NCARB PDD Exam Study Questions with
Answers
Lighting Efficacy - Answer how efficiently a light source produces visible light (lumens
per watt)
Color Rendering Index (CRI) - Answer Measurement of how faithfully a light source
reveals the colors of objects. The index range is from 0 to 100. The higher the CRI
number, the better the color rendering ability of the source. (critical for museums or
performance spaces)
Albedo - Answer radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a flat black
surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror which reflects all heat
Conductivity - Answer the rate at which heat passes through a specified material, metals
have high conductivity and soil/sand has low conductivity
Preservation - Answer the least amount of changes done to a historic building and any
additions are as inconspicuous as possible
Rehabilitation - Answer 2nd most historically accurate method of preserving a historic
building, retain and repair historic materials where possible, replace damage materials,
and any additions convey historic values
Restoration - Answer 3rd most historically accurate way to preserve historic building,
remove inconsistent features or later additions and replace missing features in
accordance with restoration period
Reconstruction - Answer least historic way to preserve building, brand new construction
designed to mimic how something existed in the past
, Waterproofing - Answer used when water content in soil is above foundation which
places hydrostatic pressure on foundation
Dampproofing - Answer control moisture that is not under hydrostatic pressure,
protection for slabs and foundations below grade that are subject to continuous
exposure to moisture
Value Engineering - Answer process of reviewing the entire design and exploring
opportunities to reduce cost, waste, or time without greatly affecting the design
Type of Mortar, Type O - Answer low strength, used in interior non-load bearing
walls/partitions
Type of Mortar, Type N - Answer medium strength, used in exposed masonry above
grade where high compressive and lateral strength are not required (used for solid
masonry veneer over wood frame)
Type of Mortar, Type S - Answer medium high strength, used where bond and lateral
strength are more important than compressive strength (interior load bearing wall
application)
Type of Mortar, Type M - Answer high strength, used in reinforced masonry below grade
or in contact with earth, used for foundation wall or retaining wall subject to frost or
high lateral or compressive loads (basement walls)
Cement Type I - Answer used for general construction
Answers
Lighting Efficacy - Answer how efficiently a light source produces visible light (lumens
per watt)
Color Rendering Index (CRI) - Answer Measurement of how faithfully a light source
reveals the colors of objects. The index range is from 0 to 100. The higher the CRI
number, the better the color rendering ability of the source. (critical for museums or
performance spaces)
Albedo - Answer radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a flat black
surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror which reflects all heat
Conductivity - Answer the rate at which heat passes through a specified material, metals
have high conductivity and soil/sand has low conductivity
Preservation - Answer the least amount of changes done to a historic building and any
additions are as inconspicuous as possible
Rehabilitation - Answer 2nd most historically accurate method of preserving a historic
building, retain and repair historic materials where possible, replace damage materials,
and any additions convey historic values
Restoration - Answer 3rd most historically accurate way to preserve historic building,
remove inconsistent features or later additions and replace missing features in
accordance with restoration period
Reconstruction - Answer least historic way to preserve building, brand new construction
designed to mimic how something existed in the past
, Waterproofing - Answer used when water content in soil is above foundation which
places hydrostatic pressure on foundation
Dampproofing - Answer control moisture that is not under hydrostatic pressure,
protection for slabs and foundations below grade that are subject to continuous
exposure to moisture
Value Engineering - Answer process of reviewing the entire design and exploring
opportunities to reduce cost, waste, or time without greatly affecting the design
Type of Mortar, Type O - Answer low strength, used in interior non-load bearing
walls/partitions
Type of Mortar, Type N - Answer medium strength, used in exposed masonry above
grade where high compressive and lateral strength are not required (used for solid
masonry veneer over wood frame)
Type of Mortar, Type S - Answer medium high strength, used where bond and lateral
strength are more important than compressive strength (interior load bearing wall
application)
Type of Mortar, Type M - Answer high strength, used in reinforced masonry below grade
or in contact with earth, used for foundation wall or retaining wall subject to frost or
high lateral or compressive loads (basement walls)
Cement Type I - Answer used for general construction
