Building a Better You
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What is today's blog about?
In this week’s blog, we take a look at the new RICS assessment platform. This was launched for use on the 12th December 2022. You can access the new platform here.
What’s new?
Lots! The RICS have completely re-designed the new assessment platform, based on feedback on the old ARC system. We have been taken on a tour of the new system by RICS and it is simple and easy to use.
However, do not panic as the new platform is being rolled out in stages and will not affect UK candidates submitting in Session 1 2023 for the APC or AssocRICS assessments. The first UK candidates to be affected will be APC Preliminary Review Land & Property in March 2023.
For Session 1 2023 APC and AssocRICS candidates, the existing online application form will continue to be used and you will not have to apply for assessment via the new platform. The global rollout is confirmed by RICS via their website.
The RICS website has plenty of training on how to use the system. However, read on to find out our summary and top tips for how to use it effectively.
We have split the rest of this blog up into advice for candidates, counsellors and assessors – so if you know anyone who may be interested to find out more, then please share this blog with them!
Some of the key improvements are below:
CPD record now has an in-built rule to require 50% of the total CPD hours to be formal. This will prevent any candidates from applying for assessment without complying with this essential requirement.
Expanded employment history section to allow candidates to add in a few bullet points on their role and responsibilities.
Candidates can change their pathway and Counsellor directly on the new platform, rather than having to contact RICS to make the change.
The system has improved confidentiality levels.
Special considerations can be added online and are far more visible to RICS and assessment panels.
Candidates can add in their expected final assessment date, which will help them, their counsellor and RICS to manage their assessment journey.
Worth a special mention is the improved proposer and seconder notification system.
APC final assessment candidates need one proposer and two seconders, all M or FRICS (there is no requirement to have a FRICS specifically anymore, however) and at least one who is outside of the candidate’s firm. Candidates can input email addresses and RICS numbers for each of these parties on the new platform up to 3 months in advance of their submission date. This allows approvals to be sought in good time. The parties will then receive an email asking them to support the candidate’s application.
Why is there a new system?
After issues with ARC, RICS have been using an online form for APC and AssocRICS submissions. However, the new assessment platform replaces this and provides a central resource for the storage of data and submission of written work.
It also provides a platform for counsellors to keep track of and approve candidates’ submissions and for assessors to submit availability and to view their upcoming assessments.
How will the system work for candidates?
Candidates will have access to a platform that looks familiar – it is similar in design to ARC and has been made simple and easy to navigate.
Unlike ARC, where the summary of experience was uploaded in separate online text boxes for each level of each competency, the new platform makes use of a downloadable Word document template. This can then be filled in and uploaded back onto the platform. The template is the same as that used for the existing application process, so candidates will not need to make any major changes to this.
The case study includes a downloadable template, which is then filled in and uploaded as a PDF when complete. You can also download a case study template with added cover page and other key elements in our free resources.
Sections that are inputted directly into the platform are the CPD record, structured training diary (including filtering for use in compiling the summary of experience), candidate photograph, academic record and employment history. The CPD record now includes the new in-built rule requiring 50% of the total CPD hours to be formal, which will prevent any candidates applying for assessment who do not meet this requirement.
The Professionalism Module, which must be undertaken within 12m of submitting for assessment, is also accessed on the left hand toolbar of the platform.
Finally, the whole submission can be downloaded as a PDF preview at any time. This is a great way to check how your submission is progressing!
How can candidates change pathway?
Candidates can now change pathway directly via the new platform. This will force a change of competencies that comply with the new pathway. Candidates can also change competencies at any time and the new system will ensure that they comply with the specific pathway requirements.
How can candidates change counsellor?
Candidates can now change counsellor directly via the new platform. This will notify the new counsellor by email, who can then either approve or deny the request. Once approved, the change will show on the candidate’s platform and the counsellor will be able to view the candidate on their platform.
What happens if my data was previously stored on ARC?
Old ARC data is now referred to as legacy data by RICS. This should simply feed through into the new platform for you to view, such as competencies and photograph. There is also a legacy data box to click that allows you to download your old ARC data, including summary of experience and CPD record, as a Word document. You can then use this to upload into either the summary of experience template or online CPD record.
How will the counsellor approval process work?
The counsellor sign off process has been split into three approval stages:
Summary of experience
Case study
Overall approval
The counsellor will be able to view their candidates’ competencies and levels, employment history, full submission and CPD record.
There is a messaging section on the platform between the counsellor and candidate. This cannot be viewed by RICS. The counsellor can also leave feedback for the candidate to see in each of the platform sections, i.e., case study and summary of experience.
The counsellor platform also includes counsellor guidance and training modules.
Learning & development and training managers at firms will have a new access to their own platform in mid to late January 2023. This will allow them a view only platform for all of the candidates in their organisation.
How can assessors use the system?
All information for assessors and auditors will be on the platform. This includes UK assessors for Session 1 2023.
This includes:
Availability
Assessment panels allocated and whether an auditor will be present
Training requests, including chair, refresher and SPA – working towards the RICS’ goal to retrain assessors every 3 years
Assessor guidance and pre and post-2018 pathway guides
How can I learn more?
You can find out more via the RICS website, or contact Property Elite to arrange your own bespoke training on how to use, navigate and succeed at using the new RICS platform.
We will also be running group workshops next year on how to use the new platform - to register your interest please email jen@property-elite.co.uk, as spaces will be limited.
How can we help?
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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.
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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.