What we already know about the online EQE
Please kindly note that this article had been written before any official information was available. Since then, the EPO published some FAQ, and I published another article about the online EQE. That article will be kept up-to-date about the online EQE 2021. Click here to read it.
While a lot of things are still unclear about the upcoming online EQE, a few matters have already been decided, and some things have high probability.
Firstly, we know that they will use the papers that have been prepared for 2020. So, they will not create new papers specifically for this upcoming online exam.
Then, some great news: Paper A and paper B will be organized on separate days. The EPO has revised the examination schedule and decided that paper A and paper B will take place on separate days. See the schedule here.
The EPO started publishing answers for frequently asked questions regarding the online EQE 2021. Click here to read them. These are certain.
We can take the exam at home.
Printing is not yet decided. *Update on 14th October: In the meantime, it has been decided that printing of some parts of the exam will be allowed. The system will probably allow printing 15 minutes before the exam. Questions are provided only when the exam starts.
It will be possible for us, candidates to familiarise themselves with the software as of January 2021.
Furthermore, the next points are not published but have high probabilities according to my discussions to other professionals.
*Update on 14th October: Most of the below assumptions have already been confirmed by the EPO.
The software will have minimal functions, but we should be able to search and use copy and paste functions.
The software will run on any operational systems.
The software will block us from using any softwares on our computer.
The software might limit us such that we will only be able to use a single monitor. (This will depend on the software chosen by the EPO, but a single monitor has unfortunately high probabilities…)
If we can only use one screen, printing of at least some parts of the exam will be allowed. (For example we can print the prior art documents but not the client’s letter.)
If printing will be allowed, they might allow a few extra minutes for that. However, no extra time will be allowed just because typing is slower than handwriting.
We will have to sit in a quiet room alone, and we will not be allowed to leave the room - although use of bathroom will be allowed.
We will need to setup some cameras (or at least one camera) around us.
Handwritten files will probably not be allowed to scan and send as part of our answer.
Internet use will not be allowed.
It will be allowed to switch from Wi-Fi to cellular, if there are any problems with the internet service.
The EPO’s main issue is security and how to make sure that candidates will not cheat. I don’t think any candidates would think of cheating in this profession, but of course I understand this point of view. Most of us, candidates are rather frustrated because of this whole situation, uncertainty, are annoyed because of being guinea pigs and not involved in the communication and do not know how we should practice or what to expect.
Many different softwares are being tested currently, but we can suspect that the software will be similar to the one used during the UK exams that are taking place within the next few weeks. You can watch the introduction video of that software here. Again, the software will not be the same, but you can have an idea about the system.