In the thick of writing up my case study and checking the candidate guidelines, I quickly learned that exceeding the 3,000 word count could lead to the RICS cancelling my final assessment interview. At the time this revelation created a lot of anxiety and left me scrambling to clarify if the word count included sections like the contents page, sub-headings, and appendices. In this post, my aim is to demystify the word count limits to ease the stress and uncertainty that I faced during this process. Below, I’ll outline everything you need to know about the word count limit for your case study and really hope this information proves helpful to fellow candidates navigating their APC journey.
The RICS APC word count for the case study is strictly limited to a maximum of 3,000 words. This does not include the contents list or appendices however everything else written within the case study such as headings and sub-headings are included.
The Importance of the Case Study Word Count
Over the last 9 years of coaching APC candidates, I place a large emphasis on encouraging them to read through and refer back to the candidate guide throughout their journey. The guidelines clearly state that the RICS can reserve the right to cancel your final assessment interview in the event that the word count is exceeded. The reason for this is that as a chartered surveyor, the RICS need to be sure that you can read, understand and follow a client brief and undertake your surveying duties whilst providing a high standard of service to your clients. In the event that the word count has not been followed, this is a clear red flag that the candidate has not read and understood the RICS requirements and therefore they may be in danger of repeating this when working for their clients.
Candidates should also consider that each member of the interview assessment panel maybe required to review many case study submissions in preparing for their final assessment interviews. Staying within the word count limit will demonstrate that you have followed the RICS’ brief, will make life easier for the interview panel and help you get off on the right foot by making a good first impression on them. Please don’t make the mistake of exceeding the word count and risk upsetting the interview panel or worse still have them cancel your interview.
RICS APC Case Study Word Count Explained
As set out within the introduction, the case study word count is strictly limited to a maximum of 3,000 words and is a professional standard report that will form part of your overall submission documents to the RICS. There is no 10% margin for error here which can be the case on some University assignments you may have completed previously. You should also note the word count does not include the Contents List or the Appendices however everything else is included. Remember that the case study is there to provide an example of how you can understand and respond to a client’s brief. If you exceed the word count you are not working to the client brief and that is why the RICS are so strict on this particular aspect of the case study. The structure of your case study is also of huge importance and again is set out within the candidate guide, for more information on how to write up the perfect case study with access to previous successful examples, please click here.
| RICS APC Case Study Word Count | Maximum of 3,000 Words |
| Contents Page | Excluded from word count |
| Headings | Included within word count |
| Sub-headings | Included within word count |
| Appendices | Excluded from word count |
How To Check Your Word Count
For Microsoft Word and Google Docs users, I would highly recommend saving a separate copy of your case study document with the reference ‘word count check’ contained within the document title. On this separate version, I would then delete out the contents page and appendices sections as these are not considered within the overall word count, this way you can be sure your word processing software only totals up the items that are included. On this document you can then use Ctrl + A to highlight all of the words contained or simply use your mouse cursor to highlight these. In the bottom left corner of your screen on Microsoft Word, you should then be able to see the overall total word count which is hopefully below the all important 3,000 word limit. For Google Docs you can highlight all of the words and then click on Tools within the header menu, then select word count from the drop down menu.
What Is The Ideal Word Count Length?
Whilst we have now established that the case study should not exceed the 3,000 word limit, if your report is well under this threshold, it can signal to the assessment panel that you have not included enough detail and key information. When coaching APC candidates, I try to encourage them to maximise the word count availble whilst keeping the report as concise as possible. The case study should be written to the same high standard as a professional report for a client and should not contain any ‘waffle’ or ‘padding’ for the sake of increasing your word count. Try to aim for a minimum of 2,900 words and a maximum of 3,000 words as this can help convey that you have tried to maximise the full allocation where possible but again make sure that the report is professionally worded and concise.
Please see the example case studies below which illustrate in more detail how to structure and format your case study.
Example Case Study Templates
For more help and resources when writing up your case study please use the following links:-
- RICS APC Case Study: Successful Quantity Surveying Example
- RICS APC Case Study: Successful Building Surveying Example
- RICS APC Case Study: Successful Commercial Real Estate Example
- RICS APC Case Study Presentation Example
- Case Study Template Documents In Microsoft Word Format
9 Essential Items Your Case Study Must Include
RICS APC Q&A STUDY GUIDES
