I have posted some statistics for the D paper here
Good news: it looks like there are more candidates who got 45 or more, compared to last year.
2012
Nr candidates taking D: 1440
Score range: 0 - 83
Average score: 39.5
With 0-44: 56.5%
With 45-100: 43.5%
With 50-100: 33%
2011
Nr candidates taking D:1280
Score range:0 - 81
Average score: 37
With 0-44: 65%
With 45-100: 35.5%
With 50-100: 27%
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Taking responsibility for your own success
To many candidates, the EQE seems almost impossible, particularly for those who have forgotten what it is like to prepare for an exam like this.
A good book to help you think about what you need to do [and how to do it] is:
How to Pass Your Exams, by Mike Evans.
There is also a free online version here
I recently discovered this, and I was amazed to see how many general tips match almost word-for-word with the specific EQE tips that we have collected over the years.
A good book to help you think about what you need to do [and how to do it] is:
How to Pass Your Exams, by Mike Evans.
There is also a free online version here
I recently discovered this, and I was amazed to see how many general tips match almost word-for-word with the specific EQE tips that we have collected over the years.
Friday, March 30, 2012
EQE 2013
The relevant enrolment dates have now been published:
Pre-Exam enrolment: 1 Apr 2012 - 11 June 2012
Main-Exam enrolment: 1 Apr 2012 - 5 Sept 2012
Don't leave it too late - they are very strict, and late enrolment is never accepted. Further processing, extensions and re-establishment do not apply to these deadlines.
So fill in the forms on time, and make sure the payment is received in time.
If you are enrolling for the Pre-Exam, be aware that you may need to provide additional details about your technical qualifications - see REE
The date of the exams are also published - they will be held a little earlier next year:
Pre-Exam: 25 Feb 2013
Main-Exam: 26 - 28 Feb 2013
Pre-Exam enrolment: 1 Apr 2012 - 11 June 2012
Main-Exam enrolment: 1 Apr 2012 - 5 Sept 2012
Don't leave it too late - they are very strict, and late enrolment is never accepted. Further processing, extensions and re-establishment do not apply to these deadlines.
So fill in the forms on time, and make sure the payment is received in time.
If you are enrolling for the Pre-Exam, be aware that you may need to provide additional details about your technical qualifications - see REE
The date of the exams are also published - they will be held a little earlier next year:
Pre-Exam: 25 Feb 2013
Main-Exam: 26 - 28 Feb 2013
Friday, March 2, 2012
Good luck next week, and a final test for the D paper
Good luck to everyone taking an exam next week
Remaining tips:
- get plenty of rest in the weekend
- look through the exams before you start writing to see what you have to do
- if the exam looks different than previous exams (e.g. different number of questions, different order, less prior art, more prior art), don't panic. If you can do the previous exams, then you can do this one
- don't rush madly to get to the end - 3/4 of the points for 3/4 of the exam is also a pass
- if you discuss the exam afterwards, remember that no candidate actually knows the solutions which will be accepted
- take a few days off afterwards, and think about something else ;-)
Just in case you need a last test for D, you will find a multiple choice test on the EQE forum based on an old DI paper which I updated:
http://www.eqe-online.org/paper-d/multiplechoiceD1/
Remaining tips:
- get plenty of rest in the weekend
- look through the exams before you start writing to see what you have to do
- if the exam looks different than previous exams (e.g. different number of questions, different order, less prior art, more prior art), don't panic. If you can do the previous exams, then you can do this one
- don't rush madly to get to the end - 3/4 of the points for 3/4 of the exam is also a pass
- if you discuss the exam afterwards, remember that no candidate actually knows the solutions which will be accepted
- take a few days off afterwards, and think about something else ;-)
Just in case you need a last test for D, you will find a multiple choice test on the EQE forum based on an old DI paper which I updated:
http://www.eqe-online.org/paper-d/multiplechoiceD1/
Friday, February 17, 2012
Useful PCT reference for German candidates
Unfortunately, PCT does not provide an Applicants Guide in German.
However, there is a useful book about PCT. In partiicular, there is a section (page 30-39) describing the PCT remedy system [Schutzvorkehrungen und Verfahrenssicherungen für internationale Anmeldungen]
and a seminar
However, there is a useful book about PCT. In partiicular, there is a section (page 30-39) describing the PCT remedy system [Schutzvorkehrungen und Verfahrenssicherungen für internationale Anmeldungen]
and a seminar
Standard abbreviations - German
Never make an abbreviation list as part of your EQE answer – it wastes time and these abbreviations may be used on the EQE without giving the meaning. They are completely clear to all who mark the exam.
Standard abbreviations - English
Never make an abbreviation list as part of your EQE answer – it wastes time and these abbreviations may be used on the EQE without giving the meaning. They are completely clear to all who mark the exam.
Using abbreviations on the EQE
Every year, there is a meeting between tutors and the examination committee, and every year the Examination committee informs the tutors that a list of abbreviation is not required.
This is mainly something that German candidates do because they are used to doing this when writing legal petitions under their national law. It is sometimes also confusing because candidate answers chosen for the EQE compendium also have it in (the examination committees do not edit these answers).
It is not forbidden, but it is not required - if you do it, you will only lose time. How do you know which abbreviations you will actually use?
Your answers are marked by experienced attorneys who know the exam in great detail - they know the questions, expected answers and they know the law.
You do not lose points if you cite A.87(4) instead of Art.87(4) or Article 87(4)
The exam committee has no official list of accepted abbreviations, but we make a list for our candidates which we put in our questions & answers books. I have also included a German list (see separate posts).
These may be used on the exam without definitining them. They are perfectly clear to European patent attorneys who work with the EPO and WIPO materials.
If you use something else that may be unclear (e.g. sjm for subject matter), then write it out fully the first time you use it in your answers.
This is mainly something that German candidates do because they are used to doing this when writing legal petitions under their national law. It is sometimes also confusing because candidate answers chosen for the EQE compendium also have it in (the examination committees do not edit these answers).
It is not forbidden, but it is not required - if you do it, you will only lose time. How do you know which abbreviations you will actually use?
Your answers are marked by experienced attorneys who know the exam in great detail - they know the questions, expected answers and they know the law.
You do not lose points if you cite A.87(4) instead of Art.87(4) or Article 87(4)
The exam committee has no official list of accepted abbreviations, but we make a list for our candidates which we put in our questions & answers books. I have also included a German list (see separate posts).
These may be used on the exam without definitining them. They are perfectly clear to European patent attorneys who work with the EPO and WIPO materials.
If you use something else that may be unclear (e.g. sjm for subject matter), then write it out fully the first time you use it in your answers.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Corrections for EQE2012 DeltaPatents books now available
The EQE2012 versions of the Basic Questiions for Paper D and Exam-related Questions for Paper D have some errors. A list of updates is found here:
http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/basic-questions-EQE2012-errata.pdf
http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/exam-questions-EQE2012-errata.pdf
http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/basic-questions-EQE2012-errata.pdf
http://www.deltapatents.com/data/uploads/downloads/exam-questions-EQE2012-errata.pdf
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Our FREE printable versions of the PCT Applicants Guide - available now for EQE2012
The Examination Board has a printable version available (here on the right-hand side of the page)
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.
Also there are other things on the WIPO web-site which you should have with you that are not even included in the 1700 pages, such as the Reservations and Incompatibilities, and the agreement between the WIPO and the EPO.
As an alternative, I have captured and assembled 3 books. They are intended to be printed with 2 pages on each A4 sheet and double-sided. The specific information on states is restricted to EPC states, the largest patent offices, the 13 most popular rO's, and the 13 most popular dO's & eO's.
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.
Also there are other things on the WIPO web-site which you should have with you that are not even included in the 1700 pages, such as the Reservations and Incompatibilities, and the agreement between the WIPO and the EPO.
As an alternative, I have captured and assembled 3 books. They are intended to be printed with 2 pages on each A4 sheet and double-sided. The specific information on states is restricted to EPC states, the largest patent offices, the 13 most popular rO's, and the 13 most popular dO's & eO's.
– 72 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.
- 492 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 a useful guide to procedural safeguards, the Request form with notes, the agreement between the WIPO and EPO, how to file at the IB and the EPO as SISA
- 160 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.
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