 2nd edition
4. What is the primary intent of the LEED Quality Views credit? → To give building occupants a direct line of sight to the outdoors through vision glazing
5. Which of the following is considered a hard cost? → Labor
6. Which of the following is the primary goal of the 'Discovery' phase within the LEED Integrative Process? → To conduct research and analysis and set performance goals before schematic design.
7. Which of the following is a key component of the LEED MR credit 'Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials'? → Specifying materials with high recycled content and responsibly sourced new materials.
8. Which ASHRAE standard is the primary reference for minimum indoor air quality performance in mechanically ventilated buildings under LEED? → ASHRAE 62.1
9. Which phase of a construction schedule requires monitoring by a project team leader? → All phases
10. For air returning from occupied spaces, LEED's Enhanced IAQ Strategies credit requires air filters with a minimum efficiency rating of: → MERV 13
11. During construction, a LEED Construction IAQ Management Plan requires HVAC system openings and ducts to be protected by: → Covering all diffusers, returns, and duct openings with plastic sheeting or filters
12. Which of the following is not considered part of a building's footprint? → The parking lot
13. LEED refers to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under which of the following prerequisites/credits? (Choose three.) → Sensitive Land Protection credit
14. For the 'Heat Island Reduction' credit, what is the minimum initial Solar Reflectance (SR) value required for paving materials used in non-roof applications? → 0.33
15. Which LEED prerequisite prohibits smoking inside the building and within a specified distance of building entrances, operable windows, and air intakes? → Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control
16. What is the primary focus of the LEED Interior Lighting credit? → Providing occupant controls for lighting levels and quality in occupied spaces
17. Which of the following sites would be INELIGIBLE for development under the 'Sensitive Land Protection' credit? → Land identified as prime farmland by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
18. ASHRAE Standard 55 is referenced in LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credits to address which building performance aspect? → Thermal comfort for building occupants
19. How can the proximity of a mass transit system to a building site affect a project? → Smaller parking areas will be required
20. To comply with the Indoor Water Use Reduction prerequisite in LEED v4.1, which of the following fixture types, when newly installed, MUST be WaterSense labeled? → Residential (tank-type) toilets
21. Which entity works to advance Energy Security? → The Department of Energy
22. For the LEED Daylight credit, which compliance approach allows project teams to use computer simulation to predict spatial daylight autonomy? → Illuminance-based simulation using LEED-approved software
23. Which of the following is NOT typically evaluated under LEED's Low-Emitting Materials credit? → Structural concrete and rebar
24. The LEED Integrative Process is based on a standard developed by which organization? → American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
25. For naturally ventilated spaces, which chapter of ASHRAE 62.1 does LEED reference to demonstrate acceptable indoor air quality performance? → Chapter 6
26. For the WE Credit: Cooling Tower Water Use, what is the primary metric used to measure the efficiency of water use in a cooling tower system? → Cycles of concentration (COC).
27. A project's cooling tower operates with high 'cycles of concentration'. What is the primary water efficiency benefit of this strategy? → It reduces the amount of makeup water needed by minimizing blowdown.
28. What does the abbreviation 'STC' stand for in the context of the LEED Acoustic Performance credit? → Sound Transmission Class
29. The LEED Indoor Air Quality Assessment credit can be achieved through which two compliance paths? → Flush-out or air testing
30. How might using green building practices in home construction make a building more marketable? → By reducing the energy use and operating costs of the home