Candidate’sguide– graduaterouteto membership · PDF fileJuly 2006 APC Corporate Professional Local ... APC/ATC requirements and competencies guide, July 2006...

Assessment of Professional CompetenceRICS Education and Training

July 2006 APC

www.rics.org

Corporate Professional Local

Candidate’s guide –graduate route to

membership

Version 2/December 2008

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Candidate’s guide –graduate route to membership

ContentsSection one Introduction 2

Commitment is key

Section two Overview of the APC 3What is the APC?Graduate routes to membershipGraduate routes 1 and 2 – at a glanceThe competency approachEligibility

Section three Before you 6start trainingRegistering for the APCChange of employmentChange of route to membership

Section four Choosing your 7competenciesThe mandatory competenciesThe technical competencies

Section five Key elements 9of the APCStructured trainingDiaryLog bookProgress reportsAchievement recordsFinal assessment recordsProfessional developmentCritical analysis

Section six The people 10Your employerYour supervisorYour counsellorThe assessorsThe RICS training adviserYour local regionThe APC doctor

Section seven APC training – 11what’s involvedTimelines for graduate routes 1 and 2Day-to-dayHalf-way point (graduate route 1)Final assessment applicationFinal assessment recordsFinal assessment checklist

Section eight Professional 14developmentProfessional development planPersonal skills developmentTechnical skills developmentProfessional practice skills developmentSelection, planning and evaluationPart-time/distance learning/placementstudents

Section nine Rules of Conduct 16

Section ten Critical analysis 17Critical analysis format and contentPoints to watch

Section eleven Final assessment 18interviewPresentationInterview

Section twelve After the assessment 19ResultsReferralsAppealsAssessments outside the UK

Section thirteen Where to find help 20Further informationFinally

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Section oneIntroduction

Commitment is keyThis guide will help you prepare for thecommitment and responsibility that go with trainingfor the Assessment of Professional Competence(APC). Completing this successfully leads toprofessional membership of RICS. These guidesare generic and apply to all world regions. Forspecific advice on the APC in your own worldregion, check the RICS website and/or speak toyour local RICS administrator.

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Section twoOverview of the APC

What is the APC?The APC is the practical training and experience which,when combined with academic qualifications, leads toRICS membership.

The objective of the APC is to ensure you are competentto practise as a chartered surveyor. The APC normallyconsists of:

• a period of structured training

• a final assessment interview.

Your APC structured training will normally continue for aminimum of 23 months, during which you must complete aminimum of 400 days’ relevant practical experience. Then,at 24 months, you will be ready for final assessment. Theprocess may take longer, depending on your supervisor’sand counsellor’s assessment of your progress, but must becompleted within six years of your APC registration.

Graduate routes to membershipRICS recognises that some graduates will already haveconsiderable work experience by the time they complete anaccredited degree. This is reflected in the APC requirements.RICS reduces the period of structured training for those withmore than five years’ relevant work experience.

• graduate route 1 is for candidates with limited, or no, priorrelevant experience.

• graduate route 2 is for candidates with at least five years’relevant experience.

• graduate route 3 is for candidates with at least ten years’relevant experience.

The requirements of graduate routes 1 and 2 are below.

Separate guidance on graduate route 3 is available onwww.rics.org

Academic Qualifications Relevant Prior APC Structured Training APC Final AssessmentExperience Interview

Graduate routes 1 and 2 – at a glance

*Those undertaking an accredited postgraduate degree part-time may enrol on to the APC and complete the structured training concurrently.They must have graduated from the RICS accredited degree course before being eligible to take the final assessment.

The minimum duration of structured training is 24 months (graduate route 1) or 12 months (graduate route 2). However, RICS will allowsubmissions for final assessment to be made at 23/11 months, provided all other criteria are met - competencies achieved, diary andprofessional development record complete.

Final assessment submissions are detailed on page 14.

Graduate 1RICS accredited degree*

Part-time and placement yearstudents may enrol on to the APCduring the final year of study orduring the placement year.At least 12 of the 23 months’structured training must becompleted after graduating

None • 23 months’ structuredtraining to meetcompetency requirements,followed by assessmentafter month 24

• Regular meetings withsupervisor/counsellor

• 48 hours’ professionaldevelopment for each 12months’ structured training

• 60 minute interviewincluding 10 minutepresentation

• Testing on declaredcompetencies, professionalpractice, Rules of Conductand ethics

Graduate 2

RICS accredited degree*

The 11 months’ structuredtraining must be completed aftergraduating and you can comeforward for assessment at12 months.

At least five years’ relevantexperience before startingAPC. Pre-degree experiencecan count

• 11 months’ structuredtraining, followed byassessment after month 12

• Regular meetings withsupervisor/counsellor

• 48 hours’ professionaldevelopment over thestructured training period

• 60 minute interviewincluding 10 minutepresentation

• Testing on declaredcompetencies, professionalpractice, Rules of Conductand ethics

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The competency approachThe APC structured training period is primarily competency-based. It requires you, the candidate, to demonstrate that youhave the skills and abilities needed to perform specific tasksor functions. The competencies are based on attitudes andbehaviours as well as skills and knowledge.

The specific competencies you must demonstrate dependon the APC pathway you follow. The pathways are listedon page 7.

Your choice of pathway will be determined by youremployment as you can only demonstrate competence on thebasis of actual work experience. Your supervisor, who willnormally be your line manager, will advise you on your choiceof pathway. The detailed requirements for each pathway areset out in the APC/ATC requirements and competenciesguide, July 2006. There is also a Pathway Guide for each ofthe APC pathways, which can be downloaded atwww.rics.org/pathway.

Your training must be structured to make sure you achievethe required competencies. Throughout the APC yoursupervisor and counsellor will continually monitor yourprogress. You will not be able to apply for the finalassessment interview until your supervisor and counsellorcertify that, in their opinion, you have reached the level ofcompetence required and have fulfilled the minimumtraining period.

In addition to achieving the required levels of knowledge,skills and behaviours set out in the competencies, you mustalso demonstrate that you:

• are a good ambassador for your profession, RICS andyour employer

• are aware of the professional and commercial implicationsof your work

• understand your clients’ and employer’s objectives

• have an up-to-date and developing knowledge of legal andtechnical matters relevant to the work you do and the lawof the region or country in which you practise

• have the confidence to work unsupervised.

EligibilityTo register and start your APC you must be in suitableemployment (in the UK, this must be with a firm that has astructured training agreement in place, although in the absenceof an agreement provisional enrolment may be possible). Furtherdetails are given on page 9.

The point at which you are eligible to start the APC depends on:

• whether the RICS accredited degree you are taking(or have completed) is undergraduate or postgraduate

• the mode of study you are following.

Note: For all candidates, the accredited degree coursemust be successfully completed before applying for thefinal assessment interview. You must provide RICS withproof of completion, in writing, at least seven days beforeyour interview.

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Undergraduate start points

Undergraduate start points

Graduate route 1 Graduate route 2

Full-time Start structured training as soon as youare in relevant employment

Start structured training as soon as youare in relevant employment

Part-time/distance learning Start structured training as soon as you havecompleted second level of the degree.A maximum 12 months can be completedconcurrently with your studies. The secondperiod of training must be after successfulcompletion of the accredited degree

Start structured training after successfulcompletion of the accredited degree

Placement (sandwich) Start structured training when you startyour work placement, provided you havealso completed the second level of thedegree. The second 12 months’ trainingmust be after successful completion ofthe accredited degree

Start structured training after successfulcompletion of accredited degree

Postgraduate start points

Full-time Start structured training as soon as you are in relevant employment

Part-time/distance learning Start structured training as soon as you begin your course provided you are in relevantemployment. You can complete the required structured training concurrently with your studies

There is some limited scope for backdating the start date for recording training: see next page for details.

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Registering for the APCA delay of a few weeks in your enrolment could put your finalassessment back six months, as final assessments are normallyheld twice a year. Closing dates are given on www.rics.org

In addition to this guide, there are the following enrolmentdocuments:

• the APC guide for supervisors, counsellors and employers,July 2006

• the APC/ATC requirements and competencies guide,July 2006 – this details the competencies you need toachieve for your APC pathway

• the Pathway Guide for your APC pathway, which explainsthe competencies in the context of your area ofprofessional practice

• enrolment form obtainable from RICS Contact Centre(see page 20).

• evidence from your university that you have successfullycompleted your degree.

You and your employer MUST read the guides carefully.

You must send the enrolment form, completed by you and youremployer with the correct fee, to your local RICS administrator..Details of the fees and diary start date are sent with theenrolment form. You must submit all the required materialotherwise your enrolment cannot be accepted.

Once accepted, RICS will confirm your registration and give youa start date for recording your experience. The start date foryour recording may be backdated by up to one month.However, this must be by agreement with RICS: and RICS willrequire a letter on your firm's headed paper and signed by athird party stating your actual employment start date.

RICS will also give you instructions on downloading thedocumentation pack for your APC training. These are workingdocuments which you must complete as you progress throughyour training. When you have finished your training you willprint the documentation and submit it to RICS before yourfinal assessment.

Change of employmentA ‘change of employer’ form is available on www.rics.org.You must complete and return this to RICS Contact Centre(see page 20) if you change your employment during thetraining period. You must have your experience in thatemployment signed off by your supervisor and counsellorbefore you leave.

If you are in the UK, your new employer must have a structuredtraining agreement in place. RICS will record the change or tellyou what you need to do to resolve any problems.

Section threeBefore you start training

The APC pathways are as follows.

Arts and antiques

Building control

Building surveying

Commercial property practice

Environment

Facilities management

Geomatics (including hydrographic)

Housing management and development

Machinery and business assets

Management consultancy

Minerals and waste management

Planning and development

Project management

Property finance and investment

Quantity surveying and construction

Research

Residential property practice

Residential survey and valuation

Rural

Taxation allowances

Valuation

Each APC pathway requires a period of structured trainingduring which you complete the mandatory and technicalcompetencies that make up the minimum requirements forthe APC.

You must fulfil the competencies specified in your APC pathwayto the required levels. The competencies have three levels ofattainment that are progressive in terms of skills and abilities:

Level 1 knowledge and understanding

Level 2 application of knowledge and understanding

Level 3 reasoned advice and depth of technical knowledge

The mandatory competenciesThese competencies are a mix of the professional practice,interpersonal, business and management skills that areconsidered common to, and necessary for, all surveyors.These competencies are compulsory for all candidates.

You must achieve the following minimum standards.

Section fourChoosing your competencies

to level 2Client care

Communication and negotiation

Health and safety

to level 1Accounting principles and procedures

Business planning

Conflict avoidance, management and disputeresolution procedures

Data management

Sustainability

Teamworking

to level 3Conduct rules, ethics and professional practice

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The technical competenciesFor each APC pathway, specific technical competencies mustbe achieved. These are divided into core and optional. For eachAPC pathway, the specific Pathway Guide explains how thecompetencies should be interpreted in the context of your areaof professional practice.

It is important that you give careful thought to your choiceand combination of competencies. The combination of coreand optional competencies will reflect the work you do in yourday-to-day environment (driven by the needs of youremployer/clients). You will be advised on your choice by yoursupervisor and counsellor. Do not necessarily expect to makeyour full choice of optional competencies at the start of yourtraining. Your choice may alter as your training develops.

The choice and combination of competencies will be a reflectionof your judgement and that of your supervisor and counsellor.At the final assessment interview, the assessors will take thesechoices into account and will consider their appropriateness.

The number of days taken to reach the appropriate level ofcompetence will depend on a combination of the following:

• the starting point – has there been any previous experience

• your aptitude and speed of progress with the competency

• the quality of the training and experience provided

• the particular competency.

Note: there is no minimum requirement for the number oftraining days under each competency other than, in total, aminimum of 400 days within 23 calendar months’ structuredtraining for graduate route 1 candidates and 200 days within11 calendar months’ structured training for graduate route 2candidates. Candidates will not necessarily achieve the requiredlevel of competence within the minimum training period.

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Section fiveKey elements of the APC

The key elements of the APC are

• Meeting the requirements for enrolment:

• Appointment of supervisor and counsellor

• Selection and planning of competencies

• Training, experience and professional development

• Recording your experience and training daily in your APCdiary, and summarising this monthly in your logbook

• Regular supervision meetings

• Confirmation of progress by your supervisor and counsellor,and revision of the training plan as necessary

• Preparation of your final assessment submissions - signedoff competencies, logbook, records of your professionaldevelopment, and critical analysis

• Application for final assessment

• Final assessment interview

• Results

Your record-keeping in more detail

As soon as you enrol, you must download the pack of record-keeping templates. These are the records you will complete asyou progress through your APC, and submit to RICS when youare ready for final assessment. Go to www.rics.org/apc andfollow the links for your world region. The pack comes withdetailed guidance on completing the templates.

You will also be keeping your own records in the form of atraining diary. You will use the information in your diary tocomplete the log book/achievement record. You should notrecord a period of less than half a day. You do not need torecord the mandatory competencies in your diary. These are anintrinsic part of your day-to-day work and are not normally partof the minimum days of experience. However, you must recordyour attainment of the mandatory competencies in yourachievement record. A diary template is on www.rics.org/apc

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Section sixThe people

These are the people who will influence your progress towardsachieving RICS membership.

You: must commit to following the process through frombeginning to end. You must familiarise yourself with theguidance and abide by it throughout your training. You mustplan and organise your time conscientiously, and keep yourrecords assiduously. You will co-operate fully with your supervisorand counsellor. You will also take responsibility for your ownprofessional development, undertaking independent learning.

Your employer: must complete the APC enrolment form withyou. Your employer must encourage you, make facilities andtime available to you and ensure you complete certaindocuments at the right time. Some employers may not be ableto give you access to the full range of experience needed. If thisis the case you may need to gain a temporary secondment tosupplement your experience or even change employer.

Your supervisor: normally but not necessarily a charteredsurveyor, your supervisor is appointed at your work place.Your supervisor, normally your line manager, is responsible forgiving you guidance on your training and day-to-day work.

Your counsellor: must be a chartered surveyor and is usually(but does not have to be) appointed at your work place.The counsellor works in partnership with your supervisor and willassess your achievement record. They both decide when youare ready to apply for final assessment, certify all the documentsyou submit for final assessment, and ensure your training isstructured to meet the needs of your APC pathway. RICS willrecord details of your counsellor to ensure that up-to-dateinformation about the APC can be communicated. You mustinform RICS if your counsellor changes.

The supervisor and counsellor should normally be differentpeople. Either your supervisor or counsellor must haveexperience of the competency requirements of your chosenAPC pathway. If your supervisor or counsellor changes duringyour training, you must ensure your original supervisor/counsellor agrees the competency levels..

The assessors: chartered surveyors who conduct your finalassessment interview. The interview panel has a minimum oftwo members. All assessors are specially trained for thispurpose.

The RICS training adviser (RTA) (UK only): professionaltrainers appointed by RICS on a part-time basis who adviseemployers on setting up and running structured trainingagreements. They also advise on the best way of assessingtrainees, and approve and monitor the training schemes.

Your local region: in the UK, can provide some of theactivities you need to fulfil your professional development.Outside the UK, RICS administrators can help you sourcetraining and CPD/lifelong learning.

The APC doctor (UK only): a volunteer chartered surveyorappointed by RICS and available to give general advice.If at any time during your training you need an APC doctor,contact the RICS Contact Centre or look on www.rics.org.Outside the UK, ask your local administrator for details of theAPC buddy system.

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Section sevenAPC training – what’s involved

3-month supervisor’s meeting

6-month supervisor’s meeting6-month counsellor’s meeting

9-month supervisor’s meeting

12-month supervisor’s meeting12 month counsellor’s meeting

15-month supervisor’s meeting

Earliest date for final assessment interview

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APC enrolment Supervisor and counsellor appointed. Start diary,log book, recording professional development

Begin identifying suitable project(s)for critical analysis

Critical analysis – identify and agree subject, preparesynopsis, discuss with supervisor/counsellor

Critical analysis complete

18-month supervisor’s meeting;18-month counsellor’s meeting

23-month final assessment meeting with supervisor andcounsellor; earliest date to send RICS your finalassessment application and submissions.

Month

Graduate route 1 minimum timeline

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Day-to-dayYour supervisor and counsellor must keep in regular contactwith you, with formal meetings at least every three months; butultimately you are responsible for your day-to-day activities.You must:

• ensure your day-to-day work covers the requiredcompetencies of your APC pathway

• keep your diary in a format that will encourage meaningfuldiscussion at the formal quarterly reviews of progress againstthe competencies and will assist with the preparation of yourassessment records

• discuss before, and evaluate after, any planned training orprofessional development events

• keep notes of examples of practical experience and caseworkto assist at your quarterly reviews.

Half-way point: best practice forcandidates on graduate route 1RICS recommends that, with your supervisor and counsellor,you complete an assessment within a month of recording12 months’ training (from your confirmed start date or oncompletion of your industry placement). This will help you reviewyour progress to date and plan the rest of your training. Duringyour discussion, you should look at your overall training plan andthe timetable you have set for achieving your competencies.Then check your training to date in the mandatory and technicalcompetencies, and professional development, to ensure yourprogress is on target.

Your supervisor and counsellor should check your diary, logbook and professional development, ensuring they are acomplete and accurate record of your training to date.

Critical analysis – identify and agree subject, preparesynopsis, discuss with supervisor/counsellor

3-month supervisor’s meeting

6-month supervisor’s meeting6-month counsellor’s meeting

9-month supervisor’s meeting

Earliest date for final assessment interview

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APC enrolment Supervisor and counsellor appointed. Start diary,log book, recording professional development

Begin identifying suitable project(s)for critical analysis

Month

Graduate route 2 minimum timeline

11 Critical analysis complete11-month final assessment meeting with supervisor andcounsellor; earliest date to send RICS your finalassessment application and submissions.

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This will:

• act as a self assessment tool against your training plan

• provide guidance as to the breadth and depth of your training

• ensure that you achieve a balanced approach in your training

• help with your written communication skills ready for thereports you will prepare for the final assessment.

Final assessment applicationIt is your responsibility to keep all key dates in your workschedule. All the assessment information is on www.rics.org/apcYou will have decided your target final assessment date withyour supervisor and counsellor.

To apply for final assessment: send your application toRICS during the dates shown on www.rics.org/apc (follow thelinks for final assessment arrangements for your world region).You will then have one month to complete and send to RICSyour final assessment submissions, which you downloadedwhen you enrolled and which you should have been filling inthroughout your structured training (graduate route 3 candidates– see separate guidance). These submissions must becomplete or you will not be eligible to take the finalassessment. Once these submissions are received by RICS,you will be sent confirmation of the date, time and venue of yourfinal assessment. You will be sent these details one month priorto your assessment.

To defer your final assessment: contact RICS immediatelyif you decide that you will not be ready for your target finalassessment date. There is a charge for deferral.

Factors that might affect performanceat interviewRICS will be responsive to candidates with special interviewrequirements (for example, in the case of visual or hearingimpairment or other factors that could affect interviewperformance). It will do its utmost to ensure that suitablearrangements are made to assist candidates. It is, therefore,essential that you give suitable notice to RICS of any specialneeds or disabilities you have, to ensure appropriate assistanceis available at the assessment centre. Please note that RICSrequires written evidence of any medical issues.

Log bookAfter application for final assessment, you must continue to recordyour experience in your log book. This ongoing record is essentialfor candidates who are referred.

Final assessment submissionsYou must ensure your supervisor and counsellor sign yoursubmissions as required - see the instructions with yourdownload pack.

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Section eightProfessional development

It is your responsibility to plan and achieve professionaldevelopment. For each 12 months’ structured training, youmust undertake a minimum 48 hours’ professional development.This helps you to gain extra skills and knowledge which arenot always possible to get within the week-to-week businessof your organisation. For example, you might study businessmanagement, professional ethics or information technologythrough formal training courses, distance learningprogrammes or more informal structured reading. It isimportant your supervisor and counsellor take an active interestand help with the planning and evaluation of yourprofessional development.

Special attention must be given to the principles underpinningprofessional development. It should be:

• gained in a structured manner

• based on an explicit process of selecting, planning andevaluating the activities

• reflect learning from informal training sources eg structuredreading, secondments.

Professional development should complement and supportyour mandatory and technical competencies. RICS suggeststhe following framework to help you and your employerdesign a flexible plan that reflects your development needs.

Professional development planPersonal skills development: linked to mandatory competencies– normally 16 hours per year

Technical skills development: linked to core/optionalcompetencies – normally 16 hours per year

Professional practice skills development: linked to professionalpractice competencies, code of ethics and conflicts of interest– normally 16 hours per year

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Personal skills developmentDevelopment of transferable personal and interpersonalskills such as:

• communication

• client care

• data management

• information technology

• teamworking.

Technical skills developmentDevelopment of competencies related to your APCpathway. This could include short update sessions andskills-based training.

Professional practice skills developmentDevelopment of professionalism:

• understanding client care

• conflict avoidance, management and disputeresolution procedures

• RICS code of conduct, professional practice and bye-laws

• structure and role of RICS.

Selection, planning and evaluationYou should discuss your selection of topics with yoursupervisor and counsellor. You must provide evidence of aplanned, systematic approach to your choice, making clearthe relationship between the topics and the developmentof the competency.

You must evaluate the benefits of your professionaldevelopment and provide evidence of this as part of yourfinal assessment submissions, showing the key learninggained from each element. Private study and structuredreading is acceptable as part of your professional developmentbut should not be more than two thirds of the total hoursrequired in any 12 months of structured training.

Part-time/distance learning/placement studentsIf you are on a part-time or distance learning accredited degree,RICS will consider your final year as counting towards yourprofessional development for that year. This should besupplemented by other professional development activitiesfor that year.

If you are a placement student, you may be taking structuredstudy as part of your year in industry. You must have acertificate from your university confirming this. You must submitthis with your application for final assessment as it willcontribute to the 48 hours’ professional development. However,this will not provide all your professional development andshould be supplemented by other activities.

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Section nineRules of Conduct

The Rules of Conduct for members set professional parametersfor individual members and govern matters such as ethics,personal solvency and lifelong learning. The Rules of Conductfor members apply to all members worldwide. You must abide bythem at all times.

The Rules of Conduct for firms set out the requirements for theconduct of business by professional practices. They governmatters such as professional indemnity insurance, holdingclients’ money and complaints handling. The Rules of Conductfor firms apply only to firms regulated by RICS.

In your final assessment interview the assessors will questionyou on the rules of conduct, so you must familiarise yourselfwith them. Download the rules for firms and members by visitingthe web site: www.rics.org/newregulation

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Section tenCritical analysis

The critical analysis is a written report of a project or projectswith which you have been involved during your training. Yourchoice of topic is very important and must reflect your APCpathway. You may be working for a large organisation where youhave been involved with a complex instruction or project. Yourrole and contribution could be an appropriate topic. Alternatively,the instruction or project may be more straightforward and notof great financial value. It may simply be typical of the work youhave been involved with during your training. Ideally your criticalanalysis should focus on one aspect of your work. You maywant to use a number of projects to highlight an issue or aspectof your work. The project may be based on, or include, workundertaken outside your country of practice.

You are not necessarily expected to be running the project. It isyour involvement or role in the team that you must outline,analyse and comment on. If the project has been running forsome time you may not have been involved from the start, yourinvolvement may not have been continuous, or the project maynot be finished when you prepare your critical analysis. In thislatter case, you should provide a prognosis of the outcome. Ifyou know the outcome between sending in your critical analysisand your interview, include it in your presentation.

Critical analysis format and contentThe critical analysis must be:

• word processed

• a maximum of 3 000 words (excluding the appendices)

• include photographs and plans (no larger than A4 sizewhen folded).

You must explain not only the project itself but the processesyou followed and the rationale behind your decision-making.Your focus must be on analysing the project: do not simplyprovide a summary of what it involved. It is quality not quantitythat counts. Appendices should support your report, not add toor expand on it.

You should include the following four aspects.

• Key issues: your project may be complex. If you select toomany key issues you will skim the surface instead of providinga detailed analysis. Be selective. Think about the depthrequired as being to about level three of the variouscompetencies involved. There may be one key issue that canform the basis of your critical analysis.

• Options: before proposing a solution to a client, you shouldconsider all the options, demonstrating your ability to thinklogically, laterally and professionally. You must demonstrateyou have genuinely considered the options. Give reasons whysome options may not be feasible.

• Your proposed solution: you must give a detailedaccount of the reasons supporting your adopted course ofaction. Relate your reasons to the technical competencies.Think about all the aspects that support your decision, forexample client care, financial, technical, professional, rules ofconduct, ethics and conflicts of interest.

• Conclusion and analysis of experience gained: finally,and most importantly, your conclusion must provide a criticalappraisal of the outcomes, with a statement of what youlearned from the experience. This part of your report shouldcomprise approximately one third of the total number ofwords. You should look at the project, consider what has gonewell and identify what did not go well. You can then plan howyou might improve the next time you carry out a similar task.Stand back from the project and reflect on what youhave learned.

The assessors will use your critical analysis as a starting point toquestion you beyond what you actually did, probing yourunderstanding of your project’s wider issues. Start thinkingabout these processes while you are writing your critical analysisso you are well prepared for the interview. Focus on matters thatcross the whole project.

Points to watchConfidentiality: you must ensure you have your employer’sand client’s consent to disclose any sensitive details in yourcritical analysis. If you cannot get this consent you shoulddisguise facts that might otherwise make the project identifiable.

Note: the information contained in your critical analysiswill be treated in the strictest confidence by the panelof assessors.

References: extracts from acts of parliament, case law andother sources should not be quoted at length but essentialreferences must be given.

Total word count: you must include a word count at the end.You can include notes on what you have included in the count.

Finally: your critical analysis must reflect your abilities in thefollowing areas:

• written and graphic communication

• professional standards of organisation and presentation

• analysis, reflective thought and problem solving

• learning from experience gained.

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Section elevenFinal assessment interview

Final assessment interviews are normally held twice a yearand take place at an assessment centre (outside the UK thetimings may vary). The interview will last approximately one hourand is designed to determine whether you:

• express yourself clearly in an oral presentation and interview

• can demonstrate, in support of your written submissions, yourunderstanding of the knowledge gained and competenciesachieved during your training

• have an acceptable understanding of the role andresponsibilities of a chartered surveyor

• can apply your professional and technical skills to benefitthose who employ your services.

PresentationYou will give a 10-minute presentation to the assessors on thepurpose, investigations and conclusions of your critical analysis.

Note: presentation facilities will not be providedat assessment centres.

InterviewThe interview will be conducted by a panel comprising a minimumof two chartered surveyors, trained and selected for this role.

At the interview you will be questioned on:

• your presentation and critical analysis

• your final assessment submissions including your professionaldevelopment record

• the broader aspects of your experience and knowledge,including ethics, RICS rules of conduct and current issues ofconcern to the profession.

The assessors will base the questioning on the law and practiceof the country in which the interview is held.

On the critical analysis, the assessors will normally ask you aboutwhat you did and about why you took a particular approach.They will also ask about your understanding of the wider issuessurrounding your report.

The assessors will be trying to determine your general level ofability; they do not expect you to be an expert in every area ofprofessional activity. They will be looking to ensure you haveachieved at least the minimum required levels of competence inkey areas for the clients you serve, and that you understand thelevel of professional conduct expected of a member of RICS.

The assessors will take a holistic view of your training, finalassessment submissions, presentation and interview. Poorerperformance in one area may be balanced out by an excellentperformance elsewhere.

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Section twelveAfter the assessment

ResultsRICS will notify you of your results 21 days after your interview.It is your responsibility to check RICS has your up-to-dateaddress. You will receive either a pass or a referral. If you aresuccessful you will be awarded professional membership ofRICS (MRICS). If you receive a referral you will be informed ofthe next steps to be taken.

For security and data protection reasons, RICS will not giveresults over the telephone, email or to a third party.

ReferralsIf the outcome is a referral you will be sent a referral reportexplaining why the assessors reached this decision. To beeligible for re-assessment you must normally:

• complete some further relevant professional experience

• do a minimum of a further 24 hours’ professional development

• write a new critical analysis or, if required, re-submit theoriginal, suitably updated and amended (note: you can usethe same critical analysis for a maximum of two assessments,after which an entirely new one will be required)

• agree with your supervisor and counsellor how you willaddress the deficiencies identified in the referral report,record your progress, and submit this record together withyour original submission documents.

Once you have completed the above, you will be re-interviewed.

You must continue to maintain and record your experience untilyou are successful. If you have not applied for the next availableassessment the above is a minimum requirement; for examplethe professional development requirement will increase for everysix-month period.

AppealsNaturally, a referral is disappointing. Sometimes a candidate willfeel that s/he has not had a fair assessment. RICS acceptsthat among the large number of final assessment interviews,there may be occasions when mistakes are made. For thisreason, in certain specific circumstances, there is a right ofappeal. You will have 10 working days from the date of theresults letter from RICS to make an appeal. Details of how tomake an appeal are on www.rics.org/apc - follow the links tothe Final Assessment FAQs (you should also contact your localRICS administrator to ensure that you send it to the right placewithin the time allowed). Appeals may be made for one ofthree reasons:

• administrative or procedural matters: for example, the panelmay not have been provided with the correct information

• questioning and testing of competence that has concentratedtoo much outside of the main areas of training and experience

• any form of discrimination.

When an appeal is made it must:

• be in writing, accompanied by the appropriate fee

• be made by you and not a third party

• clearly state the grounds on which the appeal is being made,supported by appropriate evidence.

Assessments outside the UKMany countries around the world have national associationswhich administer the APC. Where there is no localrepresentation, assessments are administered by RICS inthe UK.

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Section thirteenWhere to find help

Completing the APC carries with it a lot of responsibility andcommitment. Extensive support and guidance are available forcandidates and employers.

Resources available include• the APC section of the RICS website(www.rics.org/apc)

• RICS Books(www.rics.org/Services/RICSBooks)

• the RICS library (www.rics.org/Services/Library)

• RICS regional offices

• RICS local administrators outside the UK

• RICS training advisers (UK only)

• APC doctors (or 'buddies' outside the UK)

• the APC pathway guides

If you need any help during the training period please call:

RICS Contact Centre

T +44 (0)870 333 1600

F +44 (0)20 7334 3811

E [email protected]

W www.rics.org

FinallyRemember to ensure that RICS has yourup-to-date email address.

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Advancing standards in land, property and construction.

RICS is the world’s leading qualification when it comes toprofessional standards in land, property and construction.

In a world where more and more people, governments, banks andcommercial organisations demand greater certainty of professionalstandards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognisedmark of property professionalism.

Over 100 000 property professionals working in the major establishedand emerging economies of the world have already recognised theimportance of securing RICS status by becoming members.

RICS is an independent professional body originally establishedin the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committedto setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence andintegrity – providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issuesaffecting businesses and society.

RICS has a worldwide network. For further information simply contactthe relevant RICS office or our Contact Centre.

AsiaRoom 1804Hopewell Centre183 Queen’s Road EastWanchaiHong Kong

T +852 2537 7117F +852 2537 [email protected]

United Kingdom12 Great George StreetParliament SquareLondon SW1P 3ADUnited Kingdom

T +44 (0)870 333 1600F +44 (0)20 7334 [email protected]

AmericasThe Lincoln Building60 East 42nd StreetSuite 2918New York, NY 10165USA

T +1 212 847 7400F +1 212 847 [email protected]

OceaniaSuite 2, Level 161 Castlereagh StreetSydneyNSW 2000Australia

T +61 2 9216 2333F +61 2 9232 [email protected]

Rest of EuropeRue Ducale 671000 BrusselsBelgium

T +32 2 733 10 19F +32 2 742 97 [email protected]

AfricaPO Box 3400Witkoppen 2068South Africa

T +27 11 467 2857F +27 86 514 [email protected]

RICS HQ

12 Great George StreetParliament SquareLondon SW1P 3ADUnited Kingdom

Worldwide mediaenquiries:E [email protected]

Contact Centre:E [email protected] +44 (0)870 333 1600F +44 (0)20 7334 3811

rics.org

Middle EastOffice F07, Block 11Dubai KnowledgeVillageDubaiUnited Arab Emirates

T +971 4 375 3074F +971 4 427 [email protected]

Europe