Final preparations
Wow, only a few weeks left until the EQE. 😱
I have a few plans, ideas on my to-do list that I want to do for you in these last days/weeks, but I always have more ideas than time.... However, at least the Mock Paper D will surely happen!
In the meantime, please see below a couple of comments for this remaining period.
Study
During these last days, the focus is probably not so much on studying anymore, but revising.
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.
Complete EPO’s free Time limit course.
If you want, you can also attend the Mock Paper D I’m organising (or, if you are not free on that day, you can answer it on your own).
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?).
My refresher articles with links:
You might also want to give a read to the most important G decisions that I collected here.
Last-year’s last-minute PCT refresher (PDF presentation and recording still available for free)
For Paper A and B, read about the claim categories, unity, clarity, computer implemented inventions, study Art.52 and 53 EPC.
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
Finalise and print your templates, print an EQE calendar
If you haven’t done it yet, also print any other materials you want to use during the exam. The documents, tables I created for the EQE can be downloaded from here.
You can download my EQE 2025 calendar from here.
Put a post-it note with the priority requirements and a separate note saying “RENEWAL FEE” on your monitor. You can thank me later. 😀
Prepare and test your IT setup
If you can, prepare a backup laptop (personal/work laptop, or borrow one from someone), install WISEflow on it. If, for some reason your computer would completely die during the EQE, you will have a backup. However, you will have to keep it out of reach during the exam and only use it if you don’t have any other way to contact the EPO or login to WISEflow again.
Have a backup mouse and keyboard, for example borrow a wired mouse if otherwise you are using a Bluetooth mouse. I already plugged them in at the start of the exam, so in case the Bluetooth connection would have died, I could have simply continued the exam using the wired mouse or keyboard. (Luckily, I didn’t have any issues with the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.)
It is also a good idea to buy some backup batteries, e.g. for your Bluetooth devices (if they use batteries).
A few candidates also ask their neighbour for their WiFi Password for emergency.
Read instructions to candidates again
Here are the most important links: Code of conduct
Contact EQE Secretariat (helpdesk@eqe.org) in case of any health issues, breastfeeding or pregnancy to ask for more breaks.
IT - a few days before the exam
Don't forget to turn off automatic updates, 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”
Check if you have enough paper and toner in your printer. 🖨️
Make sure that you cannot use not allowed keyboard combinations, such as “alt+Tab” (see William Salinger’s LinkedIn post)
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/10: “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.”
Other - a few days before the exam
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. 🍫🍫🍫
Pack a lunch if you want something ready to eat during the breaks. I still remember making homemade burrito bowls for my exam days; it was amazing to have something I could quickly heat up in the microwave. But to be fair, I’m a little obsessed with food and eating in general, so this point might not apply to you. 🤪
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)
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 (easier said than done, but it’s super important – stress is not your friend). You've done your best over the past months, and that’s all you could do. Trust that it will be enough. Stay calm and focus on doing your best during the exam. If something beyond your control happens, remember that there’s nothing you can do about it. And at the end of the day, this is just an exam.
On the day before the exam
Set 100 alarms for the day of the exam (on multiple devices)
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. Again, just a tip from a foodie who does not like to get up early but likes to have a good and healthy breakfast 😀)
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/6: “Within the first 60 minutes of any flow, 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 (except for the flows of part D1-1 and part D1-2 of paper D!), but 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/7)
If something happens, try to stay calm. Contact the invigilators if you have a problem.
Instructions to candidates V/10: “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/calendars-info-eqe-2025/