DBIA Practice Test 2025–2026 (Professional Certification –
Part 1)
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) – Comprehensive
Practice Exam
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals
1. The design-build delivery method is best described as:
A) Sequential delivery with separate design and construction contracts
B) Single-source responsibility for both design and construction
C) Design-only contract led by architects
D) Construction management with multiple primes
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build uses a single contract between owner and design-builder covering both
design and construction.
2. The major advantage of design-build over design-bid-build is:
A) Lower design costs
B) Faster delivery and improved collaboration
C) Guaranteed maximum price
D) Less owner involvement
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Integration and collaboration reduce project time and change orders.
3. In design-build, the owner’s primary responsibility is to:
A) Manage all subcontractors
B) Provide performance requirements and project goals
C) Approve daily design changes
D) Hire the construction manager
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Owners define what they want, not how it’s built.
4. A “progressive design-build” approach differs in that:
A) It requires a bridging architect
B) Design-builder is selected before full design scope
C) Construction starts after full design completion
D) It prohibits open-book pricing
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive DB involves early selection based on qualifications and collaboration.
5. The design-builder assumes which primary risk?
A) Owner’s financing risk
, B) Performance and design errors
C) Owner’s program changes
D) Force majeure events
✅ Answer: B
6. The concept of “Design-Build Done Right™” emphasizes:
A) Minimizing design scope
B) Following DBIA best practices across all phases
C) Completing design before procurement
D) Outsourcing all design functions
✅ Answer: B
7. Which best practice applies to owners in DBIA’s framework?
A) Predefine all design details
B) Choose lowest bid
C) Educate staff on design-build process
D) Avoid market analysis
✅ Answer: C
8. “Single point of responsibility” means:
A) Only one party can file claims
B) One entity is accountable for both design and construction
C) Subcontractors report directly to the owner
D) Owner manages coordination
✅ Answer: B
9. In DBIA, collaboration is:
A) Optional for large projects
B) Encouraged but not measurable
C) A core value across all phases
D) Limited to design review
✅ Answer: C
10. Bridging documents are typically used to:
A) Define full design before award
B) Provide performance criteria for procurement
C) Serve as construction drawings
D) Replace the RFP
✅ Answer: B
11. A design-builder’s early involvement primarily helps with:
A) Contract negotiation
B) Value engineering and constructability
C) Owner financing
D) Architectural review
✅ Answer: B
Part 1)
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) – Comprehensive
Practice Exam
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals
1. The design-build delivery method is best described as:
A) Sequential delivery with separate design and construction contracts
B) Single-source responsibility for both design and construction
C) Design-only contract led by architects
D) Construction management with multiple primes
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build uses a single contract between owner and design-builder covering both
design and construction.
2. The major advantage of design-build over design-bid-build is:
A) Lower design costs
B) Faster delivery and improved collaboration
C) Guaranteed maximum price
D) Less owner involvement
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Integration and collaboration reduce project time and change orders.
3. In design-build, the owner’s primary responsibility is to:
A) Manage all subcontractors
B) Provide performance requirements and project goals
C) Approve daily design changes
D) Hire the construction manager
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Owners define what they want, not how it’s built.
4. A “progressive design-build” approach differs in that:
A) It requires a bridging architect
B) Design-builder is selected before full design scope
C) Construction starts after full design completion
D) It prohibits open-book pricing
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive DB involves early selection based on qualifications and collaboration.
5. The design-builder assumes which primary risk?
A) Owner’s financing risk
, B) Performance and design errors
C) Owner’s program changes
D) Force majeure events
✅ Answer: B
6. The concept of “Design-Build Done Right™” emphasizes:
A) Minimizing design scope
B) Following DBIA best practices across all phases
C) Completing design before procurement
D) Outsourcing all design functions
✅ Answer: B
7. Which best practice applies to owners in DBIA’s framework?
A) Predefine all design details
B) Choose lowest bid
C) Educate staff on design-build process
D) Avoid market analysis
✅ Answer: C
8. “Single point of responsibility” means:
A) Only one party can file claims
B) One entity is accountable for both design and construction
C) Subcontractors report directly to the owner
D) Owner manages coordination
✅ Answer: B
9. In DBIA, collaboration is:
A) Optional for large projects
B) Encouraged but not measurable
C) A core value across all phases
D) Limited to design review
✅ Answer: C
10. Bridging documents are typically used to:
A) Define full design before award
B) Provide performance criteria for procurement
C) Serve as construction drawings
D) Replace the RFP
✅ Answer: B
11. A design-builder’s early involvement primarily helps with:
A) Contract negotiation
B) Value engineering and constructability
C) Owner financing
D) Architectural review
✅ Answer: B
