LEED

I have had requests for further explanation of the test I am studying for. It is called the LEED AP exam. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED Green Building Rating System was established by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) as a benchmark that allows buildings to be certified as "green". If I pass the exam I will be recognized as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). I have wanted to to this for a while, but haven't been able to find the time. When my boss told us that he would pay for the exam and the study materials, I couldn't pass it up. That's the good news.

The bad news is that it is a very difficult exam. It is closed book, and the current passing rate is only 34%. It gets worse. The LEED rating system is changing in 2009 (the exact date has not been disclosed) and the exam is expected to get more difficult as a result. The worst part is that if I don't pass the exam before the format changes, I will have to order new study materials at my own expense. Speaking of expense, the exam costs $300 and I only expect my boss to pay for the first test.

I can schedule the test on any day I choose, and I plan to take it in early December. If everything goes well, I will have studied about 60 hours by then. I am nervous about it because there is so much memorization required, which is not my strong suit. Please pray that I pass the test the first time, and that my relationship with Erica and Norah doesn't suffer as a result of all the time spent studying. Norah is beginning to grow out of her mommy phase, and our time together has been better than ever. She runs to me when I get home from work and always wants me around. No test is worth giving that up. Thanks in advance for your prayers.