Step inside the world of the LEED GA exam, Dubai’s sustainable practices and its advancement. In the heart of a dynamic and innovative city like Dubai, a strong green building certification like LEED will bring significant value and an edge to those committed to advancing sustainable design and construction practices. The principles of LEED can undoubtedly support Dubai’s steadfast dedication to sustainability in both concepts and technology. In this article, we explore the advantages of obtaining LEED Green Associate for professionals in Dubai and the LEED GA exam basics, including the format and registration for the exam.
LEED (Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design)
LEED, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building certification and rating system offered by USGBC (U.S Green Building Council). It has gained immense popularity and adoption within the architecture and construction industry in the past decade. The industry is now observing a significant upward trend in both the numbers of LEED-certified buildings and accredited professionals.
The framework awards deserving points to both buildings and professionals alike for their commitment to green building design. Usually, LEED certification is referred to the building certification while LEED credential or accreditation is referred to the professional certification. In this guide, we focus on one of the LEED accreditations for AEC professionals – LEED Green Associate.
LEED And Its Significance In Sustainable Design
This soaring popularity of LEED is not unexpected; afterall, it is an internationally recognized symbol of sustainable building excellence. LEED sets the standard for environmentally friendly and efficient buildings by providing a framework for sustainable practices in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of building projects.
By incorporating LEED design principles, architects can produce designs that minimize energy and water consumption, use sustainable materials, respond to the site and optimize efficiency. LEED-certified buildings not only have better environmental and operational performance, but also have better market value.
For professionals aspiring to obtain LEED Green Associate accreditation, understanding the significance of LEED in sustainable design and construction is fundamental to their success.
Dubai’s Commitment To Sustainability And Green Building
Did you know that Dubai is the first city in the Arab world to receive the LEED platinum rating for Cities? There is no doubt Dubai is at the forefront of creating a green building and real estate industry, progressing significantly towards UN SDGs. Known for its futuristic skyline and ever-expanding urban landscape, the city has faced numerous environmental concerns and sustainability challenges. An article published last year by the World Bank reported that the construction sector in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) accounted for an estimated 17% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Taking them in stride, Dubai has fully committed to a sustainable revolution in its urban expansion with an ambitious goal, rightfully earning the Platinum certification. The first step began with the mandatory implementation of strict green building regulations for governmental buildings in 2011. 3 years later, the Dubai municipality required all new constructions to implement the green building strategy and regulations, thanks to the success of the first phase with the public buildings.
Advantages Of Taking LEED GA Exam In Dubai’s Job Market
LEED credentials are valued today in the industry, no doubt in a country like UAE with skyrocketing architectural projects, as it validates the proficiency in sustainable building design and construction processes aligned with international standards. This certification offers professionals in Dubai a distinct edge in the job market where sustainability is also at the center.
The fact that it is internationally recognized also adds to its merits. A LEED credential, even the foundational level LEED Green Associate, denotes a strong proficiency in sustainable design, operation and management of building projects. It is not just a plain certificate, but a skill that will build your reputation in the field.
The First Step Into The Green Building World With LEED GA Exam
LEED GA or LEED Green Associate is a foundational-level certification for AEC professionals, reflecting the current needs of the professionals, the building principles and the design technologies available. Professionals able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in green building design, construction and operation as per the LEED framework may earn the LEED Green Associate credential by taking the LEED GA exam. Dubai, like all advanced test locations, offers both LEED GA and LEED AP exams.
Although we won’t touch on LEED AP in this article, it is important to point out that it is the next step in professional LEED certification. LEED GA is a prerequisite to fulfill if you plan to take the LEED AP exam. To find out more about LEED AP, you can check out our free resources and articles.
Unlike LEED AP which has 5 categories to choose from, the LEED GA exam has no options as it covers comprehensively over a hundred distinct topics as an introductory level. It is a must-have for professionals aspiring to work and support LEED projects in the future.
Here is a sneak peek at one of LEED AP categories: LEED AP BD+C (Building Design & Construction)
LEED GA Exam Basics
There are no prerequisites to take the LEED GA exam; however, prior experience with green building is recommended. It is also advised to be familiar with LEED and its rating systems before commencing your LEED GA journey.
The LEED GA exam is not a particularly difficult exam; however, the lack of knowledge or previous experience can make it more challenging for some candidates. For those without prior experience working on sustainable design or LEED projects, this 20-minute free training will jumpstart your learning journey.
Format And Duration Of The Exam
The main exam portion lasts for 2 hours, to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.
The questions cover various subject matters on green building design and concepts, grouped together as key categories.
As a computer-based exam, there is an option for a 10-minute tutorial and another 10-minute exit survey. There is no deduction for wrong answers. So within the given time, make sure you complete all the questions even if you are not sure about an answer!
Registration
Professionals aiming to take the exam can register through the Prometric website. Prometric is a platform that provides assessment solutions for licensing and certification organizations worldwide and GBCI partnered with Prometric to provide LEED credential exams to aspiring candidates. Candidates can also reschedule or cancel an exam appointment through the Prometric web portal.
There are 2 options to taking a LEED exam – either take a remotely proctored online exam or at a Prometric testing center. Confirm the date, time and location before registering for the LEED GA exam on the Prometric Scheduler site.
To check for location and availability:
Make sure to select the right test. If you are taking LEED AP, choose the correct category from the selection list.
According to the search here, there are 2 Prometric centers available with 7 exam dates within the selected period. Remember that this is just to check on availability. You can schedule the exam on the Prometric GBCI page.
Key Categories Covered In The LEED GA Exam
Remember that LEED accreditation exams are closely tied to the LEED certification exams. The LEED GA exam as a well-rounded exam on sustainability covers knowledge domains that reflect the credit categories of the LEED certification framework. This includes both residential and commercial as well as credits under LEED BD+C and LEED O+M.
- LEED Process
- Integrative strategies
- Location and transportation
- Sustainable sites
- Water efficiency
- Energy and atmosphere
- Materials and resources
- Indoor environmental quality
- Projects surroundings and public outreach
3 Crucial Advice To Pass The LEED GA Exam
Find Out All You Can About LEED
Even before registering for the exam, the prospective candidate should check the USGBC and GBCI websites for all information available on LEED exams. We also advise going through the exam handbook to understand the procedures and policies. Our repository of articles on LEED will also be helpful if you are not familiar with LEED certification and accreditations.
Practice Makes Perfect
Take practice tests to assess your knowledge as a final step of learning. It is important to ensure you study the right content within your available time and be ready for the exam.
Here we have another useful guide for candidates: How to study for the LEED exam.
Stay Up-To-Date
Stay updated with the latest trends in sustainability and LEED. Focus on gaining a deep understanding of core concepts, key terminologies and credit categories related to LEED. The USGBC periodically updates the exam content to reflect the industry advancements for best practices, hence it is necessary that candidates also stay current with LEED rating systems and addenda.
Training For LEED GA Exam Dubai
As mentioned previously, the LEED Green Associate exam is not difficult to pass with the right materials and guidance. There are several in-person programs that help prepare for the exam. But as a working professional, such courses can be inconvenient. So it is time for the other option – online courses. The best thing about online courses is that you can take it from anywhere, giving you more options to choose from.
Preparing for the LEED GA exam can take months without proper planning. Understanding the struggle of working professionals, Archiroots has prepared a 2 weeks LEED Green Associate training in a simplified yet effective manner. Each module focuses on each LEED category, ensuring clear understanding before moving on to the next step. At the end of the course, the trainee has the option to take the practice exams (which is recommended!).
If you are still not sure if the LEED GA exam or the content is right for you, here is a free training resource to help you get started.
