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ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION (APE)
General Information and Frequently Asked Questions (last updated November 2020)
1. AACA cannot provide specific advice to candidates on how experience should be logged against the required performance criteria as the context of
the experience of each candidate will vary. You should seek advice from your supervising architect or colleagues about how your experience relates
to the required performance criteria.
2. Assessment in the Architectural Practice Examination is generally to the level of a complex project.
A complex project is typically a project of medium scale or larger, that requires the application of skills and knowledge to deliver the resolution and
integration of complicated aspects including but not limited to: siting, planning, structure, services, materials, composition and configuration. A
complex project is demanding in its ordering and organisation of multiple occupancy and/or special purpose user requirements and requires the
integration of cultural, social, environmental and technical issues.
Not all architectural projects follow this format, or even result in a built outcome, but this is the level of competency that is tested in AACA programs.
It is not a requirement that all the hours recorded in the Logbook are from tasks completed on a ‘Complex Project’ however, it should be considered
that Parts 2 & 3 of the Architectural Practice Examination will examine candidates under the context of a ‘Complex Project’.
3. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the following documents:
- National Standard of Competency for Architects APE matrix shows the required Performance Criteria for the Architectural Practice Examination
and the PCs tested in each Part of the Exam
- Procedures for Candidates provides an overview of the Architectural Practice Examination
- Logbook Guidance and link to the Logbook of Experience in Architectural Practice
APE Part 1 Logbook & Statement of Practical
Experience
Response
How do I download the logbook The AACA Logbook is an Excel document. Ensure you download the latest version of the Logbook from the Publications Page of the AACA Website.
- Clear browser history from your computer
- Download AACA Logbook
- Enable Macros (MAC users: If the ‘drop down’ tabs are not displaying when you select a field, go to ‘page layout’ from ‘view’ on the toolbar).
- Save logbook as xlsm
- Start entering your hours in the log sheets 1-80 (keep in page lay-out view)
- The summary sheets will calculate automatically when you have logged all your hours
- Go to View in the menu bar across the top and click “normal” not page layout Refer to Logbook Guidance for further information I have used up all the pages in my logbook There are 80 sheets in the Logbook in which experience can be recorded. Each sheet can have one project and cover 3 months at a time. The Logbook cannot be extended to more than 80 sheets. Applicants will need to consider how they structure their Logbook to ensure the 80 pages are sufficient to record the minimum required hours. Candidates could condense the logbook to reflect the minimum 3,300 hours by trying to use most recent projects. It is best to frame the logbook around the projects that will form part of the Statement of Practical Experience. Can I re-order the pages of my logbook Sequential date order of the log sheets is not mandatory. Is there a password for the Log Sheets so that I may unlock them for my editing purposes? The log sheets are password protected and cannot be edited. If you try to edit or delete log sheets, the calculations and formulas embedded in the log sheets will be deleted and this will affect the Competency Summary Sheet and the formatting of your logbook. AACA is unable to assist when this happens and candidates will need to download the logbook a new version of the logbook.
An architect I worked for has retired and is no longer registered, neither practising nor non-practising. What should I put against their registration number? If they were practicing at the time of logging the experience you should include their registration number. Note: only a person in the practising category of the Register of Architects is able to provide architectural services. Can I log overseas experience You can log up to 12 months overseas experience in the APE logbook. However, you must log a minimum of 12 months of relevant experience in Australia. If I have logged more than one year experience working for an architect in Australia, can I log more than one year of overseas experience if I want to show completeness of my experience on an overseas project? You may refer to additional experience overseas in your Statement of Practical Experience in the CV component of your application. I work for a builder, can I log my hours? Practical experience may be gained as an employee of an architectural firm under the supervision of an architect, or as an employee in a building design firm, or an employee in a firm in an allied field in the construction industry, or in relevant government agencies, or gained independently in a self-employed capacity. When working as an employee of a non-architectural firm, candidates can only log hours where the activity they are undertaking is at executive level (decision–making). Experience at Observer and Participant Level is not accepted if candidates are not working under the supervision of an architect. I want to consider some of my experience as a participant or an observant and the person who is observing/mentoring me is a non-practising architect. Can I still consider the hours that I've worked under her supervision in my logbook? Practical experience may be gained as an employee of an architectural firm under the supervision of an architect, or as an employee in a building design firm, or an employee in a firm in an allied field in the construction industry, or in relevant government agencies, or gained independently in a self-employed capacity. When working as an employee of a non-architectural firm, candidates can only log hours where the activity they are undertaking is at executive level (decision–making). Experience at Observer and Participant Level is not accepted if candidates are not working under the supervision of an architect in the practicing category of the Register of Architects.
I don’t understand the Performance Criteria, can you please provide me with further explanation? The Performance Criteria are self-explanatory. The National Standard of Competency identifies the primary activities that are fundamental to practice of architecture and in relation to which an architect is expected to demonstrate competence in the delivery of professional services. Competency Standards are occupational functions (expressed as Performance Criteria) that a candidate should be able to perform effectively in an ordinary work environment. Candidates are to decide how their individual experience relates to the Performance Criteria. We cannot provide specific advice on how experience should be logged against the required performance as the context of the experience of each candidate will vary. You should seek advice from your supervising architect or colleague re specific queries about how your experience relates to the required performance criteria. How do I log my experience against the Performance Criteria? It is up to candidates to decide how they will allocate their relevant experience against the required performance. Candidates should view the performance criteria in the context of the four units and nine elements of competency and then allocate experience against the required performance criteria accordingly. We cannot provide specific advice on how experience should be logged against the required performance as the context of the experience of each candidate will vary. You should seek advice from your supervising architect or colleague re specific queries about how your experience relates to the required performance criteria. I am confused about the 3 Levels of Experience. Executive - experience gained as the principal decision-maker on a project or project component. Participant - experience gained as a team member or operative working under the instruction or supervision of a responsible person. Observer - experience gained by careful observation of procedures and practices carried out by others. Is there a specific project phase/order attached to the Performance Criteria? Each candidate decides how to map their experience. There is no project or phase order requirement as it may differ across work places and projects.
I have signed a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement for one of my projects. Can I log the hours worked on this project? If so, is it acceptable to put ‘confidential’ in all the project information? Make a note to explain the situation in the Statement of Practical Experience. Does AACA have any advice on how an applicant will represent experience if they have had a falling out with employer(s)? It is not an AACA requirement for the logsheets or Statement of Practical Experience to be signed off on a candidate’s logbook by a supervising architect – candidates submit a Statutory Declaration attesting to the accuracy of all the documentation submitted. APE Candidates submit their Part 1 application to the local Architect Registration Board. Contact your local Board to check their requirements Is there a standard format for the Statement of Practical Experience? The Statement of Practical Experience should be well considered and clearly expressed, as it will be discussed in the Part 3 Interview. It is important that this statement encompasses the candidate’s overall experience and is clearly linked to your logged experience. Candidates should keep in mind the following when preparing and finalising the Statement of Practical Experience:
- It is correctly formatted and adequately cross referenced to the Performance Criteria
- It clearly identifies the level experience across each project
- It includes sufficient project details to allow APE Part 3 Assessors to appreciate the scope of work, its cost, floor area and nature of construction
- It demonstrates an understanding of the Performance Criteria
- It demonstrates sufficient evidence to support the claimed experience in the Logbook
- The title ‘architect’ is correctly used across the Statement and CV
- The registration status of the supervising architect is current and correct
If some of my experience is self-employed, do I use 3,000 words in my Statement of practical Experience? If some or all logged experience is not under the supervision of an architect, candidates can write 3000 words (maximum) in the Statement of Practical Experience. In the Statement should I only reference the 15 criteria from the Logbook or should I reference more if my experience covers them? Candidates should reference additional PCs if demonstrated in their experience.
Is the 2000 word limit approximate or an absolute maximum? Yes, if all experience is gained under the supervision of an architect. If some or all logged experience is not under the supervision of an architect, candidates can write 3000 words (maximum) in the Statement of Practical Experience. What is the minimum time an applicant can declare they worked without supervision to allow them to utilise the higher word limit for their statement? This is at the candidate’s discretion. I have successfully completed the National Program of Assessment. Do I have to have 12 months experience after completing the NPrA before I apply for the APE? Candidates who are successful in completing the AACA NPrA Program may apply for the next session of the APE providing they meet the requirements of a minimum of 3,300 hours of experience that ranges over all 15 mandatory Performance Criteria; and 12 months of logged experience in Australia.
APE Part 2: The National Examination Paper
The platform for the 2021 April and August
National Examination Papers will be via
remote online delivery
Response
What should I study in preparation for the National
Examination Paper?
The scenarios upon which the questions are based are written by practising architects based on situations found across the range of practice in architecture. The scenarios test one or more Performance Criteria that may be tested in Part 2 of the Architectural Practice Examination. See here for the required performance criteria that may be examined in the Architectural Practice Examination and here for the link to general info about the Architectural Practice Examination. Are there any training courses available prior to undertaking the Architectural Practice Examination? Most Registration Boards offer a briefing session for candidates and there are a number of preparatory programs available for candidates. Details can be obtained by contacting the Boards directly. See here for link to Board websites.
What is the pass mark for the National Examination Paper? There is no pre-determined number of candidates who will succeed in the National Examination Paper. The pass mark is 60% No adjustment is applied to the results except in cases, based upon the analysis of the performance of the exam cohort, it is clear that scenarios or statements have been capable of misinterpretation. A moderation process has been developed to cater for such circumstances if they arise. How do I know if I passed the National Examination Paper? You will receive your results directly from the Boards generally within 4 weeks of the date of the National Examination Paper. All candidates will receive feedback based on the Performance Criteria. Candidate Reports will also be released to the APE Part 3 Assessors Candidates who have been successful in the exam can apply to sit Part 3 Examination by Interview through their local Board.
APE Part 3: Examination by Interview Response
Can I know my interview date in advance? You should contact your local Board for interview details. How long is the Part 3 Interview? The interview will run between 45 and 60 minutes. Who conducts the Part 3 Interview? Part 3 Examination by Interview is conducted by experienced practitioners. What sort of questions will I be asked? Part 3 Examination by Interview focuses on each candidate’s experience and knowledge applied in the context of the specified performance criteria from the National Standard of Competency for Architects. Candidates are examined on their range of work and experience and are expected to be familiar with topical professional issues. The interview also considers candidates’ responses to practice situations that may be outside their personal experience. The interview may test knowledge and experience in both actual and hypothetical situations. Candidates may be examined across a variety of procurement issues and should be able to demonstrate competence in contracts that may be administered by an architect.
Candidates’ results and feedback from the National Examination Paper will be issued to examiners prior to the interview. See here for the required performance criteria that may be examined in the Architectural Practice Examination and here for the link to general information about the Architectural Practice Examination. How do I know if I passed Part 3? Candidates will be notified of the result of Part 3 by the responsible state or territory architects registration board. If I fail my interview in one State, can I apply for an interview in another State in the same Exam Session? No. Unsuccessful Candidates may apply for re-admission to undertake Part 3 at the next session or a later date, provided it is within two years of the date of notification of success in Part 2.
