Book excerpt: This study guide, for the LARE Section E Grading Drainage and Stormwater Management examination, is written from the point of view of a test-taker who has taken the test once and failed and taken it again successfully. It is designed for the landscape architecture student, the professional studying for the LARE and for people who need a refresher to better understand the process of grading. The book focuses on "how to solve a grading problem" providing an overview of grading topics such as slopes, interpolation, contours, landforms, swale and sheet drainage, ponds, culverts, plane surfaces, berms, paths, stairs, ramps and retaining walls. A section on test-taking tips is included to help direct your study habits. The book includes 28 end of chapter exercises & solutions and nine grading vignettes for practice.