2.7.1 The "Written Examination" means the Examination prescribed from time to time by Council.
2.7.2 The Institute Examination is a three-hour, written examination aimed at determining the applicant's understanding of the substantive knowledge of planning and the planning process, and of the place which his or her special field of interest (if any) has in the process, and of the methods of implementing plans and programs. It tests whether the candidate has the planner knowledge and skills required by the Institute to become a professional.
2.7.3 The procedure for administering the Examination shall be carried out by the respective Affiliate. In no case shall there be less than two readings of each Examination with a minimum of two "pass" marks being the requirement to pass the Examination;
2.7.4 The NMC recommends that the Affiliates use a National Examiner from another Affiliate where a third reading is required to produce a decision, or in the event of an appeal;
2.7.5 In the case of an overload, or where for any reason it may be necessary for an Affiliate to call an extra Examiner, a National Examiner may be used;
2.7.6 The Examination Fee shall be set and collected by the Affiliate;
2.7.7 To ensure confidentiality each Affiliate shall use a coding system to identify an applicant when forwarding the applicant's examination paper to the Examiners for reading;
2.7.8 Each candidate for the written Examination shall be provided with a copy of the current Institute Examination, including the Preamble, at least one month before the Examination. In forwarding copies of the Examination, it should be pointed out that it is not a specimen, but the actual Examination;
2.7.9 The examination shall normally be written in Canada. NMC may consider extenuating circumstances and establish conditions for adequate supervision of the examination in another country at the candidate's expense;
2.7.10. Should an applicant fail the written Examination, the Examination may be re-written;
2.7.11 The outcome of the Examination shall be recorded on the membership file (pass/fail/comments). If a failure, the applicant shall be given reasons;
2.7.12 The Examiners will be paid a fee as set from time to time by National Council or the Affiliate for each examination read;
2.7.13 The Examination may be taken in English or French.
The following information should be carefully noted by the applicant:
1. The examination is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for admittance to Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners. An oral interview will also be held.
2. The written examination will be set for a maximum of three hours. It may be written in either English or French.
3. The written examination will be graded by two Examiners appointed by the Institute, and where necessary by a third Examiner. The results of the examination will be transmitted to the Membership Committee for consideration.
4. The examination consists of three questions, each designed to test the applicant on one aspect of the planning process:
a) an understanding of the comprehensive planning process and of inter- relationships among disciplines contributing to the process and among various kinds of issues that impinge on planning problems;
b) an understanding of how policies and plans are formulated; and
c) a grasp of how policies and plans are implemented.
5. The three questions in the examination cover three different areas of knowledge - the use of essentially the same information to answer all three questions will result in the candidate not passing.
6. All three questions are to be answered based on the candidate's practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge and ability to conceptualize. Answers that do not include any theoretical or conceptual knowledge will result in the candidate not passing.
The sources of conceptual-theoretical thinking can come from the candidate's ownconceptualizations or theorizing but there should also be evidence of substantial reading in the field. A candidate will be expected to have had reference to the "Reading List" in preparing for the examination.
7. The Institute recognizes the presence of a wide array of specialist skills within the practice of planning. In responding to the examination questions, an applicant may choose to answer in terms of their special "Field of Interest". "Fields of Interest" as approved by the Institute are:
Comprehensive physical planning
Administration for planning and development
Transportation planning
Community facilities planning
Research methodology and theory
Economic planning
Social planning
Planning Law
Programming and budgeting
Urban design
Resources and regional development
Environmental planning
Recreation and open space planning
Strategic Planning
The Applicant may indicate a Field of Interest not included in the above list. The Applicant must obtain approval of the chosen field of interest before taking the examination.
8. The written examination will not be graded solely on content. Form and manner of presentation and organization of thought will also be taken into account.
9. In deciding whether a candidate should pass, the examiners are concerned both with knowledge as well as evidence that the candidate can think and write at a professional level, and that the candidate's knowledge extends beyond his or her specific job experience.
10. In grading examinations, the Examiner will not have a preconceived model of the planning process in mind. Rather, the Examiner will be looking for the applicant's reasoning and grasp of that process.
11. Applicants will not be allowed to bring notes, texts or other reference material into the examination.
12. Examinations may be conducted at the discretion of the Affiliate and/or the Institute. Arrangements may be made to allow applicants to write the examination in or near their local area.
13. The Examination Procedure followed by the Institute consists of the following:
a) The eligibility of applicants to sit the examination is determined by the appropriate Membership Committee.
b) The appropriate Membership Committee sets the time and place for the examination and the applicant is notified.
c) The completed examination is graded by two Examiners.
If there is a split decision, a third examiner is employed.
d) The final step will see the completion of an oral interview to determine whether the candidate should be elected to Membership. The oral interview normally follows the successful completion of the examination.
Name of Candidate
Province or Territory
Country of Residence
Place of Examination
Selected Field(s) of Interest (Optional)
(1) The Examination is set for a maximum of three hours. It may be written in English or French.
(2) Provide answers to ALL THREE questions. All questions are of equal value.
(3) Record your answers in the examination booklet provided.
(4) Read the instructions to each question carefully. Options are open to you; in each case, please indicate the option you have selected.
(5) Return this examination paper with your completed examination to:
______________________________________
Candidates who do not follow these instructions will not pass the examination:
(1) The three questions in the examination cover three different areas of knowledge - the use of essentially the same information to answer all three questions will result in the candidate not passing.
(2) All three questions are to be answered based on the candidate's practical experience as well as their theoretical knowledge and ability to conceptualize. Answers that do not include any theoretical or conceptual knowledge will result in the candidate not passing.
The sources of conceptual-theoretical thinking can come from the candidate's own conceptualizations or theorizing but there should also be evidence of substantial reading in the field.
(3) In deciding whether a candidate should pass, the Examiners are concerned both with knowledge as well as evidence that the candidate can think and write at a professional level, and that the candidate's knowledge extends beyond his or her specific job experience.
Examination Received by ______________________
Date ______________________
Answer A or B. If answering from a particular Field of Interest, please indicate.
1A Describe briefly your understanding of your field of interest or area of expertise, how it contributes to the total planning process, and how it relates to other fields of interest or areas of expertise within this process.
OR
1B Scenario A new expressway or highway (or other major planning project or program of your choice) is proposed to be carried out in your planning area. Various agencies andorganizations want advice on the impact of this facility.
Identify the kind of planning area you are concerned with and the body you are advising, and describe the probable effects on the physical, environmental, economic and social fabric of the planning area.
In selecting the kind of planning area, you may choose from:
Region
Metropolitan area
City, town, county or other municipal unit
Neighborhood
In selecting the body you are advising, you may choose from:
Municipal council
Planning board
Highways department
Citizen's group
Private developer
If you feel there are any additional assumptions about this problem situation which are necessary for your answer, please record them.
Answer A or B. If answering from a particular Field of Interest, please indicate.
2A In the context of your training and experience in planning describe the way in which plans and policies are formulated. Comment on the strengths and weaknesses you detect in this planning approach, and on the differences between what is being done and what you think should be done.
Be sure to identify clearly the context in which you are writing and the kinds of plans and policies which you are describing.
OR
2B You are assigned the task of preparing either a general (i.e. comprehensive urban or regional plan) or specific kind of plan or program for your planning area. Choose from the list of typical planning areas provided in Question 1B. Describe the methods whereby your selected plan or program, and the accompanying policies, should be formulated. Be sure to identify at least the following:
The objectives
The parties involved
The constraints
The opportunities
If your choice is a "specific" plan or program (rather than a general plan), the following list will provide some examples of the kind of plan and program you will be describing:
A park/recreation complex
A transportation and/or transit plan
An industrial park
A major commercial development
A pollution control program
An economic development program
A program for developing human resources
A social services program
A citizen participation program
A planning education program
A strategic plan with spatial components
This list is not all-inclusive. You may choose to describe for your planning area a specific plan or program not listed above.
If answering from a particular Field of Interest, please indicate.
You are assigned the task of advising on how to put into effect a general or specific plan and program for your planning area. Describe the methods whereby your plan or program can be carried out. Comment on the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of current methods for implementing the plan or program.
If you decide to deal with a specific (rather than a general) plan and program, choose an example of the kind listed in Question 2B.
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