Senior Professional Assessment – Case Study Pitfalls
- Jen Lemen
- Mar 18
- 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.
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 eShop.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
What is this blog about?
In this week’s blog, we take a look at two common pitfalls faced by Senior Professional Assessment (SPA) candidates.
The first relates to the RICS requirements around how you state your competencies at the end of your three case studies.
The second relates to how you include your appendices within your case study submission template PDF.
Please remember that this is our interpretation of the RICS guidance and is based on our and our SPA candidates' experience of this pitfall.
Pitfall 1 - Competencies
Case Study - SPA
In the Candidate Guide, RICS state that this is a ‘case study on senior professional competence - 1,000-1,500 words covering a project that demonstrates your experience against the leadership, managing people and managing resources competencies’.
You must list Leadership - Level 2, Managing People - Level 2, Managing Resources - Level 2 after this case study.
We suggest that you should also list Ethics, Rules and Professionalism - Level 3, plus any technical or mandatory competencies covered.
Case Study – Technical 1
In the Candidate Guide, RICS state that this is a ‘case study on technical competence 1 - 1,000-1,500 words covering a project that demonstrates your experience against a minimum of two core technical competencies selected for your pathway’.
You must demonstrate at least two CORE Technical competencies and list them after Technical 1. At least one of the Core (not Optional) competencies must be listed to Level 3 after the Technical 1 case study.
Case Study – Technical 2
In the Candidate Guide, RICS state that this is a ‘case study on technical competence 2 - 1,000–1,500 words covering a project that demonstrates your experience against a minimum of two technical competencies (different from other case study) selected for your pathway’.
You must list two different Technical competencies from the two Core Technical competencies you have listed after Technical 1 case study. As well as any Core competencies not listed after your Technical 1, you can list your Optional Technical competencies after the Technical 2 case study.
Further Advice from RICS
All case studies should provide evidence of your senior profile, and relevance of your experience to the pathway and the mandatory competencies, especially Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Professionalism.
Do not simply provide a summary of what it involved. It is quality not quantity that counts.
We recommend that candidates should list Leadership - Level 2, Ethics, Rules and Professionalism - Level 3 after both Technical case studies, as well as after their SPA case study.
You should also list all Mandatories covered and levels after every case study.
Pitfall 2 – Case Study Appendices
There has always been some confusion about how to enter appendices into the SPA submission template.
The RICS Candidate Guide states that in relation to appendices, candidates ‘may insert illustrations, photographs or plans at the end of each case study. Please keep the attachments to a minimum ensuring they are relevant to the case study’.
You must include a set of appendices after each case study – rather than including all three sets of appendices at the end of your case study submission template PDF.
Strict compliance with the RICS requirements is a must. As the Judge stated in Mannai Investment Co. Ltd v. Eagle Star Assurance;
‘If the clause had said that the notice had to be on blue paper, it would have been no good serving a notice on pink paper, however clear it might have been’!
I'm still confused!
Don't fall foul of this potential pitfall - if in doubt, contact the candidate support team at RICS for further advice.
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.
We offer a range of short and long-term support packages in our eShop, including our popular Monthly Mentoring and Kick Start packages. These can include an RICS APC or AssocRICS Counsellor in certain circumstances.
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.
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, professional or financial advice.
