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Writer's pictureJen Lemen

RICS APC Lifeline - All About your Final Assessment Submission

Updated: Oct 30, 2023


RICS APC and AssocRICS mandatory competency business planning

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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.


We provide a wide range of training and support, so why not find out more on our website about how we might be able to support you? We work with candidates across all RICS APC and AssocRICS pathways, routes to assessment and geographic regions.


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What is today's blog about?


This blog article will help you check that you are on the right path with your RICS APC final assessment submission. Essential reading for RICS APC candidates. You can also watch our video blog below, which was recorded for the Spring 2020 sitting.



Why is this relevant?


Your RICS APC final assessment submission is the first item that your assessors will see - helping them to form that vital first impression. It also provides the basis of your interview - your assessors' questioning will concentrate upon the experience you write about.


It's definitely worth putting the effort in to provide a professional, complete and comprehensive document - it'll give you a head start on your assessment day.


How do I submit?


All candidates now submit using ARC. In flight arrangements for existing candidates have now been phased out by RICS. You can read about the changes that were made on our blog.

What does my RICS APC submission need to include?


  • Candidate details

  • Summary of experience

  • Case study

  • CPD record

  • Ethics certificate

What is the summary of experience?


This tells the assessors about your experience. Depending on your choice of competencies, you will need to attain one of three levels:

  • Level 1 - knowledge and understanding. This is all about explaining what you know, through your university studies, distance learning, work experience or CPD activities

  • Level 2 - application of knowledge and understanding. This goes one step further and requires practical examples of how you have applied what you have learnt

  • Level 3 - reasoned advice and depth of knowledge. This is the pinnacle of demonstrating competence and requires you to have given reasoned advice or professional recommendations to clients. You should be self-sufficient with minimal supervision, i.e. a safe, professional and competent pair of hands. This will require you to explain specific examples in your final assessment


You have 1,500 words for mandatory competencies and 4,000 for technical competencies - approximately 150-200 words per level per competency. When it comes down to it - this isn't much, so you'll need to write succinctly and coherently.


What is the case study?

3,000 words on a project you've been involved within the past 2 years. Remember, if you have been affected at work by Covid-19 then you may be able to request an extension from RICS. Read more on our blog.

What is the CPD record?

CPD is extremely important, and not just for the RICS APC - it is an essential part of being a Chartered Surveyor and will boost your career prospects in the long-term.


The RICS require you to undertake and record a minimum of 48 hours per year, of which at least 50% must be formal. This entails structured learning relevant to your specialism, generally with an assessment at the end or involving interaction with others in a formal setting.

If you are undertaking your structured training concurrently with the final year of an accredited degree, then some of this study time can count towards your CPD.


Ensure you record learning outcomes and sufficient detail within your CPD record.


Remember, in the final assessment interview you may be questioned about your CPD - so know what you have done and remember the key points.

How to get it right first time!


  • Ensure you include 2-3 specific examples of your experience in each of levels 2 and 3, as appropriate to your competency choice

  • Proofread to ensure that your submission is ‘client ready’

  • Make sure it's your own work - RICS have a system called Turnitin to check for plagiarism

  • Don't miss the deadlines

  • Make it neat, professional and coherent


When will my final assessment be?


You can select your priority assessment dates during the submission process on ARC. However, your interview date will not be confirmed by RICS by email until roughly 3 weeks beforehand.


All final assessment interviews will be online indefinitely, so read more about the changes on our blog.


How can we help?


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.

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