DBIA Practice Test 2025/2026 – 200 Questions with Correct Answers &
Explanations | Design-Build Certification Prep | Graded A+ Study
Guide | Complete Exam Review
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals & Guiding Principles
(Questions 1–40)
1. Design-Build is best described as a project delivery system where:
A. Design and construction are performed under separate contracts
B. Design and construction services are integrated under a single contract
C. The owner manages both design and construction directly
D. Construction begins only after design is 100% complete
Correct Answer: B – Design and construction services are integrated under a single
contract
Explanation: Design-Build (DB) integrates design and construction services under one
contract, unlike Design-Bid-Build which separates them. This single-point responsibility
is the defining characteristic of DB.
2. The Master Builder concept refers to:
A. A construction manager who oversees multiple projects
B. A team of design and construction professionals working together as a single entity
responsible for both design and construction
C. The owner who funds the project
D. The architect who designs the building alone
Correct Answer: B – A team of design and construction professionals working
together as a single entity responsible for both design and construction
Explanation: The Master Builder model historically placed responsibility for both design
and construction in one entity. DB revives this integrated approach.
,3. According to DBIA, a “Best Practice” is defined as:
A. A legal requirement for all federal projects
B. A technique, method, or process that is more effective at delivering a particular
outcome than any other
C. The lowest-cost option available
D. A mandatory certification standard
Correct Answer: B – A technique, method, or process that is more effective at
delivering a particular outcome than any other
Explanation: Best practices are proven strategies that maximize success when applied to
procurement, contracting, and execution.
4. How many Best Practices does DBIA identify?
A. 5
B. 10 total with 59 discrete implementation methods
C. 20
D. 50
Correct Answer: B – 10 total with 59 discrete implementation methods
Explanation: DBIA identifies 10 high-level Best Practices organized into procurement,
contracting, and execution topics, supported by 59 implementing techniques.
5. The three topics that Best Practices are organized into are:
A. Planning, Design, Construction
B. Procurement, Contracting, Execution
C. Budget, Schedule, Quality
D. Owner, Contractor, Designer
Correct Answer: B – Procurement, Contracting, Execution
Explanation: The 10 Best Practices cover the entire project lifecycle across these three
domains.
,6. What happens if Best Practices are NOT followed?
A. Project success is guaranteed
B. There is an increased probability that the project’s performance will be compromised
C. No effect on project outcomes
D. Lower project cost
Correct Answer: B – There is an increased probability that the project’s
performance will be compromised
Explanation: Deviating from best practices increases the chance of missed objectives,
schedule delays, and stakeholder dissatisfaction.
7. The core of every DBIA certification course is:
A. Construction Law
B. Design-Build Done Right
C. Project Management Professional (PMP)
D. LEED Certification
Correct Answer: B – Design-Build Done Right
Explanation: “Design-Build Done Right” is the foundational framework for all DBIA
certification training.
8. Implementing Best Practices on any type of DB project:
A. Increases the probability of a successful project
B. Has no effect on project success
C. Guarantees the project will be under budget
D. Only affects the design phase
Correct Answer: A – Increases the probability of a successful project
Explanation: Proper application of best practices improves outcomes and stakeholder
satisfaction.
, 9. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an integrated Design-Build
team?
A. Everyone must be engaged from day one
B. Focus on solving problems rather than protecting positions
C. Environment of trust and leadership
D. Siloed communication between design and construction teams
Correct Answer: D – Siloed communication between design and construction
teams
Explanation: Integrated DB teams break down silos and promote interdisciplinary
collaboration.
10. Why do DB teams sometimes still fail despite following best practices?
A. Lack of trust among team members
B. Too much collaboration
C. Excessive documentation
D. Over-reliance on technology
Correct Answer: A – Lack of trust among team members
Explanation: Trust is essential for DB success. The area between blind faith and paranoia
is the “trust spectrum,” and failure often stems from trust issues.
11. The “trust spectrum” refers to:
A. The range of contract types available
B. The area between blind faith and paranoia
C. The hierarchy of project stakeholders
D. The timeline of project phases
Correct Answer: B – The area between blind faith and paranoia
Explanation: Trust must be balanced—neither excessive blind faith nor paralyzing
paranoia.
Explanations | Design-Build Certification Prep | Graded A+ Study
Guide | Complete Exam Review
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals & Guiding Principles
(Questions 1–40)
1. Design-Build is best described as a project delivery system where:
A. Design and construction are performed under separate contracts
B. Design and construction services are integrated under a single contract
C. The owner manages both design and construction directly
D. Construction begins only after design is 100% complete
Correct Answer: B – Design and construction services are integrated under a single
contract
Explanation: Design-Build (DB) integrates design and construction services under one
contract, unlike Design-Bid-Build which separates them. This single-point responsibility
is the defining characteristic of DB.
2. The Master Builder concept refers to:
A. A construction manager who oversees multiple projects
B. A team of design and construction professionals working together as a single entity
responsible for both design and construction
C. The owner who funds the project
D. The architect who designs the building alone
Correct Answer: B – A team of design and construction professionals working
together as a single entity responsible for both design and construction
Explanation: The Master Builder model historically placed responsibility for both design
and construction in one entity. DB revives this integrated approach.
,3. According to DBIA, a “Best Practice” is defined as:
A. A legal requirement for all federal projects
B. A technique, method, or process that is more effective at delivering a particular
outcome than any other
C. The lowest-cost option available
D. A mandatory certification standard
Correct Answer: B – A technique, method, or process that is more effective at
delivering a particular outcome than any other
Explanation: Best practices are proven strategies that maximize success when applied to
procurement, contracting, and execution.
4. How many Best Practices does DBIA identify?
A. 5
B. 10 total with 59 discrete implementation methods
C. 20
D. 50
Correct Answer: B – 10 total with 59 discrete implementation methods
Explanation: DBIA identifies 10 high-level Best Practices organized into procurement,
contracting, and execution topics, supported by 59 implementing techniques.
5. The three topics that Best Practices are organized into are:
A. Planning, Design, Construction
B. Procurement, Contracting, Execution
C. Budget, Schedule, Quality
D. Owner, Contractor, Designer
Correct Answer: B – Procurement, Contracting, Execution
Explanation: The 10 Best Practices cover the entire project lifecycle across these three
domains.
,6. What happens if Best Practices are NOT followed?
A. Project success is guaranteed
B. There is an increased probability that the project’s performance will be compromised
C. No effect on project outcomes
D. Lower project cost
Correct Answer: B – There is an increased probability that the project’s
performance will be compromised
Explanation: Deviating from best practices increases the chance of missed objectives,
schedule delays, and stakeholder dissatisfaction.
7. The core of every DBIA certification course is:
A. Construction Law
B. Design-Build Done Right
C. Project Management Professional (PMP)
D. LEED Certification
Correct Answer: B – Design-Build Done Right
Explanation: “Design-Build Done Right” is the foundational framework for all DBIA
certification training.
8. Implementing Best Practices on any type of DB project:
A. Increases the probability of a successful project
B. Has no effect on project success
C. Guarantees the project will be under budget
D. Only affects the design phase
Correct Answer: A – Increases the probability of a successful project
Explanation: Proper application of best practices improves outcomes and stakeholder
satisfaction.
, 9. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an integrated Design-Build
team?
A. Everyone must be engaged from day one
B. Focus on solving problems rather than protecting positions
C. Environment of trust and leadership
D. Siloed communication between design and construction teams
Correct Answer: D – Siloed communication between design and construction
teams
Explanation: Integrated DB teams break down silos and promote interdisciplinary
collaboration.
10. Why do DB teams sometimes still fail despite following best practices?
A. Lack of trust among team members
B. Too much collaboration
C. Excessive documentation
D. Over-reliance on technology
Correct Answer: A – Lack of trust among team members
Explanation: Trust is essential for DB success. The area between blind faith and paranoia
is the “trust spectrum,” and failure often stems from trust issues.
11. The “trust spectrum” refers to:
A. The range of contract types available
B. The area between blind faith and paranoia
C. The hierarchy of project stakeholders
D. The timeline of project phases
Correct Answer: B – The area between blind faith and paranoia
Explanation: Trust must be balanced—neither excessive blind faith nor paralyzing
paranoia.
