Final preparations
Wow, only a few days left until the EQE.
EPO’s instructions
Make sure to read all the guides published by the EPO (again). While this is not so simple (no notification from the EPO when a material is updated, no indication which document and on which page is updated, etc.), it is very important.
To make your job easier, here are the most important links:
IT
Don't forget to disable any screen saver and power-saving function
Instructions to candidates III/5 e): “… the computer should not be disrupted by any background routines such as automatic updates or other programs during the examination”
Make sure that you cannot use not allowed keyboard combinations, such as “alt+Tab” (see William Salinger’s LinkedIn post or Pete Pollard’s blog)
Instructions to candidates III/7: “7. Candidates are not allowed to use shortcuts (Alt+Tab, Ctrl+P or the like), key combinations and touchpad gestures in the lockdown browser, except the ones mentioned hereafter. Using shortcuts is seen as an unauthorised action and will cause in the lockdown browser to stop your examination.”
Write all your passwords (WISEflow, participator password) on a paper.
Make sure you are using the correct version of WISEflow.
Instructions to candidates IV/2: “Candidates must ensure that they are running the same version as the one that is available online on the WISEflow website by clicking “Guide to lockdown browser”.”
You might want to setup a second, backup computer with WISEflow that you can use if a serious problem occurs during the exam.
Buy some extra batteries, if necessary (e.g. for bluetooth mouse).
Charge your keyboard and mouse (if applicable).
Take any non-allowed electronic devices out of your room (or at least out of reach from your desk).
Instructions to candidates IV/11: “Other than the computer system required for the examination (PC or laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) and routers and printers, no other electronic equipment (calculators, digital watches, tablets, smartphones, smart watches, etc.) are permitted. Candidates may not use headphones, headsets or any other non-electronic noise-cancelling items such as earplugs.”
Study
During these last days, the focus is probably not on studying anymore, but there are a few things you can still do.
Make notes of your most common mistakes and have them with you.
Make notes of the articles and rules you need a lot and tend to forget (for date calculation, etc.)
Do the recent EPAC exams for a nice refresher.
Paper D is said to be the worst exam to fail, since that requires the most time to study again. (A deep, up-to-date legal knowledge is a must for passing Paper D.) For this reason, it might be useful to refresh the topics you don't remember so well and revise your weakest points (PCT, am I right?).
Don't study on the day before the exam unless you really, really want to – I would rather spend this time with relaxing and making sure that I have everything (food, printer, batteries etc.) for the exam.
Other
Cover any necessary surfaces in your room.
Instructions to candidates II/3. Any see-through wall or door in the room through which another person might be able to see the candidate's screen must be covered. Any window, mirror or other shiny or glossy surface or parts of these which are located behind the candidate (i.e. facing the screen) must also be covered.
Buy your favourite chocolate for the exam.
Check if you have enough paper and toner in your printer.
Check if you have all the necessary materials printed (and label the most important parts if you have time), most importantly: print an EQE calendar, print your templates, tables (for D2, I recommend printing more tables in case you make a mistake and want to start over)
(The documents I printed are summarised here. My downloadable materials are here.)You might need to setup an extra desk/chair next to you so that you can have all your books within reach (it is best not to have them on the floor).
Try to sleep and relax as much as possible (easy to say).
On the day before the exam
Set 100 alarms for the day of the exam
Put your ID on your desk
Instructions to candidates IV/6: “Candidates must have a valid official photographic ID (identity card or passport) and keep it within easy reach. For the purpose of verifying their identity, candidates must hold their ID next to their face for a reference photo to be taken each day at the beginning of the examination paper. When prompted by the system, candidates must take a reference photo ensuring that their entire face is visible. In addition, invigilators can ask candidates to hold their identity card or passport up to the camera at any time during an examination.”
Have your books, templates, EQE calendar and other printed materials ready and within reach.
Charge keyboard/mouse/laptop, etc. or put new battery in them (if not yet done).
You can set up your phone as a mobile hotspot in case your internet dies during the exam. If you are doing this, make sure to change your computer settings to be able to automatically switch networks.
Have notepaper, pen, pencil, highlighter ready.
Have your password(s) ready.
Cover any surfaces in the room (e.g. behind you), if necessary and not yet done.
Take off your smart watch, remove other electronic devices from the room (or at least out of reach) (if not yet done).
Have a bottle of water and some food/chocolate with you (and any medicine, if necessary).
Have tissues ready for crying… 😂
Fill the printer with papers.
Make post-it reminders, such as "show my ID" “check renewal fees” if you need.
Write a note “KEEP OUT” to your door outside your room, like this. 😀
Inform your family/roommates about your exam schedule so that they know when you finish and they can come home, etc.
If you are not an early bird and/or taking the exam from the UK where the exams start an hour earlier maybe also prepare your breakfast one day before to save time on the day of the exam(s). (Overnight oats are your friend 😀)
Just before the exam
Log in to WISEflow 1 hr. before the exam (at 8:30 CET, 7:30 in the UK), but at least 30 minutes before.
Verify WISEflow software
Instructions to candidates IV/3: “The WISEflow software must be verified at least once before the first flow on the examination day, even if it was already verified previously.”
Check one last time if you have everything you need in the room (your ID, water, etc.), within reach.
Pete Pollard's advice: Before you put your phone away, make a video BEFORE EACH EXAM, with at least a date stamp (preferably also GPS data) as evidence. Or a lot of photos.
Put away any electronic devices that are not allowed.
Print the printable parts of the exam when they appear.
Instructions to candidates IV/5: “Where possible, candidates wishing to print any parts of an examination paper must do so as soon as the relevant parts are available. To see the printable parts, candidates must refresh the page before launching the lockdown browser.”
Take your phone out of the room (and go to the bathroom if needed).
Click on “Start the flow”, do camera and microphone check
Don’t forget to show your ID.
Launch the lockdown browser and wait for the exam to start.
Instructions to candidates IV/8: “The lockdown browser launch procedure should be run at the start of the examination but must be completed no later than 15 minutes after the examination start time. Otherwise, candidates will not be able to enter the flow and sit the respective paper or part thereof.”
In case there are any problems with WISEflow, first always try to click refresh, i.e. click on the clockwise arrow icon.
Don’t forget that you have to sit facing the computer/laptop/camera.
Don’t leave your desk at least for 60 minutes!
Instructions to candidates V/8: “Within the first 60 minutes of any main examination paper or a part (flow) thereof, candidates must not close the lockdown browser, leave the room or leave the camera's field of view, irrespective of whether they wish to submit their answers or end the examination.”
After 60 minutes, you are allowed to take unscheduled breaks, but only during paper A, paper B, both parts of paper C and part D2 of paper D, and only if you inform the invigilator via the chat widget when taking an unscheduled break and when returning to your seat. (Instructions to candidates V/9)
If something happens, try to stay calm. Contact the invigilators if you have a problem.
Instructions to candidates V/12: “Candidates must not contact any other person during the examination except the invigilator where necessary.”
After the exam, candidates wishing to lodge a complaint concerning the conduct of the examination must do so at the latest by the end of the day on which the paper concerned takes place, by filling in the dedicated form made available by the Examination Secretariat. (Instructions to candidates I/8)
Pete Pollard’s very detailed and helpful summary: https://blog.ipappify.de/eqe-2024-room-desk-creating-evidence/