Preparation
– Read through the rules regarding the conduct of the exam (page 38-42). See the warning here about possible problems.
– See what candidates from last year said about the location where you are taking the exam
– Be well rested in the days before the exam – many D candidates sleep badly on the Monday night
– Take a suitcase with wheels, and limit the books to ones you have used in the last 6 months of your preparation
– After doing the papers of 2015, look at the Tutors’ Report to help with interpreting the EQE Compendium – source: epi information pages 134-142
– If necessary, look at some tips for reducing anxiety at the exam
– A good book on passing exams is “How To Pass Your Exams” by Mike Evans
– Be prepared to do the exams with a relatively small (possible as small as 60cm x 90cm) space. Normally, you can place books you don’t need under the table.
– Look through the EQE Study Guide for other tips
General
– Photo identification (Passport or drivers license)
– several black or blue pens (we hear that gel-pens are preferred, but they can run out quickly)
– no electronic devices: only a wrist watch with an analogue display (and without any additional options) is allowed on your desk during the exam. See the warning here about possible problems.
– make arrangements to leave your phone & laptops at home or in your hotel or in a train station locker. See the warning here about possible problems.
– correction roller
– highlighters for use when reading the exam paper (don’t use blue highlighters on anything that will be handed in as it will not copy well)
– Pre-Exam only: 1-2 black medium soft HB pencils + suitable eraser + pencil sharpener
– for A/B papers, if you want to cut and paste parts of the exam paper into your answer: scissors and a glue stick or silent permanent glue roller
– bulldog clips to hold keep parts of the exam or your answer together (stapler can be noisy)
– Food, snacks, drinks: there is no official break in the D and C papers
– Paracetemol [acetaminophen]: to relieve pains or swollen fingers after writing for several hours
– a good luck charm 🙂
Legal: versions valid on 31 December 2015
– your favourite EPC reference book, with tabs and own notes
+ updated where necessary for the EPC & PCT legal changes in 2014 & 2015
– National law relating to the EPC – Sept 2013
+ Table IV updated with the information regarding the London Agreement – status and key points
– ADA = arrangements for deposit accounts – Supplement 3 – OJ EPO 2015
– Guidelines for Examination in the EPO: either Nov 2015 version or Nov 2014 version updated with changes in 2015
– Update 30 Jan 16: Keyword index is now available here
– Headnotes to relevant G decisions (if not in your EPC reference book) – either the Jan 2012 version here + updated with the decisions of last two years, or the Dec 2014 + updated with the decisions of 2015.
(Note that the D committee does not ask questions on pending referrals to the Enlarged Board)
– EPC RFG form and notes
– Important notices from the Official Journal in 2014 & 2015
– your favourite PCT reference book, with tabs and own notes
– Printable Applicants Guide: DeltaPatents Dec 2015 (875 pages)
(which includes the Introduction to International Phase, Introduction to National Phase, PCT Request form, the EPO entry Form 1200 and notes)
– Important notices from the PCT Newsletter in 2014 & 2015
– Guide for Applicants – Euro-PCT – Jan 2015
-Paris Convention (Articles 1 – 5quater and Article 11) [usually in EPC reference book]
– Some basic information on the US and JP patent systems – Jan 2016
Other books (you decide based upon your experience answering exam questions during your preparation)
– English/German/French <=> own language dictionary
– EPC Case Law Book – Sept 2013 (but all the case law you need to answer the questions will be in the EPO Guidelines)
Do not take:
– Your own calendars with EPO holidays
– Legal reference books that you have never used before (you need to have practiced finding things in them)
– anything to do with the Unitary Patent or Unified Patent Court – it is not yet in force
– Only hand-in materials written at the exam on Main Exam EQE paper, or the Pre-Exam answer sheet (so no pre-prepared materials)
Good luck !
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