APC SUBMISSIONS

SPECIAL GUIDELINES ON
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE (SOE)

Summary
of
Experience
(SOE )

-Ramesh Palikila BTech , FIS, FAIQS, FRICS

-Founder I CEO I Chief Mentor
Page ▪ 1 -AIMS , UAE. www.aimsintlqs.com
 The people involved in your APC
These are the people who will influence and support your progress towards achieving RICS membership. You: You must commit to following
the process through from beginning to end. You must familiarise yourself with the guidance and abide by it, planning and organising your
time conscientiously. You must take responsibility for your own CPD, undertaking independent learning.

Your supervisor (optional): Best practice is to have

Your employer: Your employer should encourage you and make facilities and time
someone overseeing your day-to-day activities, who is
available to you to complete your assessment documents. Some employers may not be
able to give you access to the full range of experience needed. If this is the case you may responsible for giving you guidance and support. This is
particularly important if you are completing a period
need to gain a temporary secondment to supplement your experience.
of structured training.

Your counsellor: Your counsellor must be a chartered surveyor.

It is important we hold your most up-to-date details. If your
They should support you through your training and must be satisfied that you have employer, supervisor or counsellor changes at any
achieved the required levels in all the competencies needed for your chosen pathway. point during your APC please contact your local office
They may not have personal knowledge of your experience in all the chosen to update the details.
competencies as you may have achieved some of them years ago or in a different job.
They will still be able to support you and verify your experience by having discussions with The assessors: chartered surveyors who conduct your
you about your experience. It is your responsibility as candidate to find a suitable final assessment interview. The interview panel has a
counsellor. minimum of two members. All assessors are specially
RICS assessment platform: the secure online platform that RICS uses for trained for this purpose.
managing all elements of assessments for candidates, counsellors, assessors and
training
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 Competencies
To be competent to practise as an RICS member you must have the skill and/or ability to perform a variety of tasks
or functions. The RICS competencies are not only a list of tasks or functions, they are also based upon attitudes
and behaviours.
RICS has drawn up competencies in a generic way so that they can be applied to different areas of practice and
geographical locations. It is important that you interpret them within the context of your own area of practice or
specialism and geography. The competencies are in two distinct Categories

Mandatory competencies – personal, interpersonal, professional practice and business skills common to all
pathways and compulsory for all candidates.

Technical competencies which are split into

•Core competencies – primary skills of your chosen pathway

•Optional competencies – selected as additional skill requirements for your pathway from a list of competencies
relevant to that pathway.
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 Each competency is defined at three levels of
attainment. You must reach the required level in
a logical progression and in successive stages.

Level 1 – knowledge and understanding

Level 2 – application of knowledge and

Understanding

Level 3 – reasoned advice and depth of

knowledge.

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Summary Of Experience ( SOE) : 1500 + 4000 words

No format for SOE- Just type in MS Word

Health and Level 1 I studied the basic of health and safety procedures during my
safety graduation course in civil engineering. Advanced learning was
82 words achieved on the practices of safety measures followed in the various
industry from my post-graduation course on quantity surveying.

Through my experience, I gained awareness on the importance of the

site induction training for each staff member. I am familiar with the
standards and laws in UAE, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS
18001 and Federal law no 8 of 1980.

Level 2 While working for ISBL work in Borouge Abu Dhabi, I reviewed the
company’s health and safety and environment plan as part of the
96 words tender submission. I calculated the health and safety allowance while
preparing the contract price. I analysed the risk associated with the
work on-site and registered those in the risk register including
precautions for the same.

On the site, I always carried my personal identification badges and

attended site induction training before entering the site. I followed all
the precautionary methods by wearing personal protective equipment
like helmet, VIS? cloths protective boots, eyewear.
▪ Understand the Competencies
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Summary Of Experience ( SOE) : Statements

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 Summary Of Experience ( SOE) : Level 1
Level 1 – Knowledge and understanding

You will be required to explain what learning/ training you

have done, and when, to gain level 1 competency.
This may have been through formal education and/or formal
training in the workplace or on- the-job experience. If your
degree is relevant to your chosen pathway, you can draw on
this to indicate how you have gained the required knowledge.
Alternatively, you may have developed your knowledge and
understanding through targeted formal training. Formal
training could include online courses, in-house seminars or
workshops, distance learning, academic study, day-release
programmes, structured learning or mentoring. You may have
participated in a training programme developed by your
employer or in partnership with a training provider.
In order to reduce the number of words used, you can provide
a list but you should include some brief detail, if necessary, to
ensure that the assessor can be confident the education/
training is relevant to the competency. You can also link this to
your CPD record.

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Example SOE for Level 1 ( Ethics )

I learned the general principles of ethics during my education and professional experience in my
career. I have read the RICS regulation and guidance notes and gained knowledge of the RICS
new rules of conduct (five) for members and firms for professional practice. I understand the
importance of conflicts of interest, professional indemnity insurance and complaints handling
procedures for RICS firms to deliver professional services.

I have completed the “Ethical Professionalism online module” and gained good understanding on
professional ethics for RICS members .

85 words

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Example SOE for Level 1 ( Contract Practice )

I completed post-graduation course in quantity surveying where I developed my awareness on the

forms of contract, contract documentation, rights and obligation of parties involved in the contract,
laws applicable to the contract and various standard forms of contract.

My experience in the construction firm as a quantity surveyor enabled me in acquiring an

understanding of contractual mechanism and procedures at pretender stages. I learnt to find out
the differences in the bespoke form of contract with the standard form of contract.

I am aware of different standard forms of contract such as: FIDIC 87 and 99, JTC, NEC and ICE. I
referred to the online portals and journals to gain more information on the conflict handling rules
and regulations mentioned in the legal systems in UAE.

127 words

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 Summary Of Experience ( SOE) : Level 2
Level 2 – Application of knowledge and
understanding

You will need to be able to show how you have

put your knowledge and understanding into
practice. Briefly review your career and the
activities you have performed that are relevant to
this competency. The following may help you to
structure your thoughts in regard to level 2
competencies:

• refer to projects you have been involved in

• identify the type of client - but be aware of your
clients’ confidentiality.
You can describe companies, buildings or land in
financial terms (revenue, value) or in terms of size
(large, small), area (floor size, levels, capacity) or
location
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How should the Summary of experience record be filled in properly?

Level 2 = applying knowledge and understanding :

Write about where you have applied what you have learned in the level 1
knowledge and understanding, demonstrating this by providing real-life projects
and experiences.
• Candidates shall provide examples of real-life projects they have experienced where they
have been personally involved.
• A good candidate will always aim to offer a good range of real-life experiences with
project names and locations.

Please note it is important to always have in mind that no confidential information should be
revealed in this document as that would not be professional.

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Example SOE for Level 2 ( Client Care)

In the Industrial Development project (Abu Dhabi) in which I am involved, the

stake holders in the project consist of various departments of the organisation.
I ensured that before approving any variations, I explained the variation to the
concerned departments for their review and made sure that their objectives
are achieved.

In the same project, during one instance where certain complaints were
received on the invoice submitted by one of the consultants, I raised the
complaint by following the procedures mentioned in that firm’s complaint
handling procedure. The complaint was resolved quickly.

As the Employer’s QS I ensured both the Contractor and Engineer have

submitted the insurances, guarantees and warranties required under the
Contract and are valid.I have always maintained the confidentiality of my
client’s information. 127 words

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Example SOE for Level 2 ( Contract Practice )

While working as a quantity surveyor in General Contracting company for a Villa project in Abu Dhabi, I reviewed
the contractual specific requirements of various contractual obligations for calculation of preliminaries like
contractor’s all risk insurance, third party insurance, workmen compensation insurance, plant machinery
insurance and prepared the cost for the same.

During my career, I dealt with mainly bespoke forms of contract. In one of my previous infrastructure project in
Abu Dhabi, I prepared and submitted the commercial proposal as per the conditions of Contract. I analsyed the
contractual risks during the submission of the technical part of the proposal which includes the company's expert
report in the field for past five years.

I reviewed general contractual provisions which included in the letter of intent, division of responsibilities, the
scope of work, specifications and drawings. I also participated in the negotiation meetings for finalising the final
amount along with my senior quantity surveyor. I assisted my superior in the preparation of contract documents
for the specialised subcontractor. I prepared conditions of Contract for tender documents during the procurement
of the subcontractor for a part of the project.

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Summary Of Experience ( SOE) : Level 3
Level 3 – Reasoned advice and depth of knowledge

Where the pathway requires level 3 to be achieved, you will

need to be able to explain the professional advice you have
given to clients. Provide specific examples that describe the
nature of the advice, the options you considered and the
outcome.

The advice should be predominantly your individual

responsibility, rather than collective. It should demonstrate
that you are working with minimum supervision.

The advice should have financial or strategic implications for

the client, and should be given on behalf of your firm in
order to fulfil your contractual obligations to the client.

You must satisfy yourself and your counsellor that you have
reached the required level of experience before applying for
final assessment.

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 How should the Summary of experience record be filled in properly?

Level 3 = developing skills on offering advice : Write about where the

competency experience has been achieved to a much greater extent.
• Demonstrating this through real-life examples of where the candidate has provided
advice and has a full appreciation of the reasoning behind the advice that has been
given.
• The experience record is as simple as naming a project or client and explaining the
service being provided by the candidate and the discussions or advice given to the
client.

Please note it is important to always have in mind that no confidential information should
be revealed in this document as that would not be professional.

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Example SOE for Level 3

In an industrial development project in Abu Dhabi where I am the Employer’s QS, the disputes
between the parties were referred to arbitration under Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
As my organisation was the respondent, I was in the process of procuring the services of an expert
witness. After negotiation with various experts, I finalised an expert witness. The expert sent me the
terms of engagement for my management signature on a particular Thursday.

During my weekend, I came to know through the internet that the firm where the expert witness
worked had acquired another firm. Unfortunately, one of the co-arbitrators of the tribunal was from that
acquired firm. I immediately informed the expert witness and advised him that if an arbitrator and an
expert witness are from the same company, and are involved in the same case, this will result in
conflict of interest. In the mean time, I also informed my management through email. The expert
witness after liaising with his firm confirmed that it would be a conflict of interest and that he will not be
able to act as an expert witness.
186 words

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 QS PATHWAY

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 PM PATHWAY

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Check list for Summary of Experience :
Competency level
Chosen technical Summary demonstrated
Competency name correctly identified
competencies meet the competence to the level
competed correctly according to pathway
requirements required
requirements

Summary is closely linked For level 2, reference is

For level 1, reference is For level 3, examples are
with competency made to a range of
made to education, given of advice given to
definitions and examples projects and practical
qualifications or training clients
given in pathway guide application of skills

Word count is between

3000 to 4000 words in total
for the technical
Client confidentially is competencies and 1500
upheld words in total for the
mandatory competencies.

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 Preliminary Check list for Summary of Experience : Lvl 1

Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking

Does the candidate demonstrate an Reviewer will provide comments for both Y and N as well.
understanding of the competency?
Y/N

For L1, has the candidate identified how Y/N

knowledge has been gained?

Is the accuracy of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the clarity of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the level of detail provided acceptable? Y/N

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 Preliminary Check list for Summary of Experience : Lvl 2
Communication and negotiation

Does the candidate demonstrate an Reviewer will provide comments for both Y and N as well.
understanding of the competency?
Y/N

For L1, has the candidate identified how Y/N

knowledge has been gained?

For L2, has the candidate provided Y/N

examples of applying this knowledge?

Is the accuracy of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the clarity of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the level of detail provided acceptable? Y/N

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 Preliminary Check list for Summary of Experience : Lvl 3
Conduct rules, ethics and professional practice ( LEVEL 3)
Does the candidate demonstrate an Reviewer will provide comments for
understanding of the competency? both Y and N as well.
Y/N
For L1, has the candidate identified how Y/N
knowledge has been gained?

For L2, has the candidate provided Y/N

examples of applying this knowledge?

For L3, has the candidate provided Y/N

examples of reasoned advice ?
Is the accuracy of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the clarity of the evidence acceptable? Y/N

Is the level of detail provided acceptable? Y/N

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 Preliminary review
This review is carried out to determine if
Outcomes
your submission is suitable for you to Remember, your case study is only valid for a
The preliminar y reviewer will mark whether
proceed to final assessment. limited time as it must refer to experience within
each element of your submission is suitable and
Your submission will be read and
provide feedback, where possible, if it is not. the last 24 months. If your case study is no
reviewed by a trained professional who longer within the 24-month period you are able to
The reviewer may also provide feedback
has specialist knowledge in your field of
where the element is marked as suitable if apply for the next available final assessment
practice. They will
consider the totalit y of the evidence you they judge that the element could be session in your market using the same case study.
have provided in your submission. The improved prior to final assessment. After However, if you choose to apply for assessment at
preliminar y reviewer will seek to answer submitting for your preliminar y review you a later session your case study must be updated or
the question: will receive one of the following outcomes.
changed, as appropriate, to meet the 24-month
Is the submission suitable for the APC
assessors to prepare for and conduct the
requirement.
final assessment inter view effectively?
All elements of your submission will be
reviewed against the submission
requirements. The requirements are
▪ Your submission is suitable for Your submission is not currently suitable
divided into t wo sections on the you to proceed for you to proceed
preliminar y review feedback repor t
template: ▪ You may receive some additional advice from the
The feedback report will explain why your submission
reviewer, if appropriate, and the repor t will advise
a. Format requirements – submission has not been considered suitable to proceed to final
elements including compliance, you of the next steps. You will now be eligible to
apply for final assessment at the next available date. assessment. The report will advise you of the steps you
standard of writing and RICS
assessment requirements. need to take in order to meet the submission
▪ You should now prepare for your final
b. Content requirements – submission assessment. This can include an update to your
requirements.
elements including mandatory summar y of experience that reflects the work you
competencies, technical competencies have under taken bet ween preliminar y review and You will need to resubmit for preliminary review at
and the case study. submit ting for your final assessment, especially
the next available date.
where this will address feedback from the
reviewer. This must not take your summar y of
experience over the word count.

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 Final assessment interview
Purpose
The interview will last approximately one hour and is designed to At the interview you will be questioned on:
determine whether you:
• your presentation and case study
• your final assessment submissions including your CPD record
• can express yourself clearly in an oral
presentation and interview • the broader aspects of your experience and knowledge, including ethics,
• can demonstrate, in support of your written submissions, your RICS Rules of Conduct and current issues of concern to the profession.
understanding of the knowledge gained and competencies
achieved during your training The assessors will base the questioning on the law and practice of the
• have an acceptable understanding of the role and responsibilities country in which your interview is being held. The assessors will
of a chartered surveyor normally ask you about what you did and about why you took a
• can apply your professional and technical skills to benefit those particular approach. They will also ask about your understanding of
who employ your services. the wider issues surrounding your case study.

The interview will be conducted by a panel of assessors The assessors will be trying to determine your general level of ability;
comprising a minimum of two (maximum three) RICS chartered they do not expect you to be an expert in every area of professional
professionals, trained and selected for this role. One assessor will activity. They will be looking to ensure you have achieved at least the
perform the role of chairperson and is responsible for managing minimum required levels of competence in key areas for the clients you
the interview process. serve, and that you understand the level of professional conduct
The assessors may refer to your submission and any of their own preparation notes during expected of an RICS professional.
the inter view and may also be taking notes to support their questioning and decision-making.
They may use printed documentation or electronic equipment to per form their role.
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 Final assessment interview
Remember the assessors will take a holistic view of Structure
your training, final assessment submissions, The interview will take place using video calling technology approved by RICS. Instructions on
using the technology, including a tutorial and demonstration, are available separately. When
presentation and interview. Poor performance in one
you join the video call the chairperson will welcome you, make some introductions and check
area may be balanced out by an excellent
that everything is set up appropriately before the interview officially starts.
performance elsewhere.
RICS is looking for you to be not only technically When everything is ready the chairperson will ask you to start your presentation. At this point,
competent, but also to the one-hour time limit for the interview starts. Your interview must be held in a private and
appropriate location. RICS staff or the assessment panel reserve the right to cancel your
• be a good ambassador for the profession interview if this is not case. For example, interviews conducted in any form of transport or
location that may hinder the professionalism of the interview process. Contact RICS if you
• be aware of the professional and commercial require any assistance.
implications of your work
Presentation
• understand clients’ and employers’
You will give a ten minute presentation to the assessment panel
objectives
on any aspect of your case study. Try and pick a point from your
• have up-to-date knowledge of legal matters case study to expand on in your presentation or detail the
• have the confidence to work unsupervised. investigations and conclusions of your project.
Using the video call technology you will be able to share any
Time management content (for example, presentation slides, images, project
The chairperson is responsible for managing the tim ings of the inter view. The 60 m inutes is
allocated to include your presentation, the assessors’ questions and your answers. If the documents) with the assessment panel.
inter view is interrupted due to technology or other unforeseen issues the chairperson will However, you should not rely heavily on the content; if for any
extend the tim e of the inter view accordingly to ensure the full 60 m inutes is achieved as
allocated. Any extension to achieve the full
reason the sharing of content is not possible you should ensure
60 m inutes is at the sole discretion of the chairperson, who has been trained to m anage the your presentation can be delivered effectively without it.
inter view tim ing and determ ine what account s for an interruption.

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 Final assessment interview
Time management Candidate’s presentation on case study 10 minutes

The chairperson is responsible for managing

the timings of the interview. The 60 minutes is Questions on the presentation 10 minutes
allocated to include your presentation, the
assessors’ questions and your answers. 30 minutes
Discussion on overall experience including CPD, technical
competencies, Rules of Conduct and professional practice.
If the interview is interrupted due to
technology or other unforeseen issues the
Chairperson’s areas of questioning may include professional and 10 minutes
chairperson will extend the time of the
technical matters, CPD, Rules of Conduct and mandatory
interview accordingly to ensure the full 60
competencies; and close of the interview
minutes is achieved as allocated.

Total 60 minutes
Any extension to achieve the full 60 minutes is
at the sole discretion of the chairperson, who
has been trained to manage the interview
timing and determine what accounts for an
interruption.

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