International HQ

47-58 Bastwick Street

London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
fax: +44 (0)20 7235 4294
mail@istructe.org
www.istructe.org

Instructions to Examination Candidates

In order to enter the examination on 3 January 2019 please note the

following instructions:

1. Closing date for exam entry: Friday 23 November 2018

The examination entry form and payment of the entry fee must be received before the above
closing date. Examination entry forms received after this date will not be accepted.

2. Examination entry fee for 2019: £455

The entry fee will be added to candidates’ record on receipt of the exam entry form.
Candidates are required to pay their examination fee in full before Friday 23 November 2018,
or they will not be permitted to sit the examination. Payment should be made online, via My
Account, anyone who is unable to pay online should contact the Examinations Manager to
make alternative arrangements.

3. Candidate number and examination venue information

Candidate numbers and specific venue details will be sent to candidates shortly after the
closing date.

4. Entry fee reduction for low income

A 60% fee reduction is available for candidates who earn less than £15,000, or the
equivalent, per year. Candidates must request this reduction with the submission of their
exam entry form, including proof of eligibility.

5. Refund of examination entry fee

A refund of the examination fee will only be made if notification of withdrawal is made before
the closing date. Please note that medical problems are not usually accepted as a reason
for a refund after the closing date, however, the Examinations Panel may consider such
requests in exceptional circumstances.

6. Exam centre transfer

It is not possible to change the exam centre after the closing date.

7. Candidates with a disability

Candidates should indicate any disability on the exam entry form, as well as stating the
nature of the disability. They should also provide a note from a medical professional
confirming the nature of the disability (e.g. results from a dyslexia test) and where possible
advice on any reasonable adjustments that should be made. Candidates are invited to submit
material from employers or universities which can assist the Institution in making an informed
decision on the adjustments to be made. Any information provided will be treated as
confidential.

The Institution of Structural Engineers

Incorporated by Royal Charter
Registered with the Charity Commission for England
and Wales No. 233392 and in Scotland No. SC038263
VAT No. 238 7045 52
 International HQ
47-58 Bastwick Street
London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
fax: +44 (0)20 7235 4294
mail@istructe.org
www.istructe.org

8. Proof of identity
All candidates must provide photographic ID to the invigilator on the day of the examination.
Any candidate who fails to produce ID will not be allowed to sit the examination.

9. Use of Electronic Equipment

Most electronic devices are prohibited from the exam – the exception is for battery operated
calculators (these may be programmable) providing they are not wi-fi accessible. Prohibited
devices include:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops, notebooks or portable computers and similar devices
• iPads, tablets and similar devices
• E-readers (e.g. Kindle) and similar devices
• Cameras, optical scanners and similar devices
• Light readers
• Smart watches

10. Mobile Phones

Must be handed in before the Examination begins. If a candidate is found using a mobile
phone at any time in the exam, including lunch time, the matter will be reported to the
Examinations Panel with the recommendation that the candidate is disqualified from the
Exam.

11. Clocks
The Examination takes place in a variety of venues and although a clock will be requested
when venues are booked, candidates should note a clock may not be in clear sight. As mobile
phones cannot be used for time-keeping purposes, it is recommended candidates bring a
(non wi-fi accessible) watch to the examination.

12. UK Examination centres

Candidates must indicate their preferred exam location on the entry form. The Exam centres
in the UK are listed on the application form and are also available online.

13. International Examination centres

The Institution will endeavour to set up an examination centre in any large town or city
worldwide, but this cannot be guaranteed. Applications must be made as soon as possible
to allow us to make the necessary arrangements.

The Institution of Structural Engineers

Incorporated by Royal Charter
Registered with the Charity Commission for England
and Wales No. 233392 and in Scotland No. SC038263
VAT No. 238 7045 52
 International HQ
47-58 Bastwick Street
London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
fax: +44 (0)20 7235 4294
mail@istructe.org
www.istructe.org

14. Examination preparation – courses and interactive CD

Candidates are strongly advised to thoroughly prepare for the examination by either
attending a preparation course, or by practising past examination papers. Many Regional
Groups run preparation courses during the year, and details can be found on this on the
website.

On receipt of full payment for the examination, an interactive preparation CD will be posted
to you in order to assist you with your preparation – please ensure you review the guidance
from the Examination Panel in the pdf section. Past exam papers and Examiners’ reports
can also be found on the website.

Candidates who passed the January 2017 Chartered Membership Examination kindly
provided some “top tips” which you may find helpful.

15. Examination results

Results will be issued in My Account towards the middle of April 2019 and will be followed
by an examination result letter or email. Feedback must be requested online.

16. Lapsed membership

Examination results will not be issued to lapsed members until full payment of outstanding
fees has been received.

17. 2019 Examination dates

Chartered Membership Associate Membership

Thursday 3 January 2019 Thursday 4 July 2019
Thursday 4 July 2019

The Institution of Structural Engineers

Incorporated by Royal Charter
Registered with the Charity Commission for England
and Wales No. 233392 and in Scotland No. SC038263
VAT No. 238 7045 52
 International HQ
47-58 Bastwick Street
London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
fax: +44 (0)20 7235 4294
mail@istructe.org
www.istructe.org

Instructions for the day of the exam

1. Proof of identity
All candidates must provide photographic ID to the invigilator on the day of the
examination. Any candidate who fails to produce ID may not be allowed to sit the
examination.

2. Candidate numbers and page numbering

The examination finishes at 17:00 – candidates should ensure that pages are numbered,
and candidate numbers are added before 17:00. Candidates may use the last five digits of
their candidate number, as this is the unique part, but they must include their full candidate
number on the front page (e.g. they may use 12345 from 123C012345). Labels should not
be used as these can cause issues when scanning the scripts.

Candidates should not use their Institution membership number.

Lined pages should be numbered in order (do not include the graph paper in the count),
including blank pages if only using single sides. The graph paper should be numbered
separately, and again including blank pages if only using single sides.

3. Lunch arrangements and refreshments.

You must bring your own lunch and refreshments. You are not permitted to leave the exam
venue or have access to your mobile phones/electronic devices during the lunch break. You
may not have access to any documents (including your own reference materials) during the
lunch break - your script should be turned over.

4. Timetable for the day

09:15 15 Minutes Reading Time

09:30 Exam begins
13:00 Break for lunch (30 minutes) – candidates sitting Specialist Diploma exams will
leave at this time
13:30 Exam resumes
17:00 Exam ends – please be mindful of candidates with extra time

5. Open book policy

The examinations are “open book” so you are permitted to take reference books or a folder
with notes and frequently used references into the exam with you.

6. Mobile phones

Candidates bringing their phone to the exam hall will need to hand the phone to an invigilator
in a named envelope that has been provided by the candidate. The envelope should show
the following for ease of identification and distribution after exam has finished:

• Candidate name
• Candidate number
• Hong Kong Identity Card No (if applicable)

The Institution of Structural Engineers

Incorporated by Royal Charter
Registered with the Charity Commission for England
and Wales No. 233392 and in Scotland No. SC038263
VAT No. 238 7045 52
 International HQ
47-58 Bastwick Street
London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
fax: +44 (0)20 7235 4294
mail@istructe.org
www.istructe.org

7. Codes of practice
Any design code or standard may be used to answer the questions in the paper, as long as
reference to that code is consistent throughout and any assumptions or design data adopted
(including loadings other than those specified in the question) are stated at the beginning of
the answer.

8. Reading time
Candidates should not make any marks on paper during the reading time, this includes marks
on the question paper.

9. Retention of exam papers.

To maintain the security of the examinations, you cannot take the exam paper away with
you. The exam papers will be uploaded to the website in due course, but if you would
particularly like to keep your paper, please hand in a reply-paid A4 envelope with your exam
script and it will be posted to you. All unused exam script paper/A3 graph paper must be
handed in to the Invigilator for return to HQ.

10. Previously prepared information.

Candidates may not include any previously prepared calculations, notes, drawings etc. Any
previously prepared information submitted by candidates will be ignored by the examiners.

11. Clocks.
The exam venues are asked to provide a clock, but this may not always be available, or you
may not have easy sight of one. As mobile phones cannot be used in the exam, we
recommend you wear a watch on the day.

12. Top tips

Candidates who passed the January 2017 Chartered Membership Examination kindly
provided some “top tips” which you may find helpful.

13. Using Pencils/Colour in the answer scripts

Candidates may write in pencil and use colours throughout their answers, provided these
are dark enough to be scanned (it is advisable to scan a sample page to ensure
pencils/colours are clear enough for markers to read).

Any queries regarding the exam should be sent to the Examinations Manager, Frazer Clist.

The Institution of Structural Engineers

Incorporated by Royal Charter
Registered with the Charity Commission for England
and Wales No. 233392 and in Scotland No. SC038263
VAT No. 238 7045 52