1. The document provides guidance for candidates who have been referred on their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) for RICS or AIQS membership. It outlines the appeal processes for both and recommends taking time to recover and seek advice before deciding to appeal. 2. The document then gives an eight-point action plan for preparing for the next APC interview, including taking a break, understanding the referral report, keeping submissions simple, practicing presentations, getting feedback from others, and clearing schedules prior to interview day. 3. Candidates who have been referred are encouraged to not be ashamed and to prioritize their mental health. With proper preparation following the advice and using referral report feedback, candidates can successfully complete

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Roshan de Silva
BSc(Hons)QS, LLM (Construction Law), MRICS, MAIQS, CQS
RICS/AIQS APC Counsellor,Trained RICS APC Assessor, AIQS/CQS APC Chairman,
Country Representative – Oman for AIQS
How to recover from your
APC failure
RICS / AIQS APC Coaching
Programme

2. Agenda
• Quick note
• Appeal process – RICS
• Appeal process – AIQS
• Planning ahead for the next APC interview.
• Q&A
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3. Remember !
• It’s not failure; it’s a referral to the next session to try again.
• Most candidates get referred, not because they lack knowledge but
due to certain fundamental errors caused in their submission and final
interview.
• MRICS is one of the hardest chartership in the world, having only circa
65% pass rate.
• Therefore, Do not get ashamed of being referred.
• Always put your mental health on top priority.
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4. Action plan – Appeal ?
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Final APC (RICS)
Pass
MRICS
Referred
Referral report
Make an appeal within 21 days
Decline appeal
No further right to appeal
Decision awarded
Resit for assessment with same submission with
new panel
Plan ahead for the nextAPC session

5. Before you make an appeal (RICS)
• Ask yourselves, “Should I appeal”. Spend some time with the counsellor / supervisor before
you make an appeal.
• Appeals can be only made if;
• An error coursed by RICS
• Issue with the RICS IT system
• The assessors asked questions which are completely irrelevant to the selected
competencies.
• Interview did not follow the process set in the guidance and in the required format
• Appeals to be made within 21days of the referral report
• Fill up the APC candidate appeal form [Click here]
• Form is to be filled up with the candidate (not by the counsellor, supervisor or mentor)
• Write a summary of 1000 words
• Pay a fee of £ 100 to RICS
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6. Action plan – Appeal ?
6 28-Jan-23 Source : RICS Competency Guidelines - August 2018
Final APC (AIQS)
Pass
MAIQS/CQS
Referred
Referral report
Make an appeal within 30 days
Decline appeal
No further right to appeal
Decision awarded
Further steps to be advised by AIQS.
Plan ahead for the nextAPC session

7. Before you make an appeal (AIQS)
• Ask yourselves “Should I appeal”. Spend some time with the counsellor /
supervisor before you make an appeal.
• Appeals;
•must be in writing and directed to the MembershipOfficer
•Should clearly state the grounds on which the appeal is being made
• Appeal must be accompanied by an Appeal Fee.
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8. Planning ahead for the nextAPC interview.
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Referred
Referral report
Plan ahead for the next APC session
1.Take a break 2. Seek advice
3. Keep it simple 4. Understand your submission
5. Get connected 6. Practice
7. Clear your schedule 8. Bounce back

9. Take a break
1. You are exhausted over getting prepared for the APC session.
2. In certain times the referral may cause you mental stress.
3. Give sufficient time to recover, do what you enjoy the most.
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10. Seek advice
Ensure that you read the referral report, many times.
In the referral report, you may find certain micro level information
furnished by the panel, that you need to pay extra attention to.
Discuss the content of the referral report with the Counsellor, mentors
or even other RICS/MAIQS members to seek advice.
Make a checklist, areas on you need to focus on.
Find a counsellor that could spare time for you and engage in frequent
discussions.
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11. Keep the submission simple, but perfect.
• Avoid making your submission complex.
• Review your documents in line with the referral report. Address the
concerns.
• Avoid complex language, be concise but should demonstrate well
• maximize the use of bus words (it will give more enlightenment to the
submission)
• Be mindful and tactical when you write your submission.
• Use express English. Remember your submission is not for demonstrating
your literature writing. Stop beating around the bush !!!
• In your SOE, avoid stating that you have given sophisticated and complex
advices. Be within your limits.
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12. Know the length & breath of your submission
• know your submission inside out and upside down.
• Focus on specific examples to demonstrate your knowledge – primarily
would be questioned on these.
• Ensure that you discuss option/s that you dropped off in resolving the
key issue (Case study)
• Don’t leave open ended statements while analyzing the options.
ex :- “higher cost certainty” (open ended), instead “higher cost
certainty can be achieved in an early stage due to …….” (close ended)
this will also help you be confident on answering questions from the
panel.
• Read your submission as many times you can – it would give you more
confidence.
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13. Get connected
• Try forming a study group where you could exchange ideas and discuss
questions.
• Interact with professionals for advices, independent views about your
submission.
• Use social media effectively to enhance your knowledge. LinkedIn is
one of the recommended social media platforms for professionals.
• Finally, don’t work in isolation.
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14. Practice
• Once you have completed your submission, its high time to practice
• Prepare your presentation in a structural and concise manner.
• Practice the vocal, body posture, eye contact and hand movements in
your presentation.
• Target to complete the presentation within 10 mins.
• Engage in one to one and mock interviews as much as possible.
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15. Clear your schedule
• As your interview date nears, keep off your busy schedules.
• Spend extra time practicing your presentation.
• Avoid facing mock interviews or receiving feedback on your submission a
week before your APC interview..
• Avoid negativity..Think positive.
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16. On the interview day
• Ensure that your internet connection is stable. If not, ensure that you
relocate yourself to a location having stable connectivity.
• Avoid stressing yourself by referring study notes.
• At least 2 hrs. before the interview, ensure that your your headphone,
microphone, laptop or tablet works properly.
• Run the presentation on the computer and ensure it works accurately.
• Make a blank paper, a pen, and a glass of water ready to be used during
the interview.
• Ensure you wear a formal suit when you face the interview. Remember!
The first impression is always important.
• Be calm and listen to the questions carefully before you answer.
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17. Bounce back like a true hero !!!
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18. Thank you
Send your feedbacks to apccoaching.me@gmail.com
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