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100+ Free LEED AP ND Practice Questions

Pass your LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What is the environmental significance of preserving prime farmland in LEED ND?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: LEED AP ND Exam

100

Exam Questions

85 scored + 15 pretest

2 hrs

Test Time

GBCI

170/200

Passing Score

GBCI

$250

Exam Fee

Stand-alone specialty

5

Credit Categories

GBCI

2 yr

Credential Validity

30 CE hours to renew

The LEED AP ND exam has 100 questions (85 scored + 15 pretest) with a 2-hour time limit. A score of 170 out of 200 is required to pass. The exam covers 5 categories: Smart Location and Linkage (27 points), Neighborhood Pattern and Design (44 points), Green Infrastructure and Buildings (29 points), Innovation (6 points), and Regional Priority (4 points). The exam requires an active LEED Green Associate credential. LEED ND was co-developed by USGBC, CNU, and NRDC.

Sample LEED AP ND Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your LEED AP ND exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary focus of the LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) rating system?
A.Individual building energy performance
B.Neighborhood-scale planning and design for sustainability
C.Interior space design
D.Building operations and maintenance
Explanation: LEED ND focuses on neighborhood-scale planning and design, addressing how buildings, infrastructure, and open spaces interact at the community level. Unlike other LEED rating systems that focus on individual buildings, LEED ND evaluates entire neighborhoods for smart growth, walkability, and sustainable urbanism.
2Which organizations jointly developed the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system?
A.EPA and HUD
B.USGBC, Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
C.AIA and ASHRAE
D.ICC and ANSI
Explanation: LEED ND was jointly developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). This collaboration brought together expertise in green building, urban design, and environmental advocacy to create a comprehensive neighborhood-scale rating system.
3What is a prerequisite under Smart Location and Linkage (SLL)?
A.Certified green buildings
B.Smart location
C.Walkable streets
D.Connected and open community
Explanation: Smart Location is a prerequisite under the Smart Location and Linkage category. It requires projects to be located on sites that avoid environmentally sensitive areas and are near existing development, transit, and infrastructure. This prerequisite ensures that new development occurs in locations that reduce sprawl and automobile dependence.
4Which of the following land types is prohibited for LEED ND development under the Smart Location prerequisite?
A.Previously developed land
B.Land within a 1/2-mile walk of transit
C.Prime farmland that has not been previously developed
D.Infill sites in existing urban areas
Explanation: LEED ND prohibits development on prime farmland that has not been previously developed. This protects agricultural resources and discourages sprawl onto productive land. Previously developed sites, transit-served locations, and infill sites are all encouraged under the Smart Location prerequisite.
5What is the purpose of the Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities prerequisite?
A.To require wildlife corridors in all developments
B.To protect habitat for imperiled species and ecological communities identified by state Natural Heritage programs
C.To mandate native plant landscaping
D.To require environmental impact statements
Explanation: The Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities prerequisite requires projects to protect habitat for species and ecological communities identified as imperiled by state Natural Heritage programs or NatureServe. Projects must either avoid these habitats or develop habitat conservation plans approved by relevant agencies.
6What is the minimum intersection density required to earn points for Compact Development under LEED ND?
A.50 intersections per square mile
B.90 intersections per square mile
C.140 intersections per square mile
D.200 intersections per square mile
Explanation: Under LEED ND, a minimum of 140 intersections per square mile within a 1/4-mile buffer of the project boundary (or existing and planned) is needed to earn maximum points for Compact Development. This metric measures street connectivity, which promotes walkability and reduces vehicle miles traveled.
7Which LEED ND credit category has the highest total possible points?
A.Smart Location and Linkage
B.Neighborhood Pattern and Design
C.Green Infrastructure and Buildings
D.Innovation
Explanation: Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD) has the highest total possible points in LEED ND, reflecting its central importance to neighborhood-scale sustainability. NPD addresses walkability, mixed-use development, compact design, connected streets, and community engagement — the core elements of sustainable neighborhood design.
8What does the Walkable Streets credit in LEED ND require?
A.Minimum sidewalk widths and continuous street tree canopy only
B.Building facades built close to the street, functional entries facing the street, ground-floor retail in mixed-use areas, and continuous sidewalks
C.Only the installation of crosswalks
D.Pedestrian bridges connecting all buildings
Explanation: The Walkable Streets credit requires multiple design elements that create a pedestrian-friendly environment: building facades close to the street, functional entries facing the sidewalk, ground-floor retail or other active uses, continuous sidewalks, and limited blank walls. These features together create vibrant, walkable streetscapes.
9What is the purpose of the Connected and Open Community prerequisite?
A.To require all homes have internet connectivity
B.To ensure the project is physically integrated with the surrounding community through connected streets
C.To mandate open floor plans in buildings
D.To require public Wi-Fi throughout the neighborhood
Explanation: The Connected and Open Community prerequisite ensures that the project is physically integrated with the surrounding community through connected streets and pathways. It prevents gated communities and cul-de-sac-dominated designs that create isolated enclaves, promoting instead an interconnected, accessible neighborhood fabric.
10Under LEED ND, what is meant by 'diverse uses'?
A.Having multiple paint colors on buildings
B.Providing a variety of land uses (residential, commercial, civic, recreational) within walking distance
C.Using diverse construction materials
D.Having diverse architectural styles
Explanation: Diverse uses in LEED ND refers to providing a variety of land uses — residential, commercial, civic, recreational, and institutional — within walking distance of each other. This mixed-use approach reduces the need for automobile trips by allowing residents to access daily needs on foot.

About the LEED AP ND Exam

The LEED AP Neighborhood Development (ND) credential validates advanced knowledge of neighborhood-scale sustainable planning and design. It covers the LEED ND rating system including smart location and linkage, neighborhood pattern and design, green infrastructure and buildings, innovation, and regional priority credits. This specialty completes the LEED AP set alongside BD+C, ID+C, and O+M.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions (85 scored + 15 pretest)

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

170/200 scaled score

Exam Fee

$250 combined (LEED Green Associate + specialty) (GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.))

LEED AP ND Exam Content Outline

25%

Smart Location and Linkage

Smart location, imperiled species, wetland conservation, farmland conservation, floodplain avoidance, preferred locations, brownfield remediation, transit access

40%

Neighborhood Pattern and Design

Walkable streets, compact development, connected community, mixed-use, housing diversity, transit facilities, community engagement, local food production

26%

Green Infrastructure and Buildings

Certified green buildings, energy performance, water efficiency, stormwater management, heat island reduction, solar orientation, district energy

5%

Innovation

Innovation strategies, exemplary performance, LEED AP participation

4%

Regional Priority

Geographically specific environmental and social priorities identified by USGBC regional councils

How to Pass the LEED AP ND Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 170/200 scaled score
  • Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions (85 scored + 15 pretest)
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: $250 combined (LEED Green Associate + specialty)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

LEED AP ND Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on Neighborhood Pattern and Design (40%) — it carries the highest weight and covers walkability, compact development, and mixed-use design
2Understand the relationship between LEED ND credits and smart growth/New Urbanism principles
3Master the prerequisites — failing any prerequisite means failing certification regardless of points earned
4Study the three certification stages: Conditional Approval, Plan, and Certified Neighborhood Development
5Learn buffer distances for wetlands (100 ft) and water bodies (50 ft) as these are frequently tested

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LEED AP ND exam?

The LEED AP ND is a specialty credential from GBCI for professionals working in neighborhood-scale sustainable development. It covers the LEED ND rating system, which addresses smart growth, walkability, mixed-use design, green infrastructure, and community connectivity at the neighborhood scale.

Do I need LEED Green Associate before taking LEED AP ND?

Yes, you must hold an active LEED Green Associate credential or take the combined LEED GA + AP ND exam. The stand-alone AP specialty exam requires current LEED Green Associate status at the time of registration.

What score is needed to pass LEED AP ND?

You need a scaled score of 170 out of 200 to pass the LEED AP ND exam. The exam has 100 questions (85 scored + 15 pretest) with a 2-hour time limit. Pretest questions are not identified and do not count toward your score.

How is LEED AP ND different from LEED AP BD+C?

LEED AP BD+C focuses on individual building design and construction, while LEED AP ND focuses on neighborhood-scale planning including multiple buildings, streets, infrastructure, and open spaces. ND covers smart growth principles, walkability, transit-oriented development, and community-level sustainability.

How much does the LEED AP ND exam cost?

The stand-alone LEED AP ND specialty exam costs approximately $250 ($200 for USGBC members). The combined LEED GA + AP ND exam costs approximately $550 ($400 for members). USGBC membership provides exam fee discounts.