BREAKING NEWS - Cancellation of EQE planned 16-19 March 2020 (possibly postponed)

We have been informed by an EQE candidate that he just received the email below (emphasis added):
EQE 2020 is cancelled, or possibly postponed to later this year - to be continued.


From: HelpDesk <helpdesk@eqe.org>
Sent: donderdag 5 maart 2020 09:10
To:
Subject: cancellation of EQE planned 16-19 March 2020

Dear candidate,

In response to the latest developments about the spread of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Supervisory Board of the European qualifying examination has decided in line with the EPO’s precautionary measures to cancel the EQE planned to take place 16-19 March 2020.

The Supervisory Board is currently assessing the feasibility of organising the examination at a later stage during the current year. We would kindly ask for your understanding that due to the complex logistic arrangements related to the organisation of the EQE, this assessment will require some time.  The Examination Secretariat will revert back to you as soon as there is a decision taken by the Supervisory Board. Also, please understand that due to the high number of enquiries received, answering individual questions will take more time than usual.

We sincerely regret this highly unsatisfactory situation for all concerned. Further information will follow in due course, in particular related to the reimbursement of the fees.

Best regards

The Examination Secretariat

European Qualifying Examination EQE
European Patent Office
80298 Munich | Germany
Tel. +49 (0)89 2399 5155 (Mon, Wed-Fri 09.00-11.00 hrs, Tues 14.00-15.30 hrs)
Fax +49 (0)89 2399 5140
helpdesk@eqe.org
www.epo.org
 

Please consider the environment before printing this email.



------------
Update 5 March 2020, 15:50:



The EQE website now also indicates the cancellation as well as that an assessment is ongoing as to a possible rescheduling. The EQE website provides:




















-----------------
Update 6 March 2020, 8:50:








A new version of the "Update on Coronavirus" news message in the EPO website now also mentions the cancellation (or possible rescheduling), see here:





















































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Roel is a European Patent Attorney and tutor at DeltaPatents.















Comments









  1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 09:08
    All of this is depressing. I'm also doing all 4 and the pressure was immense on me. I wanted to at least pass a few. Fair enough if I have to retake but at least I can learn my mistakes. I now have to pick myself to do all 4 again somehow. It's really depressing. I'm no longer motivated and feel like I should quit the profession. 
    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 09:47
    I can see myself burning out. Waiting for a whole year is not an option. Its incredibly unfair and I have to put not just myself but my loves one through it again for 6-7 months of preparation.

    For me it's criminal if the EPO makes us wait for a whole year. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 09:51
      I do agree that a whole year is impossible but rescheduling a date this year also looks impossible.

      June is out of the question for me. Too close to coronavirus peak season. 
      July/August is out for summer hols
      Sept onwards may be too late. It needs proper time for marking and time for candidates to prepare again. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:39
      Why "prepare again"? If you pass the rescheduled EQE 2020, there is no need to prepare again!

      In view of the circumstances, it is absolutely evident that the Supervisory Board had no other option than to cancel the EQE for the original dates. They are surely aware about the frustration and anger, but force majeur left them no choice.

      As a result, the next opportunity would EQE 2021. If you expected to fail in 2020, you already planned to prepare again.= and you donot run into a delay.

      So far, there is no uncertainty at all about EQE2021.

      Some indicate that the current lack of a date for a rescheduled EQE 2020 gives uncertainty. But there is certainty: EQE2021!

      A rescheduled EQE 2020 is not an uncertainty, but an opportunity! An opportunity to get at least some passes before EQE2021!

      By informing all of us that the Supervisory Board is looking into the possibility for rescheduling, they clarify that they do their utmost best to find the best possible fallback plan. I think that deserves compliements and not so much criticism. After all, it is not the Supervisory Board or the EQE organisation that can be blamed for the Coronavirus attacking Europe!

      M.
      Delete
  3. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 09:56
    Waiting for a whole year is completely injust. Our personal and professional lives is going to be massively affected.

    I've stopped revising. It's hard to keep focus with this uncertainty. 
    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 09:58
    Keep calm and get yourselves a life in the meantime
    ReplyDelete
  5. Sadness7 March 2020 at 10:12
    Having had a few days to reflect, I understand the EPO decision but the thought of having to put myself through it and the guilt of putting my loves one through the whole thing again is desperately upsetting.

    It's sad and I cant help it. Hopefully it will be better next week. Sorry for everyone who was also meant to do it this year but now can't. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:49
      Dear Sadness,

      I have the same feelings now. Was very upset, emotional, frustrated when I got the email. But what else could they do? See how much worse it got in just one more day, with even some states not allowing certain nationals to enter their state anymore and several companies not allowing their employees to go to meetings, to use public transport or not even to come to their own office! 
      It is still frustrating, I was fully geared up and ready to sit. Will need to get to the same prep level and energy level again in March 2021, or hopefully earlier. Will have more sleepless nights, but cannot blame anyone, so must accept is as an act of God or a fact of life or whatever you wanna name it. 
      I so much hope they can reschedule, so I can sit as planned: D, A and B this year and sit C and whichever I failed from A and B next year(I think my D preparation level is that I have very good chances to pass; A and B less well prepared). That way, I am done with the EQE after 2020 + 2021. If I would need to sit all four papers only in 2021, I am much less certain: D preparation again when also preparing for C, too much, and my strategy was designed to prevent that!

      Let's hope for the best. Wishing you all the best. Now first a few weeks off from EQE preparation!

      M.
      Delete
  6. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:27
    I feel you sadness. Its like receiving a fail and anyone who has failed would know. Except this situation is much much worse. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:33
      Spent last night just crying and I'm a fully grown adult who haven't cried since I was a teenager. 
      Delete
  7. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:31
    I haven't had a break for a long time and spent all my holidays this year preparing for these exams. So I won't be able to dedicate the same amount of time to the new rescheduled date.

    My firm is not going to allow anymore time. Delaying it until next year is going to be heartbreaking 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:54
      Be fair, do not blame the EPO for this decision, they had no choice.

      Your firm should also be fair to you. And recognize it is not your fault. And, for example, agree with you that the additional study time for preparing again is shared 50/50 among the firm and you. ...or go to another firm, there are plenty of firm that want to hire candidates that are close to qualifying.
      Delete
    2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 15:37
      Moving jobs depends on qualification. Many candidates are stuck where they are because they are restricted by their "qualified" status. It's not as easy as moving jobs.

      Most firms are reasonable but we all know a few who are not. 
      Delete
    3. BF7 March 2020 at 15:42
      No one is blaming the EPO. In fact if you read the blog most understand the EPO decision.

      But this is still highly frustrating for those who have put in the many many hours. It's not insubstantial. 2 papers are close to 6 hours each and this means students would have to take time off or do them at weekends. Then you need to look at mark schemes etc... Which take many more hours. Paper D is extremely painful to learn. 

      So I can completely understand the frustration and upset many are facing. 
      Delete
  8. J.TS7 March 2020 at 10:40
    It's very difficult to explain how dissapointing this is to someone else especially when they haven't experienced this level of disruption. Some attorneys in my firm just shrug this off and say we wait for when the EPO decide but they don't understand the feelings we all go through now. It's a lost opportunity. 

    In these times - candidates 2020 must stick together 
    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:44
    It's not a bad proposal. Certainly the EPO should consider the impact of all of this. 
    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:50
    What a tough place for the supervisory board. I would not want to be on that board.
     
    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 10:57
    Just put your issues in perspective by imagining the disappointment of a candidate who might have been infected and potentially losing his life. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 11:07
      Off course it's worse for them and the EPO is not to be blamed. But people can still be upset having spent their entire half a year preparing. It's hard to not be affected by all this although I get your point. It may be worse for others who actually got it. 
      Delete
  12. Timo7 March 2020 at 11:11
    it's very annoying indeed but understandable. Take March off and try to relax, enjoy. Don't think about EQE this month although I admit it is easier said than done. 
    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 11:15
    Some consideration/discretion by the EPO would go a long way. I'm sure most people including qualified attorneys (including me) would not mind this. After all it is such an unexpected circumstance. 
    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 11:33
    5 points?  What is the mathematics of all of this?  How many points do candidates that re-sit improve from one year to the next, per paper, factoring in number of resits and average total score?  (I have a total score over 200 for one).  Model that, then you have the least bad answer.  Getting bonus points may be unfair to those who have sat the exams before, but this situation also is... and case law, etc. just keeps piling up.  This is not fair either.
    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 11:51
    Is there any sort of helpline from the EPO? 
    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 11:53
    Not in this year, anymore.

    I think so that it is impossible to arrange the Exa on renewed date in this kind of short time window (during the ongoing year). Is it so that we already now know the date of EQEs many years forward? Dates of 2022 already known, for example?

    This is very sad but the next EQE will be 2021 (February?).
    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:06
    Other national authorities in Europe seems slow to react and perhaps lazy.

    CIPA don't always get things right but seem active to respond to their members although if they can sort out the national exams that would be a step in the right direction too. 
    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:07
    yes please we need a helpline. if you read this blog, can't you feel all this despair. It is a tough business out there.  We did our part. Please someone put us out of our misery.Thanks for all of you who opened up. It is somewhat comforting to know that I am not the only grown up person crying still after 3 days, and falling apart. 
    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:10
    I think it is going to be highly unlikely that the EPO will be able to postpone the exam. It's a logistical nightmare. 

    However, wouldn't an alternative solution be to hold a partial EQE, i.e., only hold some of the exams. For example, I know that preparing for part D takes a substantially higher amount of effort than the other papers. Thus, would it not make sense to at least hold paper D in 2020?

    I can see several advantages over straight-out canceling the EQE in 2020, even for the EPO. Some example advantages include:

    organizing a single exam should be straightforward, even if it were held in all examination centers across Europe (e.g., finding a venue for a single day is far easier than finding a venue that would be free 4 days in a row);

    the back-log of candidates that would result in a very large attendance of candidates in 2021 or 2022 (depending on whether the pre-EQE is waived for 2020 candidates) could be mitigated;

    if the coronavirus is still an issue in the summer, this would substantially decrease any risk of spreading the infection (less candidates and the exam would only be held on 1 day instead of 4 separate days);

    2020 candidates who were preparing for all 4 exams will not be as disadvantaged because their preparation for part D would not go to waste and they would only have to prepare for parts A-C;

    the paper could be held later in the year because it would take substantially less time to mark 1 paper instead of 4 thereby avoiding the scenario where candidates would take the exam in autumn in 2020 and not know their results until after the EQE in 2021. 

    Would appreciated some thoughts on this matter.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:25
      I already made that suggestion to the organizing committee. because that is the only way to have a chance at rescheduling. we need to break the sessions and there has to be a priority for D sitters and pre-exam sitters being the papers requirement the most preparation
      Delete
    2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:56
      To begin with: I don't think the exams are going to be rescheduled for 2020.

      As regards prioritising one or two papers and holding an "incomplete" exam 2020:
      I don't think reducing the task to finding a single day where all venue are free is going to be much easier than finding a week (well, 4 consecutive days) where all venues are free.

      But, of course, there may no longer be a guarantee that all of the current test venues will be used. I could see, for example, a single giant test centre at Munich M.O.C, for example.

      I don't think this idea of "do D, and pre-exam only" will fly. I think it will be "all or nothing" (though with the proviso that there is, strictu sensu, no need to hold the pre-exam and the main exams in the same venues/same week). Candidates have already been severely inconvenienced by having to cancel travel plans, so I don't see the benefit of piling additional costs on candidates to travel for a "partial" main exam.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 15:03
      I like your proposal but I do not think it will help a lot: if they can organize for D, they can organize two additional days for AB and C in the same location as well.

      But if it does make a difference, then yes: 
      first priority is to have pre-exam a.s.a.p. as that is a mandatory ticket for EQE 2021 (or to let of of them move on, it is not the real exam after all), 
      second priority is to have D a.s.a.p. as that requires most preparation and as D 2021 will have a later legal cut-off date (although also after having passed the exam one must always be aware of the actual legal status and not only that of the time of passing the D paper).

      M.
      Delete
  20. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:20
    I have thought this very seriously. Here have been proposed many different kinds of compensation practises, theories and basis for those. The most craziest are that for all candidates of 2020 should be given PASS or 45 points from each Exa!

    I have to say that I have a little different kind of approach to the compensation practice in the current situation. For the EQE one have certain kind of time window to be prepared. The deadline becomes closer and closer until it expires. Actually, in the current situation we are going to get extra time for the preparation! Instead of extra marks, I think so that EPO should now reduce each candidates marks by certain amount, for example, per extra preparation week. Perhaps reduction of half (or maybe quarter would be more reasonable) points per extra preparation week would be my proposal to this.

    Of course, if the next EQE takes place not until 2021, then this compensation would not be applied.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:32
      So under your "brilliant" proposal, reducing scores by "half" for each week of delay, all candidate would fail if the exam is held in April or later (a candidate scoring 100 would have this reduced to 50 if held with a week's delay; and 25 if held with two weeks' delay).
      If reduced by a quarter, every candidate would fail if the exams are not held before the end of the first week of April. (candidate who would have scored 100, would get 75 with one week's delay; 56 with two weeks' delay; 42 with three week's delay.

      I think we can deem you not fit to practice. In ANY profession.
      Delete
    2. Dam7 March 2020 at 14:11
      It's clear some discretion needs to be applied. What is this discretion and how remains up for debate. 

      we have to be fair to the candidates this year for sure. 
      Delete
  21. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 12:40
    Apart from CIPA, I have not heard from other national organisations. 
    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:06
    A support helpline would be good for the EPO to provide. I know the EPO is forced into this situation but I have been anixous before the exam and this makes things worse 
    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:08
    The pressure on candidates is immense. Sometimes we forget the pressure of going through all these very difficult exams and holding a demanding professional job and having a family.
    ReplyDelete
  24. Switch7 March 2020 at 14:14
    It's hard to switch off without thinking about the impact of all this on my career, wages, family and friends and at work.

    It's hard to switch on and keep going with revision (even if light revision) with so much uncertainty. Difficult to focus. I'm just stuck in this horrible state of mind. 
    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 14:51
    I would like to see the EPO take more responsibility. Yes they have taken the decision but the immediatr second or third thing on their mind is to provide support.

    How can no one on the supervisory board did not think provide a support line for candidates this year. this decision has a big impact.

    Please take some responsibility and provide a support line. There are thousands of students affected 
    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 15:11
    Why would this stop you from getting a wage increase? Your manager should be understandable and give you a wage increase if there is clear indications that you would have passed. It is not the EPO's or Supervisory Board's choice to not give you the increase, it is a choice made by your manager!

    I suggest that everybody that sees his wage increase as risk due to the cancellation of the EQE to make the following proposal to his manager:
    "we agree on a provisional wage increase per 1 September 2020 by an amount of YYY under the legal fiction that the EQE 2020 was passed. If I fail at EQE 2021, the wage increase will be void retroactively".

    W.I.
    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 15:51
    To the last commenter: you have my sympathy. We are all in the same boat. As said here, the postponement is like failing everyone.
    But still, the EPO acted in our interest. At my workplace, someone has contracted the virus. Was I in contact with this person in the canteen? I don't know. If yes, I would not know, and would have attended the EQE. Am I a carrier? Would I be a "super spreader" if I had attended the EQE? Would I have infected you and ypur unborn child? Who knows! The EPO has acted so that these questions do not have to be asked. Your health is more important than your qualifications.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 16:18
      I absolutely agree with you but trying saying that to my firm. 
      Delete
  28. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 15:52
    I think that in case they can only organize one or two days for having the exam later this year, they should not select one or more paper, but let candidates decide, which paper they want to sit. After all, some candidates only enrolled for one or two papers and there seems to be no necessity that all candidates sit the same paper, in case the exam has to reduced.
    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 16:12
    I think everyone here generally understand the EPO's decision and support it. While it is highly unsatisfactory it is completely understandable.

    What we need now is to support candidates. It is a massive impact on their personal and professional lives. 

    Then the EPO should consider some sort of compensation and/or discretion. Writing a whole year off has a devestating impact.

    Rescheduling also has a huge impact for the reasons many have already posted here. 

    The EPO made the right decision. Best thing now is to support each other.
    ReplyDelete
  30. G7 March 2020 at 16:15
    Does anyone know any one at the EPO (supervisory board or exam committee). Could they please send an email asking the EPO to provide a confidential and anonymous helpline.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:18
      List of members of Supervisory Board, Examination Board, Examination Committees and Examination Secretariat is on EQE website, tab Notices and downloads
      Delete
  31. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 17:50
    Some additional ideas here: https://saltedpatent.blogspot.com/2020/03/eqe-disaster-recovery-plan.html
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:13
      Some very much needed advice from Peter. Do check out his blog. 

      Much appreciated indeed. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:28
      Some sound advice on salted patents. Just try and relax this weekend. After last week, no one will be in the right frame of mind to continue revising. Perhaps start some light revision again in the next few weeks. 

      At the moment, it is painful and feels like we've wasted so much time but give it a few weeks and hopefully everyone will be in a more positive mind frame. I truly understand it is very difficult at the moment (me included). 

      Perhaps someone can post some topics every week especially for Paper D just to keep all of us ticking over. 

      Its difficult to motivate yourself but if someone post a topic for example on priority -- we can all read or do some questions on that topic that week. It will at least make us do some light revision until a date is known. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:33
      I just cant bring myself to go through another 6 hour practice paper for months ahead and then find out its not happening this year. 
      Delete
  32. LC7 March 2020 at 18:02
    Support can be found in the statement from CIPA - please try lawcare.org.uk as below. 

    Members are reminded that Law Care has a free, confidential helpline for anyone requiring support at this time. The number is 0800 279 6888. Visit www.lawcare.org.uk for more information. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:04
      I'm not sure this would work for countries outside of the UK but one could try. 

      Other national authorities and particularly the EPO should seriously consider offering more support to their members via setting up a confidential helpline ASAP. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:05
      Hope this will also reach candidates who may not have access to this blog. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 18:07
      not seriously consider offering a helpline - the EPO MUST provide a helpline. Come on. 

      All candidates are affected and are understandable anxious about the situation. Having someone to talk to helps a lot. 
      Delete
  33. Vincent LIN7 March 2020 at 19:01
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 19:22
    It looks like no one is going to qualify this year. Are they going to delay/postpone future intakes until they clear the backlog. I can't see EPO being able to mark and provide spaces for 2 years of candidates at the same time. 

    PKA
    ReplyDelete
  35. Vincent LIN7 March 2020 at 20:09
     I agree with you. The pre-Exam is not a real qualification of EQE, but a control of experience  (>= 2 years) and a control of knowledge about EPC. As supposed that every pre-exam candidates has been hardly preparing for at least one year, and regarding the high success rate of pre-exam, the Examination Board should dispense everyone who enrolled to the pre-exam 2020 and allow them to sit the main examens EQE2021. In return, the pre-exam candidates can not require any reimbursement of enrollment fees.  If you agree with us, please give your support below, so that the examination board will hear our voices. 
    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 20:28
    Es ist eine so enttäuschende Nachricht zu erhalten, aber eine notwendige Entscheidung zu treffen. Man muss sich jetzt überlegen, wie man die Prüfungen am besten schnell umplant. 
    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous7 March 2020 at 23:49
    Theoretically it would be one of the better solutions which have been suggested so far; HOWEVER, in reality I personally like this option the least. Whenever there is something forced top-down upon the conduct of the EQE, there seems to be a bottom-up counter-reaction. Example: after allowing additional 30minutes for the C and D papers, I personally thought that solving a "normal" D paper in 5,5 hours would be slightly easier, but it turned out to be the contrary, because (surprise, surprise) they just added the famous D-I appeal question to the D-II part (oliebollen), which made the additional 0,5 hours useless at least for me: I thought solving this D-I question would be essential for solving the whole D-II part; I got stuck, lost an hour and would have been more successful with a "normal" 5 hour exam in "normal" style. So when this suggestion is applied and a reviser starts his work, knowing that the candidate already has 5 (or even up to 10) marks "for free" for the blank sheet of paper, he would be more reluctant and less generous when denoting the marks. I am sorry if this seems to be too subjective and pessimistic, but I am personally convinced that those 5 marks per paper would help less than it appears at first sight. Moreover, this would trigger further discussions; for example: candidates receiving normal 39 marks would still fail, but get the answer: well, with 39 marks in the first place, you are really not fit for practice, are you? (However, with 40 marks this one could get a compensable fail when upgrading 5 marks ... ?), etc.
    ReplyDelete
  38. Gregory7 March 2020 at 23:52
    I hope the Coronavirus situation stabilizes for the health of the world.  And then I hope the EPO can set a new test date as soon as possible.  The EPO should propose tentative dates now for 2020 so that we can mentally prepare and arrange our calendars.  If the Coronavirus does not get better by the tentative date, then we can just skip the EQE in 2020 and move it to March 2021.  Yes, it is a lot of studying, but I don't see another way to fit in an exam in 2020 without getting advanced warning of test dates.  The last thing the EPO wants is to reschedule an exam that no one is prepared for.  Is the majority happy with June, July, Aug, Sept, or another month?  There is no solution that makes everyone happy, but we need a partial solution to start moving forward.  
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:42
      There is a suggestion on IPKAT that pre-EQE and Paper D should take place later this year and papers A-C should be done in March 2021. 

      This approach means that there is a lot less marking for Examiners to do at any one time but also means that there will be fewer candidates taking Paper D this year so it is not a stretch to find multiple venues for candidates to sit the exams. 

      We all know how much work Paper D is so this idea seems credible to me. Learning the law again is not fun but at least with this approach, candidates can sit Paper D this year and focus on A-C in March 2021. I think this is a fair compromise. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 10:02
      June is too early - don't know how coronavirus is going to spread. It could reduce by then but do we really want to risk it and then having to cancel it again. July/August is summer hols for most people. 

      Realistically, it would have to be September/October time. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 10:27
      Have people forgotten/not realised that the exams each have different markers? Examination Committee I does A/B, Committee II does C, Committee III does D. The people who mark A/B do not mark C nor D. The people who mark C do not mark A/B nor D. Etc etc

      Only if the suggestion is that the markers from Committee I (who mark A & B) and II (who mark C) "come in" and help to mark D, so that the D papers can be marked faster, would that fly. But I'm not sure if that would be seen as an optimal outcome
      Delete
    4. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 08:46
      > "there is a lot less marking for Examiners to do at any one time"

      Incorrect. There is only very few Committee members that are in more than Exam Committee. 
      Delete
  39. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 00:10
    When discussing postponement, discretionary points, etc. it sometimes helps to have a look at the "bigger picture". For the EPO, the production figures are of uttermost importance; in this regard, the number of incoming applications is just the other side of the coin. At present, both is at stake: staff getting infected and/or being forced to work from home would significantly threaten the yearly output. At the same time, not releasing several hundred candidates into their profession would threaten the application input in the following years. Each aspect taken alone might be manageable: lower production for a year or two might be reasoned to the AC in view of the Covid-19 crisis; and applications must not necessarily be drafted by registered attorneys. However, the development of both aspects taken together will influence the EPO´s production figures over the following years - and this might be taken into account when deciding how the EQE examination process shall continue.
    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 02:43
    Indeed, the pass rate for that paper D would be about 20%, if, for comparison, 1/11 of marks, for candidates who had about 50 marks, are subtracted. And this is with the pre-EQE. Without the effect of pre-EQE, the pass rate would be about 17%. From 2010 to 2018 there were pass rates of 27% and 32.8% (in 2011 and 2012, before the pre-EQE!), and between 37.0% to 53.8% in all other years...

    The last year Paper B was crazy too. The pass rate without last 30 mins can be approximated by subtracting 1/7 from for candidates who had about 50 marks, and checking how many would still have passed ...  And this rate would be for both groups, "chemistry" and "mechanics", and after pre-EQE. 
    ReplyDelete
  41. Vincent LIN8 March 2020 at 07:37
    This should be a legal base for the examination board to dispense the pré-exam 2020. 
    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:22
    Agree, let Pre-Exam candidates move forward!
    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:44
    Link to IPKAT - There are many more advantages to taking a partial EQE this year

    http://ipkat.com/
    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:52
    Could work - Paper D and pre-EQE candidates could take priority this year. This would allow pre-EQE to prepare for 2021.

    For Paper D candidates, I would imagine alot of the preparation this year is directed to this paper so I would be in favour of allowing these two exams to take place later this year. 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 09:58
      I am doing all 4 papers but doing paper D this year would go some way compensating all this hard work. Not ideal as I would like to have taken all 4 but if they can't find a date to do all 4 papers this year, this approach should work. I would rather do 1 paper this year than none at all. It would reduce the EPO's logistically nightmare as they put it. 
      Delete
  45. Partial EQE8 March 2020 at 09:53
    Solves the problem partially anyway. Excuse the pun - I only need to take Paper C again and just keeping revision ticking over. 
    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 11:19
    It is a neat suggestion to do Paper D this year (probably in June). The reason being is that waiting for another year would mean buying additional books etc... to keep up with the law. It has the most amount of work so trying to do it this year is ideal.

    I think the examining committee should consider this seriously. It would certainly help reduce the burden on finding venues big enough to fit candidates. You could fit 50 candidates in each room to reduce coronavirus impact and still be in line with governmental requirements. Off course, additional measures such as hand sanitisers etc should be provided.  

    As for the question of reducing marking for examiners. They will have to ask committees from A/B and C to help out. Yes there would need to be some training involved but they will have 3 months to train these committee members if they are willing to help out. Marking law papers may be more straight forward then marking the other papers. 

    I think in times like this, I am sure the examining committee for A/B and C would be willing to help D committee to mark candidates papers exactly.

    As for pre-EQE - I do not know how these are marks but I assume its T/F only so it should be even more straight forward to mark. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 08:53
      Why new books? Only a few changes from year-to-year. Just use same book. Annotate if needed with changes. Rules relating to Fees? Will they really ask for euro-values. 

      Also, if you do not want to keep up with law changes, you miss out on professional duty to stay up to date, also after exam. 

      It is a pain to prepare again, but no need to not pain yourself more than is needed.
      Delete
  47. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 11:24
    I only have B to do so From a selfish point of view - I would rather do B this year and leave all exams for next year. However, practically, I think it make sense to do a partial EQE this year and allow pre-EQE and Paper D candidates to go ahead. That way, we don't have to worry about law cut off dates and updating notes for next year etc... 

    it is way less work for other papers and the law changes doesn't have as much as an impact on pre-EQE and Paper D.  

    Trying to fit all exams in this year looks very difficult given the current guidelines of restricting large gatherings in place. You will have at least 400+ candidates for each exam.

    Ask local attorneys to see if they are willing to give up their office spaces to hold at least Paper D and pre-EQEs this year. 
    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 11:25
    I also know that for the UK exam at least, the venues are smaller and different to the venues used for EQE so perhaps we can try using these smaller venues that are used for national examinations. 
    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 11:32
    I would probably say doing a partial EQE exam make more sense than not doing anything at all for a whole year. June or July (maybe). Likely to be September/October.  
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Papa D8 March 2020 at 16:10
      I would agree with this. A partial EQE approach this year would be most appropriate with pre EQE and Paper D. 
      Delete
  50. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 13:15
    Please consider that a partial EQE, where only paper D is held, may be seen as clearly disadvataging all those who have already passed D, but need to resit one (or more) of papers A, B and C... Thus, in case of a partial EQE, everybody should be in a position to select the paper he/she wants to sit.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 14:10
      I do understand this but then we are back to square one again which is to find a date to sit all papers this year. 

      The partial EQE is there to ensure at least some papers needs to be done if we cannot fit all papers in one go this year.
      Delete
    2. Papa D8 March 2020 at 14:12
      There is a lot of work involved for preparing for D so if a partial EQE is taking place this year - paper D should definitely be the top priority. 

      Maybe we can spread the A,B,C and D exams out throughout the year. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:16
      I disagree. The top priority should be to give a chance to those, who will qualify with a higher chance. These are the people who need to pass only one paper like A or B with low marks. This is especially true because last Paper B had an absolutely wrong difficulty level, way too high for foreign language candidates with electric and mechanics backgrounds (just check the pass rate, and take into account that, due to extra 30 mins, the marks are approximately 17% higher than they normally would be for this difficulty level). So, in some sense Paper B examination was not held even last year for them! 

      Also, B is the shortest, and therefore with the lowest risk of spreading the Covid.

      As for Paper D, in average it would be convenient to have it right after summer vacations. Candidates will then be even better prepared, and also fresh!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:25
      I do not see the problem with letting candidates select which paper they want to to, in case they can find only one exam day. There seems to be now need that everybody in the room is doing the same paper.

      It would be better of course to have all four papers this year, possibly on separate dates.
      Delete
    5. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:53
      I could make exactly the same argument as to why Paper D should be done first just by looking at pass rates for D compared to B over the past 3 years. 

      I think Paper D needs to be done this year due to the materials, impacts of law changes on the paper and the amount of work required to obtain the knowledge to take D. We will then need to find dates for B, A and C this year. We don't need to do them all in one week. 

      These times are unprecedented so best to get them done this year rather than worry about doing them over a week. That's my view. 
      Delete
  51. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 14:14
    all solutions from now on is going to be extremely unfair. However, like most I am in favour of partial EQE (perhaps for pre-EQE and Paper D or pick at least another paper).

    Having no exams this year would be disastrous.  
    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:28
    If they find only a single date, they could also give candidates the chance to answer as many papers as they think they can on that day. Give them from 8am to 6pm, give them all four papers and let them seek their luck (time would need to be restricted though for people not doing all 4 papers)
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:50
      That's not going to work. Paper D and C alone are 5.5 hours each. You asking people to take on 4 demanding exam papers in 10 hours. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 17:49
      No, I am not asking them to do anything.

      It would be best to have three exam days, doesnt matter if in a row or spread out over the year.

      However, should it proove impossible to have three days and they can only manage to have two days, I think they should consider having AB on one day and C and D on the other. I think it can be done in 10 hours. Anybody who disagrees or thinks that would be too much stress, could still decide to only do C or D. There is nothing to loose in this situation because the comparison will be to not have any exam at all in 2020.

      Furthermore, if they could only find a single day, they should consider giving candidates the whole day and let them choose which parts of the exam they want to do and hand in. Again, nothing to loose and nobody is asked to do anything. If you think, you can only one paper a day, you can choose which one to take.
      Delete
    3. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 19:51
      The fact is that if they can't find days to do all the exams, they will not do it at all. Then discretion should be applied. 
      Delete
    4. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 20:14
      In the "10-hour, 4-paper" day scenario presented here, it seems anyone could spend the whole 10 hours on one paper. No consideration has been given either to the fact that some candidates are enrolled only for 1 paper; some are enrolled for 2; and some are enrolled for 3. Do all candidates get 10 hours, regardless of how many papers they were enrolled for? If not, how do you hand out the papers, and collect the papers, at the correct times for all the permutations of candidates? And how do you account for the fact that candidates enrolled for all 4 papers are supposed to have considerably more time than just 10 hours to sit all 4 papers?

      I hope this was some misguided attempt at humour. But if not - you can be guaranteed that there will be no such "pick'n'mix" approach - only one paper will be handed out at any time, and only those candidates enrolled for that paper will be allowed into the exam centre to sit that specific paper at that time.
      Delete
  53. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 15:55
    I still think its wise for EPO to provide some discretion this year. 
    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 16:14
    Whatever papers get picked for this year, it needs to all be done by candidates at the same time for that paper. So the idea of candidates picking/selecting papers to do on the day won't work. 

    Best thing is to get a date for D, a date for C and A/B on another day. I don't think its necessary to do this over a week. The most practical thing is to do it this year whenever we can find a date for everyone involved. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 17:45
      Certainly it would be best to have three exam days. But should that not be possible and there would only be one exam day, I do not see the point of forcing candidates to take paper D and not let them choose to do AB or C instead. After all, they have all the papers prepared and if there is only one day, the other papers will not be used later on anyways
      Delete
  55. IT8 March 2020 at 16:21
    Bad news, the whole northern Italy (16 million people) are in lockdown. I fear this will only get worse. June not looking good.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 20:54
      Oh no.

      Things will get worse before it gets better. Is it me or is June now looking unlikely 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 20:55
      I don't see why we should rule out July or August. All months should be looked into. 
      Delete
  56. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 18:18
    Seems to be a lot of rumors building up here and on other blogs. The most credible speculation (apparently from someone previously involved with EQE organisation) is that it is almost impossible to reschedule; i.e. cancellation looks highly likely.
    The talk here of "partial exams" (c.f. partial problems!!) is logistically improbable - just wishful/hopeful thinking from desperate candidates.
    My view is that any decision has to treat all candidates equally. Partial exams does not achieve this. Cancellation does, as would for example 45 marks default for all papers and pre-exam pass, as compensation for 2020 candidates for losing a year.
    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 18:47
    "Cancellation does treat all candidates equally"... regarding this year's candidates: sure, but not equally compared to the candidates of all the previous years
    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 20:04
    I do not think cancellation treats all candidates equally. The candidates preparing for all 4 papers at once are the most affected. I wouldn't be so devastated if it was cancelled on me for one or 2 papers (except maybe if it was for paper D). At least I would have had a chance the previous year to pass a few. I don't even get that and I will now start over completed burned out, with the re-preparation of 4 papers. Now, all 2020 candidates are treated unfairly compared to all previous years, that is for sure. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 20:51
      I completely agree with this. Preparing for all 4 papers is so much work especially for paper D. Like you I feel so burnt out and the thought of having to prepare for all 4 again is distressing.

      The best solution is to reschedule all papers quickly. If that can't take place I feel the EPO should at least allow some papers and in particular, Paper D to go ahead this year. 
      Delete
  59. Priority8 March 2020 at 20:53
    Perhaps give candidates who are doing all 4 papers priority. They have the most to lose from this situation 
    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 21:00
    It's difficult trying to prioritise some candidates over others. For sure those who are doing all 4 papers are far the most affected so something needs to be done here.

    For me cancelling for the whole year is an unimaginable thing to do. If this really is the case - the EPO would have to look at some discretionary measures.

    Loko
    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 21:05
    I understand one of the main issue is that the EPO is concerned about candidates travelling especially across borders. Would it be better if the EPO contact local national authorities and national firms and see if they can help arrange smaller venues to host smaller numbers of candidates. 
    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 21:11
    If it happens next year, the EPO needs to suspend new entrants/registration in 2021 to clear the immediate backlog. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 21:30
      Probably the right thing to do until we sort out candidates for this year. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 22:41
      Yes, this would certainly be the simplest way to deal with the forthcoming backlog, considering that the situation will not improve until summer, at the very least. Maybe could 2 successive EQE paper series be organized in 2021, with a larger number of examination centres to allow a better flexibility? 
      Delete
  63. Anonymous8 March 2020 at 21:22
    Yes the 10 hour do any paper you like scenario is ludicrous. Organising that would surely be a logistical nightmare which i just don't see the EPO doing. So let's just knock that one on the head. 
     The  partial EQE idea sounds good but you're right, it's only going to be in favour of those sitting 4 papers (like myself). I have colleagues that I only need to sit one paper, how would a partial EQE work for them?  How is the decision made about which EQE paper is sat this year then? 
    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 08:48
    In my view, the solution for pre-EQE candidates is already in the Art. 11(7) REE: (7) If a pre-examination, as referred to in Article 1 of this Regulation and defined in the IPREE, is to be held, candidates who apply for enrolment for this pre-examination must be able to satisfy the Secretariat that at the date of the said pre-examination they have completed the periods mentioned in paragraph 2(a) and (b) above, such periods being reduced by one year. All other conditions applicable to the examination shall apply equally to the pre-examination unless the contrary is specifically stated. Moreover, if such a pre-examination is held, candidates who apply to be enrolled for the examination must have obtained a pass grade in the pre-examination.

    Hence, if no pre-examination is held this year, having a pass grade for a pre-examination should not be a requirement for enrolling to the main examens in 2021.
    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 09:19
    I would have preferred taking the EQE in March this year. As this is not an option, I agree to the above comments that the most reasonable and fair solution to the present disaster would be to award 45 points for each exam. The situation this year is extreme so that such a pragmatic solution makes sense.
    ReplyDelete
  66. Gregory9 March 2020 at 09:19
    Can the EPO offer the EQE on the weekend? Maybe two consecutive weekends? Again, there is perfect solution and no one wants to give up their weekend, but we should consider all options.  
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 11:20
      That's a good idea - although for many candidates it would, of necessity, require making two separate trips on 2 different weekends.

      However, maybe they could compress it into three consecutive days - Fri/Sat/Sun, for example - they don't really need to run the Pre-Exam on a separate day, as no candidates enrolled for that exam can be enrolled for any of the Main Papers, so there is the option of running the Pre-Exam on the same day as any other paper - though the "doubling up" of rooms may be an issue.

      The availability of the exam centres on weekends may not be better than weekdays - the hotels used, in particular, are likely to have weddings etc booked for weekends more so than during the week. However, a rescheduled 2020 Exam may only be offered in a limited subset of venues, with candidates again offered to indicate where they would like to take the exam. It would, for example, be possible to accommodate ALL entrants at the Munich exam centre, if dates where it is not already booked can be found.
      Delete
  67. Roel van Woudenberg9 March 2020 at 09:47
    Some candidates ask me what to do now, how to prepare for a rescheduled EQE 2020 (if that happens) or for EQE 2021. 

    It is difficult to give an general advice. In particular, every person has a different study style: some want low-intensity-long-term study (and, when preparing for D,  studied e.g. 2 hours per week from the week after the pre-exam until 2-3 months before D and then increased to 8 hours per week) whereas others study in high-intensity periods (e.g., 2 weeks "full-time" in summer holiday to gear up from pre-exam to D level, 2 weeks "full-time" in Xmas holidays, and then 2 weeks full-time before the exam). Also, some of you will have studied to be fully ready in the exam week while accepting that some knowledge may have been lost as soon as you had left the exam room; others may have studied for long-term understanding. So, let me give some guidance/suggestions below:

    We do not know if and when a rescheduled EQE2021 will be, but we can assume it will be announced well in advance in view of all the arrangements and logistics needed by the EQE Secretariat and all local organizers at the carious course locations, as well as your travel, lodging and work arrangements. So, for now my general advise would be similar for a possibly rescheduled EQE2020 as for EQE2021:

    If you planned to take the Pre-Exam this year and (at least) paper D at EQE2021, I recommend to continue to prepare for D 2021 and interrupt that preparation to prepare for a rescheduled Pre-Exam 2020:
    Normally I recommend to take a break after the Pre-Exam until May or June, then start DI study (using our book Main exam questions for paper D) until September at a medium intensity, and do methodology courses and subsequent practice as of September-December (depending on which Meth courses are taken - location, dates), and final exam preparation and exam readiness test in January-February.
    Those of you that consider it a risk to lose too much legal knowledge when taking a longer break, may want to stay on pre-exam level (review topics and do a few questions at, e.g., 2 hours per week), especially if you also hope on a rescheduling to Sept or hope on a general pass for all pre-exam sitters (as some suggest/hope on our blog) - for legal, do questions from the Advanced Selection in the L-book. Enroll to our main exam courses once they are on the website, to prepare towards main exam – do not wait until you get the official pass, assume you will pass the pre-exam.

    If you planned to take paper D this year, I would recommend to take a break until the reschedule decision is there (to prepare for rescheduled D 2020), or until in autumn (to prepare for D 2021). You may have forgotten some legal details, but the understanding that you have built up when preparing for D 2020 is not lost and you will recall most legal details when you pick up the studying again. Pick up your DI refreshing in Q4 (using our book Main exam questions for paper D, EQE2020 edition or updated edition), practice a few DII papers that you already did in November - January, compare with your current answers to see whether you need to recover more or whether you are at level again, and take our 4-day  Guided Trial Run D course as a final exam readiness test in early February.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 10:29
      Thanks Roel. Any recommendations for those also doing A,B and C papers. The issue here is that learning and revision for these papers are very much dependent on past papers. Most of us would have gone through the past papers and study them in detail. 

      Dong them again, as i'm sure you will appreciate, does not provide the same benefits during your first go. 
      Delete
  68. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 10:30
    Is it safe to just take March off entirely. The stresses last week has made me feel completely de-motivated and I probably just realised how tired I've been over the past month. 
    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 12:07
    Would there be any refresher courses available Roel. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roel van Woudenberg9 March 2020 at 12:57
      Yes. 

      Form, locations and dates not yet decided - waiting for decision about rescheduling or definite cancellation.
      Delete
    2. Gregory9 March 2020 at 13:16
      It would be nice if Delta Patents offered these courses on the weekend as it is difficult to get our employers to provide so many days off.  Of course, that may not be the case for everyone.  
      Delete
    3. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 13:30
      Thanks Roel. It also looks like I will have to pay myself to attend as my firm won't be able to provide any support for the refresher courses. So if the costs can be as low as possible, I'm sure many candidates will appreciate this. 
      Delete
  70. Adam9 March 2020 at 13:55
    I'm not following; if this year's exam is not held there will be double cohorts at some point in the furture no matter what you do. So if double cohorts are a real problem, I would expect a 2020 exam to be scheduled for at the latest in June, COVID-19 permitting.
    If double cohorts are not a problem I would expect a final cancelation of EQE 2020.
    The silver-lining is that, in either scenario, we can expect an update relatively soon.
    ReplyDelete
  71. AM9 March 2020 at 14:47
    EPO must find a reasonable solution to make us get out this nightmare! 

    I think their decision underestimated how devastating it is to candidates! Cancelling the EQE 10 day before D-day and after several months of hard work for preparing this exam. 

    I missed this exam for the second time last year because I got 43 on D even though may total of marks was more than 230! 

    I confess that the last two years, I did not have enough time to prepare DI, but this year I worked hard and I deserve to pass! So why deprive me of this chance. I have sacrificed my wife and my children for months and promised them to compensate for all the time I was absent.  I have no day left to take a vacation, all gone in preparing the exam, and now I have to wait again in such a stressful situation. Please understand, that this not only my situation but a lot of candidates have similar situations and some of them may loos their jobs because of this decision. 

    Please understand that you made a lot of us sick and desperate after these efforts and many of us can not afford to prepare again and again because we have families in charge and difficult jobs. 

    Please take all these things into account and try to find reasonable solutions to compensate for candidates. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 15:15
      I hope the EPO will hear your voice, because you voice reflects my voice and I am sure reflects also the voice of most of EQE 2020-candidates.
      Delete
    2. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 16:02
      What you say is so true! 
      Delete
  72. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 15:17
    Thank you for putting into WORDS what we all feel !
    ReplyDelete
  73. Anonymous9 March 2020 at 20:05
    I completly concur with the above. The situation is a disaster for most candidates. I have spend months preparing, neglecting family and social life and have allready used all my vacation days for 2020 for preparding for the EQE and I assume that many candidates are in a similaqr situation.  I hope the EPO finds a reasonable and fair solution that takes the hardship of canelling the EQE for the candidates into account.
    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 04:16
    It is high time EPO reconsiders the stone age format (paper based, once a year) of EQE and offers something more adequate to the 21st century. Why not an internet based EQE? At least 4 times a year?
    ReplyDelete
  75. Magda10 March 2020 at 07:56
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  76. Magda10 March 2020 at 08:14
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  77. Magda10 March 2020 at 08:16
    Dear Sirs, at the EPO if you are reading this blog, please don't put your effort on thinking about reimbursement!
    "We sincerely regret this highly unsatisfactory situation for all concerned. Further information will follow in due course, in particular related to the reimbursement of the fees." The reimbursement of the fees is my least concern at the moment. Please find a solution to this nightmare instead. Please find a way to compensate us candidates in a way that least will give us some feeling that this awful situation is not only negative. I have study soo hard for this and to get this information with only ten days left, was sweeping me off my feet. But above all this I beg you to KEEP US INFORMED! To be in this situation without knowing what your plans are is even more stressful than the cancellation itself. Please, let us know your thoughts and plans. Even if it is not written down in stone yet. Please give us your information!
    ReplyDelete
  78. Magda10 March 2020 at 08:29
    I totally agree with you. How on earth are we supposed to get the energy and go through all this once again. I had prepaired for all 4 papers. Now I am at the border of being burnt out. That is at least my biggest health issue. Read in the news today that in Italy 399 o 7600 infected had died = 5%. So it will all come down to an ordinary flu.
    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 08:58
    Hello Magda. In which country do you live that you consider a 5% mortality rate an ordinary flu? Is closing off the whole of Italy an ordinary measure at an ordinary flu? Read the WHO website, it is not at all an ordinary situation! Of course you are frustrated as all of us about the cancellation, but get real. And get fair to the people that had to take this terrible decision. They made a very difficult but wise decision in the interest of all of us and everybody around us!
    ReplyDelete
  80. M.10 March 2020 at 09:12
    I would appreciate if the Supervisory Board can indicate when they will decide at the latest to reschedule or drop the 2020 exams completely. 

    I understand they can not yet decide. But will they within 1 or 2 weeks, or only in 1 or 2 months? Will they decide on a definite date or on a provisional date? I can understand that they do not yet know whether the Corona is gone in September or October, so they could make it conditional on that, I would understand. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 09:26
      I definitely agree.

      Some information would absolutely be provided! Although in disclaimer format... "It is to be confirmed that the EQE will not be take place before Autumn 2020." Or some corresponding..

      Totally silence is worsing this disaster.
      Delete
  81. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 09:56
    Given the situation now - I think its wise to suspend new registration. This has 2 effects

    1. To focus on the current candidates. Clear the backlog

    2. Many employers do not have budgets to handle double the amount of trainees at any given time. Suspending new registration will allow them to focus their efforts on those currently affected. They will also have time to plan out the next few years.

    The immediate situation is that candidates 2020 must have top priority. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 10:06
      Sorry, your second argument fails. 

      The trainees that could qualify for new registration and enrolment for EQE2021 are already in the firms! They also already registered because the registration deadline was 15 January. 

      Also, it is not up to the EPO to decide on the trainee policy at patent firms. If a firm does not want new trainees, it is the firm that can and has to decide.

      The EPO gives the opportunities, in accordance with the REE and IPREE. The firms and candidates need to decide whether they take the opportunity. There is no room in the REE and IPREE to block new registrations and enrolments, nor should there be.
      Delete
    2. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 10:06
      couldn't agree more. Allowing new registration of new candidates this year for 2021 is madness given that we don't even know what to do with the candidates this year. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 10:14
      You are forgetting the amount of candidates who will need to attend courses etc... That means - CEIPI, Delta patent and other courses would have to run double the amount of courses to fit candidates. Are they willing to do this. 
      Delete
    4. Roel van Woudenberg10 March 2020 at 10:50
      I do not think we need to run double the amount of course days: for all of you that prepared for EQE 2020, preparing for a rescheduled EQE 2020 or for EQE 2021 is not a preparation from the start but is refreshing and, if for EQE 2021, updating. That does not require the same amount of studying nor or course days, but can do with less. But you are of course very welcome in any of our courses if that suits your study style best!

      As said above, we will decide on what/when/where we will offer when the decision to reschedule or not has been taken. Our aim is, as always, to give candidates the best possible preparation, also when circumstances are not at all usual.

      Also refer to my post above (Roel van Woudenberg 9 March 2020 at 09:47).
      Delete
  82. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 10:11
    Probably best to stop enrolment of new candidates doing preEQE until this year is sorted. If they can cancel EQE exams then I think they can change the rules around enrolment in these circumstances. It makes the most logical sense to do so. 
    ReplyDelete
  83. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 10:17
    I worry about my firm using these circumstances as an excuse to suppress my pay package this year. Any advice on how to combat this if possible. 
    ReplyDelete
  84. D Dr10 March 2020 at 10:50
    EPO should took a decision soon. On top of the disasterous impact on the morale, distress and preparation of candidates, it also has economical consequences. Many of us have already booked our transportation and hotels. In many cases, cancellation is not possible, but we still may have the possibility to change the dates. Not nowing which is our next option to sit the examm is going to cause the loss of all our money, which undoubtedly EPO is not going to compensate. This letter that EPO has sent to candidates confirming the cancellation is just worthless for reimbursment. 
    I can't belive that EPO just cancel the examination without having a B plan already prepared. I can understand the EPO decission about cancellation, but this limbo of uncertainty is just unacceptable.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 13:06
      The Supervisory Committee has already taken one hasty decision. Asking for a second hasty decision could only lead to one outcome - total cancellation.

      Europe is looking at perhaps 2-3 months of disruption; as such, if the eventual decision is to hold the exam later in 2020, I don't think you can expect such a decision for at least several more weeks.

      The only quick decision would be to cancel outright - and I don't think that would be the right decision. 
      Delete
  85. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 13:31
    I studied so much for the EQE 2020. It´s a catastroph. From now on I stopped learning and loosing the learned and I´m back to work. Please, give everyone at least 45 points for compensation
    ReplyDelete
  86. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 15:33
    In my opinion, EQE is too difficult an exam.
    It takes too long to prepare the papers. Hardly compatible with daily work, since most of the candidates work full time in the IP sector.
    It is time for the EPO to reform EQE by giving more value to work experience and focusing more on evidence related to everyday work.
    It is useless to write a notice of opposition in 5 hours. It would be better to prepare shorter and less demanding advancement tests, especially in terms of time required to study.

    Joe
    ReplyDelete
  87. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 15:43
    What people don't get is that it's not about those taking the EQE. Most of us will be fine. 

    It's about slowing the spread of the disease to a rate the health system(s) can handle. 

    As can be read from the comments below, most of the participants would sit the EQE, even if they don't feel that well. None of them will stay at home if they don't have severe symptoms. And that is (in part) understandable, considering the personal implications, like "the work they have already put into preparation", the "pay raise" and so forth.

    As far as i know, the mortality rate for the high risk group (elderly and people having other illnesses) is up to 25%. Stated differently: If you are lucky to still have all four grandparents alive, one of them is likely to die of Corona, assuming that all four fetch the disease in the long run. 

    Even if it sucks, the decision to cancel/postpone the EQE seems right to me.

    Don't be such selfish pricks. There is more to life than money, status and work. You will be able to sit the EQE another time.
    ReplyDelete
  88. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 16:41
    As soon as any one has any news from the EPO, please do share and post it on here. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10 March 2020 at 17:58
      No. Not yet in email. Not yet on website.
      Delete
  89. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 08:55
    I am sorry to hear that. Even if not comparable to the gravity of your case, I almost broke up with my 7-years long partner for the same reasons
    ReplyDelete
  90. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 11:36
    Perhaps the EPO can find a way to take into account the experience of candidates in the profession as a contributing factor for consideration. After all, it is the experience of candidates in doing the job that is the most value part of an attorney.  
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 11:59
      It follows from your argumentation that more experience of candidates in the profession makes it easier to pass the exam as that is testing your fit-to-practice level. 
      So, with one year more experience for you as a candidate, there is nothing the EPO need to do to compensate you somehow for the delay, is it?
      Delete
    2. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 15:17
      exactly my point - 1 year of lost time and wages and affecting personal lives. We shouldn't be so reliant on exams all the time. Its not a healthy thing in the profession to be so obsessed about exams. Experience and ability are far more essential skills to have for an attorney. 
      Delete
  91. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 13:06
    I suppose that the EPO now is looking for some legal basis to attached to its next communication regarding the decision taken - probably a decision from the president with a basis on force majeure or fit to practice justification. Where, in my view the last one is not only bound to test the most recent legal knowledge, i.e. it is bound to time. I was fit to practice for the day of the exam, when I was supposed to be tested, how  am I going to be tested for-to-practice for the future 6 months. If I am tested for fit to practice after the initial legal examination date, so should be all registered representatives?
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 17:41
      The legal basis is in Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Regulation on the European qualifying examination for professional representatives: the Supervisory Board decides on the date of the exam. 

      For to practice only at the day of the exam? You are required to be fit for practice as a European patent attorney throughout your whole professional career, not just on those few days! 

      You may want to read the Code of Conduct of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (XIV,2 in Supplementary publication 1 of OJ EPO 2020), notably Article 3(c): "The basic task of a member is to serve as a reliable adviser to persons interested in patent matters." and the Regulation on discipline for professional representatives (XIV,3 in Supplementary publication 1 of OJ EPO 2020), notably Article 1 "General professional obligations".

      M.
      Delete
  92. Anonymous11 March 2020 at 17:49
    No more 'just an italian problem' now that they give it its name: pandemic.
    ReplyDelete
  93. Q12 March 2020 at 16:58
    Shame on you EPO for not caring on what martirised EQE candidates feel.
    I can not understand this silence from you!
    Is it difficult for you to send us  a message telling us that you are studying how to compensate for your decision...
    Can't you understand the frustration of candidates who worked very very had for months... since last summer !
    The complex logistics should not stop you from compassion with candidates!! !
    I tell you this on behalf of my person, but I am sure almost all candidates agree with me! 

    As you can not find a solution, here is a suggestion for your lazy brains:
    1. You should compensate for candidates that have already failed one or more papers in 2019, either by lowering the compensable fail from 45 to 40, or by adding at least 5 points, this way you give the opportunity to these candidates to obtain their qualification if they already have at least 200 marks.
    2. You should also recall the marks obtained by candidates during the three last years, why a candidate may not use his mark of 2018 or 2017 if it allow him to qualifay, for example a candidate who got 48 on D in 2018, but unfortunately in 2019 got only 44, why not allow him/her to use the mark of 2018 if he/she has 200 marks ?
    3. For all candidates (new and reciters), regardless to the fact that the exam is rescheduled this year or not, you should add at least 5 points for each paper to which the candidate subscribed in 2020. (or Alternatively, 45 as claimed by many voices! ) 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A12 March 2020 at 17:59
      I definitely agree with you,
      Thanks
      Delete
    2. Anonymous12 March 2020 at 19:47
      All candidates are affected but those candidates doing 4 papers this year are disproportionately affected. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 09:11
      Do not agree. Pre-Examination candidates are worse off, for them it is a year delay.

      Main exam candidates that do all 4 usually fail at least 1. So they need to sit a second year anyhow. With one year delay, they can prepare better. Especially for the papers they did not prepare yet but wanted to just gave it a try.

      Main exam candidates that passed already 3 and need to sit (or resit) just the 4th paper are also worse off than those that sit all 4 for the first time.

      B
      Delete
    4. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 09:53
      I think those who do all 4 stand out to lose the most for sure because they have to do so much preparation. But yes, in general - all candidates lose out badly from this. 
      Delete
    5. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 09:59
      Its not necessarily the case of having 1 more extra year, you should be better. The fact is that most would have planned and exhausted their options for this year. Most would have gone on courses or had books all updated. Most would of have done all past papers and learnt from them.

      Doing all this again is not credible for most. First of all, they don't have the same amount of time to prepare because they have taken most of their leave for this exam. They probably need to get new books which add more costs for them and they no longer benefit as much from the courses they went on. Going on refresher course will add more costs to them. They have also done all past exam papers. The most effective time to do them as the EPO always say is to do them first time. 

      You cannot replicate that same preparation and mentality. 
      Delete
  94. Anonymous12 March 2020 at 21:00
    The EPO/EPI tandem should start granting patent attorney licenses asap! Otherwise, candidates cannot start their own businesses, and have to stay in their current firms, increasing the chance of getting and spreading the COVID infection! The EPO/EPI should not kill people by their inaction!
    ReplyDelete
  95. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 09:55
    Here is a suggestion

    Could the EPO look at "alternative" ways of assessments. Some university and schools have cancelled exams and are doing assessments using alternative ways. I think it would be good to see what schools and universities do instead of exams this year.

    The EPO should seriously consider this. Candidates are massively impacted and cannot afford to wait another  year. 

    J 
    ReplyDelete
  96. No point light revising13 March 2020 at 10:00
    There is just no point doing light revision now. The situation is not improving and the EPO has been non-communicative. 
    ReplyDelete
  97. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 10:13
    For pre-EQE - just give a pass this year. They will still need to do main EQEs

    For EQEs - just give 10 marks per paper. They will still need to sit the exams next year. 

    This is probably the fairest way. 

    This should account for lost of preparation time, financial loss and go some way addressing the rightful concerns of loss future earning.  
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 10:15
      if candidates are not fit to practice, it would be obvious as they normally get around 20-30 marks so this should be a fair compromise. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 15:02
      Completely unfair to give pre-EQE candidates a complete pass.

      Better and fairer compensation is to lower the pass-rate of pre-EQE. Give all main EQEs candidates 10 points per paper. 
       
      Delete
  98. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 12:40
    I really feel very sorry for you all 
    Take the decision and go for 2021 regularly
    Drück Dir die Daumen, Esther

    ReplyDelete
  99. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 13:31
    In view of all the decisions taken by the authorities in view of the Coronavirus (social distancing, quarantine, even closing down universities, schools and museums) in many European countries, as well as elsewhere, we can only conclude that the Supervisory Board took a very wise decision.

    It is regrettable for all of us that that decision was needed, but it was the only right thing to do.

    But why do they keep silent as to what the plans are? 
    Are the seriously consider to reschedule, what date range shall we keep free? They must have a "candidate date" already!
    And will it be the pre-exam as well as all main exam papers, or only the pre-exam, or only pre-exam and paper D, or only pre-exam and one main exam paper at choice?

    Supervisory Board and EQE Secretariat: please inform us! It has been silent for more than a week now, there must be some outlook?!
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 15:38
      You should not expect a new rescheduled date until there is greater certainty as to how the situation in Europe is going to play out.

      For example, if they were to set a date in June - or even in September - how can they currently know that they would not again have to cancel that date?

      I would expect that the longer this uncertainty lasts, the more likely it becomes that the earliest opportunity any of us will get to sit the papers that we are currently enrolled for will be the March 2021 dates already scheduled.
      Delete
  100. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 13:55
    France is getting locked....
    ReplyDelete
  101. D13 March 2020 at 15:49
    Has anyone tried to call the Secretariat during past couple of days?  They must have been already getting hundreds of calls, so I did not want to add to their burden.  I was just curious if anyone has spoken to any official there and if there was any 'reading between the lines'?  I mean for sure they would just give neutral/non-committal responses but was there anything at all that could give a hint as to what is the overall thought process at the moment - wait until things become certain in regards to coronavirus pandemic, more leaning towards cancellation, etc.  I really hope that they send out some communication to the candidates.  Even an email saying that we are still considering - we are hoping to come to a decision by so and so date. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 16:08
      Such an “email saying that we are still considering - we are hoping to come to a decision by so and so date” would be much much much appreciated, and even better if such indication would also be added to the red message on the EQE pages!!!
      Delete
    2. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 17:52
      The EPO are hopeless. They still get paid well while we stuck here in limbo. 

      What are we paying fees for. 

      Its clear that they haven't plan. Candidates asking for a helpline for over a week now and there is still no sign of this support. 

      Very poor from the EPO. 
      Delete
  102. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 17:12
    Sorry for you guys. 

    But you need to accept the situation and go ahead.

    Do not ask for some compensatory measures that would weaken your qualification. This will follow you all your respective life.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 17:50
      I will accept if the EPO compensate for my yearly loss earnings. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 17:53
      and for my loss of time which could've been spent with my family for the past 6-7 months. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 18:00
      The compensatory measures would not weaken the qualification because the EQE structure, time limits, unavailability of computers are all very far from fit-to-practice. Members of the examination circuit, including authors of some papers, know this very well and openly admit this too, but they like this "little game", as they often call it. BTW, this is why all these EQE preparatory courses exist. when I studied in the university, it was unthinkable to take a class on some subject and then take a second class explaining how to pass exam for this subject.

      Also, a part of what is tested is not defined anywhere at all. For example, for Paper B, what does EPC say about interpretation of client's instructions? Nothing! So, a candidate may follow his firm's practice, but the EPO examiners, having no clients at all, or in-house patent attorneys having no clients, or various patent attorneys using different practices penalize them for a "wrong" interpretation.
      Delete
    4. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 18:01
      You can choose a less challenging job. Or no job at all. Then you have full time for your family.

      Do not play the victim. And if you do, blame the right entity, which is not the EPO. Look around you: the whole world is on fire and you complain about a few hours more of studying. You should be reasonable. Also to the EPO and epi people that took te decision. Behaving fair with respect to your (future) colleagues is anyhow a professional duty once you are a European patent attorney (if you will ever be)!
      Delete
    5. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 18:19
      It is right that "behaving fair with respect to your (future) colleagues is anyhow a professional duty once you are a European patent attorney". 

      But the EQE, as it is conducted by the EPO and EPI, is largely not fair. And they do not warn candidates about this beforehand.

      Also, the EQE is supposed to be checking fit-to-practice. The practice is largely unaffected by the current circumstances. In my firm, everyone is healthy and works. So, why was EQE organized in such a way that it does not resemble practice? It could be a computer-based exam instead from your work place or a local examination center.
      Delete
    6. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 19:42
      https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51876784

      No further comments needed.

      By the way, can I come to work in your office? Mine is closed, we all need to work from home, as many all across Europe.
      Delete
    7. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 22:59
      Re "By the way, can I come to work in your office? Mine is closed ...":

      This question, irrelevant to the EQE-2020, should rather be directed to the senior partner in my firm. BTW, he marked EQE once, but he disliked it. Some younger patent attorney, much more active in the examination circuit, tried to push him to heavily penalize some different, reasonable, solutions. The logic was "it must be done our way, or fail". So, the partner does not mark EQE anymore. And the pushy attorney has grown his or her or self-esteem, and probably the billing too, by advertising as a member of the examination committee.


      Re "we all need to work from home, as many all across Europe":

      So, practice allows working from home? Then I am ready to demonstrate this skill in the exam tailored to measure my fitness to practice. 

      Practice does not include working on artificially marked papers under immense time pressure in outskirts of Munich with several hundred of other people in the room (or, e.g. flying to the Moon)? So, getting the license should not require this too. Especially, because such procedures are difficult to organize on a sufficiently frequent basis.

      BTW, I would agree to get the license with the note "Potential clients, beware: this attorney has passed only pre-exam and papers X, Y and Z, but failed paper F of the EQE". Why are you afraid of letting clients choose whom they prefer? 
      Delete
  103. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 22:58
    It is strange that those are asking for an automatic pre-EQE pass but not with the main EQEs. To be fair to all candidates, if the candidates have to sit the main EQEs - the candidates will also have to sit pre-EQE.

    All candidates need to sit the exams with some applied discretion by the EPO. 

    There should be no automatic passes with pre-EQEs. 
    ReplyDelete
  104. Anonymous13 March 2020 at 23:47
    The notion that candidates should be given an automatic pass for pre-EQE is ridiculous. What would be the point in the examination then?
    If we are passing these candidates then what compensation will be given to those doing the main EQE's. After spending so much time trailing through this blog and various other forums, I've concluded that the best option is for rescheduling of the examination- for 2021. I'm going to stop doing revision for the time being and make sure my notes are organised and cover any gaps in my knowledge and wait until we hear back from the EPO. Nothing can be changed now, the decision has been made, so lets move on.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 05:41
      I think a fair treatment to the EQE candidates should be to give at least 15 points to each exam to compensate all the efforts they have made during the preparation. Unfortunately, as EQE is reputed as one of the most difficult and most valuable exams , it’s almost impossible to give them an auto-pass. Above all,  never an auto-pass has been given to main EQE exams. However, pre-EQE is not always mandatory, the1st began just in 2012. Even more, in the Regulation on the European qualifying examination, it’s stipulated as conditional in Article 1(7), so, being not selfish, I think pre-EQE candidates could have an auto-pass. 
      Delete
    2. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 07:23
      I fully agree with “ However, pre-EQE is not always mandatory, the1st began just in 2012. Even more, in the Regulation on the European qualifying examination, it’s stipulated as conditional in Article 1(7), so, being not selfish, I think pre-EQE candidates could have an auto-pass.”

      Another alternative the would limit the damage to this year’s pre-exam candidates is to let them sit the pre-exam on the Monday before the main exam and allow them to also sit the main exam. That can prevent the year delay. Big challenge, but if you prepare well for main exam, taking the pre-exam on Monday does not require extra prep. The main exam papers would then only be marked if the pre-exais passed. Looks like a reasonable compromise, agree?

      I do not agree with “ I think a fair treatment to the EQE candidates should be to give at least 15 points to each exam to compensate all the efforts they have made during the preparation”. 
      Delete
    3. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 07:44
      why would you want automatic pre-EQE passes. You will forever be known as the year who got a free pass. 
      Delete
    4. Anonymous16 March 2020 at 09:05
      No one cares about the pre-exam results when the main exam is passed (except for you, obviously - so you need to pass the pre-exam with over 90 marks, else you will always be known as the person that passed the pre-exam with only 70).
      Delete
  105. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 07:40
    I disagree allowing a pass for pre-EQE. I understand that candidates will have to wait for a year but that is also true for EQE candidates. 

    It is now part of the examination process so it needs to be sat. A better way is to provide compensation rather than allowing automatic passes for pre-EQE candidates.
    ReplyDelete
  106. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 07:42
    To Anon @ 7.23. Your idea of sitting pre-EQE candidates on Monday and then EQE Tuesday to Thursday won't work. Candidates are required to pass pre-EQE before they sit the EQEs. That has always been known. 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16 March 2020 at 09:02
      They need to pass, indeed, but it is not necessary that they received the pass decision already. The marking in the 2-3 weeks after the exam will show whether they passed or not, that is just a factual establishment of what they achieved on the Monday, so then they met the requriements to sit the main the next 3 days, but if they did not they cannot and the main will considered not validly sit  (I said "The main exam papers would then only be marked if the pre-exais passed").

      Anon @ 7.23
      Delete
  107. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 09:26
    Fairness to all candidates, if they pass pre-EQE then THEY MUST PROVIDE some compensation to candidates sitting the main EQEs for sure! 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 09:28
      but I don't think they should auto pass pre-EQEs. That's my view and unfair as I had to sit it last year so its unfair on me and candidates in the future. Compensation/discretion will be fair to candidates this year because of the circumstances. That's fairest for all. 
      Delete
  108. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 11:31
    Not sure what world people live in where you really think it matters people are given a pre-eqe pass. It's a simple gatekeeping exercise and the small percentage of people who fail who aren't ready won't be passing the main EQEs next year if they aren't ready by then.

    I passed it last year for background. Wouldn't begrudge anybody getting an automatic pass for it. And im expecting nothing in compensation for me not being able to sit the 4 exams I was prepared to sit... 
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 12:01
      Strongly disagree that automatic passes should be given for pre-EQE. Why not give it to main EQE where candidates are most affected? 

      Pre-EQE is still a demanding exam. I agree that all candidates doing all exams should have some discretion applied this year but not automatic passes.
      Delete
    2. Jaming14 March 2020 at 12:02
      I worked hard last year to pass pre EQE. Why should they auto pass this year if I don't get anything for main EQE
      Delete
    3. Anonymous16 March 2020 at 09:11
      I fully agree with Anonymous 14 March 2020 at 11:31.

      Jaming: get over being jealous and allow your younger candidates to continue as they could expect. By the way, last year 90% (almost all!) pass rate at pre-exam! It is 90% of the candidates that are improportionally hit by a pre-exam cancel and it is fair to advacne them, whereas the 10% (only 10%!) are indeed just lucky. You also seem to overlook that the exam was only cancelled 1,5 weeks before the date. So all candidates worked hard this year to pass pre EQE. Your argument sucks, sorry to say. Be fair to them.
      Delete
  109. Anonymous14 March 2020 at 11:58
    This is about fairness to all candidate this year.

    You can't give just give pre Eqe candidates a pass and give nothing to candidates doing the main EQE.

    Either we all get compensation or nothing at all. 
    ReplyDelete
  110. Pete Pollard14 March 2020 at 13:13
    "... many governments have taken measures to prevent spreading of the COVID19 disease, amongst them prohibition of public events with a certain size up to putting certain regions under total quarantine with an absolute travel ban.

    Additionally, many companies and employers have also put in place travel restrictions for their employees. It is not possible to carry out a complex pan-European EQE under those circumstances without putting at risk participants and organizers.

    We all do not know, how the situation will develop within the next months. We support and encourage therefore the Supervisory Board, the EPO EQE secretariat and all other bodies involved to explore all necessary measures to carry out an EQE for the candidates who planned to sit in March 2020 as soon as the situation will allow, either still within 2020 or only in 2021."
    ReplyDelete
  111. Roel van Woudenberg14 March 2020 at 14:04
    The epi website gives the epi view on EQE March 2020 cancellation (March 13, 2020)

    https://patentepi.org/en/epi/news/a4e7106e-0f2c-4d35-af84-6b00f6f89f5c
    ReplyDelete
  112. Ash14 March 2020 at 18:20
    I do understand the decision made by the EPO. However, I would also hope that they would have provided a bit more information. It was clear to me that no planning was made before the cancellation. The virus appeared in December 2019 and I would have hoped the EPO would be in contact with their key stakeholders. 

    It was clear that none their partners, Pete or Roel (who are tutors of EQE courses) were contacted/consulted and local organisations like CIPA was also not notified.

    The communication from the EPO has generally been poor and the supervisory board must take some responsibility. 
    ReplyDelete











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