Detailed time schedule EQE 2022 available (Pre, C and D split into parts) & Info on Mock exams available (updated 13 January 2022)

Late June 2022, a document titled "Information on the schedule for the EQE 2022 examination papers- decision of the Supervisory Board dated 25 June 2021" was been published in the EQE website. Note that the document says that "Candidates are advised that this document may be subject to minor changes as testing continues".

Update: The document has been replaced by a new version dated 2 December 2021:
the D paper section now indicates "No calendars will be provided" - see also our other blog post.

The EQE 2022 will take place online using the same setup as the EQE of 2021. The EQE 2022 is spread over 2 weeks, starting with the D paper on 8 March 2022 and ending with the Pre-Exam on 18 March 2022 (also see here).

As with e-EQE 2021, the pre-examination and both papers C and D will be split into parts. Note that the split of paper D 2022 (26/19/55), and hence the detailed time schedule, differs from that of D 2021 (25/25/50).

Details from the document are given below.

The Pre-Exam will take place on 18 March 2022 and, as with the Pre-Exam of the e-EQE 2021, has been split into 4 parts of 5 questions x 4 statements and 70 minutes each. As with Pre-Exam 2021, each part must be completed before the start of the next break, with the next set of questions only becoming available after the break. The pre-examination lasts four hours and forty minutes.

Candidates will be allowed to print the prior-art documents for the claim analysis parts before the start of the appropriate part. The documents allowed for printing will be made available during the break preceding the relevant claim analysis part.

Paper D will take place on 8 March 2022 and, as with Paper D of the e-EQE 2021, has been split into 3 parts. However, the point and time distribution is different from D 2021: D 2022 will be split into:
- a first D1 part of 3 questions, 26 marks, 1 hours 30 min;
- a second D1 part of 3 questions, 19 marks, 1 hour 10 min;
- a D2 part of 55 marks, 3 hours 20 min
The split into parts means that candidates will not be free to allocate their time as they see fit across the different parts of the papers. To compensate for this restriction, the total duration of the relevant papers has been extended with 20% (compared to a nominal 3 minutes per point). Once the time allowed for a part has elapsed, it will not be possible to go back to that part.
Each part must be completed before the start of the next break, with the next part only becoming available after the break. Paper D lasts six hours. During part D2, candidates may take unscheduled breaks.
The 25 June 2021 version of the document indicated: Candidates will be allowed to print only the calendar. For that purpose, the calendar will be made available well in advance before the start of paper D.
However, the 2 December 2021 version of the document indicates: No calendars will be provided.

Paper A will take place on 10 March 2022 and will last 4 hours, without any scheduled breaks.
As with A 2021, candidates will be allowed to print the prior-art documents and the drawings of the application, but not the letter of the applicant.
Candidates may take unscheduled breaks. 

Paper B will take place on 15 March 2022 and will last 3,5 hours, without any scheduled breaks.
As with B 2021, candidates will be allowed to print the prior-art documents and the drawing(s), but none of the following: the description and claims of the application, the EPO communication, the client's letter and the amended claims.
Candidates may take unscheduled breaks. 

Paper C will take place on 17 March 2022 and, as with Paper C of the e-EQE 2021, has been split into 2 parts of 3 hours each.The first part is to be completed before the break, with the second part only becoming available after the break. It will not be possible to go back to the first part after the break.
As with C 2021, Candidates will be allowed to print everything except the claims of the patent in suit/opposed.
During both parts, candidates may take unscheduled breaks.

Please refer to the official document Information on the schedule for the EQE 2022 examination papers for details and monitor the EQE website and the e-EQE website for further information (also check the FAQ and the Notices).  Also note that the document says that "Candidates are advised that this document may be subject to minor changes as testing continues".


Update 7 September 2022:

"Information on planned mock examinations" has been published on the EPO website.

It indicates that candidates will have the opportunity to access several mock exams, and which earlier EQE papers are used in the mock exams and when updates can be expected to the Wiseflow system. 

"The first batch of mock exams will be made freely available to candidates on WISEflow for an extended period from mid-October 2021. These will include:

  • the main EQE 2021 examination papers
  • EQE 2019 papers A and B
  • EQE 2014 paper C
  • EQE 2016 paper D
  • EQE 2021 and 2019 pre-examination papers
  • EQE 2021 mock exam papers A, B, C and D as provided by the epi. These will already be familiar to candidates who have taken the EQE 2021 mock exams.

Please note that WISEflow will be updated with improved features towards the end of the year.
Changes to the user interface will be such, that candidates already familiar with the current version should have no difficulty working with the new version. The improvements mainly relate to the editor, the PDF file viewer and general system stability.

The updated version of WISEflow will be ready for new mock exams in January at the latest. The epi will be creating a new set of mock exams for this improved version. Candidates will be able to use these mock exams to acquaint themselves with the new features and to check they have the necessary equipment."

The full document can be found on the EQE website (here).



-----
Update 4 November 2021:

Main exam candidates have been informed by the EQE secretariat email that the full system will be available, including invigilation, on dedicated dates and times in December: 

"We are pleased to inform you that the mock examinations allowing you to test the updated WISEflow version with video/audio invigilation will be made available in December 2021.


You will be able to test WISEflow with a set of mock examinations under exam conditions, i.e.:

·  timed examinations according to the schedule of the EQE 2022

·  video and audio invigilation (AI and human)

Please note that for these mocks, there will only be a very limited number of human invigilators present (far less than during the EQE 2022).

A new set of papers will be provided by epi for these mocks.

The dates are as follows:

2 December – paper D
6 December – paper A
8 December – paper B
10 December – paper C

We strongly recommend to make use of these mock exams to test your equipment and settings.

Before the end of the year these mock papers will be made available again in WISEflow, for a longer period but without any video/audio/human invigilation.".

The main purpose of the December Mocks is to test your equipment and settings, including camera and audio.

You can practice the papers at a later moment, as they will again be made available as Mock papers for a longer period, but without invigilation. 

-----
Update mid November 2021:

Pre-Exam candidates have been informed by the EQE secretariat email that the full system will be available, including invigilation, on 7 December. The email also includes a link to some recommendations from WISEflow for the configuration of the environment for the upcoming EQE:

"Dear candidate,

As already announced, a mock pre-examination under exam conditions will be available on 7 December 2021:

  • timed examination according to the schedule of the EQE 2022
  • video and audio invigilation (AI and human)


Please note that for this mock, there will only be a very limited number of human invigilators present (far less than during the EQE 2022).

This mock will allow you to familiarise with the new functionalities in WISEflow and to test your equipment, notably the microphone and camera.

WISEflow has made available some recommendations for the configuration of the environment for the upcoming EQE: https://epo-wiseflow.ladesk.com/772936-Lockdown-computer-recommendations

 

When taking the entry image at the start of a flow please show your valid ID card or passport into the camera, next to your face.

After hand-in you will be able to access your answer for each part/flow.

 

The participant password for all mock flows is: abc
For the mock pre-examination only the invigilator password is: cba
Please be aware that during the EQE 2022 no invigilator password will be made available.

The mock paper will be the EQE 2019 pre-examination paper. Before the end of the year this mock paper will be made available again in WISEflow, for a longer period but without any video/audio/human invigilation.


We strongly recommend to make use of these mock exams to test your equipment and settings."


As for the main exam December Mocks, the main purpose of the December Mocks is to test your equipment and settings, including camera and audio.

You can practice the papers at a later moment, as they will again be made available as Mock paper for a longer period, but without invigilation. 

-----

Update 14 December 2021:

Today, the EQE secretariat has informed the candidates by email with information on the further availability of the epi Mocks as well as a date for a further mock under exam conditions (3 February 2022) to check your equipment and settings.

Note that the papers mentioned in the "Information on planned mock examinations" also continue to be available in Wiseflow.

Comment: we provide updated versions of EQE papers of, for most papers, the last 5 papers, and our model solutions in our webshop (A, B, C, D).

Today's email is cited below in full (colouring added):

Dear candidate,

  1. The mock paper C which was offered to you last Friday, 10 December 2021, was a repetition of a mock paper made available already in January and October 2021.
    That is why a new mock paper provided by epi will be made available on:
    21 December 2021,
    Part C1 9:30 – 12:30 h CET;
    Part C2 13:15 – 16:15 h CET.

    You will be able to test WISEflow under exam conditions, i.e.: timed examination with video and audio invigilation (AI and human). However, there will only be very few human invigilators present (far less than during the recent mocks).

  2. The flows for papers for A, B and D containing the mock papers provided by epi in December 2021 will be reopened as of 15 December 2021.
    The flow with the new epi December mock paper C will be re-opened shortly after 21 December 2021.
    These flows will not be under exam conditions, hence not timed and without any video and audio invigilation (AI nor human). 


  3. In addition, a further mock under exam conditions will be conducted on 3 February 2022. The purpose of this mock is to check your equipment and settings.
    This mock will not contain a new paper
    , but a known paper used in the currently open mocks. Further details on this mock will be communicated in due course.

  4. For your convenience, we repeat some useful links:


Please note that testing your equipment under exam conditions is indispensable. Support might not be possible for equipment which has not been tested in advance.

Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Sincères salutations

Examination Secretariat
European Qualifying Examination EQE
European Patent Office

---

Update January 2022:

The 2 December 2021 version of the document indicates for Paper D: 

           No calendars will be provided.


Comments

  1. paper C split last year was comical and a bit of a disaster - super confusing with the split. I do hope they have taken the time and actually adapted the papers to suit the split.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some update available: http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/6F4562515C35A7FBC12587430035897C/$FILE/Information%20on%20planned%20mock%20exams%20EN.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  3. dear deltapatents team,
    Could you please give some information about when the Hoekstra References to EPC will become available? Many of us are dependent on it for our studies and worried about the delay. Will it be possible to purchase an electronic copy to avoid any further delays in publication after the book is finalized? TIA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The new edition of "References to the EPC" by Jelle Hoekstra can now be ordered in our webshop and is available for shipping:

      https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_epc

      Also on sale in our webshop:

      "The Cross-Referenced Patent Cooperation Treaty" by Ceees Mulder, and
      "Topic-Related Index to the EPC and PCT" by Cees Mulder.
      You can order the latter books individually or in combination from our webshop at:
      https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_pct_books
      https://webshop.deltapatents.com/references_epc_pct

      Delete
  4. The epi website (https://patentepi.org/en/) indicates that tutors can now register for access to WISEflow. The news message is cited in full below:

    "Tutors will also be allowed access to the e:EQE system

    As for the 2021 mock papers, tutors will also be able to get access to the wiseflow platform for the 2022 mocks.

    If you are a tutor for the EQE and wish to have access to the e:EQE system, you have to register. What is required: first name, family name, email address. Those who request access will then be put in an Excel sheet which will be uploaded by the EPO in the e:EQE system.

    Please reply at the latest on Tuesday 28 September 2021, then you will have access for the mock papers when they start in October.

    Send your first name, family name, email address to magdalena.augustyniak@patentepi.org."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Candidates received today an e-mail from Helpdesk that a new user account will be created with the email address as user-id in WISEflow; an activation email from WISEflow will be received in the course of next week.
      Candidates of the EQE 2021 will also get a new account and must activate it!
      As of early October, a number of mock examinations will be made available to familiarise with WISEflow. An automated email will be sent from WISEflow once the first mock exams are available.

      Delete
  5. I felt physically sick when seeing the name Wiseflow again after several months.
    I hope March 2022 will not be a Déjà-vu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why are you not happy that you can type and do not need to write by hand?
      Why are you not happy that you do not need to spend money and time to travel to Munich to sleep in a hotel bed and go to the exam location in a crammed S-Bahn?

      Delete
  6. EQE 2022 participants gave today received one or more emails informing them that the first set of mock papers is available.

    ****** Be warned that you should NOT confirm the Hand-in action in the Mocks: as soon as you do, you cannot use that flow anymore and it cannot be reactivated *****

    The email provides:

    "EQE 2022 - Start of mock papers (id:NNNNNNN)

    Dear participant,

    The first set of mock papers is now available. Please log-in to WISEflow to access the flow(s).

    The participant password for all mock papers is: abc

    Please note that if you confirm the action “Hand-in” (“Abgabe”/”Remise”), the flow is irrevocably ended and you will NOT be able to re-enter this flow.

    In case of questions please contact: helpdesk@eqe.org

    Best regards,


    Examination Secretariat


    EPO - EQE2022"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Currently available (provided you enrolled to the respective paper or are a tutor):

      Mock Paper A (Compendium 2019)
      Mock Paper B (Compendium 2019)
      Mock Paper C (Compendium 2014) Part 1
      Mock Paper C (Compendium 2014) Part 2
      Mock Paper D (Compendium 2016) Part 1-1
      Mock Paper D (Compendium 2016) Part 1-2
      Mock Paper D (Compendium 2016) Part 2

      Start date: 01/10/2021 09:00
      End date: 06/03/2022 23:59

      State: Open for participation

      Delete
    2. Please be reminded that it was announced that:

      "Please note that WISEflow will be updated with improved features towards the end of the year.
      Changes to the user interface will be such, that candidates already familiar with the current version should have no difficulty working with the new version. The improvements mainly relate to the editor, the PDF file viewer and general system stability.

      The updated version of WISEflow will be ready for new mock exams in January at the latest."

      (http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/6F4562515C35A7FBC12587430035897C/$FILE/Information%20on%20planned%20mock%20exams%20EN.pdf)

      Delete
    3. If you use Mock Paper B (Compendium 2019) and search in the pdf-file for a term, your cursor will not end at the correct position, but it will end exactly one line higher than the term you look for...
      This problem was also present in the Mocks for last year - it seems that the error in the pdf-file that causes this effect was not repaired.

      For this and other problems with the current Wiseflow-version and/or the Mock papers, please refer to the blogs on the Mocks of e-EQE 2021.

      Delete
    4. refer to:

      http://eqe-deltapatents.blogspot.com/2020/12/e-eqe-platform-will-go-online-on-21.html - last year's Mock 1 used the same papers at those that are now provided for the first Mock

      http://eqe-deltapatents.blogspot.com/2020/12/e-eqe-mock-2-1-5-february-2020.html

      http://eqe-deltapatents.blogspot.com/2021/02/e-eqe-2021-mock-3-on-23-february.html

      Delete
    5. Thanks.

      Is there any EQE 2022 documentation?

      I can only find EQE 2021 versions of Wiseflow tutorial and many other documents, at https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/e-eqe.html section EQE 2021 (Step by step to the e-EQE, Requirements for the e-EQE 2021, User Guide, Wiseflow Tutorial, Tips for candidates)

      Delete
    6. To Anonymous 5 October 2021 at 11:26:

      AS per http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/6F4562515C35A7FBC12587430035897C/$FILE/Information%20on%20planned%20mock%20exams%20EN.pdf, "The updated version of WISEflow will be ready for new mock exams in January at the latest".

      Therefore, the documentation you have found is the latest there is, and you can expect floods of new documents and instructions to be uploaded in the weeks and days ahead of EQE2022, with little or no warning, just as happened for EQE2021.

      Delete
    7. Next to our blogs for EQE2021 (see links above), you may wish to check out especially:

      - the Wiseflow Tutorial:
      http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/6E924A5197B46378C1258641004B70CD/$FILE/wiseflow_tutorial_2021_02_12.pdf

      -the Wiseflow User Guide:
      http://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/999602E6D7D37D4DC12586870050BB39/$FILE/user_guide_v04_EN.pdf

      Note that Mock1 does NOT include:
      - proctoring (supervising),
      - camera, sound, and
      - Zendesk.

      Do NOT hand-in the papers, as you will loose access to the flow after you did so. Use the invigilator password ('cba' for the Mocks) to exit without handin.

      Delete
  7. Still waiting for entry on the list of professional representatives. They say it will be done by next week (I assume the end of) so fingers crossed for that. No acknowledgement message of receipt of application, no answers to my emails to the Legal Division, nothing to say that they've actually got my application - I assume everything is OK but after so long and so many hurdles it is somewhat worrying still not to have received anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finally received the email today. Phew!

      Delete
  8. Should Mock 1 be available for pre-EQE yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone told me on 1 november

      Delete
  9. Does anyone has any information about how to install wiseflow. There is no communication about this from the EPO website. I can't seem to find it for EQE 20222.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Check the EQE 2021 documentation

      Delete
    2. Would this include zendesk?

      Delete
    3. My pick: similar as in EQE2021:

      The Mocks from now until December not (there is no Zendesk now in the Mocks)

      The Mocks from January with the EQE2022 version yes (unless Zendesk is integrated in Wiseflow)

      Delete
    4. so there is no zendesk anymore??? Could someone confirm

      Delete
    5. Not in this mock.

      Will be in exam unless integrated in Wiseflow.

      Delete
    6. Dear Anonymous31 October 2021 at 19:40,

      you should have already received on 28 of Oct a letter from Helpdesk concerning mock examinations under exam conditions in December wher it is stated:
      You will be able to test WISEflow with a set of mock examinations under exam conditions, i.e.:

      timed examinations according to the schedule of the EQE 2022
      video and audio invigilation (AI and human)

      Human invigilation was done last year using Zendesk hence probably in December Zendesk will be used. We have to lait and see

      Delete
  10. Mock exams in December feels very early to me. Would be better if it is done closer to exams end of Jan/Feb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They serve to get used to the system, not trivial for wiseflow, not as your exam readiness test.

      Delete
  11. The email on the Pre-Exam December Mock indicates that WISEflow has made available some recommendations for the configuration of the environment for the upcoming EQE:
    https://epo-wiseflow.ladesk.com/772936-Lockdown-computer-recommendations

    The recommendations include a 26" monitor (without specifying a recommended resolution). When I did an inquiry last year among candidates as to which size monitors they have, most seem to have a 23" or 24" or smaller size. I used a 23" 1920x1080 monior for Pre-Exam and main exam exam, which required a bit of scrolling as not always did the whole question (Pre-Exam) fit on the screen; it did however work. One may want to decide after the Mock whether one is satisfied with one's existing monitor or buys/requests a new larger size&resolution one for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wiseflow/Flowclock has been improved for the main exam papers:

    The pdf viewer now allows annotation:
    - highlight, underline,
    - free form shapes/drawing, shapes in 4 colors,
    - comments on the page, comment balloons

    The editor now allows:
    - strikethrough
    - copying from the pdf viewer into the editor using Ctrl-C - Ctrl-V has been improved (it does no longer break every line after several characters, which it dod before)

    Use the opportunity to test the updated, improved version with the Mocks, and familiarize yourself with the tools and options!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I cannot find any documentation on Wiseflow for EQE 2022 on the EQE webpages.

    Where can I find it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is not yet there.

      A large amount of documentation on the e-EQE 2021 version of Wiseflow can be found in the Archive: https://www.epo.org/learning/eqe/archive.html.

      Delete
  14. Hi, I'm not sure where to post the issue I had during Mock exams.
    During Mock Paper A on Monday, the chat widget on the right bottom side was completely frozen. It did work during several minutes before the Flow actually had started, but after I opened the assignment on the new tab, the chat widget was completely frozen on the first tab. I could not write to the invigilator, nor receive any communication from the invigilator, even nor minimise nor close the chat widget. Thus the frozen chat widget remained blocking the right half view of the first tab throughout the Mock exam.
    I already reported this issue to the Examination Secretariat and was told to check on Mock paper B and C.
    I took Mock Paper B yesterday at home and had the same issue. Note that I had Mock Paper A on Monday at office, with the same laptop but the Internet connection is different. So I suppose that this issue is not relevant to the Internet connection.
    I took the videos and photos and reported them to the Examination Secretariat. So far I do not receive any response.
    Did anyone have the same issue with the chat widget? If yes, please report it to the Examination Secretariat so that the issue would be solved.
    I'm afraid if this issue would happen again in the real main Exam.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi all, can anyone tell me if we need to somehow "submit" the figures together with the claims and the description in Part A, or is the literal reference in the description enough? I ask this, because in WiseFlow exists a function where attachments can be added and I am not sure what this function is for.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi,
    Do you know when epi will provide model solution for mock C? It is not available in their web site. A, B and D are there, but not C.
    https://www.epi-learning.org/course/view.php?id=44
    Thanks,
    Katriina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may want to check the official Examiner's report of the original paper in the Compendium:
      https://documents.epo.org/projects/babylon/eponot.nsf/0/7C370EF0DC1D496FC1258154004BEAC8/$File/ExRep_2017_C_EN_for_web.pdf

      NB: I did not check whether the epi version differs from the original C 2017 paper (apart from splitting the claimset in two parts to get a two-part C paper)

      Delete
  17. The blog post has been updated with information from the email by which the EQE secretariat has informed the candidates today with information on the further availability of the epi Mocks as well as a date for a further mock under exam conditions (3 February 2022) to check your equipment and settings.

    Please refer to the blog post (update 14 December)

    ReplyDelete
  18. When talking with several candidates that were not in our prep courses yet, we noted that, surprisingly, many candidates did not yet use Wiseflow, and even more candidates have not participated in any of the mocks under exam-like conditions - where the proctoring is active so that you can test your system and your system settings in full. Not testing the system in full is a risk: you are responsible for a well-functioning system and you can expect that problems that you encounter during the actual exam while you could have prevented those if you would have tested will not be excusable (e.g., when you cannot run Wiseflow because you do not have admin privileges on your company computer).

    Reminder: further mock flows for the main exam as well as for the pre-exam are offered on 3 February 2022 under examination-like conditions to test your equipment and settings (e.g. camera and microphone).

    "For those who have not yet done such a test, please note that this one is indispensable before sitting the EQE." (Please refer to the emails from the EQE secretariat for details.)

    As you are responsible for well-working equipment, doing the test is indispensable! Especially -not not only- if you are using company computers, you may run into issues if you do not have admin privilege (needed to install but also to run Wiseflow), if virus scans or updates are automatically scheduled (Wiseflow does not allow additional applications to run, and will consider that an attempt to cheat - and will close the flow), if your screen saver activates (idem), ... Use the flows to check whether your system setup allows to run Wiseflow without issues - do not just start the flow and exit it again, but let it run for a long period to also check whether there are no issues with e.g. a screen saver. Check the recommendations from Wiseflow in the link in your emails!

    The main purpose of the supervised flows on 3 February is to test your equipment as well as the Wiseflow functionality. If you want to practice exams in the Wiseflow system, you can use the currently existing flows that are available until 6 March 2022.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment