RICS APC Professional Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by RICS?
- Optional training for new graduates only
- A mandatory requirement for all RICS members to undertake at least 20 hours of CPD annually, including 10 hours of formal learning (Correct answer)
- A one-time qualification requirement
- Only required for partners in firms
Correct answer: A mandatory requirement for all RICS members to undertake at least 20 hours of CPD annually, including 10 hours of formal learning
RICS requires all members to complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year, with a minimum of 10 hours being formal (structured) learning. This ensures members maintain and develop their competence.
Question 2: What is the role of RICS Regulation in the surveying profession?
- To market surveying services
- To protect the public interest by setting and enforcing standards for RICS members and regulated firms (Correct answer)
- To set surveyor salaries
- To design training courses
Correct answer: To protect the public interest by setting and enforcing standards for RICS members and regulated firms
RICS Regulation exists to protect the public interest. It sets and enforces standards, investigates complaints and alleged breaches, and takes disciplinary action where necessary.
Question 3: In the APC final assessment interview, what is the 'case study' component?
- A written exam paper
- A 10-minute presentation by the candidate on a project they have worked on, demonstrating key competencies (Correct answer)
- A group discussion exercise
- A technical drawing exercise
Correct answer: A 10-minute presentation by the candidate on a project they have worked on, demonstrating key competencies
The case study is a 10-minute presentation where candidates describe a real project they have worked on, demonstrating their application of competencies and professional judgement.
Question 4: What does the RICS' 'Confidence through Professional Standards' framework aim to achieve?
- Higher fees for surveyors
- A suite of professional standards, guidance, and information that promotes consistency and best practice across the profession (Correct answer)
- Government regulation of surveyors
- A marketing campaign
Correct answer: A suite of professional standards, guidance, and information that promotes consistency and best practice across the profession
This framework provides a structured suite of international standards, professional statements, codes of practice, guidance notes, and information papers to support consistent, high-quality practice.
Question 5: What is 'due diligence' in the context of property transactions?
- Completing the transaction as quickly as possible
- A thorough investigation and analysis of a property and its associated legal, financial, and physical aspects before completing a transaction (Correct answer)
- Paying the agreed price without negotiation
- A type of building insurance
Correct answer: A thorough investigation and analysis of a property and its associated legal, financial, and physical aspects before completing a transaction
Due diligence is the comprehensive investigation undertaken before a property transaction, covering legal title, planning, environmental, building condition, and financial aspects to identify risks.
Question 6: Under RICS' ethical framework, what does 'providing a high standard of service' entail?
- Only working on premium projects
- Ensuring competent, diligent, and timely service that meets the client's needs and agreed terms of engagement (Correct answer)
- Providing the cheapest possible service
- Outsourcing all work to specialists
Correct answer: Ensuring competent, diligent, and timely service that meets the client's needs and agreed terms of engagement
RICS members must provide services that are competent, diligent, and timely, in accordance with the agreed terms of engagement, and must ensure they have the necessary skills and resources.
RICS APC Professional Practice 2
What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by RICS?