| 6.1.1 | The objective of the PPE is to assess the professional competence of a candidate to apply integrated knowledge, skills and professional values appropriate to the practice of an RA at entry level and that will enable the candidate to continue to learn and adapt to change throughout his/her professional career. |
6.2 Standard of assessment
| 6.2.1 | In determining the desirable level of professional competence, the Education Committee has defined the following six professional competencies that embody its expectations of successful candidates of the PPE: |
| (i) | The ability to apply concepts and principles from a defined technical body of knowledge, skills and professional values in an integrated and analytical manner to complex situations that are likely to be encountered in the multi-disciplinary public practice environment. The defined technical body of knowledge, skills and professional values will be prescribed by the Education Committee from time to time. |
| (ii) | The ability to draw on skills developed as a result of practical experience to solve problems relating to the function of an RA. |
| (iii) | The ability to apply professional judgement in assessing alternatives and recommending solutions to situations that reflect the public practice environment. |
| (iv) | The ability to communicate effectively by formulating appropriate arguments and recommendations in a concise and logical manner appropriate to the specific user and particular level of assurance required. |
| (v) | The ability to demonstrate and apply to public practice situations, a comprehensive understanding of the professional values of the profession in general and the ethical requirements specific to the practice of an RA. |
| (vi) | The ability to continue to learn and adapt to change through an awareness of current developments shaping the future of the profession. |
| 6.3.1 | The assessment is based on practical situations/problems that are likely to be encountered in the multidisciplinary public practice environment and that require the candidate to draw on practical experience. The scope of the assessment is based on the most recent education curriculum (the Curriculum Framework) defined by the Education Committee. |
| 6.4 | Format of examination |
| 6.4.1 | The PPE is divided into two examination question papers of two and a half hours each (100 marks each). Each examination question paper will consist of a single scenario with a number of required questions. Both question papers will be written on the same day. |
| 6.4.2 | Half an hour reading time is given for each question paper, making each examination session three hours in duration. |
| 6.4.3 | The first session is from 9:00 until 12:00 and the second from 14:00 until 17:00. |
| 6.4.4 | At the start of each session, candidates are given the scenario to read. |
| 6.4.5 | Candidates are allowed to annotate, highlight and make notes of any kind on the question paper, and consult their permitted texts (See section 8: "Permitted Texts" below) during the half hour reading period. |
| 6.4.6 | At the close of the half hour reading period, candidates are given the required questions and answer books. |
| 6.4.7 | Candidates have two and a half hours to answer the required section. |
| 6.5.1 | The PPE will be conducted under open-book conditions in accordance with knowledge management principles (See section 8: "Permitted Texts" below). |
| 6.6.1 | The maximum number of marks to be awarded for the examination is 200, of which a candidate must be awarded at least 100 (i.e. 50%) in order to pass. The overall assessment will be based upon the total marks scored by a candidate in both questions. There will be no sub minimum requirement on each question or part thereof. |
| 6.7.1 | The examination is printed in English and Afrikaans. A candidate may write the examination in either two languages. |
