Time limits at the e-EQE (Main Exam and Pre-Exam)
- Calendars are no longer provided because the EPO closing days are available online during the exam. But there is no change compared to previous exams how questions are asked where time limits need to be calculated. You are only expected to know the EPO closing days based on the relevant OJEPO notices (usually once or twice per year). This was confirmed in the EQE info session of 8 Feb 2022.
- For EQE 2022, you need to know the weekends and closing days for EPO offices in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The relevant OJEPO's are: 2020 in OJ 2020, A56 (22 May 20) and OJ 2019, A97; 2021 in OJ 2021, A4; 2022 in OJ 2021, A85. Although these OJEPO's are available online, there is no digital calendar to figure out weekends, and you cannot use one on your computer (or phone) during the exam. So, you need them on paper.
- Each national office and the IB have their own closing days - you are NOT EXPECTED to know these during the EQE, but you can assume that these offices are also closed in the weekend. If it is critical to answer a question, they will give you the details in the question.
- If they expect you to take into account a disruption, like COVID or a hurricane, they will give you all the facts that you need. They want to test whether you know the relevant law and know how to apply the law to those facts - they are not interesting in testing whether you can find such facts.
- It is useful to have examples of such a disruptions as an overview of possible EPC and PCT remedies. For example, OJ 2020, A120 describes remedies when electronic communication is not available. For example, OJ 2020, A123 describes remedies when a disruption, such as COVID, occurs.
Avoid calculation mistakes
- Every year, candidates lose many marks because of avoidable mistakes in time limit calculations. A wrong calculation can lead to missed marks or lead to time being wasted on irrelevant details.
- Under the stress of the exam, don't rely on your fingers or in your head - count the days/months on the Calendar. Always double check any critical calculations. Common mistakes include:
- converting the written form of months in questions to the wrong month number. Mistakes are often made with June, July and August, for example (months 6, 7 and 8).
- assuming that every month has days 29, 30 and 31 (even February). If the "last day of the period" ends on a day that does not exist, it is shifted to the real last day of that month - R. 131(4) EPC and R. 80. 1 PCT.
- using the calendar for the wrong year (for example, 2020 instead of 2022).
- ending a period calculation in the wrong year. This is usually with the time limits longer than 12 months. Double check, or break the calculation down into smaller steps, for example:
- 0 (priority) + 12m = 12m for end of priority year
- 12m + 6m = 18m for publication
- 18m + 12m = 30m for most national entries
- 30m + 1m = 31m for EP entry
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