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RICS APC Lifeline - Top 10 Preliminary Review Tips


RICS APC and AssocRICS mandatory competency business planning

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.


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.


Don’t forget to sign up online for your free 15 minute AssocRICS or RICS APC consultation, including a review of your referral report if you have been referred. You can also book your bespoke training or support services directly through our web shop.


Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.


What is today's blog about?


This week, we will discuss our top 10 tips for succeeding at preliminary review.


You can also listen to our CPD podcast on Anchor for more free AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.

What is preliminary review?

Candidates who are not required to undertake structured training will have to undergo preliminary review, e.g. if you don't have an RICS accredited degree, you have over 5 years experience or you do not have support from your employer. 


What is the purpose of preliminary review?


To ensure that your submission meets the requirements and standards of the RICS APC process. 


What are our top 10 tips for success in your preliminary review?


  1. Proof reading - use friends, family, colleagues and your supervisor and/or counsellor to proof read your submission. Ensure that you submit a highly professional report which complies with the RICS requirements

  2. Examples - ensure you include 2-3 practical examples for each competency at levels 2 and 3

  3. Word counts - ensure you stick to the specified word counts. 1,500 for the mandatory competencies, 4,000 for the technical competencies and 3,000 for the case study. Don't go over these by even one word!

  4. Case study date - ensure this was undertaken in the last 24 months. Ideally, it would have been undertaken in the last 6-12 months in case you are referred at final assessment, as this may avoid you having to resubmit a completely new case study

  5. CPD - ensure you record sufficient hours, i.e. 48 hours for the last 12 months, of which at least 50% must be formal

  6. Hot topics - ensure you mention any hot topics relevant to your area of practice within your Summary of Experience

  7. Reasoned advice - at level 3, ensure you discuss how and why you gave reasoned advice to your clients. Without this, you are unlikely to demonstrate anything past 'doing', i.e. level 2

  8. Ethics - try to demonstrate your ethical actions and behaviour within a variety of competencies, as well as your case study

  9. Case study topic - ensure that this covers a range (but not necessarily all) of your technical competencies at level 3, through 2-3 key issues. Make sure that you discuss the solutions you considered and good reasons for rejecting options

  10. Submission dates - ensure you check the submission dates for the preliminary review, as these are different to the assessment dates for the final assessment. 


How can we help?

  • Head to our blog archive to access even more free CPD and AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.

  • Download your free AssocRICS and RICS APC resources, including e-books and revision quizzes.

  • Find out more about our bespoke AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support, before booking your free 15 minute consultation and signing up for your services online.

Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.


Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you


N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal or financial advice.

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