Miles Rixson’s APC Top Tips and Our Support Network

Miles Rixson recently featured on a panel for a RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) online Q&A session, where he shared his experiences and advice with current APC candidates across the industry. Miles shares his top tips with us, recalling on his experiences which led to him successfully passing his APC and becoming a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in November 2025.

What aspect was the most challenging part of the APC process for you, and how did you overcome this?

“The most challenging part was understanding the final interview format and answering questions clearly and succinctly without over‑explaining. I overcame this by arranging Q&As, mock interviews and attending webinars, which helped me refine my answering technique. Balancing work and study was also demanding, so I created a structured study plan, dedicating evenings and weekends closer to assessment while ensuring I took breaks to avoid burnout.”

Was there anything that surprised you most about the process?

“I was surprised by how structured the APC process and final interview were, and how heavily it relied on learning through day‑to‑day experience rather than desk‑based study. The final interview followed a clear format, with timed sections for the presentation, case study questions, competencies and ethics, which meant the interview passed very quickly.”

Is there anything you would do differently now knowing what you do about the process?

“I would speak to colleagues who had already completed the APC earlier to better understand their experiences and expectations. I’d also arrange informal Q&As and mock interviews at an earlier stage to develop my answering technique sooner, and place extra focus on my weaker competencies to build confidence.”

How did you balance work, study, and APC preparation?

“I created a personalised study plan and scheduled revision into my work diary, using early mornings and lunch breaks. I treated my day‑to‑day tasks as revision by questioning why things were done and how they linked to competencies. Also, planning regular breaks and rotating topics helped prevent burnout and maintain motivation.”

In your opinion, what do you feel makes a strong summary of experience?

“A strong summary follows the candidate guides closely and demonstrates clear knowledge across Levels 1, 2 and 3 using personal examples. It’s important to reference a range of projects, clearly showing experience giving clients advice at Level 3, and ensure the wording is your own. Seeking feedback from colleagues, not just your counsellor, is also key.”

How did you choose your case study and what are assessors looking for in the case study?

“I tracked project issues throughout my training and reviewed them with my counsellor before selecting two issues that were relevant to my pathway and genuinely interested me. My case study focused on managing an unfixed contract sum and difficulties procuring a performance bond. Assessors look for personal involvement, clear advice given, strong understanding of the submission, and links across multiple competencies.”

Are there any pathway specific hot topics that you encountered or recommend candidates to consider?

Quantity Surveying specific topics:

• Managing risk in cost plans / estimates
• Current market conditions
• The role a Quantity Surveyor can play in sustainability
• Procurement, client key drivers, what is considered when selecting.
• Building Safety Act and changes to building regulations, from a cost perspective
• 2024 suite of JCT Contracts

General topics:

• New AI professional standard
• How AI affects Quantity Surveying
• Updating of professional standards
• RICS governance

What is your top piece of advice for those taking the APC in the near future?

“Use your network as much as possible by arranging mock interviews, attending webinars, and learning from colleagues’ experiences. Practice is essential for developing strong answering techniques, and you must know your submission documents inside out, including every example and competency requirement.”

Additional points to note from the APC Panel Chair, who is an assessor:

• It is a holistic view on the assessment.
• The assessors are looking for concise answers to allow for an assessment of each competency in the time available, so you may be cut off if you are not to the point.
• Ethics questioning is based on both scenarios and theoretical questioning.
• Ensure you are comfortable with the environment you are sitting the assessment in.

Our APC Support Network

Since 2014, we have supported 28 colleagues sit their APC through the support of our APC Management Group. We are pleased to share some recent statistics, highlighting the fantastic work our APC Management Group and members of our team have achieved:

• Over 82% of our APC candidates have passed on their first attempt.
• For those who re-sat the exam, all had passed within one year of being referred.
• We are significantly above the average RICS Success Rate for APC (which is 64%), based on latest RICS Annual Review Report.
• Since 2022, 37.5% of our successful candidates have been female. Statistics from the latest RICS Annual Review Report state that currently only 27% of chartered surveyors are female. Whilst we exceed the current national average, we recognise there is still room for improvement as we continue to advocate for a more inclusive and diverse sector.

We are extremely proud of the various training and development pathways we have on offer to our team. We remain committed to investing in our people, supporting them through professional qualifications, and empowering them to build successful careers.