The RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) is one of the most common routes to becoming a chartered surveyor—but it’s also surrounded by a fair share of myths and misconceptions. These can mislead candidates, increase stress, or cause unnecessary delays.
In this post, we’ll bust the most common APC myths and give you the facts you need to stay confident and on track.

❌ Myth 1: You need to be an expert in everything.
✅ Truth: The APC doesn’t expect perfection. It’s about demonstrating competence and professional judgement in your chosen pathway and competencies. Focus on real, relevant experience—not knowing it all.

❌ Myth 2: Level 3 must be a management-level role.
✅ Truth: Level 3 is about giving professional advice, not managing teams. Even early-career professionals can reach Level 3 if they advise clients or senior colleagues with insight and judgement.

❌ Myth 3: The interview panel is trying to catch you out.
✅ Truth: Assessors want you to pass! Their job is to confirm you’re competent and ethical. If you’re prepared and honest, the interview will feel more like a professional discussion than an interrogation.

❌ Myth 4: You should avoid saying “I don’t know.”
✅ Truth: It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something—as long as you follow it up with how you’d find the answer or manage the situation. That shows maturity and professional responsibility.

❌ Myth 5: You can recycle one example for multiple competencies.
✅ Truth: While projects can overlap, each competency must show distinct evidence of what you did and learned. Repeating the same example weakens your submission and shows limited experience.

❌ Myth 6: The case study must be a massive, complex project.
✅ Truth: What matters is your role, not the size of the project. Choose a project where you were deeply involved and can demonstrate decision-making and impact—not just a big-name client.

❌ Myth 7: You need to use complex language to sound professional.
✅ Truth: Clear, concise communication is key. Assessors prefer well-structured, jargon-free writing that shows clarity of thought and sound reasoning.

❌ Myth 8: If you fail, you can never become MRICS.
✅ Truth: Many excellent professionals don’t pass on the first try. You’ll receive feedback, and you can resubmit in a future assessment round. The important thing is to learn and improve.

✅ Final Thoughts
Don’t let myths and misconceptions shake your confidence. The APC is a structured, fair process designed to help you prove your professional readiness. By staying informed and prepared, you’ll position yourself for success.