Chartered Membership Examination

Graduate members must pass this examination to obtain corporate membership status, MIStructE, with this Institution. The examination is a test of the candidate's professional competence, taking the form of a seven hour examination in structural engineering design and practice. The candidate must demonstrate his/her validity of training and experience acquired in recent years. The examiners must be satisfied that the candidate has conveyed a grasp of structural engineering principles, an ability to initiate and communicate structural design and provide an effective solution to a structural design problem.

There are eight questions one of which must be answered, each question is divided into a number of sections grouped in two parts. Section1 covers design concept, presentation, identification of various solution forms (including stability and loading transfer aspects), ultimate selection of the most appropriate and relevant comment on a particular small but significant design feature. In Section 2 the candidate has to provide relevant design calculations, general arrangement drawing and appropriate details together with comment on possible construction methods, choice of materials, specifications, estimates, management procedures, site control and safety and supervision of works in progress. BOTH parts of the question must be satisfactorily answered to achieve a pass.

The new format question paper introduced in 2004 changes which better reflect the type of work undertaken by the Chartered Structural Engineer.

• Revised marking emphasis with an increased allocation of marks for conceptual design in Section of the question. (50:50)
• Greater emphasis on seismic conditions, environmental issues (such as contaminated land) and Health and Safety