Read the Instructions To Candidates before going to the EQE 2016

A number of candidates seem unfamiliar with the Regulations on the EQE (REE), and in particular with the Instructions to candidates concerning the conduct of the EQE.

In 2015, there were some breaches of the REE with unfortunate consequences:

• Many candidates add names or initials to their answer paper – this is very disruptive to the EC’s because it has to be manually removed before marking to preserve anonymity.
• A candidate wrote the complete answer on the blank (back) sides of the EQE paper. After copying the sheets, only blank pages were submitted for marking, and the candidate was awarded 0 points. So only write on the lined side of the EQE paper provided. 
• A candidate kept writing after the stop signal was given, even after being warned. The EB decided to subtract 5 points for this breach of the rules. In future, writing after the stop signal may be more strictly enforced. 
• Some candidates were surprised that they were not permitted to have their phones with them. The rules concerning electronic devices are strict – candidates may not take any device, such as a telephone, tablet or smart watch, into the examination hall - even if turned off. They should be left at home or in the hotel. Although some examination centers may provide an envelope or lockers, these can be limited in number and should not be relied on.

Dont't be surprised: read the latest version of the REE (found on the EPO’s EQE page here).

Latest REE available

EPO has now made the latest version of the EQE exam regulation (REE) here.

The only real change seems to be the inclusion of the latest Instructions to candidates concerning the conduct of the examination.

Read this document before going to the exam so that you know what is allowed and what is not. In particular, you will only be allowed to use a watch with an analog display if you want to take your own clock.

For the pre-exam, you especially need a black medium soft HB pencil, eraser and sharpener

Update of Instructions To Candidates

The Examination Board has updated the Instructions to candidates concerning the conduct of the
European qualifying examination to include the details for the Pre-Exam :
http://archive.epo.org/epo/pubs/oj011/11_11/11_5851.pdf

Important are the instructions relating to the pencil for the pre-exam.

Also important to realise that you are only allowed to bring a wrist-watch with an analog display to the exam. All other clocks are not allowed.

First ever pre-exam training for EQE 2012 now available

We are the first in Europe to offer a training program for those who want to do the pre-exam in 2012, and the full EQE in 2013. Some background details on what is required can be found here in a presentation I gave at CEIPI.tutors' meeting in June.

We are offering a 4x 3-day combined pre-exam training (legal topics, A/B topics and exam training) sessions. It does require 4 trips to Eindhoven in June, Sept, Oct & Nov 2011, but this is designed so that you get optimal feedback on the homework questions you make between the sessions. The legal topics will include both substantive and procedural modules.

We are also offering a 3-day exam training for the pre-exam (both legal and A/B parts) in June 2011, to be repeated in September and December, for those who have already followed a legal training elsewhere.

If interested, please contact training@deltapatents.com
We also offer an in-house variant of 10 days just covering the legal issues.

For those succesful in the pre-exam, we will also offer an EQE training course in 2012 which will bring candidates from the pre-exam level to the full EQE level.

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):

EQE 2010

From next year, the new EQE regulations apply. It is quite complex, so if you are unsure about something, ask the EQE Secretariaat.

There are some improvements:

• No modular system anymore
  Sit them in any order and any combination.
  Note that if you did A&B in 2009, and C&D in 2010 (all for first time), you can either use the old system or the new system
  

• Compensation applied at every sitting
  Although you cannot compensate a failed paper from the past, it does mean that if you resit, it is no longer necessary to get 50 points or more
  Exception: if you did A&B in 2009, and C&D in 2010 (all for first time), you can use the old system and compensate a compensable fail for A and/or B with good scores in C & D.
  

• No translation required for the C-paper
  The whole paper, including all documents will be provided in all 3 languages