Property Elite x RICS Matrics Kent - Speed Mentoring
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
Building a Better You
Property Elite’s sole aim is to build better property professionals - supporting your career every step of the way, whether you are an AssocRICS or RICS APC candidate or a MRICS or FRICS Chartered Surveyor simply seeking engaging CPD.
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What is this blog about?
The journey to becoming a Chartered Surveyor is often described as one of the most rigorous professional challenges in the property and built environment sectors.
To shed light on how you can seek RICS APC success, Property Elite’s David Reynolds recently chaired a panel discussion in association with RICS Matrics Kent.
The panel featured three recently qualified surveyors; Lewis (Building Surveying), Miles (Quantity Surveying & Construction) and Sophie (Commercial Real Estate), who shared the strategies that saw them through their 2025 RICS APC final assessment interviews.
The Challenge of Balance: Work vs. Revision
One of the most persistent hurdles for RICS APC candidates is the transition from a 'professional' mindset to a 'revision' mindset.
Lewis, a senior building surveyor, emphasised that the shift is more mental than physical. He recommended creating 'hard blocks' in the diary. By setting aside an hour every morning before the workday begins and two hours every evening, he ensured that revision didn't become a casualty of late-running site meetings.
Sophie added that the style of learning required for the RICS APC is fundamentally different from university. While university often tests memory, the APC tests the application of professional standards and legislation. This requires candidates to move beyond rote memorisation and toward a deep understanding of why specific advice is given to a client.
Writing a Robust Submission
The summary of experience and the case study are the primary documents that the Assessors will use to judge your competence.
The panel offered several pieces of critical advice for these documents:
Focus on Level 3 - it is not enough to say what you did; you must demonstrate the advice you gave and the professional judgment you exercised.
Use 'hooks' strategically - Sophie explained how she used her written submission to help lead the line of questioning towards topics where she felt most confident.
Avoid over-complication - while it’s tempting to choose the most complex project, a 'vanilla' or straightforward case study often allows for a more controlled and successful interview process.
The Final Interview: Practice Makes Perfect
Miles highlighted that the final interview is as much about technique as it is about knowledge. He recommended utilising your professional network to organise as many mock interviews as possible. These should ideally be with people you don't know to simulate the pressure of the actual assessment day. These will help to refine your ability to be succinct and to ensure that you don't digress from the specific question asked.
The Week Before: Final Preparation
In the final days leading up to the assessment, the panel recommended total immersion. Lewis suggested taking at least a week of leave to focus entirely on the APC. David Reynolds also reminded candidates to prepare their physical environment, checking technology, ensuring a quiet space without distractions (such as deliveries or errant pets!) and even laying out professional attire to minimise stress on the day.
Conclusion
The panel shared plenty of excellent advice during the discussion. If you’d like to book Property Elite to provide a speaker at your upcoming RICS Matrics (pro bono) or in-house event, just get in touch by emailing jen@property-elite.co.uk.
How can we help?
Don't leave it too late to book your submission feedback and review, APC question pack, e-mock interview or 1-2-1 mentoring. We also provide revision quizzes, revision guides and a CPD Webinar Package.
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Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you.
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, professional or financial advice.