BQA Grade 9 study plan
BQA Grade 9 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Bidding and Tendering
Map the full bidding and tendering lifecycle from advertisement to award, writing a one-page flow from memory
Define tender, bid, expression of interest, and prequalification and distinguish each with an original example
List the standard contents of an invitation to tender and explain the purpose of each section
Compare open, selective, and negotiated tendering and state one situation favoring each
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn lifecycle diagram with a 10-term glossary written in your own words
Bidding and Tendering
Explain how bid evaluation criteria are weighted and applied to reach an award recommendation
Identify common tender irregularities and describe the compliant response to each
Describe the purpose and typical structure of tender security and performance security
Draft a short set of clarification questions a bidder might raise before submission
Your checkpoint
A scored evaluation matrix for a fictional tender with a written award recommendation and justification
Contract Administration
Outline the sequence of contract administration activities from award through final account
Explain the roles and authority limits of the contract administrator, engineer, and client representative
Describe how variations are instructed, valued, and recorded
Explain how interim payments and retention are calculated and certified
Your checkpoint
A one-page contract administration checklist covering award, progress, payment, variation, and closeout stages
Contract Administration & Estimating and Cost Planning
Distinguish delay, disruption, and extension of time and describe the evidence each requires
Explain how claims for additional payment are notified, substantiated, and assessed
Identify the main components of a construction estimate and classify them as direct or indirect cost
Describe how unit rates are built up from labor, material, plant, and overhead
Your checkpoint
A build-up of three unit rates from first principles plus a written summary of how each claim type is evidenced
Estimating and Cost Planning
Explain the purpose of contingency, preliminaries, and risk allowance in a cost plan
Describe how cost planning evolves from concept through tender to final account
Calculate simple cash flow and cost-to-complete figures from a given set of progress data
Identify common causes of cost overrun and one control measure for each
Your checkpoint
A worked cost plan and cash flow table for a small fictional project with a short variance commentary
Project Planning and Scheduling
Distinguish work breakdown structure, activity, and milestone and build a small network
Calculate critical path, float, and early and late dates for a simple activity network
Describe how resource leveling and progress updating affect a schedule
Explain the relationship between scheduling, progress reporting, and delay claims
Your checkpoint
A solved critical path network with float values and a one-paragraph explanation of the critical path
Construction Technology and Methods & Health, Safety and Environment
Describe common substructure, superstructure, and finishes methods and state one quality risk for each
Explain how method selection is influenced by site conditions, cost, and program
Identify the hierarchy of hazard controls and apply it to three construction hazards
Outline the purpose and key contents of a method statement and risk assessment
Describe basic environmental controls for dust, noise, waste, and water on site
Your checkpoint
A one-page risk assessment and method statement outline for a chosen construction activity
Professional Ethics and Conduct & Bidding and Tendering & Contract Administration
Explain the core duties of professional ethics: competence, integrity, confidentiality, and conflict of interest
Apply an ethical decision framework to two realistic scenarios and justify the chosen action
Revisit bidding and contract administration notes and correct gaps found in self-testing
Complete a timed mixed-domain practice set and review every missed item
Your checkpoint
Two written ethical scenario responses plus a corrected error log from the timed practice set
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 20-question bidding and tendering quiz without notes
Week 4: Explain extension of time and claim assessment aloud in under five minutes with no prompts
Week 5: Produce a cost plan and cash flow table that reconcile with no arithmetic errors
Week 6: Solve a critical path network correctly, including float, in under 20 minutes
Week 7: Complete a risk assessment outline that identifies controls for at least three hazards
Week 8: Achieve 75% or higher on the timed mixed-domain practice set and close every logged error