General Exam Writing Strategies

• Quickly read through or scan the exam from beginning to end
• Roughly calculate how much time you have for each question, according to the marks it is allotted, and make sure you do not spend too long on one question.
• Pay attention to the weight assigned for questions, in terms of how important the point is and as a rough guide for how much you need to write.
• If you find yourself running out of time, write down what you think you know in the time you have remaining, sot that the marker can at least award partial marks.
• Before you start a quesiton, think it through, and structure your answer - in your head or in a quick outline on paper. The marker is more likely to be impressed with your answer if it is clear and logically organized.
• Present your answers in neat and clear handwriting. If the marker can't read your answer, they can't give it marks. Poor presentation of your answers can reduce your marks or in really extreme cases can cause you to fail - the marker can't pass what they can't read or understand.
• It is better to be short, succinct, and to-the-point. The marker does not want you to write a novel.
• Write to te level of an informed valuation professional, but not necessarily an expert in your specific area.
• Do not use jargon/abbreviations without explanation.
• When you are finished writing and answer, re-read the question and ensure you actually answered it fully.
• Remember this motto: RTQ & ATQ: Read the Question & Answer the Question!

Case Study Strategies

• Focus on the big picture. Ensure you have addressed ALL of the first principles in your answer, as well as focusing on the one or two that are key to the situation.
• State any assumptions early, so the marker knows the basis for your answers
• Leave the marker with no unanswered questions.

Tips for Responding to Short Answer Questions

• Ensure you write about YOUR work experience. This is not an essay, it is a showcase for you to explain why your work experience is sufficient to be granted a professional designation.

"This is what I would do..." - INCORRECT
"This is what I did do..." - CORRECT

• Answer in the first person (I NOT we). If you worked as part of a team, be clear on your specific role.
• Focus on three different scenarios, do not provide the same experience written three different ways.
• Focus on simple, to-the-point examples; it is better to be comprehensive for a straightforward case then vague on an exceptionally complex one.
• Do not focus completely on specifics or your area (e.g. assessment law, expropriation law, financing valuation), but be prepared to discuss valuation principles in general. For example, if you are an assessor and assessment in your province is market value based, you must still be able to talk about market value appraisals.
• The marker MUST be able to identify the properties you are discussing. AIC reserves the right to verify your examples are based on real work experience. If they are not verifiable or are found to be untrue, AIC reserves the right to assign a failing grade. You should ideally provide the building name and address. However, if you can't remember the address, then provide as many details as possible regarding its specific location, such that the grader is assured it is a real property rather than a hypothetical/fictional property.
• Think positive and be confident. This is your opportunity to explain to a professional peer how your work experience is sufficient evidence of your competencies in applying first principles of value.

Last updated February 3, 2010