I often ask candidates how they understand the RICS Competency levels. The answer invariably is that Level 1(L1) is ‘Knowledge / Knowing / Understanding’; Level 2 (L2) means ‘how or doing’ and Level 3 (L3) is about giving ‘advice’.
This is exactly right; I described them in the same way when I was a candidate over a decade ago. I found L1 straightforward, however L2 and L3 experience often got blurred. Then, I struggled to differentiate them definitively and now as I support various APC candidates, I find a similar challenge. Many candidates use the word “advice” in their submission to describe L2 experience, mistakenly thinking it qualifies it as L3. “Advice” can mean
- Giving an opinion, recommendation and / or suggestion of what should be done in a particular situation, e.g. you carry out an inspection, produce a report recommending a course of action.
- Giving an instruction, notification or information, e.g. you tell / notify your colleague / manager that you have completed the report.
In the context of L3, we want to understand the requirement as the first definition, not the second. Still, this does not clearly distinguish L2 and L3, after all L2 experience may also involve providing a recommendation. True L3 involves justification and reasoning behind the advice given. How then does one then distinguish it clearly from L2 experience?
Driving Analogy(Click here for Video Explainer):
Analogies are a great way to explain or clarify the meaning of concepts, and I find them extremely useful. I often use driving as an analogy because most of us drive or understand the concept. In the context of APC competencies, consider
- The theory test – is similar to L1. The focus is on learning the rules of the road, traffic signs etc. Understanding is subsequently tested via the theory test. No driving experience is required to take the test. The key to note is the breadth of the knowledge required. One learns about all the road signs and what they mean, even the ones we may eventually never encounter. Similarly, at the L1, breadth of knowledge is required. For example, you may work with JCT contracts, but you are required to have a good breadth of knowledge of standard industry contracts as a whole.
- Learning to Drive – like L2 where you are required to undertake a period of structured training under supervision, when you want to drive you require an instructor to help you apply the knowledge practically. They instruct and supervise your practice of various manoeuvres and ultimately help you gain confidence on the road over a period of time.
- Ready for Driving Test – as you gain experience and are more confident on the road, less supervision is required. The instructor’s prompts diminishes and there is more observation of our decision-making process. This is comparable to L3 and like the driving instructor that confirms your readiness for the driving test, the RICS counsellor must sign you off for the APC.
- The Driving Test – On driving test day, the examiner for a period of time will test how you handle situations and your ability to drive independently. Similarly, your assessors will test your competence and ability to work unsupervised during your APC. In both cases, your reasoning and judgment is tested to ensure you are a ‘safe pair of hands’.
Understand the RICS’s official descriptions
Distinguishing the levels primarily requires understanding the RICS descriptions as detailed in the candidate’s guide:
- Level 1 – knowledge and understanding
- Level 2 – application of knowledge and understanding
- Level 3 – reasoned advice and depth of knowledge.
With the above analogy in mind, we realise the word ‘reasoned’ is fundamental to the advice given at L3 and so is the depth of knowledge gained from both learning and experience.
To learn more about understanding the RICS APC process and the competency levels, visit our learning series section or contact us.
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