Tutors' Report on the meeting with the EQE committees now available

Every year, tutors from DeltaPatents, CEIPI, epi etc meet with the EQE committees to discuss the EQE 2013 papers, and to get a sense of any changes or improvements we can expect in 2014. 

The report is available on the EQE Forum:

http://www.eqe-online.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10137

It will also be published in the December edition of epi information.

Please feel free to forward it to any fellow candidates for 2014.

Note that the comments on the EQE2013 and on the expected EQE2014 papers are combined, because the Committees more or less indicated that they will continue in this way. So it would be better to only read everything after doing the 2013 papers.

The most important issue for 2014 that you need to know now is the change for the Pre-Exam passing grade from 50 to 70 points.

Major change to Pre-Exam marking for EQE 2014

The Supervisory Board has just published an important decision - starting in 2014, the passing grade will be for 70 points instead of 50
http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/2A262D0CB6D7C559C1257BFF00516F0F/$FILE/Decision_Supervisory_Board_10_2013_en.pdf

If 70 had been needed at the last pre-Exam, then the pass rate would have dropped from 99.6% to 88.5%. In other words, of the 643 candidates, the number of failures would have increased from 2 to 74.

As this is your gateway to the Main Exam, and it is only given once a year, this means that you really have to prepare for it and do the exam carefully.

Has the Pre-Exam improved the D-scores?

The results for the D paper are much higher this year.

"Pass":  62% from 1056 candidates - 4.2 % with 50 or more, 13.8% got 45-49

A 45 or higher is now considered a pass because of the new compensable fail system. 

So it is the highest passing rate in 10 years.

Neu für die EEP (EQE) 2014 - Der D Methodik Kurs von DeltaPatents jetzt auch auf Deutsch!

Nach vielen Anfragen ehemaliger Teilnehmer bieten wir unseren einzigartigen D Methodik Kurs jetzt auch auf Deutsch an.

Was auch immer ihr Kenntnisstand ist, für das Bestehen der EEP (EQE) Teil D ist es entscheidend, dass Sie wissen, auf welche Art und Weise Sie die Fragen beantworten müssen, um eine möglichst hohe Punktzahl zu erzielen. Unsere Tutoren zeigen ihnen Schritt für Schritt, wie Sie am besten an die Fragen herangehen. Mit unsere Methode können gut vorbereitete Kandidaten im allgemeinen mindestens 55 Punkte erzielen.

Wir zeigen ihnen, wie Sie ihr Referenzmaterial effizient bei der Beantwortung der Fragen einsetzen. Außerdem diskutieren wir verschiedene Ansätze bezüglich der Aufteilung der Zeit zwischen dem DI und DII Teil.

Wir zeigen ihnen, wie sie die DI Fragen lesen und analysieren sollten. Sie bekommen eine Anleitung, wie detailliert ihre Antworten sein sollten, um in der ihnen für jede Frage zur Verfügung stehenden Zeit eine maximale Punktzahl zu erreichen. Das in der Theorie Gelernte können Sie während des Kurses sofort in den praktischen Beispielen umsetzen.

Die meiste Zeit verwenden wir auf DII Fragen, da hier die Kandidaten die meisten Probleme haben und häufig bis zu vierzig von den erreichbaren Punkten verlieren. Wir zerlegen die DII Fragen in überschaubare Teilaufgaben, welche Sie Schritt für Schritt bearbeiten können. Sie üben diese Technik an Beispielen und bearbeiten am Ende eine vollständige DII Aufgabe mit unsere speziellen Methode.

Für den Wiederholerkurs wenden wir unsere Methode auf die D Aufgabe von 2013 an. Sie finden dabei heraus, wo ihre Schwächen liegen und sie wissen anschließen, auf was Sie bei der EEP (EQE) 2014 achten müssen.

Die Kurse werden an verschiedenen Orten zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten angeboten.

Der D Methodik Kurs auf Deutsch findet vom 4. - 6. November 2013 in München statt.

Nouveau pour le EEQ (EQE) 2014 - Le cours D de méthodologie de DeltaPatents maintenant aussi en français!

Après de multiples demandes formulées par des participants précédents, nous offrons désormais notre cours D de méthodologie unique également en français.

Quel que soit votre niveau de connaissances, pour passer la partie D du EEQ (EQE) il est très important de savoir de quelle manière vous devez répondre aux questions pour obtenir le maximum de points. Pour cela, nous vous apprenons comment appréhender au mieux les questions. Avec notre méthodologie unique, un candidat bien préparé peut atteindre en général au minimum 55 points. Nous vous montrons comment utiliser votre matériel de référence d'une manière efficace pour répondre aux questions. En outre, nous discutons des approches différentes pour gérer répartir le temps entre les parties DI et DII.

Pour les questions de DI, vous apprendrez comment les lire et les analyser et dans quel niveau de détail vous devez répondre pour obtenir le maximum des points dans le temps imparti pour chaque question. Vous allez appliquez la théorie immédiatement sur des exemples.

La plus grande partie du temps est consacrée aux questions de DII, parce que celles-ci posent le plus de problèmes à la plupart des candidats. Souvent, les candidats perdent jusqu'à 40 des 60 points possibles dans la partie DII.
Nous divisons les questions de DII en parties gérables, que vous pouvez aborder d'une façon étape-par-étape. Vous pratiquerez cette technique sur des exemples et au final sur un sujet de DII complet.

Pour le cours de "re-sitters", nous appliquons notre méthode au sujet D de 2013, afin que vous puissiez reconnaître vos points faibles et sachiez à quoi vous faire attention dans le EEQ (EQE) de 2014.

Les cours seront offerts à des lieux et dates différents.

Le cours D de méthodologie en français aura lieu en octobre ou novembre 2013  (date à déterminé) à Paris.

New for EQE / EEP / EEQ 2014 - Our D Methodology course also in German or French

Following countless requests by previous participants, we are now offering the unique DeltaPatents D Methodology Course in French and German.

Whatever your knowledge level, you must optimise the points scored for the things you know and limit the damage, usually in time, due to the rest. Our approach mirrors the task on the exam for a legally well-prepared candidate - i.e. generating an answer worth at least 55 points based on questions seen for the first time.

We explain how to access your reference materials in a fast, efficient way on the exam. We discuss different approaches to dividing your time between the DI and DI parts.

For DI, we demonstrate how to read the questions, which steps to go through during analysis and what details you need to hand-in to maximise your points within the time allotted for each question. Theory and practice are mixed so that you can try out the techniques immediately.

We devote most of the time to DII because this is where the biggest problems are, and this is where an average candidate can lose up to 40 of the 60 points available. We break the DII down into manageable tasks, which you can approach in a step-by-step fashion. You will practice these steps on test cases and finally on a full DII paper.

For the re-sitters course, we apply the methodology to the D 2013 paper so that you will understand your main weaknesses, and know what to do differently at the EQE / EEP / EEQ in 2014.

The courses are offered at various locations and dates - see here

The course in German is from 4-6 November in Munich.
The course in French is in October or November (still to be decided) in Paris

Alternative zum Vorbereitungsseminar für die Prüfungsaufgabe D in Strasbourg - EEP (EQE) 2014

CEPI bietet jedes Jahr im Januar ein fünftägiges Seminar zur Vorbereitung der Prüfungsaufgabe D an. Als Alternative hierzu bietet DeltaPatents ein viertägiges Seminar auf Deutsch und Englisch in München und Eindhoven an. In diesem Seminar lernen Sie, wie Sie DI und DII Fragen effizient beantworten und dabei eine möglichst hohe Punktzahl erzielen.

Sie beantworten selbstständig die DI und DII Fragen und der Tutor nimmt sich anschliessend die Zeit, die korrekten Antworten im Detail mit Ihnen gemeinsam zu erarbeiten und zu besprechen. Somit können Sie Ihre Methode, wie Sie an DI und DII Fragen herangehen, optimieren. Es wird auch besprochen, wie Sie geschickt die Zeit zwischen DI und DII Fragen aufteilen können. Ausserdem erhalten sie komplette Modelllösungen für alle in dem Seminar behandelten Fragen, sodass Sie sich die im Unterricht erarbeiteten Lösungen zu Hause noch einmal im Detail und in Ruhe anschauen können. Uns ist es wichtig, mit Ihnen nicht nur möglichst viele Aufgaben zu üben, sondern Ihnen auch Ihre Schwachpunkte bei der Beantwortung der Fragen zu zeigen und Ihnen ein Rüstzeug an die Hand zu geben, wie Sie auch unter Prüfungsbedinungen effizient DI und DII Fragen beantworten können.

Als Beispiele für DII Fragen verwenden wir die DII Aufgabe von 2013 und eine modifizierte 3 Stunden Version der DII Aufgabe von 2012. Zusätzlich werden wir in diesem Seminar auch ausgewählte DI Fragen von 2012 und 2013 beantworten zusammen mit von uns gestellten DI Aufgaben, die auf Änderungen des EPÜ und PCT gerichtet sind und wahrscheinlichin der EEP (EQE) 2014 gestellt werden.

Hier sind unsere Kursdaten:

• 21. bis 24. Januar 2014 in Eindhoven (Englisch)
• 27. bis 30. Januar 2014 in München (Deutsch)

Alternative to Preparatory Seminar for Paper D in Strasbourg - EQE / EEP / EEQ 2014

Every year, CEIPI arranges the Preparatory Seminars for Paper D in January.
For those looking for a more exam-oriented approach, we now offer a new 4-day Guided Trial Run course.

At the exam, you need to optimize the points scored for the things that you know. Not only do we deal with legal issues, but we also guide you through the DI and DII parts to show you how they can be answered at the exam - from the question through to a good answer. We give you the chance to practice on your own, with an interactive discussion of the answers - not only of the legal points, but also style and brevity. We also practice dividing the time between the DI and DII parts, and we will discuss what to take to the exam.

You will get our full model solutions for all questions used. We will use the DII of 2013, and a modified 3 hour version of the DII 2012 paper. We will also use DI questions from 2012 and 2013, along with new EQE-like questions directed to recent EPC and PCT legal changes that are likely to be asked at the EQE / EEP / EEQ 2014.


It will be given twice:

• in English in Eindhoven  (21 - 24 January 2014)
• in German in Munich (27 - 30 January 2014)

More details here.

EQE dates for 2014 published, and enrolment instructions

EPO has published the Pre-Exam and Main Exam dates for EQE 2014, as well as the enrolment information.

New this year is the use of a web-portal, although you still need to print it out and sign it. They also still need the originals of certain documents.

If you are enrolling for the first time, don't leave it until the last minute.
The enrolment for Pre-Exam 2014 ends on 21 May 2013, and you will need to provide:
- a certified copy of your diploma (A European Patent Attorney is allowed to do the certification!)
- you may need to show that your qualification is technical/scientific
- a declaration that you will have at least 2 years patent experience on 1 March 2014
and pay the fee.

Note that there is no further processing or re-establishment for enrolment deadlines. They are very strict about this.

Fee reduction may be available if you are permanently resident and working in AL, BG, HR, CY, CZ, EE, MK, GR, HU, LV, LT, MT, PL, PT, RO, RS, SK, SI or TR

For choosing where you want to sit the exam, you can look at the experiences of candidates from EQE 2012

Extra language help coming (soon?) for EQE candidates

The EQE is hard enough in your own language, but doing it in a foreign language makes it extra difficult. The EPO has announced that they will be offering language training in English, French and German to future EQE candidates.

This is a great idea, and should help a lot of those who struggle with reading and writing in the time given.

I don't know whether this will be distance-learning or training on-site, but I believe the intention is to also cover technical language as used on the A, B, C and DII papers.

DeltaPatents has posted their proposed solutions for EQE2013

If you want to, you can look at the proposed solutions from DeltaPatents:

• Pre-Exam
• Main Exam - C paper 
• Main Exam - D paper

Remember:

• DeltaPatents does not know everything
• these are not full answers (you should have written much more on the Main Exam)
• the Examination Committees decide ultimately where the points are awarded and how many 

Even a "wrong" answer can get points. This is particularly the case for the DII part of the D paper, where a lot of points are available for the details not given in such a proposed solution.

If you do not want to think about it anymore (a very healthy attitude), then don't look at such posts, don't discuss with other candidates, and forget about it all until the results are published.

Errata for Main Exam Question Book

Sorry it is so late. We got a lot of comments, which we are grateful for,, and it takes time to go through them all.

I have limited the errata to the most significant mistakes.

http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/exam-questions-EQE_2013-errata.pdf

 

Good luck!

Don't be surprised at EQE 2013 (part 2) - D paper

In the first post, I indicated a lot of references.

To save reading (you have a lot better things to do ;-), I will summarise the main points for the D paper:

• A single 5 hour paper - the DI and DII parts will be indicated clearly
• The number of points for each part (DI/DII) will be given, and it will be approximately 40 for DI and 60 for DII
• Same points split as as before, except that for timing purpose, you have about 3 minutes per point if you wish to complete the whole paper. This translates to about 2 hours for the DI part and about 3 hours for the DII part
  
  
• In the DI part, you will get a number of separate legal questions for which you must cite legal basis. The number of points per question will be given. 
  
  
• In the DII part, you will get a letter from a client, and you will have to give legal advice. The number of points per question will NOT be given.

Don't be surprised at EQE 2013

With less than 3 weeks to go to the EQE 2013, make sure you know the format of the exam, where it is, what time it starts, and the rules during the exam

1) Be prepared for the new formats:

Pre-Exam - 25 February 2013
No changes in format. The exam will look the same as last year and the same as the mocks of March & September 2011

D paper - 26 February 2013
- no longer a 3 hour DI, official break, then a 4 hour DII
- it will be a single 5 hour paper, with smaller DI and DII parts, and no official break
- you have to decide how to divide your time between the DI and DII parts. To do it all, you will probably need about 2 hours for DI and 3 hours for DII.
- you have to decide when to take a break, so bring food with you

 
A paper - 27 February 2013
No changes in format

B paper - 27 February 2013
- no longer a 4 hour paper
- it will be a 3 hour paper
- you will be given a proposal from the client for patentable claims. You have to check them instead of drafting them, which will save you time.

C paper - 28 February 2013
- no longer a 6 hour paper
- it will be 5 hour paper
- you will have fewer (possibly none) legal questions to deal with, which will save you time

More details here: Notice from Exam. Board and Tutors Report on page 106

2) Look at complaints from last years candidates about your exam location in the Candidate Survey page 20-28.
For example, if it can be cold, make sure you have enough clothes with you.

3) Look at the  Instructions to candidates concerning the conduct of the EQE (page 41-46) for the rules on pens, watches etc

Our FREE printable versions of the PCT Applicants Guide - available now for EQE2013

Dear EQE2013 candidate,
Every year, the Examination Board gets the WIPO to make a printable version of the PCT Applicants Guide. It is usually made available at the beginning of February here (on the right-hand side of the page)
They do this so that candidates can have this information with them at the exam to be able to answer questions on the D paper about things like competent rO’s and allowed languages for filing.

However, this document is 1700 pages with a lot of information that will never be asked on the EQE, such as details on African, Asian and South American states. The Examination Board has stated that candidates are free to make a selection themselves and only take what they need – however, this is quite difficult, and time-consuming.
To save some room in your suitcase, I have captured and assembled 3 books (see below) with "only" 750 pages. I have retained general information on all PCT states such as PCT accession dates and 30m/31m time limit for national entry. The detailed information is focused on EPC states [and extension states], the 5 largest patent offices [CN, EP, JP, KR, US], all ISA’s and IPEA’s, the 13 most popular rO's, and the 13 most popular dO's & eO's.
It also includes many things from the WIPO web-site and EPO web sites which you should have with you that are not even included in the official 1700 pages, such as the Reservations and Incompatibilities, the agreement between the WIPO and the EPO, Paris Convention accession dates. Either print 1 page per A4 sheet, or with 2 pages on each A4 sheet [still readable].
Good luck at the end of February !!!
-------------------------------------------

http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/PCT_Ref_EQE2013_Part_I_General.pdf

 – 92 pages

Comprising various overviews from the WIPO website such as Paris Convention states with accession dates, overview of all states that accept restoration of priority, Reservations & Incompatibilities and PCT fees of December 2011.

http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/PCT_Ref_EQE2013_Part_II_International.pdf

- 486 pages

Comprising the PCT “Guidelines” (Introduction to the international phase)

and the annexes for the selected states most likely to be needed on the EQE

Also comprising the agreement between the WIPO and EPO, how to file at the IB, the EPO as SISA and the new EPO IPEA procedure for a 2^nd Written Opinion

http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/PCT_Ref_EQE2013_Part_III_National.pdf

- 178 pages

Comprising the Introduction to the national phase, national phase summaries for the selected states, and the national chapters for the states most likely to be on the exam. 

Also comprising a complete overview of all national entry time limits, EPC contracting and extension states (with access dates) and the EP entry form 1200 with notes.