Skip to main content

Participating in the exam development process

  • Updated

What is exam development?

Exam development is the process of creating an assessment that measures specific knowledge, skills and abilities for a specific job role. It includes various stages such as the job task analysis and exam blueprinting, item writing, reviewing, beta testing, scoring and analyzing results to ensure the exam is valid, reliable and fair.

What are the key phases of exam development?

The main phases of exam development include:

  • Job task analysis (JTA) and test specifications: Subject matter experts (SMEs) identify the knowledge, skills and abilities required for a LEED credentialed professional to perform their job satisfactorily.  The test specifications or exam blueprint is the key output of the JTA process.
  • Item writing: SMEs develop questions aligned with the test specifications.
  • Item review: SMEs review and revise questions to ensure they meet quality standards and align with the test specifications and exam body of knowledge.
  • Form review: SMEs review the exam forms to ensure the quality, relevance and fairness of the entire exam.
  • Beta testing: GBCI administers the exam to a sample group of candidates to evaluate item performance, validate the items, establish item statistics and test reliability.
  • Scoring and analysis: Psychometricians analyze the beta test results to ensure questions are fair and valid.
  • Standard setting: Establish a minimum passing score or cut score.
  • Final test form assembly: Compile questions into the final version of the exam.
  • Final test delivery: Deliver the final version of the exam under standardized conditions.

What is the role of a subject matter expert (SME) in exam development?

SMEs play a critical role in developing exam content, ensuring that it accurately reflects the knowledge and skills required for a LEED credentialed professional in the field. SMEs are involved in the job task analysis, item writing and reviewing, validating exam questions to ensure they are clear, fair and aligned with the job role.

What are the benefits of serving as a subject matter expert (SME) in exam development?

Serving as a SME offers many valuable benefits:

  • Professional development: It helps deepen your own expertise by shaping exam content that reflects the latest rating system and current industry knowledge, enhancing your skills in exam development.
  • Networking opportunities: You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other LEED credentialed professionals, broadening your network and learning from peers with diverse perspectives within your field.
  • Support the industry: You will make a positive impact by helping maintain high quality standards and ensure that the exams and credentials remain relevant and impactful.

I want to volunteer as a subject matter expert (SME) to support LEED v5 exam development activities. What are the requirements?

To participate as a SME, you must:

  • Hold an active LEED credential for the exam you are supporting for the exam you are supporting
  • Possess knowledge of LEED, specifically LEED v5
  • Be able and willing to follow guidelines and be trained in exam development techniques
  • Not be associated with any LEED exam preparatory learning development or delivery
  • Submit your completed volunteer application
  • Sign the GBCI Volunteer Code of Professional Conduct

How do I know if my LEED credential is active?

You can check whether your LEED credential is active by logging into your USGBC credentials account and checking your credential status. If your credential is inactive, consult the credential maintenance requirements before applying for the Task Force.

When can I apply to volunteer as a subject matter expert (SME) for the LEED v5 exam development activities?

GBCI will hold two separate calls for volunteers to support the LEED v5 exam development effort.  

  • The first call-out, held Nov. 2024, recruited SMEs to participate in the LEED v5 Exam Task Force.  As part of the LEED v5 Exam Task Force, SMEs will set the groundwork for the subsequent phases of exam development by conducting a job task analysis (JTA) and creating the test specifications or exam blueprint.  To learn more and apply, click here.
  • The second call-out, scheduled for early Q3 2025, will recruit SMEs to participate in the item development activities, such as item writing, item review and form review meetings.   

The volunteer application will be posted on the volunteer opportunities page, shared with credential holders via email and promoted across social media platforms.

What is the time commitment to join the LEED v5 Exam Task Force?

As a volunteer subject matter expert (SME) on the Task Force, you will participate in one or more engagements as defined below.

Please note that meetings are held remotely via a video conferencing platform and will last approximately one to four hours, depending on the type of test development activity.

Job Task Analysis (16-24 hours) 

The first series of meetings is planned to start in late Q1 2025. These meetings aim to determine the knowledge and skills needed to support the competent performance of a LEED credentialed professional and craft a survey to test these assertions. To ensure continuity, a subgroup of SMEs will take part in the Test Specifications meetings. 

Test Specifications (16-20 hours)

This series of meetings is planned to start in Q2 2025. Some SMEs from the Job Task Analysis engagement will participate, as well as new SMEs who did not participate in the Job Task Analysis. These meetings aim to develop the test specifications or blueprint of the exam. It is the end product of the Job Analysis. 

What is the time commitment to participate as a subject matter expert (SME) volunteer in the LEED v5 item development activities?

As a volunteer SME, you will participate in one of the following engagements as defined below.

Please note that meetings are held remotely via a video conferencing platform and will last approximately three hours at a time.

Item writing (10-25 hours)

SMEs will participate in an item writing workshop, after which they will be assigned to create exam questions (items) that meet the test specifications. They will work independently for approximately two weeks, with the option to consult GBCI credentialing staff during that time to address any questions.

Item review (10-25 hours)

SMEs will participate in an item review workshop, followed by a series of 3-hour meetings where they will review and revise the newly written exam questions to ensure the questions meet quality standards and align with the test specifications and exam body of knowledge.

Form review (5-15 hours)

SMEs will participate in a form review workshop, followed by a series of 3-hour meetings to review the new exam forms and ensure the quality, relevance and fairness of the entire exam.

How will successful applicants be notified that they have been selected to participate as a subject matter expert (SME) in the LEED v5 exam development activities?

GBCI will review application and successful applicants will be notified via email. Please add GBCI to your safe sender's list.

I have delivered LEED exam prep workshops in the past. However, my primary job role is not exam preparatory learning development or delivery; may I still apply?

If your current employer creates and delivers LEED test prep, regardless of whether your current role includes these responsibilities, you are not eligible to apply for the Task Force.

If you and your current employer are not (and do not plan to be) involved in creating and delivering LEED test prep, but you have delivered exam prep workshops in the past, you are eligible to apply for the Task Force.  If selected, you must sign GBCI's Code of Professional Conduct stating that you and your employer will not create materials for or facilitate the delivery of LEED exam prep education for at least 12 months after your Task Force engagement ends. Additionally, you will not take the LEED exam you were exposed to for at least 12 months after it launches.

For additional questions, please contact us. 

If I serve as a volunteer SME in the LEED v5 exam development activities, can I take a LEED v5 exam?

If you participate as a volunteer SME in any LEED v5 exam development activities, you cannot take the exam you were exposed to for one year following your participation.

Can my volunteer hours be applied toward continuing education?

Yes. As a volunteer subject matter expert (SME), you will gain experience exercising your knowledge of LEED v5 to develop the LEED exams while earning LEED-specific continuing education (CE) credits. Learn more about reporting volunteer hours.

Who is responsible for leading the development of the LEED exams?

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is leading the LEED v5 exam development process with the assistance of volunteer subject matter experts from around the globe. 

GBCI Credentialing (an ISO/IEC 17024 accredited institution) adheres to best practices in developing, delivering, and maintaining personnel certification programs, such as the LEED credentials. Learn more about the test development process.

Related articles