EQE 2010 Results - Statistics [3]

The following is histogram of all the C-scores from the list of EQE results this year.

56% of 1611 candidates got 45 points or less, which means that probably about half the candidates will need to resit. Those with 45 may be able to compensate their C paper at a future exam.

The average is about 42, including the 0 scores
The average of all non-zero scores > 0 (these are probably all registered but never turned up for C) is about 45

EQE 2010 Results - Statistics [2]

The following is histogram of all the D-scores from the list of EQE results this year.

54% of 1279 candiadtes got 45 points or less, which means that probably about half the candidates will need to resit. Those with 45 may be able to compensate their D paper at a future exam.

The average is about 41. The average of all scores > 0 (these are probably all registered but never turned up for D) is about 46

EQE 2010 Results - Statistics [1]

The EPO has published a list of EQE results this year. It makes interesting reading - a top score of 95 for D this year is pretty amazing.

I had some questions about the list - does anybody know:


- What are the significance of the .....X registration numbers ?
- How are the registration numbers assigned ?
- Can I see who is a re-sitter from the registration numbers ?
- Does a 0 score mean that an answer was handed in and marked, or that the candidate was registered for the exam and didn't turn up (or both) ?
- There seems to be 2 blocks of numbers 1xxxxx and 2xxxxx - does this have any significance?

Extra feedback for EQE 2010 Re-Sitters (Paper C and D)

Congratulations to those who passed at least something at the EQE 2010. Any exam passed is quite an achievement.

Remember that if you got 45-49 points at EQE 2010, you may not have to resit this paper if you are able to compensate with future attempts.
If you got 44 or less, then you must retake the paper.

For those who unfortunately failed C or D, we offer extra feedback to help face the preparation for EQE 2011.

The feedback from the examination committees is generally not enough to figure out where points were lost - you only get the marks per question as a marking sheet.


Under our Correction of  EQE papers program, we offer correction of EQE 2010 C, DI and DII papers at the end of August 2010 to help re-sitters figure out what went wrong. We provide individual comments, suggestions for improvement, our own detailed marking sheet and our proprietary model solutions.

DII paper - EQE 2010 - possible issue

The reference to EP1 by EPKM is a problem for enablement.Withdrawing EP1 solves this, but EP1 is the first application for the signal. 

I did the exam in the office under exam conditions, and I admit I missed the complication - I read the Guidelines, and simply suggested withdrawing EP1. To get the broadest invention patented (signal), I suggested claiming priority of EP1 with EP3.
I thought of it afterwards, so I asked a couple of knowledgeable people and they didn't know for certain either.

Did any of this help ?

Please let me know if any of the posts helped you. Also if anything was wrong or misleading.
Of course, you may want to wait for the results in August ;-)

Enjoy the summer.

Opinion on DI and DII - EQE 2010

I am not involved with the Exam Committee, so I have no inside information.

I always do the D exam in the office as soon as possible after the exam, under exam conditions - books on paper, exam timing etc. This gives me a feeling for the difficulty and any unclear parts of the papers.

When the Compendium answers are published in August, I can check my attempt to see how close I would have been. I aim to do each paper in less than official time to approach the stress felt by candidates.
Click below to see my impressions - comments are welcome

EQE 2010 papers now available on-line

The EPO has now put the EQE 2010 papers on-line

Good Luck on the EQE !!!

- get to the exam on-time
- take a suitcase on wheels for your D library
- don't panic. think simple
the papers are designed so that all 1600 candidates can answer them 

- 2010 results are under the new EQE compensation system,
so 45 points is probably enough for 1 or 2 papers

Take your own calendars to the D-exam?

I frequently get asked about taking your own calendars - you can highlight holidays and weekends in advance, for example.

Preparation of your own calendars takes some time, so you need to balance this investment with any benefit and the risk. You have to decide which years to take, and try not to make any mistakes.

Some people either take the ones from the relevant OJEPO,
or they use the DeltaPatents ones, which we provide are for use with our training materials.

EPC1973 Ancillary Regulations

The EPO has removed the Ancillary Regulations EPC1973 from their web site. As I pointed out, many of the references have been superseded, so probably the EPO feels that making old references available is confusing for users.

Mock pre-exam - questions & answers

The Examination Board has published the questions and answers from the mock Pre-Exam, held last week.
As they indicate, this may not necessarily reflect the final format.

It comprises some legal questions based on the DI 2007, and some claim interpretation based on A 2004.
So, for anybody preparing for EQE2010, you may want to do it as an extra check during your preparation.
The questions of DI 2007 (and answers) have been updated with more recent dates.
The questions are here in German / English / French. An answer sheet is provided on the last page
The answers are here

Potential exam questions EQE 2010 - from OJEPO and PCT NL

I get asked many times what I think will be on the D exam. Most of the questions and issues will be based upon the core of the EPC, which changes little.
However, they also like to ask questions based on things that have been published and changed “recently”.

Updated info about the EQE 2010

The EQE Board appears to be updating all the old notices regarding the exam. Usually the secretariat send this in an e-mail, but just in case you don't get it, you can find the updated instructions regarding the conduct of the EQE here

Differences I have noticed with the previous version (from Dec 2008 - see here):

Changes to EPC on1 April 2010 (1/4/10) will NOT be tested on EQE 2010

At the meeting between the tutors and the examination committees two weeks ago, it was clearly stated  by the D committee that the changes scheduled for 1/4/10 will NOT be tested.
The exam tests the law on the 31/12/09 - the fact that these changes have been published in the OJEPO this year does not mean that they automatically form part of the syllabus.
That should make studying a little bit easier.

Compensation for re-sitters in EQE 2010

Last week, I was in Munich for the yearly meeting of EQE tutors and the examination committees.
One of the issues explained was the compensation system, and in particular the possibility to retroactively pass individual examinations.

It is probably easiest to explain by examples.
(F): fail / (CF): compensable fail / (P): pass

For RE-SITTERS in 2010 and beyond

Compensation for first time sitters in EQE 2010 and 2011

Last week, I was in Munich for the yearly meeting of EQE tutors and the examination committees.
One of the issues explained was the compensation system, and in particular the possibility to retroactively pass individual examinations.

It is probably easiest to explain by examples.
(F): fail / (CF): compensable fail / (P): pass

For FIRST TIME SITTERS in 2010 and beyond

Books to take to the EQE, especially for D (4)

EPC1973 Guidelines, especially for prior rights


Unfortunately, the latest version of the EPC2000 guidelines does not contain all relevant infromation about the old law. Although the law as of 31 Dec 2009 will be tested in EQE2010, this does include any older provisions which continue to apply for applications which could be pending on that date. There have been questions on both 2008 and 2009.

The Examination Board announced in 2008 that it is up to candidates themselves if they wish to take a copy to the exam to help understand the transitional provisions - it is permitted. However, in the interest of keeping your EQE library as small as possible, it makes sense only to take the parts relating to prior rights.

Books to take to the EQE, especially for D (3)

Ancillary Regulations

Unfortunately, according to the EPO, this book will not be updated before EQE 2010. In my earlier post, there was a slight mistake - although you may want to consult the old book online, you will need to print it out (or order it) and update it your self to take to the exam.

EQE Forum - now running to help you pass in 2010

For the last couple of years, I have been involved with the EQE forum. Organised by the European Patent Academy, it provides an extra source of info and help for EQE 2010 candidates, especially those who do not have access to a tutor. See here

For example, we are supplying questions to be answered on the forum. Candidates can offer an answer for discussion. Our standard answers are posted, and candidates can ask questions on any aspects, such as why is xxx in the answer, why is zzz not in the answer, is the legal basis correct etc. There are also a general DI and DII forum which I am moderating (as POLLARDP) where candidates can ask pretty much any question at all on D, or on specific papers. The idea is that other candidates react and discuss, and I intervene now and again with my opinion.
The questions are posted every 2 weeks in groups of subjects, and cover (in about 120 exam-style questions) the major topics of the EPC and PCT.
There are plenty of other forums as well run by other tutors, so you can always get a 2nd opinion. There are even cases specially written by other tutors on the forum for extra practice and interactive questions. The EQE is a test of applying the law to the different situations, and not just looking it up in Singer/Visser/Hoekstra etc, so plenty of practice is essential.

This year the interface has been greatly improved, so have a look.