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The Incorporated-Membership exam is one of two essential elements you must complete to become an Incorporated-Member of the Institution. The other is the Professional Review interview.
You can attempt the exam before or after your interview - whichever option suits you best.
The exam requires you to consider the details of a construction project.
The details are presented in the format of a brief and proposed design solution passed to your design office by a Chartered Structural Engineer.
The exam is seven hours long.
You must answer one question from a choice of four. All questions have two sections and both parts must be satisfactorily answered to achieve a pass:
Section 1 (30% of total mark) requires you to prepare a design appraisal with appropriate sketches indicating a viable solution for the proposed structure, including the foundations. You are then required to indicate the functional framing, load transfer, and stability aspects of the scheme. Recommendations on how to reduce material usage will need to be communicated to the client in a professional manner.
Section 2 (70% of total mark) requires you to provide sufficient design calculations to establish the form and size of all the principal structural elements, including the foundations. These must also include approximate A1-A3 carbon footprint calculations. You must prepare general arrangement drawings for your design, and clearly annotated sketches for two specified elements. Finally, you are asked to prepare a detailed method statement for the safe construction of the works.
More detailed information on the exam content can be found in the Exam Preparation Guidance.
Download Exam Preparation Guidance
Start your application to Incorporated-Membership at least three months before the exam date to register your interest.
Once processed you will be sent an email with details of how to register for your exam online. Here you will be able to choose your preferred venue and make your exam payment to confirm your place. A fee is applicable for each exam attempt.
Two weeks before the exam you will receive your candidate number and details of your chosen venue, along with a few final reminders for the day.
This information is sent to you by email, so please ensure your contact details are up to date in My Account.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
Exam Fee - £425
Candidates sit our exam all over the world. We will try and find a convenient location for you where possible.